Can someone explain the Birkin/Kelly obsession to me?

[880]

It’s funny that we are talking as if the only brands are chanel, Hermes and LV. Of course, we are focusing on Chanel versus Hermes as per OPs thread, but there are many brands out there with a tradition of craftsmanship, from Moynat, Delvaux or a relatively modern brand Duret, Paris. (DH buys belts at lefotte, a mens store in NY and they source some belts from Duret. I looked at the website and the bags appear to be well crafted. If any TPFer has bought Duret, I’d love to hear about it as I’ve never seen one IRL).
During covid, i had an easier time transitioning back to Chanel bc i was able to walk in and buy things and the SA i liked there connected me to a 57th street RTW specialist. I didnt need to make an appt for RTW, either, just text her to come and meet me at the foyer. Although i have a past buying history at two NY Hermes boutiques, during covid, i find the process of making an appt more onerous than it needs to be sinye I’m not in the market for a quota bag. I’d just like to browse and buy what comes to mind. This is of course more of a covid issue than an H one. So, this is my long winded way of saying we buy what we love and whats relatively easy to access. Where they are super friendly and welcoming is Brunello Cuchinelli, madison ave, where DH and i can shop together for men’s and womens and they have comfy seating and chocolate, but they’re RTW, not bags.

 

[Classy Collector]

I used to wonder the same too. Once I got into H, I realized there is a big difference between H and Chanel craftsmanship when you compare their bags side by side.

Also, I’ve found H bags to be extremely functional and match many day-to-day outfits effortlessly. With Chanel, I really have to think about which outfits to wear. This is why I barely use my Chanel bags.

 

[Love Of My Life]

It’s funny that we are talking as if the only brands are chanel, Hermes and LV. Of course, we are focusing on Chanel versus Hermes as per OPs thread, but there are many brands out there with a tradition of craftsmanship, from Moynat, Delvaux or a relatively modern brand Duret, Paris. (DH buys belts at lefotte, a mens store in NY and they source some belts from Duret. I looked at the website and the bags appear to be well crafted. If any TPFer has bought Duret, I’d love to hear about it as I’ve never seen one IRL).
During covid, i had an easier time transitioning back to Chanel bc i was able to walk in and buy things and the SA i liked there connected me to a 57th street RTW specialist. I didnt need to make an appt for RTW, either, just text her to come and meet me at the foyer. Although i have a past buying history at two NY Hermes boutiques, during covid, i find the process of making an appt more onerous than it needs to be sinye I’m not in the market for a quota bag. I’d just like to browse and buy what comes to mind. This is of course more of a covid issue than an H one. So, this is my long winded way of saying we buy what we love and whats relatively easy to access. Where they are super friendly and welcoming is Brunello Cuchinelli, madison ave, where DH and i can shop together for men’s and womens and they have comfy seating and chocolate, but they’re RTW, not bags.

Agree & there are still many brands out there that are under the radar. I can remember going back when
BV also an exceptional line of quality bags, accessories & rtw had a tagline "when your own initials are enough"
which had impact for many that didn't want anything so recognizable. But that was then & this is now.
There have been many changes over the years with having a bag that maintains a level of status.
I can remember when KL took over at Chanel.. it was quiet understated timeless elegance where wearing that
little black suit, classic flap bag with two tone pumps took one anyplace they needed to go . It has all changed
as we know.
I agree that Covid has changed many of our shopping habits as well as our buying .
I like walking into a store without an appointment & not always sensing or feeling that a purchase was expected.
As someone who has a long history with H, I don't always like the tactics that many SA's use . I don't
always think it is a positive image for the brand but that's the game & that's how it is.. take it or leave it..
So for many that "obsession" will continue to be in play

 

[babygenius]

I used to wonder the same too. Once I got into H, I realized there is a big difference between H and Chanel craftsmanship when you compare their bags side by side.

Also, I’ve found H bags to be extremely functional and match many day-to-day outfits effortlessly. With Chanel, I really have to think about which outfits to wear. This is why I barely use my Chanel bags.

I completely agree. To be honest, I think in a way Hermes is way more understated than Chanel (other than the obvi Birkin/Kelly). I feel so much more comfortable carrying a Roulis, Verrou, or even Constance on the street compared to a Chanel flap.

 

[AnnaE]

I own luxury bags but I've never been interested in the Birkin/Kelly or pretty much anything Hermes. A brand's look needs to match your style and that just isn't Hermes for me. I have a friend who has been trying to get her hand on a Birkin/Kelly for a while now and has probably spent about $15K+ at Hermes over the past year in the hopes that she gets one. That alone has turned me off from Hermes as a brand. Seems like a toxic relationship with a guy you like who just won't commit LOL My friend tells me that one day I will understand and will want a Birkin/Kelly as well. I own Chanel and that is THRILLING for me haha can someone explain to me what the big deal with Birkin/Kelly is? *not trying to offend anybody's love for Hermes

Honestly, it is probably much better for your bank account if you never 'discover' Hermes bags

 

[BKC]

Honestly, it is probably much better for your bank account if you never 'discover' Hermes bags

Haha! I agree

 

[keodi]

There are so so so many different reasons. Everyone has their own.

