Do Parisians wear Hermes?

[chicinthecity777]

I live and work in Paris so maybe i can help you?
It all depends on the area, really !
If you wander around FSH or Saint Germain of course you will spot many Birkins from well-off Parisians.
If you go to the 18th/19th 'arrondissement', chances are you will see none.
It's easier to spot (silver) Hermès jewelry or leather bracelets on Parisians are they are way more affordable. I think the most popular bag for Parisians is the Evelyne (=not the most expensive)
At work i can tell it's the number one brand for men's ties.
Hermès is even more popular in the south west of France (Biarritz for instance) because many wealthy French people have secondary homes there.
I have never seen a Parisian with a bright-colored Hermès bag ; they tend to carry discreet colours and under-the radar items

I totally agree with you for the Parisian degree of affection toward Hermès, i feel that way myself

Thank you for your observations and thank you for not feeling the need to give us a detailed breakdowns by race of Hermes wearers in Paris!

 

[PetitVoyageur]

I live and work in Paris so maybe i can help you?
It all depends on the area, really !
If you wander around FSH or Saint Germain of course you will spot many Birkins from well-off Parisians.
If you go to the 18th/19th 'arrondissement', chances are you will see none.
It's easier to spot (silver) Hermès jewelry or leather bracelets on Parisians are they are way more affordable. I think the most popular bag for Parisians is the Evelyne (=not the most expensive)
At work i can tell it's the number one brand for men's ties.
Hermès is even more popular in the south west of France (Biarritz for instance) because many wealthy French people have secondary homes there.
I have never seen a Parisian with a bright-colored Hermès bag ; they tend to carry discreet colours and under-the radar items

I totally agree with you for the Parisian degree of affection toward Hermès, i feel that way myself

That’s what I saw exactly, many well off senior locals (I assume, you can tell from their accent) tend to wear noir, étoupe, étain etc.

 

[Keren16]

I live and work in Paris so maybe i can help you?
It all depends on the area, really !
If you wander around FSH or Saint Germain of course you will spot many Birkins from well-off Parisians.
If you go to the 18th/19th 'arrondissement', chances are you will see none.
It's easier to spot (silver) Hermès jewelry or leather bracelets on Parisians are they are way more affordable. I think the most popular bag for Parisians is the Evelyne (=not the most expensive)
At work i can tell it's the number one brand for men's ties.
Hermès is even more popular in the south west of France (Biarritz for instance) because many wealthy French people have secondary homes there.
I have never seen a Parisian with a bright-colored Hermès bag ; they tend to carry discreet colours and under-the radar items

I totally agree with you for the Parisian degree of affection toward Hermès, i feel that way myself

I agree with your observations the times I have been in Paris. Unfortunately not long enough to make a true accurate assessment. I had the impression Parisians cared more about style. There was an elegant ease the various ways they dressed that fit their demeanor. To be fair, it was difficult for me to tell who actually lived there.
The people I know from Paris (& other parts of France) hold a high regard for Hermès. Many of their bags & accessories are not new. In fact they take pride telling me the piece is older when I compliment them wearing it.
It was a great lesson how I should wear Hermès rather than H wear me.

 

[dublineuse]

Many of their bags & accessories are not new. In fact they take pride telling me the piece is older when I compliment them wearing it.

That is very true !

 

[periogirl28]

That’s what I saw exactly, many well off senior locals (I assume, you can tell from their accent) tend to wear noir, étoupe, étain etc.

I think so too. I am just guessing which ladies whom I see carrying H are Parisian and I think they choose them in neutrals including Gold. I also saw a very distinguished gentlemen on the Eurostar with us once, carrying a totally battered, stripped of its top layer Sac a Depeche. I was floored, and discreetly indicated it to DH. There was no way to guess what it leather used to be but I am sure it was a well loved item. And he spoke with a French accent.

 

[Tonimichelle]

I agree with your observations the times I have been in Paris. Unfortunately not long enough to make a true accurate assessment. I had the impression Parisians cared more about style. There was an elegant ease the various ways they dressed that fit their demeanor. To be fair, it was difficult for me to tell who actually lived there.
The people I know from Paris (& other parts of France) hold a high regard for Hermès. Many of their bags & accessories are not new. In fact they take pride telling me the piece is older when I compliment them wearing it.
It was a great lesson how I should wear Hermès rather than H wear me.

I think so too. I am just guessing which ladies whom I see carrying H are Parisian and I think they choose them in neutrals including Gold. I also saw a very distinguished gentlemen on the Eurostar with us once, carrying a totally battered, stripped of its top layer Sac a Depeche. I was floored, and discreetly indicated it to DH. There was no way to guess what it leather used to be but I am sure it was a well loved item. And he spoke with a French accent.

Again just a guess that she was Parisian, but I once saw the most fabulous older lady (probably in her 80s) carrying an absolutely gorgeous black box Kelly that was so battered and worn in Le Bon Marche, I’d love to think that she’d been using it for the past 50 years, she was certainly not afraid of corner wear or using her handbag as it was intended!

 

[periogirl28]

Again just a guess that she was Parisian, but I once saw the most fabulous older lady (probably in her 80s) carrying an absolutely gorgeous black box Kelly that was so battered and worn in Le Bon Marche, I’d love to think that she’d been using it for the past 50 years, she was certainly not afraid of corner wear or using her handbag as it was intended!

