Hermes Special Order Bags

Since this thread is now huge and the internal links to frequently asked questions no longer work, here is a brief FAQ for newcomers to the Hermes Special Order process.

What are the current choices for "a la carte" Special Order bags?
Current color charts Page 1420 Post 21,296 February 7, 2024
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What is an Hermes Special Order?
Each year Hermes gives select clients the opportunity to customize a classic bag in a made-to-order a la carte process. This thread is only for bag A La Carte orders (please use the separate threads for watch SOs and shoe SOs). "A la carte", "SO" (special order), and "HSS" (horse shoe stamp) are used interchangeably on this forum.

When is the Special Order season?
Currently, there is one SO season each calendar year, opening around the beginning of February and closing when slots run out or the end of December, whichever occurs first. New SO menus are typically leaked in February and remain constant until the following calendar year. Individual stores have complete discretion on when, within this window, they offer SO appointments to their clients.

Which specs can I customize?
Hermes defines which specs can be customized and these specs can change each SO season. Generally these specs include: leather type, leather color, and hardware color. At your SO appointment, your SA will present you will the limited menu of choices including bag types and sizes (Birkin 25, Kelly 28, etc), pre-set combination designs (line, verso, multico, etc), leather choices, leather colors, hardwares, and a map for which options can be selected for which bag type and size. Not all leathers and hardwares are allowed for all bag types and sizes.

Can I make physical changes to a bag definition during SO?
Sometimes clients would like to change a physical aspect of a bag, like increase the handle drop or add a pocket or a strap. Unfortunately, Hermes does not allow any type of alteration to the bag definition during SO. For extensive changes like these, a client would need to pursue a “Horizon order” which can be read about here.

How long will my SO take?
There is no way to predict how long a SO will take from placing the order to receipt of the finished product. Although Hermes has recently put forward efforts to fulfill a la carte orders within a year, it isn’t uncommon for bags to arrive in just a few months or also much longer than the year estimate.

Can my SA give me status my existing SO?
Unfortunately, the info that can be seen by SAs at the local store is very limited. They can generally see if the order is still outstanding (ie hasn’t been cancelled) but do not get status updates beyond that. Some stores will update clients when they get notice that a bag has been shipped from Paris but other stores wait until the bag is physically in store before alerting the client.

Do I need to place a deposit for SO?
In most regions of the world, a deposit is not required for SOs. However, some Asian and Middle Eastern locations do seem to request at least a partial deposit. Deposits may also be required in other regions if the SO selections are very personalized (ie if you have your personal initials hot stamped onto the bag) such that selling the bag to a different client, if the original client declines the bag, would be difficult.

Do I receive confirmation of my SO after placing my order?
In most regions of the world, the client gives their specifications to their SA and that is the last they hear about it until the bag arrives. Paris stores seem to be an exception to this and send the client a confirmation email within a few weeks of placing the order.

Is there a premium for a SO bag?
No, there is no premium price for SO bags. Their price is the same as any other standard stock bag of the same specifications at the time of delivery.

Is my SO a quota bag?
SO bags are generally counted toward a client’s two-bags-per-year limit at the time that the bag is received and paid for. If a client has already maxed out their quota bag allocation for the year, some stores will allow an exception to purchase your SO as a third bag for the year while other stores will require the customer to wait until a new calendar year before receiving the bag. These policies are subject to be changed per store at their convenience so it is always wise to check with your specific SA.

Where can I get ideas for my SO bag?
This thread shows unique combination bags and this thread shows contrasting stitching bags. Please consider posting your bag there once it arrives!

Where can I see historical SO menus?
2023 on post 19,874 page 1325 Feb 3, 2023
2022 on post 17,729 page 1182 Sept 13, 2021
2021 on post 15,439 page 1030 Aug 16, 2020
2020 on post 13,222 page 882 Aug 8, 2019
2019 on post 10,472 page 699 Sept 10, 2018
2018 on post 7,687 page 513 Sept 15, 2017
2017 on post 4,749 page 317 Sept 26, 2016
 
Do you have the most recent SO color chart? I found one that was posted here in 2016.
Do you find tri color crocodile kelly looking better than the normal one colored ones? I'm a little confuesd.
I like the classy look of the one color, and the special color combination of the tri color. Help!!
FW 2016 and SS2017 SO charts are the same. Hermes has changed to repeating SO options for 2 seasons. Next season FW2017 you will see a new chart that will be repeated again for SS2018.

Here are the color options for SS2017 which should be the same as FW2016.

Can you actually still order a tricolor? I am not sure because I thought only bicolor option is available now.
 

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FW 2016 and SS2017 SO charts are the same. Hermes has changed to repeating SO options for 2 seasons. Next season FW2017 you will see a new chart that will be repeated again for SS2018.

Here are the color options for SS2017 which should be the same as FW2016.

Can you actually still order a tricolor? I am not sure because I thought only bicolor option is available now.

I'm not sure about the options. I have an appointment with the manager tomorrow.
 
FW 2016 and SS2017 SO charts are the same. Hermes has changed to repeating SO options for 2 seasons. Next season FW2017 you will see a new chart that will be repeated again for SS2018.

Here are the color options for SS2017 which should be the same as FW2016.

Can you actually still order a tricolor? I am not sure because I thought only bicolor option is available now.

I'm not sure about the options. I have an appointment with the manager tomorrow.

I was told no tricolor for exotics either. Definitely none for classic skins. Tricolor= even more dye lots to keep in stock plus too many options for heinous creations. H trying very hard to simplify special orders so we can have some idea when they come in, especially for places where they count as quota.
 
