Allow me to offer a perspective on Birkins from Hungary, this shithole of an Eastern European country only a democracy in theory but led by a crook and his minions, where Hermés bags have become intertwined with politics in recent months and not in a positive way. Here it's certainly not about overexposure but I don't know how to call it. This might be long but needs context.
First, if a year ago you asked an average middle-aged Hungarian on the streets, chances are they wouldn't have had a clue as to what a Birkin was. I used to work at a news site, had I wanted to write anything about Birkins 2 years ago, my editor would have said no, because the general public had no knowledge whatsoever and no interest either. Fast forward to now, probably a lot more people would know and they associate it with the excess wealth of the ruling party, the oligarchs tied to the government and all the money they stole.
What caused this change? A certain opposition MP regularly started posting photos about the expensive shit the wives and adult children of politicians, oligarchs and businessmen wear, with prices and all, with the aim to pose the question: where the hell they got the money for it from? One of the women has been photographed with multiple Birkins, one of them being a rare croc type. This prompted a deluge of articles by the remaining independent media about Birkins: explaining what they are, how much they cost, why they cost so much, how to acquire them etc. (Tbh I didn't read any of those, but judging by the number of articles people must have been interested as hell, since the general unsatisfaction with Orban's circle grows. If you don't know Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he's the guy whom Trump gets all his worst ideas from and the guy who sucks up to Putin any chance he gets! Everything unlawful you're seeing now in the US, Orban has already done it, without much pushback. No checks and balances here anymore. Sorry I digress.)
So now Birkins in Hungary symbolize everything unlawful, the greed of a government they hate and that has been ruling the country for 15 years, stealing every cent they can while education has been run down, hospitals are being closed and are in dire straits, living conditions are getting worse etc. The average yearly salary here is about 17k USD, but so many people live below the poverty line. The negative associations have become so strong that a new fundraising campaign for a children's hospital in need used the slogan: "We're not raising money for Birkins."
Not that it matters in the int'l reputation of Hermés since this is a small country, the nearest Hermés store is in Vienna.
Same! For me, it's no longer a status symbol but evidence of what the luxury industry has become: just ridiculous amounts of money spent on products that offer no originality and no distinction
Plus - IMHO - Birkins are just ugly. I hate that you have to leave the straps and buckles undone in order to actually use the bag. Just looks sloppy. No thanks.
I agree. I'm not a fan of the look either, and it seems impractical. If I'm going to carry a very expensive, glorified diaper bag around, I want to be able to use it properly at the very least.
I was invited along to a charity luncheon at Neiman Marcus a few weeks ago — it was very "ladies who lunch"...lots of florals and butter yellow. The very first thing I saw upon arrival was a gray Birkin bag plopped on the floor with a Yorkshire Terrier inside, just poking its head out at the ladies in stilettos... It was a moment both fabulous and cringe, and a metaphor for so many things.
Personally, I don't love a large tote I can't put on my shoulder or which is uncomfortably heavy. I also hate the flap-over design that needs to be left open for access — to your Yorkie, of course — it just looks incredibly sloppy to me. Likewise, the connection to tacky, marginally-talented "reality" stars is such a turn-off. I see a Birkin and I just think of Kyle Richards and I'd rather not. I don't want anything that's just fodder for competition and one-upsmanship among the flashy haves and socialites. At one time I think these bags represented "quiet luxury" but now they're just LOUD.
I don’t carry mine; I have a black 30 and a taupe 35 and I am keeping them but they live in my closet. For one thing, they are overexposed to the point of being tacky. For another, they’re totally impractical. They’re super heavy; it’s like carrying your belongings around in a very cumbersome and heavy leather box. I have pretty much every work bag on the market, including a Margaux, and the one I use most is a men’s backpack from LV that has a built-in laptop sleeve. Go figure.
