Sigh...I don't like my Birkin

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#31
Sorry your dream didn't have a happy ending.

My dream bag for awhile was the Chloe Paddington, and I was fortunate enough to be able to send it back to Bergdorf's once I realized it wouldn't work for me. Too big, too bulky...and back it went.

What I discovered in my search for the perfect bag was that if it even existed, I'd probably have to design it myself and have it custom made. Hermes bags I thought might work for me ultimately didn't.
 
#32
Kallie Girl said:
With it being box leather, it is more stiff than some of the other leathers. I have a 35 in box and I love it. You say it's hard to get in to. Just pull it open to the width you need.

From your picture I see that you've got her all strapped up. It sounds like you are wanting a more casual look.

Here are two pics of my boxcalf Birkin .. one strapped up like yours and the other with the straps loosened. There are points in between, as well. You can leave the straps in the guides but not buckled, for example. Boxcalf can be stiff but already mine has loosened up. My bag is a 35 but I think the effect would be the same with your 30.

See how different she looks ... one more formal and the other more casual.

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*swoon*

Jemi,

Kallie Girl has a good point -- it should be a Birkin whose colour you're deeply, madly, and truly in love with. And if you're feelin' that with this 30's colour, perhaps it's just one of those days where you might be picking apart your rationale? Would Occham's Razor apply here?

I had a Vermillion Chevre (now that I know the differences between the leathers) in 30cm. I carried it a couple of times, but when I first saw the colour, there was a little mental tweaking to feel more love. But alas, I sold it back to Portero, and that was a learning lesson to spend more time figuring out the colour(s) I wanted.

I'm a pragmatist (and geeky engineer :}), and how I get in/out, etc., affects my decision.. Perhaps you are similar? I suggest making a list of all the things you do, on an ongoing basis -- tasks, actions, subconscious things.. And next to each thing, append which bag you have a tendency to use. Then, perform those tasks with your Birkin over the course of a week, and then analyze (on a scale of 1-10) how more or less efficient you were in those tasks.

I can agree that Birkins are not immediately practical, but then again, neither are wearing high-heeled Christian Louboutin shoes :}
 
#33
My heart goes out to you! I feel your pain and your concern. I've been there too.

My small suggestion:

Give the bag a trial run of a few weeks. Tell yourself if you don't love it by a certain date - well then there is someone out there who will be happy to have it. Then write down what you want / like about it and what you don't feel comfortable with.

I did that and realized what I do not feel comfortable with in a bag compared to what I "thought" I wanted. And I've made plenty of errors before I got there too. (And I am secretly ashamed of the money I wasted to finally get what I felt comfortable with in the end.)

Are there other bags that you can try on easily (near an Hermes shop for example) and see what it is that may appeal to you. Shape. Leather stiffness. The overall feel of the inside. Ease of opening. Security of stuff.

Give the bag a chance. There is always a buyer out there if you decide. But it's hard to change your mind once it's gone to someone else. (I know that is obvious, but with such an expensive purchase - it makes our minds and hearts all the more uneasy.)

Good luck to you! Keep us posted!

Sending you a hug too!
 
#34
Jemi - Speaking from experience - before making a final decision about the bag, I recommend using it for a week in as many different styles of as you wear.

It is a beautiful bag, that you should be able to sell very quickly - but, you don't want to sell it and then regret your decision. So, use it for a week and then make a truly informed decision.
 
#36
Brown is such a classic color. Maybe a brighter , happier color is what you are looking for? I remember Petpringles or Mrs. S told me that it has to make your heart sing then you know it's the right one so that's what I keep telling myself before I make my decisions :) But I think you will find the one you've got will grow on you. Good luck!!
 
#37
I'm so sorry it didn't work out. Don't try to force it any further and sell it. Life is too short to spend time w/ a bag that doesn't make your heart sing.

The attraction should be immediate and this type of lesson happens to the best of us. As with any relationship, we learn as we go along.

Good luck! There's an H bag out there w/ your name written all over it.
 
#40
A lovely bag, but if it's not singing to you, there is nothing to apologize for. Some things just don't work out, and what's more important is to find a true love and not force yourself to like something that doesn't feel like you.

You point out that you like/love the color, but does the color fit in with your wardrobe and clothing style? Do you have other accessories that can match or coordinate well with this color? Is it the stiffness of the leather? The sheen? If so, perhaps a clemence, togo, or swift bag might be more your style? Ultimately, a birkin isn't for everyone, and there's nothing wrong with that. :hugs:
considering the investment you've made, I would take it out one day and really try and put several outfits together where the bag coordinates well and see if you can bring yourself around. If you don't, tpf can be a great resource to find the bag that really is made just for you! :yes:
 
#41
duchess said:
Wow Jemi, my leather is Evergraine. It is stiff but, it is easy to get into and I wear my straps closed and locked! Try a Bagmate, it makes it easier.

I think a softer leather will make it much harder to get into?
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Maybe I am bitter, but I hope the feet of your Birkin scratch that Bentley! LOL. Of course, only kidding, but DO be careful during your photo shoots.

How's that patina coming?
 
#42
Jemi, don't force yourself to like a bag just because we here at tpf say try it out. I utterly and completely understand your disappointment. I know it's hard, but this is one of the problems with buying without playing, seeing, touching, etc. I have that problem and fear as well. It's a lot of money, period. Will the reseller take the bag back? Have you asked? Perhaps you can give it back to the reseller and get a different one? I think all these questions should be posed before making any decisions. You never know, they could be reasonable, even if it was a final sale. In the meantime, don't be so hard on yourself kicking yourself silly. Worse case scenario, you are stuck with the bag or you try to put it up yourself on ebay. It's not that bad, just more hassle and disappointment than you expected. I suggest you set your sights on something else that catches your eye...this will get you focused on what you really want!;)
 
#43
I'm not a fan of the Birkin or Kelly, and is is unlikely that I will ever be because I cannot do hand-held bags. I admire the bags and people who wear them with style but I know that for me ever attempting to carry one on a day to day basis would result in inconvenience.

So I stick with shoulder bags, and I like softer leathers.
 
#44
Jemi:

I looked at this forum a lot before I decided I wanted a Gold/PH 30 Birkin. When I received the beautiful pre-owned bag, I felt it was too dainty and too close to the size of the Kelly. I am now selling the bag via a re-seller to finance my 35 gold/ph, which I absolutely LOVE. I especially love the squishy Clemence leather. All my other Hermes bags are stiff or semi-stiff leathers and I can't say enough about the soft casual feel of the Clemence. It really feels right, even with shorts and flip flops, like I wore is yesterday running errands in 90 degree Atlanta heat.

So I have the color/hardware choice right, but not the size or the leather type. Perhaps something very close to your original instincts with a few tweaks. I don't believe you "learn to love" a 5-figure ($) bag! You either love it or it has to go!

Daphne
 
#45
Kallie Girl said:
With it being box leather, it is more stiff than some of the other leathers. I have a 35 in box and I love it. You say it's hard to get in to. Just pull it open to the width you need.

From your picture I see that you've got her all strapped up. It sounds like you are wanting a more casual look.

Here are two pics of my boxcalf Birkin .. one strapped up like yours and the other with the straps loosened. There are points in between, as well. You can leave the straps in the guides but not buckled, for example. Boxcalf can be stiff but already mine has loosened up. My bag is a 35 but I think the effect would be the same with your 30.

See how different she looks ... one more formal and the other more casual.

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Click to expand...

Kallie, I never tire of seeing your stunning Birkin!!
 
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