Being brutally honest with myself about my needs for functionality, colours I will actually wear and preferred styles. There are lots of things I admire at H but know I will never wear so I try to buy things I will wear and my SA knows that. So far my only H regret is a scarf.
How do you figure out which B/K is for you?
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In London there aren't that many pre-loved designer shops selling enough H bags to try the size of different B & K (unlike in Japan,Paris, or NYC)
At my Hermes store the SA got out a 30 for me just to try the size (he is convinced anything bigger will be too heavy for me) and it didn't make my heart sing, I felt it looked very boring on me even though it looks beautiful on other women.
I did get to try a pre-loved Birkin 35 in a resale store and weirdly I didn't love that one either which I think is because it was black and Togo and somehow it didn't feel 'special'.
I realised that for me the leather is all important and I didn't want a black 35B in a grained leather-it just doesn't make my heart sing.
In the same store I tried a 40 in gold Epsom and actually loved the size but didn't like the colour or the leather-but knowing I have past history with buying bags that become too Heavy (I'm a walker, I rarely drive anywhere in town) I knew I had to knock the idea of a 40 in any leather other than Epsom on the head because I'd be miserable carrying that weight.
a member of this forum @880 reminded me of the 32 HAC which back in the early 90's was my object of desire.
No longer made I was lucky enough to get to spot one available in a resale store in London (Ardennes leather in Havanne) I tried it and it was like falling in love!
The proportions just felt right on me and I loved the sheen of the leather-For various reasons (mainly boring pandemic induced job anxiety
) I didn't buy it and it sold...
But it convinced me that the HAC 32 makes my heart sing
OR a Birkin 35 in a smooth leather is the way to go.
For me personally the leather is key-the wrong leather would be a deal breaker.
At my Hermes store the SA got out a 30 for me just to try the size (he is convinced anything bigger will be too heavy for me) and it didn't make my heart sing, I felt it looked very boring on me even though it looks beautiful on other women.
I did get to try a pre-loved Birkin 35 in a resale store and weirdly I didn't love that one either which I think is because it was black and Togo and somehow it didn't feel 'special'.
I realised that for me the leather is all important and I didn't want a black 35B in a grained leather-it just doesn't make my heart sing.
In the same store I tried a 40 in gold Epsom and actually loved the size but didn't like the colour or the leather-but knowing I have past history with buying bags that become too Heavy (I'm a walker, I rarely drive anywhere in town) I knew I had to knock the idea of a 40 in any leather other than Epsom on the head because I'd be miserable carrying that weight.
a member of this forum @880 reminded me of the 32 HAC which back in the early 90's was my object of desire.
No longer made I was lucky enough to get to spot one available in a resale store in London (Ardennes leather in Havanne) I tried it and it was like falling in love!
The proportions just felt right on me and I loved the sheen of the leather-For various reasons (mainly boring pandemic induced job anxiety
) I didn't buy it and it sold...But it convinced me that the HAC 32 makes my heart sing
OR a Birkin 35 in a smooth leather is the way to go.
For me personally the leather is key-the wrong leather would be a deal breaker.
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Alas, I have only found what is right by buying and trying it out. What I love I keep, otherwise I resale. I have not been as lucky as some of the members above as I seem to routinely lose money when I do.
@odette57 I like how you put it...From now on I will think of it as a lease and not as a loss!
@odette57 I like how you put it...From now on I will think of it as a lease and not as a loss!
I totally agree with @Rockerchic, that buying it and using it is the only way to know. (And consigning it or gifting to family member if it doesnt work out). and Then repurchasing it (once or twice) if after you gift it, you really miss it. . . I try not to think about money spent on an individual bag that didn‘t work out rather, I average the cost of all the bags together. It helps not to have a grail bag and to like buying from reasonably priced resellers.
having said that, I know I tend to like: neutral colors (natural barenia is a pop of color for me); brushed phw; heritage, evenly patinated and weather proofed leather (courtesy of @docride) and discontinued material like crinoline. my ideal size is B30 or K28 sellier, though I will be experimenting with a K32 sellier K (it was a great deal). Although I tend to prefer B/K is smaller sizes, I like other H bags that are larger (I prefer the 35 Trim II to the 31 Trim II and I love the 42 JPGs. I’ve discovered that HW color can be a deal breaker more than size or leather.