I think like many 'classics' (I'm looking at you Chanel), the bags themselves are not particularly stylish or cool. Like Samantha Jones said, it's what carrying one of these bags symbolises; 'I have plenty of money to blow on obvious status symbols'. I don't covet a Birkin. Even if I had enough money to buy one, I wouldn't, purely because they are not cool in any way. They are a just a loud declaration of wealth which I find crass and tacky.
As the saying goes, brand isn't what a company says it is but what the public says it is. And what has happened with the Birkin is brand damage. It's not exclusive if it's everywhere, and it's not chic if the associations are tacky.
Also, as an aside: the Birkin is a weird bag! It was maybe a good "everything" bag for elite travelers in the early 1980s, as Jane Birkin was, when she described the bag she needed to the executive chairman of Hermès while seated together on a flight. But now, is it functional? I'll never own one, so I don't know, but it looks awkward and not-modern, as a work bag, and it's too big to use as a purse. There are cheaper, more modern, discreet, fit-for-purpose bags that don't scream "mug me." Parading a bag around as a statement just seems outdated.
Maybe I watch too much Bravo, but yes, I do associate the Birkin with the Real Housewives franchise now. I feel like the Marlo and Margaux (from The Row) are the new definitive status bags now, but curious what others think.
Overexposed for sure - like the cartier love bracelet. Because it has hit a certain mass, I have no desire to own one. For me, I need something unique to differentiate my personal style. At the same time, I do think the Birkin is a nice bag - design, structure, how it wears, etc.
At the moment, there are 1166 Hermes bags for sale on the Thredup app, including a perfectly lovely Constance for $12,099, a Bolide Bag, Epsom 27 for $6899. Prices vary, but you might want to check if your bag is included for sale and what the going rate is. A brand, after all, is what the public thinks it is.
I have to say a couple of things. I watch a show called love luxury because people are happy to buy and sell their bags. Different colors, materials and just fun to watch.
As much as they cost, I am not in love or would buy one. Maybe strictly as an investment. I have an old coach bag that I pull out if I need it.
They don’t appeal to me because I don’t like the bag itself. No pockets in the bag, just throw everything in it and go, defeats its value. I am older and I find I want utilitarian clothes and accessories. I also do not attend, or am friends with the moneyed crowd. I am retire, living in a small, two traffic light town. SERIOUSLY. Here are big ranches and cows. I have a house, two dogs, books, knitting, no ranch. I can admire the beauty of various designers, but I am happy with what I have and I worked for this.
I think overall middle income, those struggling through no fault of their own, are the real hero’s . They have class, integrity, tenacity and don’t care about the right shoes and bags. People who flaunt their wealth, scream look at me, and who the US press chooses to promote I would not hang around. I don’t care that Bezo is taking over a city. He and his new wife are simply gross. It is nothing more than a pathetic move to be relevant. It has failed.
If all the doom sayers are right, the wealth may bug out to their high security bunkers, which will also be fancy tombs. I really don’t envy them. Just ignore them, eventually they will go away.
I loved the Boatkin when I first saw it, but it was over $1000, come on (the link in the article was broken, btw). Then last night I was served an Instagram ad for a knockoff (yes, the Boatkin itself is a knockoff, but still) for $69.99, and I bit. The brand name is Elantra. I don't use totes much anymore, but am going on several car trips this summer and will find a use for it then.
I chose a used black Lindy 34 that I'm beating the hell out of because it looks better that way. I thought I'd use it for my personal item when flying, but I keep leaving it at home and opt for the Lemaire croissant (in waxed cloth) or the Porter-Yoshida backpack which has secret powers. Might try the MacQueen messenger in black crackle the next trip.
Allow me to offer a perspective on Birkins from Hungary, this shithole of an Eastern European country only a democracy in theory but led by a crook and his minions, where Hermés bags have become intertwined with politics in recent months and not in a positive way. Here it's certainly not about overexposure but I don't know how to call it. This might be long but needs context.
