Lifers, When Will You be Done With Hermes?

[maxroxxherhandbags]

I absolutely love (and mostly only like) the chunky and statement jewelry. My favorite gold piece is the large full Parade bracelet in rose gold that was especially made for me. My favorite necklace is my silver tie Etcetera, which I don’t wear too often due to it being 500+ grams, but thoroughly love seeing it in its gigantic box. Years ago, my Paris SA surprised me with the silver meteorite medor géante ring that is a 2cmx2cmx2cm cube with a medor on each side. Not for everyone, but I absolutely love it as a cocktail ring.

The last jewelry collection that I truly liked was the Punk Chaine d’Ancre collection. Paris had shown and offered me some of the larger pieces nearly a year before it was offered in the US. This now feels distant. Their new releases and majority of product line is simply too dainty. I tried and bought a few over the years of the newer and daintier gold jewelry, but they have all gone to Fashionphile. Hermes has fully embraced the small and “cheaper” prespend bait. I remember when my SA showed me a pair of those diamonds finesse earrings. The funniest part is that my SA was trying to sell me those and costed only around $4k then. Now, Fashionphile is flooded with them, and they cost $8.5k!

I think we have similar Hermes preferences as I, too, adore rtw under JPG and Margiela. I am currently trying to find that shearling stole with the pockets. I remember back when Hermes released the quick sneakers under Margiela that was the it sneaker. I still love my pairs! I also miss the clochette necklace of that time especially the exotic ones. That was a great moment in Hermes history that I find is lost currently; at least, I struggle to find.

You have mentioned the jewellery pieces (and collection) that I LOVE!
The Medor géante ring?? OMG
Yes we obviously share the same aesthetic in rtw and jewellery.
I am lucky enough to own two of the clochette necklaces but the matt black croc one is a thing of beauty indeed! (and sadly not in my possession)
I think 'pre-spend bait' is a perfect description for much of the jewellery and rtw offerings available in the stores presently.
Ditto the shoe offerings ...too many lazy variations on the oran for instance.
Anyway I daresay this should go into unpopular opinions.
but to go back on topic I'll be done with Hermes when all the pre-loved discontinued designs I love are no longer available to find or so prohibitively expensive that purchasing them is no longer an option.
I will also be done with Hermes when all they produce is logo'd or more car-crash reiterations of the holy trinity of bags.
I'll be done with Hermes when they do not have a single item in their stores that appeals to me.

 

[Encore Hermes]

Waves to old friends……I too have been shopping at Hermès for decades…..I don’t ‘need’ any more…..of course my motto has always been that one can always use….just one more…
tbh, I can’t remember the last time I was in the store. I quietly faded away. I felt that quality diminished and the new designs didn‘t captivate me. A queue for SA bag service in Paris? a lottery for an appointment?
Not for me.
I still love all my Hermès stuff, my bags, porcelain, scarves and shawls. I have the old stuff, the quota bags and more but the new products are not bringing me back into the store. I guess not sparking enthusiasm.

 

[doloresmia]

Waves to old friends……I too have been shopping at Hermès for decades…..I don’t ‘need’ any more…..of course my motto has always been that one can always use….just one more…
tbh, I can’t remember the last time I was in the store. I quietly faded away. I felt that quality diminished and the new designs didn‘t captivate me. A queue for SA bag service in Paris? a lottery for an appointment?
Not for me.
I still love all my Hermès stuff, my bags, porcelain, scarves and shawls. I have the old stuff, the quota bags and more but the new products are not bringing me back into the store. I guess not sparking enthusiasm.

Yes! So well put. I adore the things I have and don’t use what I have as much anymore mainly because of Covid stay at home. But sure I dream of one more probably used bag maybe

I faded from my store. cannot be bothered with the whole make an appointment or queue for non-appointment….

last time I was in SF I walked by the store and the security guard unlocked the doors… it was before opening hours but we shared a lovely momentary joke that he unlocked the gate for me…. Walking into H used to make me feel like that too. Welcomed. my SA had time to talk about lovely H things and history. I cannot imagine he would now.