I’m medium build, so smaller bags don’t always suit me. but sometimes my wrists cannot deal with the weight, so it’s a fine line. ITA with @louise_elouise that sometimes you feel differently about a bag on different days, but I would say, before one gives up on the black B30, perhaps try to style it so it’s not as serious? @maxroxxherhandbags, I loved reading about your bag decision journey! Hugs
having said that, I know I tend to like: neutral colors (natural barenia is a pop of color for me); brushed phw; heritage, evenly patinated and weather proofed leather (courtesy of @docride) and discontinued material like crinoline. my ideal size is B30 or K28 sellier, though I will be experimenting with a K32 sellier K (it was a great deal). Although I tend to prefer B/K is smaller sizes, I like other H bags that are larger (I prefer the 35 Trim II to the 31 Trim II and I love the 42 JPGs. I’ve discovered that HW color can be a deal breaker more than size or leather.
I’m medium build, so smaller bags don’t always suit me. but sometimes my wrists cannot deal with the weight, so it’s a fine line. ITA with @louise_elouise that sometimes you feel differently about a bag on different days, but I would say, before one gives up on the black B30, perhaps try to style it so it’s not as serious? @maxroxxherhandbags, I loved reading about your bag decision journey! Hugs
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1. Start with a B30 and K28. In my mind, they are the safest trial and error sizes. They are also sizes that you might keep if you start acquiring multiple H bags. In my view, everyone should own a black B30, so you made a good choice on that.
2. If you know you are a small bag person, research the 25s. If they sound right for you, go in that direction. In any event, they re-sell fast, so you can sell them at cost or slight loss if you determine they don’t work for you.
3. My first Birkin was a 30. My first Kelly was a 32. I now carry mostly B30s, with an occasional 25. I only carry a K32 when I have a lot to carry and I want a shoulder bag. My preferred size is a K25.
4. I think Constances really depend on the color, what function it plays in your wardrobe, and your frame.
2. If you know you are a small bag person, research the 25s. If they sound right for you, go in that direction. In any event, they re-sell fast, so you can sell them at cost or slight loss if you determine they don’t work for you.
3. My first Birkin was a 30. My first Kelly was a 32. I now carry mostly B30s, with an occasional 25. I only carry a K32 when I have a lot to carry and I want a shoulder bag. My preferred size is a K25.
4. I think Constances really depend on the color, what function it plays in your wardrobe, and your frame.
OT, but did you ever revisit the 32 HAC? I think a thread you started years ago got me to obsess about that one. but, I realized after I got a natural barenia 32 HAC, that I couldn’t make it work bc it was ghw. Made me feel like a Ralph Lauren ad. But, I did end up with a beater HAC turned art bag which is more ‘me,’ so I didn’t give up on the HAC size.
@maxroxxherhandbags, @louise_elouise, its possible to restyle the 30B to be less serious. If you are classic, with denim and a white shirt, if more edgy, a vintage tshirt, or a casual dress and a harder edged shoe, like a doc marten or birkenstock. . .. it doesn’t have to be serious or conservative.
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You do lots of research (that is why we all end up in this forum) and take an educated guess. You can plan all you want but then your life/world changes, and your preference changes. You may think you are making a lifetime commitment but the truth is nothing is permanent. The only thing you know for sure is that you can always rehome B/K without much loss.
I thought after owning K/B and other H bags, I prefer B30. Then pandemic hit and I haven't taken any of my B out since March. I go to bag nowadays is Evelyn TPM and C24. So enjoy whichever bag you decide to purchase and embrace the moment!
I thought after owning K/B and other H bags, I prefer B30. Then pandemic hit and I haven't taken any of my B out since March. I go to bag nowadays is Evelyn TPM and C24. So enjoy whichever bag you decide to purchase and embrace the moment!
I love when I see 'all hail the hac' thread pop up on the screen.
I did end up rehoming mine but I have fond memories...I'd actually love to try the 28 if the perfect one popped up on the resale market.
It is literally trial and error, what suits someone else most likely won’t suit you. I got a B30 as everyone said it was the perfect size but it didn’t suit my needs and I thought it was too small. I see so many pics of C18s and I tried it and wasn’t a fan. You just have to try, do your research and then eventually become the Goldilocks of H bags until you find YOUR bag