First, if a year ago you asked an average middle-aged Hungarian on the streets, chances are they wouldn't have had a clue as to what a Birkin was. I used to work at a news site, had I wanted to write anything about Birkins 2 years ago, my editor would have said no, because the general public had no knowledge whatsoever and no interest either. Fast forward to now, probably a lot more people would know and they associate it with the excess wealth of the ruling party, the oligarchs tied to the government and all the money they stole.
What caused this change? A certain opposition MP regularly started posting photos about the expensive shit the wives and adult children of politicians, oligarchs and businessmen wear, with prices and all, with the aim to pose the question: where the hell they got the money for it from? One of the women has been photographed with multiple Birkins, one of them being a rare croc type. This prompted a deluge of articles by the remaining independent media about Birkins: explaining what they are, how much they cost, why they cost so much, how to acquire them etc. (Tbh I didn't read any of those, but judging by the number of articles people must have been interested as hell, since the general unsatisfaction with Orban's circle grows. If you don't know Prime Minister Viktor Orban, he's the guy whom Trump gets all his worst ideas from and the guy who sucks up to Putin any chance he gets! Everything unlawful you're seeing now in the US, Orban has already done it, without much pushback. No checks and balances here anymore. Sorry I digress.)
So now Birkins in Hungary symbolize everything unlawful, the greed of a government they hate and that has been ruling the country for 15 years, stealing every cent they can while education has been run down, hospitals are being closed and are in dire straits, living conditions are getting worse etc. The average yearly salary here is about 17k USD, but so many people live below the poverty line. The negative associations have become so strong that a new fundraising campaign for a children's hospital in need used the slogan: "We're not raising money for Birkins."
Not that it matters in the int'l reputation of Hermés since this is a small country, the nearest Hermés store is in Vienna.
This is fascinating. Thank you.
Real Housewives, Kardashians, Melania. Not a club I wish to be a member of!
Once the Kardashians own something, I lose all interest. I don't like their style and to me, they represent a culture of excess.
Same! For me, it's no longer a status symbol but evidence of what the luxury industry has become: just ridiculous amounts of money spent on products that offer no originality and no distinction
Plus - IMHO - Birkins are just ugly. I hate that you have to leave the straps and buckles undone in order to actually use the bag. Just looks sloppy. No thanks.
So true. I always preferred the Kelly bag, but I'd pass this one as well
Love the Constance, which is classic and elegant.
I agree. I'm not a fan of the look either, and it seems impractical. If I'm going to carry a very expensive, glorified diaper bag around, I want to be able to use it properly at the very least.
"glorified diaper bag" LOL!
Everything about the Bezos/Sanchez wedding is gross.
I was invited along to a charity luncheon at Neiman Marcus a few weeks ago — it was very "ladies who lunch"...lots of florals and butter yellow. The very first thing I saw upon arrival was a gray Birkin bag plopped on the floor with a Yorkshire Terrier inside, just poking its head out at the ladies in stilettos... It was a moment both fabulous and cringe, and a metaphor for so many things.
Personally, I don't love a large tote I can't put on my shoulder or which is uncomfortably heavy. I also hate the flap-over design that needs to be left open for access — to your Yorkie, of course — it just looks incredibly sloppy to me. Likewise, the connection to tacky, marginally-talented "reality" stars is such a turn-off. I see a Birkin and I just think of Kyle Richards and I'd rather not. I don't want anything that's just fodder for competition and one-upsmanship among the flashy haves and socialites. At one time I think these bags represented "quiet luxury" but now they're just LOUD.
I don’t carry mine; I have a black 30 and a taupe 35 and I am keeping them but they live in my closet. For one thing, they are overexposed to the point of being tacky. For another, they’re totally impractical. They’re super heavy; it’s like carrying your belongings around in a very cumbersome and heavy leather box. I have pretty much every work bag on the market, including a Margaux, and the one I use most is a men’s backpack from LV that has a built-in laptop sleeve. Go figure.