Yes I do see this, super battered Box bags, sat on the floor on the sidewalk at cafes. I have no problem being totally opposite and babying my bags. There is no way I would ever be mistaken for Parisian anyway, even if I was born there and lived there all my life, or ever moved there .

 

[allywchu1]

Yes I do see this, super battered Box bags, sat on the floor on the sidewalk at cafes. I have no problem being totally opposite and babying my bags. There is no way I would ever be mistaken for Parisian anyway, even if I was born there and lived there all my life, or ever moved there .

I used to think the French culture is very inclusive, which leads, in a good way, to the glass pyramid in Lovure or other contemporary architecture in this historical city, or, in tragic way, to some unfortunate attacks in recent years... am under the impression that Parisan was just referring to the kind of attitude or lifestyle.

 

[periogirl28]

I used to think the French culture is very inclusive, which leads, in a good way, to the glass pyramid in Lovure or other contemporary architecture in this historical city, or, in tragic way, to some unfortunate attacks in recent years... am under the impression that Parisan was just referring to the kind of attitude or lifestyle.

Yes possibly a different way to look at it. I think the original post meant literal Parisians and I can't believe I posted the first reply all that time back!

 

[dublineuse]

I used to think the French culture is very inclusive, which leads, in a good way, to the glass pyramid in Lovure or other contemporary architecture in this historical city, or, in tragic way, to some unfortunate attacks in recent years... am under the impression that Parisan was just referring to the kind of attitude or lifestyle.

What do you mean about the attacks? How does the Parisian attitude have anything to do with this? (It’s weird you should mention that on the anniversary of this tragedy)

 

[FugitiveRouge]

This is a very thought-provoking thread.

It's touching on some fascinating ideas of intersectional racial justice, class struggles, and cultural competencies. Maybe it's just me reading into it? Maybe I'm the only one who struggles with understanding my love for Hermes in the context of an otherwise pragmatic (and maybe even puritanical) world view?

The very question of whether Parisians wear Hermes seems fraught with a slight undertone of cultural superiority.

Kerin16's comment is of particular interest to me in the context of Hermes as a brand and social signaling.

The people I know from Paris (& other parts of France) hold a high regard for Hermès. Many of their bags & accessories are not new. In fact they take pride telling me the piece is older when I compliment them wearing it.

This, to me, is a fascinating example of the entrenched "old world" class snobbery that can look down on new money or flashy signaling. But it could also be a very genuine and self-deprecating way of excusing an extravagant purchase from one's youth. I can't make that judgment. Forgive me if I'm being too serious and philosophical about the discussion here.

But I wonder... Why does it matter whether Parisians wear Hermes?

 

[dublineuse]

I really don’t think it’s about looking down on new money - more about transmission, about items of high quality that can be passed on from a generation to the next !
It « matter » whether Parisians love Hermès i guess because we’re (one of) the capital of fashion and home of the brand, that’s it.

 

[PJW5813]

This simple question, "Do Parisians wear Hermes?" has been given a gravitas and over interpretation that I'm sure was not in the mind of the original poster many years ago.

Anyone reading this forum will be an Hermes enthusiast.
For many from all over the world if they have opportunity to visit Paris, or in fact make a special trip to visit Paris, see this as a chance (in a lifetime?) to buy a coveted Hermes bag. In the past they queued for hours and now enter the appointment lottery. Is it no wonder that the thought came into someone's mind?
Do Parisians (by that I mean anyone living or working in Paris) with their easy (easier?) access to Hermes take the opportunity to have and use Hermes more than the rest of us - or is it just another shop that they might use?

 

[allywchu1]

What do you mean about the attacks? How does the Parisian attitude have anything to do with this? (It’s weird you should mention that on the anniversary of this tragedy)

This is a very thought-provoking thread.

It's touching on some fascinating ideas of intersectional racial justice, class struggles, and cultural competencies. Maybe it's just me reading into it? Maybe I'm the only one who struggles with understanding my love for Hermes in the context of an otherwise pragmatic (and maybe even puritanical) world view?

The very question of whether Parisians wear Hermes seems fraught with a slight undertone of cultural superiority.

Kerin16's comment is of particular interest to me in the context of Hermes as a brand and social signaling.
This, to me, is a fascinating example of the entrenched "old world" class snobbery that can look down on new money or flashy signaling. But it could also be a very genuine and self-deprecating way of excusing an extravagant purchase from one's youth. I can't make that judgment. Forgive me if I'm being too serious and philosophical about the discussion here.

But I wonder... Why does it matter whether Parisians wear Hermes?

Please do excuse me. I have no intention to go into detail discussion of such a serious (somewhat sad) topic in a happy and cheerful forum here. There are many discussions elsewhere to reflect on the social and cultural factors behind the tragic events. I like Parisian style / culture. I am drawn to h partly because of the Parisian fascination; not quite signaling. I was also amazed when first saw the glass pyramid in Louvre and learnt that it was from a Chinese architect; always appreciate diversity and inclusion rather than “xxx first”.

 

[allanrvj]

Anyone reading this forum will be an Hermes enthusiast.

not really. some are employees from Hermès, some are trolls who like to stir the pot, some are spammers, etc etc.