My first Hermes bag was a black birkin 25 with palladium hardware. I was very sure it was going to be a dark colour. I nearly settled for Bleu Ocean but I am glad I went with Black in the end. I feel it is a timeless classic especially if it is going to be the only Hermes bag I was going to have. It is still my only birkin. I don't use it for work as I prefer shoulder bags for work.