FW 2016 and SS2017 SO charts are the same. Hermes has changed to repeating SO options for 2 seasons. Next season FW2017 you will see a new chart that will be repeated again for SS2018.

Here are the color options for SS2017 which should be the same as FW2016.

Can you actually still order a tricolor? I am not sure because I thought only bicolor option is available now.
Thanks for sharing this HD colour chart for exotic leathers. Do you have the same for classic leather? - the paper shown previously by other members are not in good quality.

btw, I was told that tri-colour has been no longer available 2 years ago...
 
Thanks for sharing this HD colour chart for exotic leathers. Do you have the same for classic leather? - the paper shown previously by other members are not in good quality.

btw, I was told that tri-colour has been no longer available 2 years ago...
Here they are.
 

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Hi All:
I have only few hours left before changing my special order. The manager gave me a chance to change anything I don't like by tomorrow morning. Its my first time placing a SO.
I ordered 30 Togo Bleu Electrique CC with Gris Mouette in the inside of the birkin. The manager suggested the GM, its not my idea. I think the shade is too light almost like silver and I chose gold hardware.
I wanted Turquoise at first, He said its not available anymore.
I'm thinking that Etain or Etoupe is better than Gris Mouette. I do have Etoupe birkin.
So I think Etain would be a change, But I'm afraid its too dark. I don't want it to be too light nor too dark. What do you think about bleu paon and rose azalee? Are they too much of contrast?
I want the safest choice. I want to love it forever.
Also, I was so confused where to put my initials and I decided to put it on the clochette instead of inside. What do you think?
 
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Not exactly the combos you are thinking about, but hopefully these pics give you an idea of the potential color combo you are thinking about.

I also don't think GM is too light or etain or etoupe too dark, but my recommendation is to go with your gut. Good luck dear!

My special order. Etain togo with Bleu Electrique interior, white stitching and shiny GHW

View attachment 2296401
View attachment 2296402

B30 HSS Blue Electrique/Turquoise GHW 💙💙💙

My SO
Blue Electric Togo, B35, Gold Hardware, Contrast Stitching, Rose Sakura interiorView attachment 3420908
 
Hi All:
I have only few hours left before changing my special order. The manager gave me a chance to change anything I don't like by tomorrow morning. Its my first time placing a SO.
I ordered 30 Togo Bleu Electrique CC with Gris Mouette in the inside of the birkin. The manager suggested the GM, its not my idea. I think the shade is too light almost like silver and I chose gold hardware.
I wanted Turquoise at first, He said its not available anymore.
I'm thinking that Etain or Etoupe is better than Gris Mouette. I do have Etoupe birkin.
So I think Etain would be a change, But I'm afraid its too dark. I don't want it to be too light nor too dark. What do you think about bleu paon and rose azalee? Are they too much of contrast?
I want the safest choice. I want to love it forever.
Also, I was so confused where to put my initials and I decided to put it on the clochette instead of inside. What do you think?

Rose Azalée wasn't available for me as a lining but maybe it is for you. Basically, if you want a big pop/contrast and love pink, that is a fun choice, but it's a B and you will always see a slice of the interior.
What about a darker blue like Saphir, or how about Raisin? I agree that Mouette's not the most interesting choice.
I always do my monogram on the clochette. I don't love bold exterior initials on Bs and Ks, it detracts from the line IMO - inside monogram is sweet but just a secret for you that still ruins the bag's resale value in the event you ever tire of it (unlikely but still...)....and with the clochette you can choose whether or not to show the initials.
 
Hi All:
I have only few hours left before changing my special order. The manager gave me a chance to change anything I don't like by tomorrow morning. Its my first time placing a SO.
I ordered 30 Togo Bleu Electrique CC with Gris Mouette in the inside of the birkin. The manager suggested the GM, its not my idea. I think the shade is too light almost like silver and I chose gold hardware.
I wanted Turquoise at first, He said its not available anymore.
I'm thinking that Etain or Etoupe is better than Gris Mouette. I do have Etoupe birkin.
So I think Etain would be a change, But I'm afraid its too dark. I don't want it to be too light nor too dark. What do you think about bleu paon and rose azalee? Are they too much of contrast?
I want the safest choice. I want to love it forever.
Also, I was so confused where to put my initials and I decided to put it on the clochette instead of inside. What do you think?

I think BE with gris M is lovely. Found a pic courtesy of an ig account. Hope this helps.
IMG_9937.JPG

Blue paon and rose azalea sounds lovely too. I saw a blue paon with rose azalea as secondary color somewhere but cant locate it now.
 
Hi All:
I have only few hours left before changing my special order. The manager gave me a chance to change anything I don't like by tomorrow morning. Its my first time placing a SO.
I ordered 30 Togo Bleu Electrique CC with Gris Mouette in the inside of the birkin. The manager suggested the GM, its not my idea. I think the shade is too light almost like silver and I chose gold hardware.
I wanted Turquoise at first, He said its not available anymore.
I'm thinking that Etain or Etoupe is better than Gris Mouette. I do have Etoupe birkin.
So I think Etain would be a change, But I'm afraid its too dark. I don't want it to be too light nor too dark. What do you think about bleu paon and rose azalee? Are they too much of contrast?
I want the safest choice. I want to love it forever.
Also, I was so confused where to put my initials and I decided to put it on the clochette instead of inside. What do you think?

I went through the same process for my BE kelly ! I chose etain at last ... my sa told me that blue saphir interior would not match the be extérior since the Colors are going to be too close because the dye is different in Togo and chèvre. I also considered a very dark blue ... good luck in making your decision ! And congrats ! Blue electric is one of the best h blues ever !!!