When it comes to the Hermès brand, most prospective buyers (and even those who aren’t so enamoured with luxury accessories) are familiar with the likes of the Birkin bag and the Kelly bag. After all, these are not only famous bags within the Hermès catalogue, but have made a name for themselves outside of the brand’s repertoire, representing their own slice of quiet luxury and status.
Owning one of these bags is as much about prestige as it is about fashion – with the Birkin in particular famously difficult to source and buy on the retail market.
But what if we told you that these aren’t the only options – and that there may be a better option for those seeking an entry-level Hermès?
Before we look at the individual features of different Hermès bags and what makes them so popular with buyers, it’s worth diving deeper into what we mean by ‘entry-level’ Hermès.
This is essentially another way of considering the affordability and accessibility of Hermès bags. While the Birkin is both incredibly expensive and difficult to source, owing to the high demand and limited supply upheld by the brand, other models are easier to find on the market and tend to come with a lower price tag.
Of course, when it comes to a brand like Hermès, it’s important to understand that ‘entry-level’ does not mean cheap, nor does it equate to a low-quality product. In fact, all Hermès bags are crafted with precision, using the best materials and techniques. Some are simply more sought after than others, take longer to produce, and/or are more difficult to find on the market.
Each Birkin bag takes around 48 hours of hand stitching to produce. Each Kelly bag requires around 20 hours of delicate hand crafting. Both are equally synonymous with prestige and are famous within and outside of the luxury industry – recognisable across pop culture and among luxury buyers.
An entry-level Hermès is, in general, more affordable and easier to buy. However, that should not be confused with being of a lesser quality – after all, Hermès is renowned for its quality across every single bag.
The Hermès Herbag owes much of its growing popularity to its underlying similarity when placed next to the Hermès Kelly bag. In fact, the Herbag was brought to life as a more practical everyday alternative to the Kelly, embodying many of the popular design features, but with a more relaxed silhouette and the blend of both traditional leather and a more functional canvas material.
When you first glance at the Herbag, its trapezoid structure is reminiscent of the Kelly. However, while the top of the bag is made from leather, and it boasts an Hermès lock and clochette across the opening to keep the bag secure, the main body is constructed from canvas. This renders the bag both more practical and durable, and also more versatile in terms of how it looks and how it is used.
Because of its underlying functional design, the Herbag is only really available in larger sizes – meaning it does not replicate the Mini Kelly or meet the growing demand for small luxury handbags. However, its collection of sizes makes this an excellent daytime or overnight bag, which is more affordable than a Kelly or even a Birkin bag.
Now let’s compare that to the Evelyne; a bag that was released in 1978, and which was originally designed and created with the equestrian market in mind.
While the Herbag is a handheld bag that emanates the look and feel of the Hermès Kelly, the Evelyne bag is a crossbody shoulder bag with a saddlebag structure and long strap. The perforated ‘H’ on the main body of the Evelyne bag was originally added as a way of aerating the inside of the bag, which might hold equestrian equipment and grooming tools, while the adjustable strap and external pocket enhance the functional benefits.
The Evelyne bag uses the same premium leather materials as other Hermès bags, but it is worth noting that one key feature of this particular bag is the raw lining – that is, the inside of the bag is unfinished leather.
All in all, the Evelyne bag was originally created with an incredibly practical use in mind – and so owes many of its features to this utilitarian design. The long strap makes it easy to carry as an everyday bag, while the iconic ‘H’ on the front adds personality and character to what is otherwise a very simple but durable crossbody accessory.
The Herbag and the Evelyne couldn’t be more different in terms of their look and how they are designed to be used, and so choosing between them means considering your preferences and how you plan to use the bag.
The Herbag has more of a classic “Hermès look” insofar as it is reminiscent of the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags. The Evelyne is functional by design, with the crossbody strap and saddlebag structure that make it a stylish but highly practical accessory for everyday life.
So, it really depends on what you want from your entry-level Hermès, and how you want it to compliment your lifestyle.
Both the Evelyne and the Herbag Hermès bags are more accessible than the Birkin and Kelly models, but that doesn’t mean that buyers shouldn’t pay close attention to authentication advice and valuations.
With Hermès such a sought-after brand, you should only buy from reputable sellers and second-hand boutique stores, with access to authentication certificates to match the product. The benefit of visiting one of these boutique stores is also being able to see different bags and explore the collection available, learning more about the different features of the bags and how the colour palettes look alongside each other.
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