I came to this forum in 2008. many lovely members still here helped me with my research. my first B which was a wonderful beat up recession purchase that has now gone on to a new life. I lurk now because I am completely unable to provide any advice about QB hunting.

I find such happiness in pix o Tpf. I wish more action shots were more than just the bag. I come here for @880, @WingNut, and so many others! the ladies in the chanel thread, vca action and h wildlife and am so appreciative of members who take their time and post consistently. Make my day! Keep the pictures coming!

 

[Miarta]

Not going to call anyone specific out, but I deeply admire those who've chimed in who have been with the brand for decades and decades (and yes, I can definitely see the frustration of having to "compete" for BKCs, or anything really, even with legacy-level spends).

But I'm also curious - if you think you're "done" with this H game, what is your draw to these forums? PLEASE don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing or being sarcastic - because as a relatively new H buyer/tpf reader, I've benefited tremendously from your stories and wisdom - but is it still the "love of the brand" that keeps you curious about it enough to read the current buying struggles, or maybe are you hoping for some change so you can step back in?

I’m going to chime in with my 2 cents. it the love and loyalty that was not duplicated. It is … betrayal. Love for the brand and and loyalty is still there (that is why OG H people are still around ) but reality of what lifelong client of H , means to the brand is … Somewhat … surprising and disappointing , if you get my drift. For me personally… i do me, how I end up reading this ? I click on a right (newest treads) and here I am l can and I do step in (when I please) but the zoo that cloaks the whole experience is … downgraded to a sample sale (been there , done that know the difference) .I still love the leather however I don’t queue .
Oh , I almost forgot I don’t do lists either, lol

 

[Miarta]

I'll admit, OP.. I had to read your initial post a few times to actually understand what you are asking. Based on the responses here thus far, I'd assume that a lot of what you are asking is still being missed. H*ll, maybe I missed it, too. Who knows. It's been a loooooong week already, ha!

My interpretation here is that you are specifically referencing legacy buyers/collectors that have voiced frustration with the Hermes "game" as it exists currently, and that you are essentially asking - if it's so bad, and you are so over Hermes, why continue to frequent this forum? Feel free to correct me as, again, this is just my interpretation of your post.

So anyhow, to answer... I guess for me personally, I still like the community. I like to see what others are being offered. I like to see photos of new colours. I like to see action shots and wildlife sightings. I also like to read the shopping subforum as I do find others' experiences interesting. I also still really like to chime in when I actually know something about something, and I also like to read posts by my tPF friends when they chime in.

This isn't to say that I'm over Hermes - I just don't personally care for the vocab and isms used so constantly here. The use of the term "journey," referring to SAs as "H fairies," et al. The vibe is also kind of a turn off for me with respect to the constant rhetoric surrounding the quest for quota bags. Outside of that? I love this subforum. I love the usual posters. I love the sharing of information. That keeps me coming back, if only to read and admire.

OMG , you said it so nicely!!!, love it.

 

[880]

Yes! So well put. I adore the things I have and don’t use what I have as much anymore mainly because of Covid stay at home. But sure I dream of one more probably used bag maybe

I faded from my store. cannot be bothered with the whole make an appointment or queue for non-appointment….

last time I was in SF I walked by the store and the security guard unlocked the doors… it was before opening hours but we shared a lovely momentary joke that he unlocked the gate for me…. Walking into H used to make me feel like that too. Welcomed. my SA had time to talk about lovely H things and history. I cannot imagine he would now.

I came to this forum in 2008. many lovely members still here helped me with my research. my first B which was a wonderful beat up recession purchase that has now gone on to a new life. I lurk now because I am completely unable to provide any advice about QB hunting.

I find such happiness in pix o Tpf. I wish more action shots were more than just the bag. I come here for @880, @WingNut, and so many others! the ladies in the chanel thread, vca action and h wildlife and am so appreciative of members who take their time and post consistently. Make my day! Keep the pictures coming!

