Can someone explain the Birkin/Kelly obsession to me?

[PrincessTingTing]

Ooh that purple Balenciaga....bag twins!

I adore the quality of Hermes. Even though I don't own a Hermes bag, I am addicted to their small leather goods. I want the bag to be a shield for the heavenly collection inside. So, any bag would do. However, when I take a key case, or a card case, or an agenda, it just has to be special for me. Hermes and Bottega Veneta are all my pouches, phone cases, coin purses, lanyards for keys, pouches for cards, ID, post-it notes have their own Hermes pouches, large and small LOL. A colourful world living inside a soft felt organizer, and looking from the outside you would never tell. The feeling I have when I take some from any one of them is priceless.View attachment 5005851View attachment 5005852

 

[Joybingebirkin]

Well, I was a Prada and Dior girl before getting my first Hermes bag (a reject HSS Birkin in my avatar) I always loved the look of Birkins and kellys and always marveled at them. Finally took the dive into going into the boutiques to just chat with an SA and learn about the brand took about 3 months with no purchase just me becoming friends with my SA and I was offered the reject HSS for my birthday. That was last September. Since that, I was offered an orange poppy kelly danse! My now husband bought me it!! Married last Sunday has offered to buy me a Constance 18 in lime if it comes into the boutique. In the meantime I am looking at getting a verrou chaine as me and DH loves the latch! I have bought like 4 scarves and twillys and now looking into the tea sets. I have to say once you dip your toes in Hermes you fall in deep! I have sold off all my other designer bags except for a Red Chanel jumbo double flap that I had to track down to find! And even that can’t compare to the quality of my birkin. It’s just something you really have to experience. Now that we are trying for a baby I’m sure I’ll be getting a kelly 35r as my mommy bag! I went Hermes and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. Dior still has a fun spot in my heart, however. But then I match up the cost to cost. It just seems I rather save more money for a Hermes.

 

[garçon_H]

For me, it’s the fact that Hermes will repair their products FOR LIFE! The spirit of making something that can last for generations is attractive to me. As for the quality of their leather (or any products), you really need to touch it to understand the difference.

 

[hers4eva]

If quality and craftsmanship (and I agree on this count re H) were the only reasons for the Birkin/Kelly obsession, the obsession would extend to other classics that are even older (the Bolide), as complex in terms of craftmanship or as pricey (the Plume). But it doesn’t. These two bags combine all the highly attractive elements of the H brand (craftsmanship, quality, service for the bag’s lifetime, exclusivity, price...) with the fact that they are very recognizable (and thus became iconic). At least this is what I think (no judgment).

@doni
Your post is perfect

I adore my bolide it has all Hermes wonderful qualities.

Bolide and Plume should be added with Birkiin and Kelly equally.

 

[cravin]

If quality and craftsmanship (and I agree on this count re H) were the only reasons for the Birkin/Kelly obsession, the obsession would extend to other classics that are even older (the Bolide), as complex in terms of craftmanship or as pricey (the Plume). But it doesn’t. These two bags combine all the highly attractive elements of the H brand (craftsmanship, quality, service for the bag’s lifetime, exclusivity, price...) with the fact that they are very recognizable (and thus became iconic). At least this is what I think (no judgment).

I've also said this before. The wife has crates full of old bags sitting in the basement (Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, etc.) and those hold nearly zero value. While my wife loves her Lindy and Evelyne bags, we wouldn't get anywhere close to what we paid for them as compared to what we could get for her B/K/Cs. I am not saying that these bags are an investment, because they aren't unless you're flipping them immediately (and likely getting blacklisted at your boutique), but I am sure that the retained value goes into the decision making for some as well.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Almost everyone praises Hermes quality. Please bear with my question because I never touched a Hermes bag, therefore I would like to know what makes the quality of Hermes bags so outstanding? Is it der accuracy of the stitchings? The thickness of the leather? Do you just have to feel the bag?

There are other brands that hand craft their bags, amazing leather, quality finished edges , without the games nor price tag.
I also find it disingenuous when folks say it's not much more than a chanel, because of the pre-spend.

 

[880]

There are other brands that hand craft their bags, amazing leather, quality finished edges , without the games nor price tag.
I also find it disingenuous when folks say it's not much more than a chanel, because of the pre-spend.

When DH and I can travel to Europe again, one of those ateliers is @duret.com (DH has purchased custom belts). It’s a handcrafted luxury experience. I love my Hermes collection and I agree that there are many other options.

edit: I’ve decided to order a Buffalo Dalmatian bag from Duret. Although we cannot go to Paris, Duret has been extremely responsive (he has buffalo Dalmatian in black/gray, blue and green and has sent me swatches) and he will custom color and design as per your preference. Every stitch is hand done and his work is gorgeous. He’s also happy to send weekly progress pics, videos etc etc.

 

[A bottle of Red]

When DH and I can travel to Europe again, one of those ateliers is @duret.com (DH has purchased custom belts). It’s a handcrafted luxury experience. I love my Hermes collection and I agree that there are many other options.

