that’s good to know! I am gonna live in London but not in those area. Hope it is not uncommon or unsafe to carry H bags around
Wearing Hermes in London.
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I think once you move, you will get a good idea of how comfortable you feel. My 'hood is South Kensington (and Chelsea) and I definitely feel comfortable carrying my H around.
As a Londoner I can confirm that (sadly) there is more crime now than I ever remembered.
I carry my bags, daily just making sure they are closed and with a little cotton tote inside which can be used for extra shopping or to put the bag in if I feel a little too conspicuous. The tube is fine security wise - but usually rather dirty so I take extra care with light colours. London is a walking city so be mindful when you cross tne street zébra crossings etc because there are phone/bag snatchers on the loose. They don’t care what brand you carry.
I carry my bags, daily just making sure they are closed and with a little cotton tote inside which can be used for extra shopping or to put the bag in if I feel a little too conspicuous. The tube is fine security wise - but usually rather dirty so I take extra care with light colours. London is a walking city so be mindful when you cross tne street zébra crossings etc because there are phone/bag snatchers on the loose. They don’t care what brand you carry.
I live in London and was born here.
I can confirm that I see Hermes bags (K/B Evelyne/Constance mainly) worn in all the major shopping areas Central (W1) Notting Hill, Chelsea and South Kensington.
I've spotted Hermes bags on the underground.
I do wear my bags on public transport but tend to wear the less obvious one (without sangles-so no Kelly or Jypsiere) if I am travelling alone after 10pm but thats just a personal choice-I don't like wearing anything that is noticably expensive.
Crime is bad in the city but it tends to be mainly phone snatching by people on bikes.
Like with any major city its a case of being mindful of your surroundings and whilst on a packed underground train wearing your bag in front of you and closed.
Thank you all for your sharing! I am glad to know that there are still H bags out there on the street or tube of London. I am definitely counting on tube and public transport!
I have just got a b25 in my home store but am going to move to London soon (Hammersmith, Chiswick area). Most people carry B open without closing the flap in my city. I would really like to use the bag but feel a bit insecure based on what I have heard (like what you have shared above about the phone snatching etc.). But I will most certainly pay attention to surroundings when I walk around!!
I have just got a b25 in my home store but am going to move to London soon (Hammersmith, Chiswick area). Most people carry B open without closing the flap in my city. I would really like to use the bag but feel a bit insecure based on what I have heard (like what you have shared above about the phone snatching etc.). But I will most certainly pay attention to surroundings when I walk around!!
There is a posting of YouTube:
'The most dangerous bags to wear in London for crime'.
She makes a global warning about recognisable Hermes bags
although the six examples she chooses to talk about are not Hermes.
If you are concerned, this should raise general awareness and has some helpful pointers about bag security.
'The most dangerous bags to wear in London for crime'.
She makes a global warning about recognisable Hermes bags
although the six examples she chooses to talk about are not Hermes.
If you are concerned, this should raise general awareness and has some helpful pointers about bag security.
Welcome! That's my area! I see more Hermes bags in Chiswick but I also carry mine in Hammersmith and on the tube. Just have your wits about you but don't be scared. I try to remember to carry my bag on my inside hand when I'm walking as I know some motorbike thieves snatch the bags from your hand.
I already posted my views above - but I would not want anyone to think that London is a lawless den of iniquity! It is important to be aware of ones surroundings and perhaps refrain from dressing like a SM luxury influencer cliché. Quiet Luxury maybe a better vibe. 
I was rather shocked to read about the robbery at Sellier in Belgravia. I guess nowadays we should treat high end bags like expensive jewellery. Similar to @maxroxxherhandbags I prefer not to take the tube alone late at night - and if I do I'm extra mindful about my surroundings and low key dressing.
I was rather shocked to read about the robbery at Sellier in Belgravia. I guess nowadays we should treat high end bags like expensive jewellery. Similar to @maxroxxherhandbags I prefer not to take the tube alone late at night - and if I do I'm extra mindful about my surroundings and low key dressing.
I was briefly in and out of London last month to see Macbeth with David tennant; the blue rider exhibit at the Tate Modern; and eat at Berenjak near Borough Market (So somewhat touristy areas, but not shopping intensive). I normally cover my wrists/ jewelry when walking around, and I carried a sac Kelly elan, etoupe Epsom, ghw. I wear hermes and other premier designer RTW mixed with denim etc, but I don’t pick logo intensive designs, and I’m usually in neutral colors. I don’t think I stand out particularly. Felt very safe, but I also feel quite safe in NYC (being mindful and taking appropriate city measures/ precautions of course).
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Sadly, it's going that way now as nothing is done to stop this lawlessness. Quiet luxury is definitely the way to go as you say, don't dress for the 'gram and you 'should' be ok...I already posted my views above - but I would not want anyone to think that London is a lawless den of iniquity! It is important to be aware of ones surroundings and perhaps refrain from dressing like a SM luxury influencer cliché. Quiet Luxury maybe a better vibe.
I used to live in Chelsea and now live between London and Vienna.
Luckily nothing has ever happened to me and I still feel pretty safe walking around Chelsea/Belgravia/Mayfair, but what I have noticed in the last year is that crime has increased immensely - before it was mostly watches, sometimes car break-ins, whereas now phone theft is almost everywhere. I have also heard of bags being snatched from people's hands and car windows being smashed while sitting in traffic. I would definitely not recommend wearing a watch (especially an AP or Patek), having a phone in your bag or holding on to it very tightly with your Birkin closed. See how you feel and try to be aware of your surroundings as everyone else has said. But enjoy your trip in the beautiful city of London
Luckily nothing has ever happened to me and I still feel pretty safe walking around Chelsea/Belgravia/Mayfair, but what I have noticed in the last year is that crime has increased immensely - before it was mostly watches, sometimes car break-ins, whereas now phone theft is almost everywhere. I have also heard of bags being snatched from people's hands and car windows being smashed while sitting in traffic. I would definitely not recommend wearing a watch (especially an AP or Patek), having a phone in your bag or holding on to it very tightly with your Birkin closed. See how you feel and try to be aware of your surroundings as everyone else has said. But enjoy your trip in the beautiful city of London
I arrived in London on Monday and have to say that the concentration of H bags (particularly Birkins and Kellys) is higher than in any other city I’ve visited, including Paris. They seem to be everywhere! I acknowledge that I am staying on Sloane Street and have mostly frequented high end areas (Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Belgravia) and various tourist spots but I’ve carried my B30 in gold every day. I’ve been walking for miles and have also taken the tube…my only concern is the weight of my bag when I shove a bottle of water in it with everything else.
If you don’t live in a city and are thus unused to remaining aware of your surroundings at all times, you might feel nervous or uncomfortable carrying an H bag.
If you don’t live in a city and are thus unused to remaining aware of your surroundings at all times, you might feel nervous or uncomfortable carrying an H bag.
Checking out the ‘wildlife’ section - lots of London photos there. Let me see if I can post some more.
I haven't been much on Social Media lately and missed the latest London bashing frenzy. Daily, I see people wearing H bags scarves and accessories, and even a little bit of RTW. It does seem to be a trend though to complain about London being an evil dangerous place. I recently visited New York and Paris and cant really say that there is much difference. (just like London it does depend on the areas you visit) If anything though, smaller rural areas might be more crime ridden. check this article out: https://jon-chadwick.com/2025/07/31/is-london-dangerous/