After seeing the preview I was nervous about coming to this thread to post a negative opinion. Now that I've read it through I realize we are all in agreement.
I am not precious about Hermes, they can change and innovate, but they should start a look, not follow it, and certainly not come on board at the tail end of a trend. If I had never seen the millions of options by
Fendi, Valentino,
Gucci, etc, long ago filtered down to numerous department store brands, Etsy sellers and Chinese counterfeiters I might still think it was not in keeping with the brand or more trendy than classic, but at least I would have respected the move and bought one if possible.
I completely agree with those that state it is a good idea to have separate and interchangeable straps. That is why most of us have spent $1,000+ for this item from other brands or have had them made to order. I even purchased a
Fendi strap for a possible Hermes bag I don't even have! I love
Fendi, but the aesthetic of Fendi to me is "super crazy, very trendy, but also well made", so Fendi, you do you. Hermes, please, you do you.
I love the idea of using classic Hermes heritage design into a strap, whether in silk or leather, but this is not that.
I do love the black strap with metal. If I had limitless money I might get that one for the same reason as I bought the Fendi strap or why I buy a pack of gum. "Might as well, why not?" My opinion is more based on disappointment at the creative (i.e. NOT creative) direction Hermes took with this one. I can't believe they had so long to come up with something and they went in such a derivative, generic direction.