Ok here's my detailed feedback from my personal experience. I am 5'2" maybe 130ish-140ish lbs in these pics. I have a toddler who is 4 years old.
First about the leathers:
Togo
Pros: durable/hardy, maintains shape when stored properly, water resistant, has a supple organic feel, suits the more casual Birkin retourne style. This leather is a great beginner leather IMO because it's relatively worry free and wears well.
Cons: can have a "dry" matte look, some will have more veins if that bothers you, heavier than epsom
Epsom:
Pros: takes color well, light, water resistant, suits small rigid styles IMO - like Constance, mini Kelly, KP, KC, etc
Cons: feels stiff, rigid, not a "rich, natural" feel to me, plasticky. So if you can imagine that leather on a bigger bag, it makes that bag boxier/bigger, which may make the edges prone to bumping into things, doesn't wear well in Birkin retourne style IMO (is H still making Birkin retourne in epsom? I don't have any personal experience with Birkin sellier). Of all my bags, my Birkin retourne in epsom have the most corner/edge wear. If not stored properly, the leather also ends up undulating unnaturally in my opinion, on the Birkin retourne.
Now onto sizes:
B30
Pros: great size, not too big, not too small, fits all essentials and more. Handles fit easily over my arm and can be carried at the crook of the elbow for hands free option.
Cons: can be heavier especially when filled up, more of a casual day bag, too big for evening event
B25 -
Pros: fits all essentials, cute size that can go from day to night
Cons: Handles. It does not fit easily on the arm, definitely can't be carried at the crook of my elbow (maybe you can because you're thinner), more like a wrist and hand carry for me. If you wear a lot of watches and bracelets, you have to be careful when putting it on your wrist so it doesn't scratch the leather. This size is hard with a toddler IMO.
Modeling pics:
B30 epsom, this bag is 9 years old and still in good shape but edges have more wear than any of my other bags
B30 Togo, this bag is 7 years old and is perfect to me. It literally looks almost as good as the day I got it. It stands on its own and doesn't slouch. I store it with air bags and lay on its side. Hand and elbow carry:
B25 epsom, this bag is 5 years old and has more wear on the edges than my B30 Togo (and I use my B30 Togo more than this B25).
Hand and wrist carry:
Bottom line: I personally will never buy another Birkin retourne in epsom again. The saving grace for my 2 are that I love the colors (Soufre and Rose Azalee).
After this novel, I hope it helps
First about the leathers:
Togo
Pros: durable/hardy, maintains shape when stored properly, water resistant, has a supple organic feel, suits the more casual Birkin retourne style. This leather is a great beginner leather IMO because it's relatively worry free and wears well.
Cons: can have a "dry" matte look, some will have more veins if that bothers you, heavier than epsom
Epsom:
Pros: takes color well, light, water resistant, suits small rigid styles IMO - like Constance, mini Kelly, KP, KC, etc
Cons: feels stiff, rigid, not a "rich, natural" feel to me, plasticky. So if you can imagine that leather on a bigger bag, it makes that bag boxier/bigger, which may make the edges prone to bumping into things, doesn't wear well in Birkin retourne style IMO (is H still making Birkin retourne in epsom? I don't have any personal experience with Birkin sellier). Of all my bags, my Birkin retourne in epsom have the most corner/edge wear. If not stored properly, the leather also ends up undulating unnaturally in my opinion, on the Birkin retourne.
Now onto sizes:
B30
Pros: great size, not too big, not too small, fits all essentials and more. Handles fit easily over my arm and can be carried at the crook of the elbow for hands free option.
Cons: can be heavier especially when filled up, more of a casual day bag, too big for evening event
B25 -
Pros: fits all essentials, cute size that can go from day to night
Cons: Handles. It does not fit easily on the arm, definitely can't be carried at the crook of my elbow (maybe you can because you're thinner), more like a wrist and hand carry for me. If you wear a lot of watches and bracelets, you have to be careful when putting it on your wrist so it doesn't scratch the leather. This size is hard with a toddler IMO.
Modeling pics:
B30 epsom, this bag is 9 years old and still in good shape but edges have more wear than any of my other bags
B30 Togo, this bag is 7 years old and is perfect to me. It literally looks almost as good as the day I got it. It stands on its own and doesn't slouch. I store it with air bags and lay on its side. Hand and elbow carry:
B25 epsom, this bag is 5 years old and has more wear on the edges than my B30 Togo (and I use my B30 Togo more than this B25).
Hand and wrist carry:
Bottom line: I personally will never buy another Birkin retourne in epsom again. The saving grace for my 2 are that I love the colors (Soufre and Rose Azalee).
After this novel, I hope it helps
Last edited:
