Hermes preferences across regions

[louise_elouise]

Hi everyone. I was reflecting on Hermes and was curious on your experience in how preferences for Hermes bags differ across regions?

for example, back when I could travel, I had noticed that
- the H bags I saw in the US were usually a) birkin and b) size 35.
- contrast to countries in east Asia and Middle East where bags are smaller
- also in Dubai, I tended to see the Kelly more than birkin
- colours in NYC tended to be bold, e.g. black, orange, red. In general I felt in NYC, Hermes bags were ‘power’ bags
- colours in east Asia were very feminine, e.g. pink, yellow
- London had a mix. Typically I saw the bags in tourists rather than born and bred Englishmen

would love your thoughts on this! No intent to offend anyone, just desperately missing travelling and the visual candy that came with

 

[amna72]

What a great topic, indeed.
I am living in Europe and was always so astonished when travelling in Asia, which I love and visit every year if possible, as to how small and "girly" their Birkins and Kellys are.
In Europe, they were always kind of bigger and "darker" if I may say so.
In Vienna and Stockholm, where I am spending most of my time, I still see a lot of ladies, even my age and older, carrying their 35 Birkin, which certainly looks gorgeous but makes me wonder how they can manage the weight. I only have one Birkin 35 left which is in my favourite orange color and which I keep for sentimental reasons. My latest purchase was Birkin in the same color but in size 25 and though I thought this size would never be in my closet, I adore this little bag and even took her to her first trip this week.
Furthermore, except for orange which is my favourite color, I was always considering brownish or greyish colors. At the moment I find myself adoring pink, rose and red colors, in particular in the smaller bags.
I am not certain if my preferences changed because of current fashion, my age (since I am not able to carry heavy bags any more), area I am living in or something else! But I love these changes since they are giving completely different perspective to my wardrobe and my life

 

[Avintage]

Hi! Sharing my experience in Southeast Asia.

Shoppers here are more “feminine” and petite, which can be reflected by the long waiting list on mini bags like b25 and k25.

Color wise, preferences tend to be on classic colors (noir, gold, etoupe) and lighter colors (craie, blue brume, vert cq).

For leather and stitching, the most sought after bag are those in epsom sellier (especially kelly25). Demand for non togo and epsom is lower hence shorter waiting list and lower price on reseller (10-20% lower). Also no love for barenia or box (weird huh? )

 

[Muffin_Top]

We share the same impressions.
H bags worn in my city in France are large ones, in neutral colors (mini bags are usually unbranded or LV Alma BB).
The bags I saw worn by ladies in Hong-Kong were a completely different style: much smaller, a true rainbow of very bright colors and many many exotics. H bags seemed to be everywhere !

 

[Kitty S.]

Size of the bag a person carried is in porpotion to the height of the person usually, so perhaps it’s not surprising that smaller B/K are preferred in Asia, particularly South Asia. I am petite myself so my biggest B is 30 and K is 32. Another hypothesis I have is that it may have to do with your mode of transportation. If you live in a city where you tend to walk everywhere, you would prefer a smaller bag. I for one don’t carry my B/K when I travel or out walking (too heavy to be on my arm or shoulder all day long). Here in the USA we drive everywhere we go. When I used to live in LA, I‘d drive to the supermarket across the street My B/K prefer to sit with me in a car/office/restaurant
As for the colors, I wonder if that has to do with age or more with culture? Is the average age of H bag carriers in Asia younger than elsewhere? Or is it because it’s more acceptable to be cute and feminine in Asian culture (Hello Kitty are loved by grown adults!). To be honest, whenever I visited Asia for work or visits, I rarely see H bags, so all the pink bags I see are only from the posts here. Here in the USA, it’s true that I don’t see many pink H bags. The colors tend to neutral or classic H. I am a proud owner of a rose tyrien Evelyn PM, but turned down a C24 in rose extreme.
I am always curious about leather though. Interesting to hear that epsom is favored in Asia over other leather choices. I wonder if because of the weight or because it fares better in more humid weather (if it’s the humidity, there would be differential preferences in north vs. south Asia/America/Europe etc; curious to learn more!).

 

[chicfinds]

I shop in the US and abroad and find it interesting that epsom is not that popular on this forum. my SAs have told me the most requested leathers are Epsom and Togo. And of course chevre but thats only via special order. The demand for Swift/Jonathan/barenia B&Ks are much lower so it’s a lot easier to get ime....