Thank you so much dear @doloresmia! I faded away from my boutique and from TPF for many years when my SA left and the tenor of the forum changed. i do still remember how your posts of BV cabat and Birkin (and CSGMs like coupons indiennes) inspired me in early days. Hugs

 

[MillStream]

I just stumbled upon 880's intriguing thread and read all five pages of responses. I hadn't added up the number of years since I'd started buying Hermes until just now -- first purchase was a silk scarf for myself and one for my mother at FSH in 1985. THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS! I've got a carefully curated collection of scarves, shawls and handbags and was pretty much done with Hermes. I did just add one edgy piece of jewelry, though . . . the Sterling Silver Chaine d'Ancre Punk Brooch, which looks like a huge safety pin. So now, I'm done!

 

[880]

I just stumbled upon 880's intriguing thread and read all five pages of responses. I hadn't added up the number of years since I'd started buying Hermes until just now -- first purchase was a silk scarf for myself and one for my mother at FSH in 1985. THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS! I've got a carefully curated collection of scarves, shawls and handbags and was pretty much done with Hermes. I did just add one edgy piece of jewelry, though . . . the Sterling Silver Chaine d'Ancre Punk Brooch, which looks like a huge safety pin. So now, I'm done!

Thank you @MillStream, but it’s a fabulous thread started by @etoupebirkin I started with a tie for my then boyfriend, now DH, college freshman year, and a scarf in 1985 as well. With many pauses due to other interests and priorities along the way. here’s a pic of us around then with scarf and tie with (I’m about forty pounds lighter though) lol. Of course, I never imagined thst I would ever own an H bag. i never imagined buying one for myself, and my mom and other family members liked chanel.

 

[FaubourgTropical]

I know this thread was born from a completely different intention but I love reading stories from the 'Lifers'. I feel I get more information here than the usual 'where is the moon and what is the star formation when you get your bag' type of questions

 

[WingNut]

Yes! So well put. I adore the things I have and don’t use what I have as much anymore mainly because of Covid stay at home. But sure I dream of one more probably used bag maybe

I faded from my store. cannot be bothered with the whole make an appointment or queue for non-appointment….

last time I was in SF I walked by the store and the security guard unlocked the doors… it was before opening hours but we shared a lovely momentary joke that he unlocked the gate for me…. Walking into H used to make me feel like that too. Welcomed. my SA had time to talk about lovely H things and history. I cannot imagine he would now.

I came to this forum in 2008. many lovely members still here helped me with my research. my first B which was a wonderful beat up recession purchase that has now gone on to a new life. I lurk now because I am completely unable to provide any advice about QB hunting.

I find such happiness in pix o Tpf. I wish more action shots were more than just the bag. I come here for @880, @WingNut, and so many others! the ladies in the chanel thread, vca action and h wildlife and am so appreciative of members who take their time and post consistently. Make my day! Keep the pictures coming!

@doloresmia it's ALWAYS been a pleasure to read your posts. Thank you for the shout-out I'm actually quite flattered, especially that you lumped me in with @880, whose style and level of knowledge I can only aspire to! tPF is like that steady, long-term friend. No matter how much time passes between visits, the connection is there and strong. To me, that is a metaphor for my relationship with Hermes. It might be a long time between visits or purchases, but my love for the artisanship and history hasn't waned.

Edit: Cleaned up double quote.

 

[880]

Thank you both! And thanks again to @etoupebirkin for starting this thread Hugs

 

[haute okole]

Thank you @MillStream, but it’s a fabulous thread started by @etoupebirkin I started with a tie for my then boyfriend, now DH, college freshman year, and a scarf in 1985 as well. With many pauses due to other interests and priorities along the way. here’s a pic of us around then with scarf and tie with (I’m about forty pounds lighter though) lol. Of course, I never imagined thst I would ever own an H bag. i never imagined buying one for myself, and my mom and other family members liked chanel.