I think like many 'classics' (I'm looking at you Chanel), the bags themselves are not particularly stylish or cool. Like Samantha Jones said, it's what carrying one of these bags symbolises; 'I have plenty of money to blow on obvious status symbols'. I don't covet a Birkin. Even if I had enough money to buy one, I wouldn't, purely because they are not cool in any way. They are a just a loud declaration of wealth which I find crass and tacky.
As the saying goes, brand isn't what a company says it is but what the public says it is. And what has happened with the Birkin is brand damage. It's not exclusive if it's everywhere, and it's not chic if the associations are tacky.
Also, as an aside: the Birkin is a weird bag! It was maybe a good "everything" bag for elite travelers in the early 1980s, as Jane Birkin was, when she described the bag she needed to the executive chairman of Hermès while seated together on a flight. But now, is it functional? I'll never own one, so I don't know, but it looks awkward and not-modern, as a work bag, and it's too big to use as a purse. There are cheaper, more modern, discreet, fit-for-purpose bags that don't scream "mug me." Parading a bag around as a statement just seems outdated.
Maybe I watch too much Bravo, but yes, I do associate the Birkin with the Real Housewives franchise now. I feel like the Marlo and Margaux (from The Row) are the new definitive status bags now, but curious what others think.
Overexposed for sure - like the cartier love bracelet. Because it has hit a certain mass, I have no desire to own one. For me, I need something unique to differentiate my personal style. At the same time, I do think the Birkin is a nice bag - design, structure, how it wears, etc.
At the moment, there are 1166 Hermes bags for sale on the Thredup app, including a perfectly lovely Constance for $12,099, a Bolide Bag, Epsom 27 for $6899. Prices vary, but you might want to check if your bag is included for sale and what the going rate is. A brand, after all, is what the public thinks it is.
I have to say a couple of things. I watch a show called love luxury because people are happy to buy and sell their bags. Different colors, materials and just fun to watch.
As much as they cost, I am not in love or would buy one. Maybe strictly as an investment. I have an old coach bag that I pull out if I need it.
They don’t appeal to me because I don’t like the bag itself. No pockets in the bag, just throw everything in it and go, defeats its value. I am older and I find I want utilitarian clothes and accessories. I also do not attend, or am friends with the moneyed crowd. I am retire, living in a small, two traffic light town. SERIOUSLY. Here are big ranches and cows. I have a house, two dogs, books, knitting, no ranch. I can admire the beauty of various designers, but I am happy with what I have and I worked for this.
I think overall middle income, those struggling through no fault of their own, are the real hero’s . They have class, integrity, tenacity and don’t care about the right shoes and bags. People who flaunt their wealth, scream look at me, and who the US press chooses to promote I would not hang around. I don’t care that Bezo is taking over a city. He and his new wife are simply gross. It is nothing more than a pathetic move to be relevant. It has failed.
If all the doom sayers are right, the wealth may bug out to their high security bunkers, which will also be fancy tombs. I really don’t envy them. Just ignore them, eventually they will go away.
I loved the Boatkin when I first saw it, but it was over $1000, come on (the link in the article was broken, btw). Then last night I was served an Instagram ad for a knockoff (yes, the Boatkin itself is a knockoff, but still) for $69.99, and I bit. The brand name is Elantra. I don't use totes much anymore, but am going on several car trips this summer and will find a use for it then.
I think they are somewhat overexposed, but they are classics and never will loose value. I won’t be selling mine . Heirlooms.
I chose a used black Lindy 34 that I'm beating the hell out of because it looks better that way. I thought I'd use it for my personal item when flying, but I keep leaving it at home and opt for the Lemaire croissant (in waxed cloth) or the Porter-Yoshida backpack which has secret powers. Might try the MacQueen messenger in black crackle the next trip.
Two Birkins, two daughters. However, they both want the same one. Until then, I've been traveling with the black one, a lot.