Help picking out my first-ever birkin??

lvpiggy · Jan 29, 2008

Hello ladies of the Hermès forum - this is a momentus time for me as I am preparing to purchase my first ever birkin bag. so, i'm issuing an open request for advice from all you birkin experts out there! here's a little about me and my thought process thus far:

i'm very small (4'11" and 85lbs) so i need something that won't look proportionately ridiculous
need at least enough room for: french wallet, blackberry, cellphone, compact, lipgloss, key & change zip-top pouch, digicam, car key, work ID badges (3)
color: either signature orange, or something very versatile that i can wear w/ a lot of different clothes
palladium hardware
i believe in using all my designer bags all the time, so it def will get carried to work, shopping, dinner, errands, etc
tend to like things that are classic and timeless and yet have a bit of a unique twist that sets them apart
prefer not to spend more than $12K

phew! i know, a lot of info . . . but really, any assistance would be greatly appreciated!! i know all you ladies here are the forums are the real experts!

mistikat · Jan 29, 2008

I'm 5'2" and have a 35 cm Birkin and really love it. But I like bigger bags (though I don't find this to be all that big). You may prefer a 30 cm. I was lucky because at my store, they had a bag they loaned out for media and I was able to see how I liked the size. If there are no Birkins in stock, you can try the same thing with a Kelly of similar size to get a sense of how the proportion works on you.

If you are patient and buy from an Hermes store, a bag in a non-exotic leather should not top your budget. If you choose to buy from a reseller to get the bag more quickly, than you may be spending at your limit or not, depending on the colour and leather combination.

Research the threads here; there are tons of great modelling pictures that will give you ideas. And don't be afraid to ask questions at your local store, if you have one.

Good luck, and I hope the wait is brief!

Nola · Jan 30, 2008

That depends a lot on whether you like handheld or shoulder bags more? A Birkin 30 (a 35 gets really heavy with all that stuff) is good if you like handheld. For a shoulder/handheld bag maybe a large Garden party or a Bolide (comes with strap so you can carry on shoulder too)? Shoulder bags big enough for your items; Massai, the Victoria bags. If you can, I would go to a shop and try the bags out, they can look small/big on someone else but who knows what they will look on you :tup: