Hermès is a masterclass in marketing. Anyone who’s attempted to buy its most coveted handbags, Birkin, Kelly and Constance will know you can’t just walk into the store and emerge with your dream bag. The legendary “waiting list” for these coveted “quota bags” is not an accurate portrayal of how you’ll score a bag. In fact, to obtain one of these bags, you need to play what is known in luxury circles as the “Hermès Game.” The game is an expensive one in which you, essentially, demonstrate your loyalty to the brand through spending plenty of money and earning commission for a sales assistant (SA) who, in theory, should reward you with the opportunity to purchase a BKC (the general rule of thumb is to expect to pay the same in “extra spending” as you will on the bag itself for a standard BKC and no more than three times the value of the bag for a more exclusive or coveted bag). When you are offered a BKC, it’s unlikely to be your ideal model, size, or leather. Your options are to pass the bag up and wait for the next offer from your SA or buy it and resell it if it’s not a bag you want. This savvy marketing strategy means Hermès BKC handbags are perpetually scarce, which drives up the prices and the feeling of exclusivity.
However, if you want your Hermès fix without playing the game, you have two options. Either opt to buy from a reseller, such as Ginza Xiaoma, or you can buy direct from Hermès and opt for a handbag that doesn’t require extra spending.
To the untrained eye, the HAC (Haut à courroies) is hard to distinguish from the Birkin, so makes a good substitute if you don’t want to play the Hermès game. This bag is the brand’s oldest design, created to be a hard-wearing and spacious bag in which you could throw your riding boots.
The HAC is taller, has longer handles, a different turnlock and a wider belt than the Birkin and is, crucially, much easier to find. Though it’s rare, it’s not unheard of to be able to walk into an Hermès store and find an HAC on the shelf. If there are none in stock, put a word in with your SA who should inform you the next time there’s one available.
Like HAC, Herbag is instantly recognizable as Hermès, with a similar design to Kelly. This entry-level bag is canvas and leather, with the same shape, handle, strap, clochette and padlock Kelly is known for.
This underrated bag is durable, easy to clean and suitable for everyday use. Herbag is usually available online and in stores, which makes them an ideal gateway into the world of Hermès bags.
Lindy’s unusual handles, designed to allow you to hold the bag in a more natural way, are its signature. Its slouchy design and shoulder strap make it one of Hermès’ more casual, practical designs.
Depending on your location, you may be able to find a Lindy on the shelf (you’ll probably have more luck in the US than Asia), but if you’re specific about color and leather, you’ll probably have to make a request with your SA and wait (and possibly spend) a little bit to get your dream Lindy. Mini Lindy’s tend to be harder to get your hands on, so be prepared for a wait if you’re buying directly from Hermès.
Hermès Bolide is a popular travel bag. It was the first bag to feature a zipper and has been a mainstay of the Hermès canon for around 100 years. While Limited Editions can be hard-to-get, Bolides aren’t bags that require extra spending, so you should be able to put in a request with your SA if there isn’t one in store.
This causal bag, based on the design of a horse feed bag is, as is the case with many of these bags, immensely popular. It doesn’t require extra spending, but may be hard to find on the shelf or website. Hermès Picotin is a lightweight bucket bag inspired by horse feedbags, harking back to the brand’s equestrian roots. Its simplicity is striking, with a natural leather lining and a charming Hermès padlock to fasten.
You won’t need any purchase history to score a Picotin. If you don’t find one you want on the shelf, put a word in with an SA and wait for the call. Picotin bags occasionally turn up on the website too, but they are quickly snapped up.
Garden Party is another very popular Hermès bag that won’t require extra spending. These casual, everyday totes are sold at an accessible price point. You can often find Garden Party bags on the website or in-store.
Evelyne is a crossbody bag with a perforated H logo across the front. It’s an easy-to-carry, hands-free bag and can be found on the shelf or on the Hermès website.
Still looking for an alternative to the Birkin, Kelly or Constance? For more ideas, read our extensive Hermès handbag guide, here.
