Looking for a way to make your Hermès bag more practical—and more you? The bandoulière is the secret weapon that takes your bag’s versatility to the next level.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to choose the right strap, how to use it, and which styles work best with different Hermès bags.
Image credit: Hermès
A Hermès bandoulière is essentially a shoulder strap—and ever since it first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2017 collection, it’s become a must-have among Hermès enthusiasts.
The word bandoulière comes from French and means "shoulder strap." It first appeared in Hermès’ Fall/Winter 2017 collection, quickly gaining popularity as a way to add shoulder functionality to bags that don’t come with straps—expanding the ways you can carry and enjoy your Hermès pieces.
Bandoulières come in a variety of designs.
One standout example is the Chaîne d’Ancre, an iconic Hermès motif that appears not only in accessories and bags but also in a dedicated series of bandoulières.
Recommended reading: The Complete Guide to Hermès Chaîne d’Ancre — How to Choose Bracelets, Rings & Earrings
Additionally, there are bandoulières inspired by Hermès’ signature Kelly bag design, as well as styles that tie into seasonal themes, giving you even more options to express your personal style.
On the other hand, bandoulières are relatively more affordable within the Hermès lineup. This makes them a popular choice for those who want to easily incorporate the Hermès aesthetic and a stylish fashion accent into their everyday lives.
Pairing a bandoulière with your Hermès bag opens up endless possibilities to enjoy the Hermès world in new and exciting ways. Here, we’ll explore specific bandoulière and bag combinations to inspire your own unique looks.
Image credit: Hermès
The Kelly bag is known for its graceful trapezoid shape. While it already comes with a strap, pairing it with a wider bandoulière enhances its practicality and expands the range of occasions you can use it for.
For example, a simple black Kelly like the one above can easily transition into casual settings by adding a geometric-patterned bandoulière.
Below, we’ve outlined the recommended bandoulière lengths for each Kelly size to help you find the perfect fit.
Image credit: Hermès
The Bolide, a historic Hermès bag model, becomes even more appealing when paired with a bandoulière.
By adding a bandoulière, you can wear the Bolide as a shoulder or crossbody bag, making it ideal for travel, as a diaper bag, or for everyday convenience. The strap also helps distribute the bag’s weight more evenly, reducing the strain on your body.
From a design standpoint, the bandoulière adds a unique touch to the bag’s simple silhouette, letting you express your personal style with ease.
Image credit: Hermès
The Evelyn, known for being one of Hermès’ more accessible bags, can be styled in many ways when paired with a bandoulière—ranging from casual to elegant looks.
With so many types of Hermès bandoulières available, it can be tricky to know where to start. In this section, we’ll break down the main categories, materials, lengths, and adjustment options to help you find the perfect strap for your needs.
Bandoulières come in a variety of materials, but they can be broadly categorized into leather and canvas options.
Leather straps tend to convey a more elegant and refined look, while canvas straps offer a casual, relaxed vibe.
Image credit: Hermès
Image credit: Hermès
It’s also a good idea to consider the season when choosing your bandoulière. Canvas straps tend to feel lighter and airier, making them a great choice for spring and summer.
Plus, from a practical standpoint, canvas is often easier to wear casually and care for, which adds to its appeal for everyday use.
Choosing by Design
Bandoulières come in a variety of designs—from geometric patterns to straps featuring iconic brand motifs.
Selecting a design that aligns with your intended use and personal style will help you get the most out of your bandoulière.
Image credit: Hermès
For example, if you want to use your bag more actively, a bandoulière with casual geometric patterns might be the perfect choice to enhance that laid-back vibe.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to make your bag more practical while maintaining a formal, refined look, a leather strap with a subtle design would be a better fit.
Hermès bandoulières typically come in three lengths: 70 cm, 85 cm, and 105 cm.
As mentioned in the How to Style Hermès Bandoulières by Bag Type section, it’s best to select the length based on the bag you plan to pair it with, your height, and how you intend to use it. For instance, whether you prefer wearing your bag as a crossbody or shoulder bag will influence the ideal strap length.
While approximate measurements can be found online, trying the bandoulière on in person is the best way to ensure a comfortable fit.
At XIAOMA stores, we carry a selection of bandoulières, so feel free to visit and find your perfect match.
▶︎ Check out the bandoulière lineup at the official XIAOMA online store here.
Some Hermès bandoulières, such as the A Strap and the 2025 new Crew Médor release, feature adjustable lengths.
If you want versatility for wearing styles like crossbody or shoulder, choosing an adjustable bandoulière is a smart choice.
When selecting a bandoulière, considering the strap width is also important. Including the Crew Médor, Hermès offers bandoulières in three widths: 1.5 cm, 2.5 cm, and 5 cm.
The 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm widths are lightweight and suited for smaller bags. These narrower straps allow you to pick bold or vivid colors without overwhelming your bag’s design, adding a stylish accent.
Image credit: Hermès
The 5 cm wide bandoulière makes a strong statement and pairs well with simple bags and understated outfits.
This wider strap also helps reduce shoulder strain, making it ideal for larger bags or when you carry heavier loads.
Image credit: Hermés
We’ll take a look at the different types of Hermès bandoulières, their price ranges, and how you can get your hands on them.
Hermès bandoulières typically start around 200,000 yen, but purchasing them directly from Hermès boutiques can be quite challenging. This is because, like all Hermès products, each bandoulière is handcrafted by skilled artisans, resulting in limited production numbers. To increase your chances of buying from an official store, it’s often advised to build a purchase history and visit regularly.
While secondary market sellers may have stock available for immediate purchase, it’s important to be cautious of counterfeit products. At XIAOMA, our expert authenticators carefully inspect every item, and we back each with a 100% money-back guarantee. We offer a wide range of bandoulières, so please feel free to browse our collection.
▶︎ Check out the Hermès bandoulière lineup at XIAOMA’s official online store here.
When caring for your bandoulière—and Hermès products in general—please keep the following points in mind:
Especially for leather bandoulières, it’s important to handle them according to the specific characteristics of each type of leather. For details on the various materials Hermès uses and their care, please refer to the article linked below:
Recommended reading: Hermès Materials Guide
Also, avoid self-treating your bandoulière with over-the-counter creams or products. We recommend considering regular maintenance through official Hermès services for the best care.
Image credit: Hermès
Hermès bandoulières extend the versatility of your Hermès bags, allowing you to discover personalized styling options that truly reflect your taste.
We encourage you to take this opportunity to explore the appeal of bandoulières and consider them as a stylish addition to enhance your everyday look with your existing bag.
XIAOMA offers a wide selection of Hermès bandoulières, so please feel free to browse our collection.
▶︎Check out the bandoulière lineup at the official XIAOMA online store here.
