Settle for clemence leather?

[EmilyM111]

I've just bought this bag from a reputable seller at a good price (not cheap but not bad), it's K32. I believe from the photo (I'm in abroad so taken by DH) that the leather is clemence (the bag will go through bababebi auth as soon as it lands in my hands so not asking any q on this).
I am not a clemence fan, it annoyed me slightly on B35 I had (no idea why TBH, just like togo more). BUT!

• I really wanted this specs (Rouge Grenat, SHW) and size
• the price was decent

I am exhausted with chasing wishlist in Amsterdam, chasing my Polish SA who doesn't seem to be that interested in my business, FSH lottery is unlikely though I don't live far (but to be offered the exact specs or even be offered Kelly at all...). I probably could source the specs in togo but think the price would be considerably higher (or eg. I'd have to pay VAT+customs if sourced from the US). And I also would have to wait to find such specs.

What to do? I will use this bag daily. Not worried about the weight. It will go to spa to be refreshed. Other than my dislike for clemence from B35 (vert cypress) leather, I already love it.

 

[jlone]

I really like clemence leather and it's a beautiful bag. I'd be delighted with it, hope you enjoy having and using it.

 

[lurketylurk]

I love clemence but if it annoys you I would not settle. Think of it this way: how will you feel if you keep this one and later find one in the leather you prefer?

 

[Mariapia]

I love Clémence leather…..and I love everything about your bag, EmilyM111, size, colour, SHW.

 

[CrackBerryCream]

I love Clemence leather and find it hard to distinguish it from Togo, depending on the leather batch. Since I doubt a Togo K in the same specs will look much different I'd keep it. If you're worried about the slouch you can get a bag insert.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Clemence is my favorite leather after chèvre. If the weight doesn't bother you, is it the slouchiness? It will slouch (so will Togo, not quite as much but definitely will). To me there is little difference between Clemence and Togo except that Clemence has a nicer hand, is less matte, takes colors (IMO) a touch better - and yes, it weighs a tiny bit more (which is one of the reasons it feels more luxe) and slouches maybe 10-15% more.

Leathers vary widely lot by lot and bag by bag, so I'd evaluate this bag on its own merits. Personally I think it's gorgeous.

 

[duna]

I much prefer Clemence over Togo, it's much more lux to the touch, less matte and takes colour better. I don't think a 32 K would slouch that much anyway. Finally I received my SO Birkin less than 1 year ago, in Togo because the colour I wanted wasn't available in Clemence, and to my surprise this Togo is super slouchy, more than other Clemence bags I have/had. So there's no guarantee that if you wait for a Togo K it might be just as slouchy or even more so than Clemence. I still love Clemence over Togo though.

 

[EmilyM111]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers. Think my dislike for clemence is not substantiated, I'm not overly worried about slouching. I am inclined to keep the bag due to the ideal for me specs, otherwise it could send me in the downward spiral of bad decisions (I'm trying to be firm and not pay this year more than 10k EUR for a bag but being firm was never my strength).
I should give clemence a try to see whether I didn't like that particular Birkin or it's the leather that doesn't work for me. I agree on the matte argument.
Also, my wish is currently Rouge Grenat SHW K25/28 sellier so it's a completely different bag...

 

[EmilyM111]

I love clemence but if it annoys you I would not settle. Think of it this way: how will you feel if you keep this one and later find one in the leather you prefer?

I carefully considered what you said and you are right, probably I'd feel keen to make up for my mistake (or 'mistake'). But the likelihood of getting the combo price x specs x reputable seller (or Hermes themselves) is low in the near future.

 

[EmilyM111]

I love Clemence leather and find it hard to distinguish it from Togo, depending on the leather batch. Since I doubt a Togo K in the same specs will look much different I'd keep it. If you're worried about the slouch you can get a bag insert.

I was confused by the photos of the seller (who didn't list the leather type, sometimes they don't) and suspected it was togo. Funny though, my first Hermes bag was K32 black in leather advertised as togo to find through Bababebi it was fjord (which I really like).

 

[Pamela Stylepop]

If it were me I'd keep it, its almost the specs you want and like you say, here in Europe we don't have the resale options that the people in the US have. Gorgeous bag, enjoy

 

[textilegirl]

I’m not sure what you’re struggling with. None of the usual concerns many people have with clemence, weight, slouch, seem to concern you. You found a bag in the color, size and hardware you want, at a price you’re happy with. Obviously this assumes it’s authentic, and you’re attending to that concern. You say you ‘already love it’; several of the hardcore clemence lovers in the H forum have weighed in to support your purchase (me too!)…. Would it help if you just pretended it was Togo? As batches of leather differ, maybe something about the batch of vert cypress clemence of your B35 was ‘off’ for you and it’s not clemence you dislike but that particular batch. Dunno, but I’d keep that one without a better feel for what was wrong about it.

 

[EmilyM111]

I’m not sure what you’re struggling with. None of the usual concerns many people have with clemence, weight, slouch, seem to concern you. You found a bag in the color, size and hardware you want, at a price you’re happy with. Obviously this assumes it’s authentic, and you’re attending to that concern. You say you ‘already love it’; several of the hardcore clemence lovers in the H forum have weighed in to support your purchase (me too!)…. Would it help if you just pretended it was Togo? As batches of leather differ, maybe something about the batch of vert cypress clemence of your B35 was ‘off’ for you and it’s not clemence you dislike but that particular batch. Dunno, but I’d keep that one without a better feel for what was wrong about it.

It might be as you said that the VC bag batch was off, I had issues with that bag soon after leaving Hermes store (odd white/black spots from glue I presume, visible corner wear after 3 uses). Maybe I’m projecting the dissatisfaction from that bag onto the new one. Thank you

 

[A bottle of Red]

I would wait to see it in person and decide if you can overlook the clemence factor or if it continues to irk you.
Finally think about how you will feel if you send this back and end up with neither this nor your dream bag. Will you mind?
On the other hand, will an almost perfect bag be good enough, or will you still keep yearning/searching/hoping for your true dream bag?

 

[Zeremine]

Clemence is very rich and plush. I think you’ll enjoy it more than you expect! It also bounces back really well from getting wet so if added bonus if you’re a klutz like me.