Ooh cannot wait to see what you can get from them!

 

[maris.crane]

Blind Post, and I truly hope no-one gets offended by the below (because the B is beautiful on it's face.)

I do want a Birkin ONE DAY partly because, yes, I do think the bag is striking while still utilitarian. BUT to me the bag will signify I've 'made it.' When I see the B, I auto associate it with Martha Stewart - whom has become a real hero of mine. The first time I ever saw or paid attention to a Birkin was when she brought one to trial and all the pundits were talking about whether it was a wise choice for her to do so (and thinking it was incroyable a bag could cost $6K USD!) To me, the B represents hard work, career success, and 'making it.'

Realistically: I need to get out of my current department before I even start THINKING about this; and I really don't have the money to drop it on a Birkin (I have other things I should be doing with $15K) at this point in my life. (I also think I'd look silly carrying a Birkin at this point in my day to day ) But one day.... I will own one.

I'd also love a B in some ridiculous, slightly garish, pop colour - so maybe one day it will be a reality if I am that person who gets lucky and wants the colour no one else cares for. (I wear a lot of black/camel and can't see that changing; I live in skinny jeans, black sweaters, camel sweaters, black and white teeshirts, and flats or ankle boots in my day-to-day.)

I think the C/C to G is more my 'speed' right now but I'm really, really, really scared to even go into H and buy stuff. Too much impostor syndrome feels.

 

[cravin]

Blind Post, and I truly hope no-one gets offended by the below (because the B is beautiful on it's face.)

I do want a Birkin ONE DAY partly because, yes, I do think the bag is striking while still utilitarian. BUT to me the bag will signify I've 'made it.' When I see the B, I auto associate it with Martha Stewart - whom has become a real hero of mine. The first time I ever saw or paid attention to a Birkin was when she brought one to trial and all the pundits were talking about whether it was a wise choice for her to do so (and thinking it was incroyable a bag could cost $6K USD!) To me, the B represents hard work, career success, and 'making it.'

Realistically: I need to get out of my current department before I even start THINKING about this; and I really don't have the money to drop it on a Birkin (I have other things I should be doing with $15K) at this point in my life. (I also think I'd look silly carrying a Birkin at this point in my day to day ) But one day.... I will own one.

I'd also love a B in some ridiculous, slightly garish, pop colour - so maybe one day it will be a reality if I am that person who gets lucky and wants the colour no one else cares for. (I wear a lot of black/camel and can't see that changing; I live in skinny jeans, black sweaters, camel sweaters, black and white teeshirts, and flats or ankle boots in my day-to-day.)

I think the C/C to G is more my 'speed' right now but I'm really, really, really scared to even go into H and buy stuff. Too much impostor syndrome feels.

I do not see anything in your post that would offend. Appreciating the craftsmanship, the brand, whatever, does not change the fact that H bags are a status symbol. I also think that the bags are designed as such. No repeating lettering, excessive branding, etc. The first Birkin that I bought the wife was for a birthday. She cried and made a comment of “I guess I’ve grown up” and we have had multiple conversations since about how good it is to be a grown up and have the finances to support “options”.

 

[courtney0530]

My husband bought my Birkin for our 10th anniversary because he knew it was my holy grail bag and our 2020 was really tough. He got it on the resale market. It will never go out of style, it’s amazing quality, and as others have mentioned, the bag spa is a big plus. And the first time I opened it and breathed in that leather smell - incredible. I consider it a family heirloom now and will pass it on to my daughter someday. They are a true investment bag. In 40 years I will still be carrying it, and I can’t say that for much else in my collection. Although my husband looks nervous every time I take it out!

 

[paula24jen]

My husband bought my Birkin for our 10th anniversary because he knew it was my holy grail bag and our 2020 was really tough. He got it on the resale market. It will never go out of style, it’s amazing quality, and as others have mentioned, the bag spa is a big plus. And the first time I opened it and breathed in that leather smell - incredible. I consider it a family heirloom now and will pass it on to my daughter someday. They are a true investment bag. In 40 years I will still be carrying it, and I can’t say that for much else in my collection. Although my husband looks nervous every time I take it out!

What a kind, thoughtful husband you have Courtney.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

My husband bought my Birkin for our 10th anniversary because he knew it was my holy grail bag and our 2020 was really tough. He got it on the resale market. It will never go out of style, it’s amazing quality, and as others have mentioned, the bag spa is a big plus. And the first time I opened it and breathed in that leather smell - incredible. I consider it a family heirloom now and will pass it on to my daughter someday. They are a true investment bag. In 40 years I will still be carrying it, and I can’t say that for much else in my collection. Although my husband looks nervous every time I take it out!

Thats so lovely! He's a keeper!

 

[Encore Hermes]

Jane and Grace were the first influencers.

 

[Etriers]

Can someone explain the Birkin/Kelly obsession to me?

In a nutshell, probably not. It’s just one of those things...