For me, besides the look and H colors, etc., a large reason I sold off all my other brands and switched to H was the quality. I sold the three Channels (Boy, WOC, large tote) that I owned for less than a year due to their quality issues that showed up right away.

And honestly, if I could have bought a Birkin 15-20 years ago, I would of. It just takes some of us (at least me) me a while to work up to that point ($$$$ ).

Same here, that was my experience when I purchased my first Hermes bag, a Kelly, in 2016. I sold off most of my collection, and purchased 3 additional bags to include a Birkin.

I personally have had a great experience in my adventure of Hermes as a brand. My SA is absolutely wonderful along with the entire store so, in this sense, my experience has been quite different and colored the brand differently. I was also introduced to Hermes at a young age from family members who collected silk scarves that I always admired. So, for me, there is a fond memory of these people included in the Hermes experience.
I had always aspired to have a Chanel CF and purchased one maybe two weeks before purchasing my first Kelly. I was so disappointed by the quality of Chanel after seeing my Kelly. The leather smell/construction/feel is entirely different and made my CF honestly feel a little cheap. It really is something you have to see/touch/smell in person because once you do it is hard to "go back." In my experience, I can't really qualify spending 7k on a Chanel bag when for a couple thousand more I can get a true piece of art. (This is just my personal opinion so I hope not to offend anyone)
I hope this helps.

I agree!

 

[Haleema]

I absolutely love Birkins and would love to one day get my hands on the smallest size in ostrich skin, the main reason is the craftmanship behind it. The bags never wear out and always look brand new even after a decade of useage.

 

[psoucsd]

Prior to starting with Hermes, I was forever chasing the next “it” bag without getting the satisfaction I was craving.
My problems with those bags were:
1) quality issues. Had to decline multiple bags due to poor stitching, off kilter canvas, latches that don’t work properly, etc.
2) non-exclusivity. I prefer to carry something that I’m not going to see on every other person (I’m looking at you LV Neverfull). Even when I do see the occasional Hermes lover out on the street, there’s a rainbow of colors, leathers and accessories to individualize your bag to your taste.
3) time specific. When I pull out some of those “it” bags I had to have at the time, it screams of a bygone era. I’m looking for items that will remain classic and look great now and in the future.

 

[LVLover]

if a few words.....once you experience Hermes no other brand will ever be as good. It’s like that Seinfield episode about flying first class....

 

[bagnut1]

It’s funny that we are talking as if the only brands are chanel, Hermes and LV. Of course, we are focusing on Chanel versus Hermes as per OPs thread, but there are many brands out there with a tradition of craftsmanship, from Moynat, Delvaux or a relatively modern brand Duret, Paris. (DH buys belts at lefotte, a mens store in NY and they source some belts from Duret. I looked at the website and the bags appear to be well crafted. If any TPFer has bought Duret, I’d love to hear about it as I’ve never seen one IRL).
During covid, i had an easier time transitioning back to Chanel bc i was able to walk in and buy things and the SA i liked there connected me to a 57th street RTW specialist. I didnt need to make an appt for RTW, either, just text her to come and meet me at the foyer. Although i have a past buying history at two NY Hermes boutiques, during covid, i find the process of making an appt more onerous than it needs to be sinye I’m not in the market for a quota bag. I’d just like to browse and buy what comes to mind. This is of course more of a covid issue than an H one. So, this is my long winded way of saying we buy what we love and whats relatively easy to access. Where they are super friendly and welcoming is Brunello Cuchinelli, madison ave, where DH and i can shop together for men’s and womens and they have comfy seating and chocolate, but they’re RTW, not bags.

Big +1 on Moynat (pending new creative director's first round of designs).
And thanks for the tip on Duret! They look amazing and I am going to gift DH one of those belts shortly.

 

[880]

Yay! hope Your DH enjoys yours as much as mine does! At lefotte, you can choose your leather or exotic, thread, buckle, inside color etc etc. . .

 

[bagnut1]

I don't remember the first time I saw a Birkin or a Kelly, but I was briefly dabbling in vintage bags back in the oughts so it was probably around then. I have never longed for the B, but love the trapezoid shape of the K and its quiet, elegant simplicity. Especially with the retourne style it can be fancy, boho, or anything in between. My "gateway" H bag was a Jypsiere and the quality of the leather and construction quickly turned me into an Hermes junky. My first Kelly (avatar) was a delightful "score" at FSH, and that memory just adds to the warm fuzzies I get whenever I carry it.

For sure these bags aren't everyone's cup of tea (and what a boring place the world would be if that weren't the case), and (especially with the Birkin) the celebrity/bling "baggage" has taken over the design and quality of the bag itself. That said, they will last forever with the most basic care and are timeless, beautiful, and highly functional accessories. There are so few things one can say that about now.

 

[JazzyMac]

I feel like there's thousands of posts here explaining the "obsession," sooooo....what's the post for?

 

[tashinto]

I feel like there's thousands of posts here explaining the "obsession," sooooo....what's the post for?

Several people answered with great informative responses so seems like not everyone feels this way. Also, the forum’s search feature is not the best. Lastly, you have the option to skip over topics you don’t want to contribute anything valuable to.