 

[DiamondS]

I live in Europe and travel regularly especially around Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia. Overall I would say that you don't see that many Birkins or Kellys anymore and if you do it's mostly in bigger cities such as Paris, Munich, Brussels etc. I believe that most of the people don't want to show off their wealth too much or draw attention to their handbags. Garden parties and Evelynes are a common sight and probably the most spotted Hermès bags. Of course there are some impeccably dressed women carrying a beautiful rigid 28 Kelly or a 30 Birkin but I see them much less than for example 10 years ago. However if you go to Monaco or Geneva and suddenly see that every second person carries a Birkin my whole theory seems completely wrong

 

[AnnaE]

A lot of observations here seem spot on. Personally, I was always surprised when I saw what seemed like ubiquitous GSGMs in Hong Kong — even in fairly hot weather. I know it can be too air conditioned outside, but how do people manage to wear them outside?!

I do have a question, perhaps someone has an answer. Many women, especially from certain parts of the world, cover their hair with a head scarf. In my travels, I have never seen a lady with an Hermes one — what gives? I know Islam prohibits imagery of people, but Hermes has plenty of other options. It always seems like such a missed opportunity.

 

[HKsai]

I shop in the US and abroad and find it interesting that epsom is not that popular on this forum. my SAs have told me the most requested leathers are Epsom and Togo. And of course chevre but thats only via special order. The demand for Swift/Jonathan/barenia B&Ks are much lower so it’s a lot easier to get ime....

I honestly find a lot of people that I met on here prefer and love epsom. I want to say that the bias might be people that don’t like epsom tend to be more outspoken about not liking epsom.

 

[papertiger]

A lot of observations here seem spot on. Personally, I was always surprised when I saw what seemed like ubiquitous GSGMs in Hong Kong — even in fairly hot weather. I know it can be too air conditioned outside, but how do people manage to wear them outside?!

I do have a question, perhaps someone has an answer. Many women, especially from certain parts of the world, cover their hair with a head scarf. In my travels, I have never seen a lady with an Hermes one — what gives? I know Islam prohibits imagery of people, but Hermes has plenty of other options. It always seems like such a missed opportunity.

I'm not muslim but I have many friends from different parts of the world that are. Mostly, women dress according to whatever's fashionable or is the custom of the region and there's a whole trend thing too, not a one size fits all. In countries/regions/cultures where the ladies are not required to be quite as fastidious about covering every single hair and the neck, they may wear silk scarves, sometimes H. Silk scarves are often worn around the house more casually too. However, the idea of modesty shown formally in public also includes not drawing attention to yourself too much (although bags don't seem to be part of that equation). For those that have/choose to be more strict they often have to use a 'under-scarf' as silk twill can slip, I expect wearing 2 sets of scarves is not always practical, they'd also also have to be pinned. BTW, in many religions women are required by religious law or custom to cover-up their hair including my own, I'm not sure why Islam gets singled out, same with the prohibition of images.

Even in the West I don't see many women wearing their silks in any way, makes me wonder what they're doing with them. I see far more CSGMs.

Obviously, within observing subjectively there is always a grain of judgement but I hope some shared understanding too. I can make a more objective observation within Singapore or Japan but I would have to live there for a while to actually understand motivation. I'm a hybrid of Eastern/North Western Europe to I 'speak' the language of clothes and what they signify better than where I merely visit. In the UK and NW Europe, the only women I regularly see wear silk 90s tend to be professional women (lawyers, finance, business execs and so on). I tend to think it's used as a 'part of the uniform' thing. Possibly a distancing mechanism, they do denote a sense of authority, maturity and polish, plus of course you can do 'feminine' without jewellery (jewellery is a minefield worn at work IMO). In Eastern Europe women seem to use carres more inventively/fashionably in the cities, not just the professions as above. IME, there is a lot more 'judging' that goes a long with that too, huge amount of importance is attached to outer appearances, especially grooming and status. In most of France/Italy/Spain there's defiantly a love/hate thing, they can be quite defining (class/taste/wealth/aspirations etc) I think that's why H works so hard and are preoccupied with to 'freshening' (I hate that word, apologies) their scarf-image. As I once said before, kinda hilarious because the 'cool kids' look for and wear the most outrageously and obviously trad and bourgeoise vintage designs and colours.

In the UK at in-store fashion shows I am not seeing the 35 neutral B/Ks others have commented on. I am seeing lots of interesting coloured normal/exotic/LTD/SO 25s. I think generally Asian taste, particularly Japanese, Korean and Chinese as influenced Western women, when the status bags come out they go for the most covetable, and in a global market those tend to be new/brightest/smallest/rarest atm.

 

[papertiger]

I shop in the US and abroad and find it interesting that epsom is not that popular on this forum. my SAs have told me the most requested leathers are Epsom and Togo. And of course chevre but thats only via special order. The demand for Swift/Jonathan/barenia B&Ks are much lower so it’s a lot easier to get ime....

I think it's the other way around. H loves people to buy Togo and Epsom, I feel like H pushes those leathers too, especially Epsom. People who make investment want their bags to look like new as long as possible so these are the practical choices. However, if you don't know speciality leathers, you will also stick to what you know and ask for a repeat prescription.