View attachment 5590188

Oh my Goodness, you and DH are beyond gorgeous and ADORABLE here! And 30 years later, still gorgeous, adorable and funny as heck! I am showing this picture to my girls as an exemplar, BE LIKE AUNTIE @880. She is the real deal.

 

[880]

Oh my Goodness, you and DH are beyond gorgeous and ADORABLE here! And 30 years later, still gorgeous, adorable and funny as heck! I am showing this picture to my girls as an exemplar, BE LIKE AUNTIE @880. She is the real deal.

Awwwh, thank you! The feeling is mutual

 

[Notorious Pink]

I will be done with Hermes when they cart my lifeless body out of the King of Prussia mall.

Ok, this was my first response: Bury my ashes at Madison!

But as I guess I would certainly fall under the category of “lifer” here - not just as a collector and member but also on the PurseBlog side - I am happy to chime in.

Some of what I will say here isnt easy, but its honest.

The easy stuff is the good stuff: collecting since 1997, I’ve known many of you for years and a few I consider to be very good friends; some of whom I text with or meet up with on a regular basis. You are people I genuinely care about, some of you I’ve known going back to the days even before TPF (Yahoo Groups, anyone??)! I do love Hermès - I love the colors, the textures, the objets, the designs, the new fantasy of whatever the coming season is, and, yes, the luxury (I mean, despite the growing popularity, it’s still luxury compared to much else I see).

Many of you know how much I love being here.

The harder stuff: why? Psychologically? Come to think of it, I’m a bit surprised that we as a group havent been more self-reflective of the individual drives that bring us here. Or have I missed those threads?

Part of it for me, at least originally, was admittedly validation: to be told I’d never have or achieve x (this was mid-90s, with the attendant undertones of the achievement ceiling wrought by being a woman and some subtle Antisemitism)…well, at least in this regard it was something I could overcome (ha, I love a challenge) because at Hermès it didn’t matter.

But also, Hermès very easily slipped into my lifestyle as I got older, and very quickly I fell in love with the artistry and design (I bought my first bag after more than 10 years of collecting) and to be honest, heritage, as I come from a family with neither much history nor heritage…just snippets. So it is something I can choose to be a part of, and it fills that niche just a bit.

Also, our international group breaks down a lot of social barriers we deal with in the real world, and I appreciate and enjoy that. Our diversity is truly one of our biggest strengths.

To go even further down the rabbit hole, I find Hermès - and TPF - a healthy outlet and distraction from what could be a more negative cycle of mind. I mean - in the most euphemistic way - I would rather, say, obsess over the bags Hermès makes in the Mauve Sylvestre/RGHW combo than spend my afternoon having an existential crisis. It certainly doesnt keep me from doing the things I need to do, but it‘s definitely a more positive (and much more fun!) focus and outlet.

So ultimately I don’t really see myself ever being done with Hermès, for the reasons above: love for the brand and its designs, the fun and aesthetically pleasing distractions, and the huge importance of our community here.

 

[aisham]

" Will I ever be done with hermes ?" Is a question I ask myself regularly, specially after mad shopping sprees. And the answer is always " No ! of corse not ! but I will try not give in to temptation anymore " but I always fail to .I tend to become crazy at hermes and throw caution to the wind with " you only live once " nonsense .

I can't say I will ever be done specially with bags. Each time I think of a bag or buy one, I always aim for bags that are true to my style and I can see myself carry and enjoy forever. I don't think I can be content with a small collection, not when hermes introduces new colors/designs or remake/bring back old ones every season.

I don't really like trend or even buy something trendy and hate the idea that Hermes is trending now !!! people assume that I follow such trends, crazy for selling my soul to hermes and for buying things I don't won't just to be offered a bag .. this might play a factor in drawing me away from some hermes items. I am already done with some hermes models just because I've seen them everywhere! I wanted to buy the bride a brace bag for my makeup and toiletries but changed my mind after seeing it everywhere. Specially after seeing people use it as a purse and add a strap to it.

There are a lot of things hermes offers that I can't find anywhere-els. The brands fun/colorful/effortless/simple but complex designs will always take my breath away .