 

[papertiger]

I honestly find a lot of people that I met on here prefer and love epsom. I want to say that the bias might be people that don’t like epsom tend to be more outspoken about not liking epsom.

I agree with that. I don't have any Epsom but I can definitely understand the appeal if weight and structure is a priority.

It's incredibly hard to keep restating positive attributes of a single leather when so many seem emotionally driven to disparage it, even create a whole mythological justification for their avoidance. I feel the same way about Swift. Leathers are preferences not football teams.

 

[aisham]

I do have a question, perhaps someone has an answer. Many women, especially from certain parts of the world, cover their hair with a head scarf. In my travels, I have never seen a lady with an Hermes one — what gives? I know Islam prohibits imagery of people, but Hermes has plenty of other options. It always seems like such a missed opportunity.

I am muslim and from the Middle East ( The Gulf ) . It is not about the imagery of people as you said there are plenty of other options. I think it has to do with the material of the scarf . Silk is not ideal to cover your head and hair with because it is very delicate and slippery . We need something that will help our hair breath like cotton or chiffon and can be washed and cleaned regularly. In general Hermes scarfs are not that popular among Arabs .Maybe it has to do with the fact that everyone likes to buy local made scarfs ? I am not sure . But I agree with what @papertiger said wearing a head scarf + hermes scarf is too much .

Where I live, hermes scarfs are not popular . I never saw a local lady buy an hermes silk scarf .It is always the tourists who buy them and Western and South Asian residents . I think it has to do with the weather + dress culture . I only buy 140*140 cashmere scarfs ( I have 2 hehehe ) and twills . 2 scarfs are enough for me , I don't use them a lot and our winter is so short and not that cold sometimes. I think that Hermes scarfs are more popular in cultures that consider them and essential part its dress code .

 

[aisham]

When it comes to bags , hermes is trending now more than ever . I see Bs and Ks every where I go . the majority of bags are in ( Black , Gold , Etoupe and Eitan ) and in size 25 more than 30 for Bs , in size 25 more than 28 for Ks . Almost all of them are in GHW . Rarely a B 35 or a k 32,35 and if so most of them are old or vintage . In addition to classic colors , Red is very popular, dark green and dark blue too. In addition , we have a Picotan 18 mania it is every where .

When it comes to leather , togo and epsom are the most wanted leathers . I was surprised that some TPF members actually hate epsom ( I understand their point of view , I also love buttery leather ) . Exotic leathers are also popular and hard to get at boutiques .

Ladies here tend to wear black cloths most of the time. Colors are welcome but black is a preferred elegant option . So color transfer is happening whether you like it or not. I think this fear of color transfer pushed them into buying dark color bags . So it is the opposite to South Asia , no light colors like blue brume , rose sakora or craie .

When it comes to me , I am not afraid of color transfer and I like to stick in a crowd . So no natural colors for me . I saw them around me one too many times to think about buying one . They are lovely and elegant and timeless , but for now I am looking for deferent leathers, size and color from what is out here .

 

[xiaoxiao]

@papertiger completely agree with you re:epsom. Personally barenia is my favorite and I’m so glad in Asia is not popular. More for me!

@DiamondS huge OG crush!!! I still remember studying your birkins and Kellys size comparison thread way back when you first posted it. For years that was my ultimate guide, thank you so so much for your contributions!

Love the discussion thus far, and thanks OP for starting it. I have lived in 3 continents thus far, though I am not in Asia as much as before, I still maintain strong ties to the region. In any case, echoing what everyone has mentioned already: in many Asian countries, there are literally raining Hermes. It’s as popular as having an iPhone and it’s been popular for way longer than SATC first mentioned it. In general they are smaller, tropical weather usually calls for lighter and brighter colors, and people are much much trendier when compared to their American and European counterparts. In the states, especially in bigger cities, Hermes are slightly less common than in Asian cities (NYC vs HK). Less trendy (as in 35 still being used in NY, but very, very rarely in HK), and colors are more conservative. Having said that, I still see a pop of colors here and there compared to Europe. In bigger European cities (like @DiamondS said), Munich, for example, I see quite a lot of Hermes but people are a lot more conservative in terms of styles and more noticeably, colors. And also, the bags are bigger too, part of it, though, is that people here in Europe are so used to carrying reusable bags, whereas in Asia and the States you still see plastic shopping bags being used everywhere. As a result, having bigger bags in Europe is more for function than fashion.

In terms of exotics, I see them much more in Asia cities than in American cities (I am biased, so maybe I can only say NYC as supposed to be other cities). In the city where I reside atm, I also often see crocs walking around, but usually carried by an older, elegant lady. Whereas in NY and HK I see more of younger crowds with one. And echoing an earlier comment: Asians are def def more flashier than Americans and Europeans combined. I do miss people watching in Asia. So much fun!