Most Popular Hermès Handbags Ranked
Before its handbags were spotted on the arms of Jane Birkin and Cardi B, Paris-based Hermès began in 1837 as a maker of horse harnesses, and over the course of six generations became a ready-to-wear and leather goods powerhouse renowned for its craftsmanship. Today the brand produces some of the most coveted and valuable handbags in the world, with certain styles consistently outperforming gold and equities as investment assets. This guide covers the most popular Hermès handbag styles available right now, with investment notes, resale data, and what Australian buyers need to know before purchasing.
The Holy Trinity: Birkin, Kelly and Constance
The Hermès Holy Trinity refers to the three bags that define the brand's legacy and dominate both the retail and secondary markets. Understanding each one is essential for any serious collector or first-time buyer.
Hermès Birkin
The Birkin bag was born from a chance meeting in 1984 between the late actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, executive chairman of Hermès at the time, on a flight from Paris to London. Birkin said she could not find a bag that suited her needs as a young mother, so she sketched her dream design on a sick bag.
The resale value of the Birkin over the past ten years has outpaced gold, and a Black Togo 30 Birkin has been known to double in value in five years. Entry-level Birkins in Togo or box calf start around AUD $14,000 to $18,000 on the secondary market, with exotic skins reaching AUD $45,000 and above.
The Birkin 25 commands consistently higher resale prices than the 30 or 35 despite costing less at retail
Black Togo with gold hardware is the strongest resale performer
Only customers with a sizable purchase history at the brand are offered the opportunity to buy a quota bag such as a Birkin directly from the boutique
Hermès Kelly
In 1956, Grace Kelly was photographed hiding her pregnant belly with a bag that would later bear her name, cementing the Kelly's status as a symbol of elegance and discretion. The Kelly comes in two distinct styles: the structured Sellier and the softer Retourne, each with a distinct character.
The Mini Kelly 20 II launched in 2016 and redefined the category, creating one of the most competitive segments in the secondary market. A Mini Kelly 20 in pristine condition can sell for more than a Birkin 25.
Hermès Constance
The stunning Hermès Constance doubles as a wise investment, retaining 127% of its retail value on the secondary market. The Constance was the first bag to use a bold H logo for a clasp, and its appeal lies in the smooth, rounded edges and ease of movement afforded by the crossbody strap.
The Micro Constance 14 is the most sought-after Constance on the resale market, even harder to find than a Mini Kelly.
Beyond the Holy Trinity: Popular Styles Worth Knowing
While the Birkin, Kelly and Constance dominate headlines, Hermès produces a strong roster of additional styles that offer genuine collectibility and strong value retention for buyers who cannot access the Holy Trinity at retail.
Hermès Evelyne
The Evelyne is a hybrid between a bucket and saddle bag, featuring the iconic perforated H logo on the front flap and a simple open-top design. It is one of the most accessible entry points into the Hermès ecosystem and is available without the purchase history requirements of the quota bags.
The Evelyne TPM is particularly popular for its compact, hands-free crossbody wearability. It is frequently recommended as a first Hermès purchase for buyers who want genuine brand entry without navigating the Hermès Game.
Hermès Picotin
The Picotin debuted in 2002 and was designed with a feed bag silhouette, featuring two soft leather handles and a pillowy bucket-style body. It holds an average resale value of 72% and is the perfect style for someone who wants Hermès craftsmanship without the super-recognisable Holy Trinity aesthetic.
Available in PM and MM sizes, the Picotin is one of the most practical everyday bags in the Hermès range and frequently recommended for buyers who prioritise usability alongside investment value.
Hermès Garden Party
The Garden Party PM is a simple and practical tote. Despite its casual design, it embodies the high quality and sophisticated atmosphere unique to Hermès. With its practical size that can accommodate A4 documents, it is also suitable for business settings.
It sits at the more accessible end of the Hermès price range and is widely available without a significant purchase history requirement.
Hermès Lindy
A relaxed hobo-style bag with a distinctive double-zip opening and detachable shoulder strap. The Hermès Lindy has become a go-to favourite among collectors alongside the Evelyne and Picotin, according to recent global resale search data.
Its unique open-top design and soft structure make it one of the most wearable bags in the range.
Hermès Bolide
One of Hermès' oldest designs, the Bolide debuted in 1923 and is widely credited as the first handbag to feature a zip closure. Its clean cylindrical silhouette and understated profile make it a favourite among collectors who value heritage and discretion over visibility.
The Bolide holds strong resale value, particularly in classic leathers and neutral colourways, and is available without the quota bag restrictions that apply to the Holy Trinity.
Hermès Roulis
The Roulis takes its name from the French word for a ship's rolling motion, a nod to its distinctive swinging H-clasp closure. Introduced in 2013, it is one of the more contemporary additions to the Hermès permanent collection and has built a strong secondary market following among younger collectors.
Its compact structured silhouette works equally well as a shoulder bag or crossbody.
Hermès Herbag
The Herbag is one of the most practical and underrated bags in the Hermès range. Featuring a canvas body with leather trim and an interchangeable pouch system, it offers genuine Hermès craftsmanship at a significantly lower price point than the leather quota bags.
Available without purchase history requirements, it is frequently recommended as a first Hermès bag for buyers who want functionality alongside brand entry.
Buying Hermès in Australia: What Collectors Need to Know
Hermès is one of the most complex luxury brands to purchase in Australia, particularly for the highly coveted quota bags. Understanding how the brand operates is essential before attempting to buy.
The Hermès Game
Hermès boutiques are only allowed to purchase a select number of Birkins per season, and the style of bags is rarely known ahead of time. The notoriously opaque process, nicknamed the Hermès Game, has only generated more desire for the bag and even became the subject of a class-action lawsuit.
For Australian buyers, building a purchase history at Hermès boutiques in Sydney or Melbourne is the most reliable path to accessing quota bags at retail. This involves buying ready-to-wear, accessories, and homewares to establish brand loyalty before being offered a Birkin or Kelly.
Where to Buy in Australia
Hermès boutiques operate in Sydney (Westfield Sydney, Crown Sydney) and Melbourne (Collins Street)
For pre-owned and investment-grade pieces, Vestiaire Collective and Chrono24 offer authenticated listings with Australian delivery
Local resellers in Double Bay and South Yarra occasionally carry authenticated Hermès pieces
Sotheby's and Christie's Australia conduct regular handbag auctions where rare pieces appear
Investment Considerations
Buying an Hermès bag is akin to investing in your pension. They will never decrease in value and are a fail-safe addition to your wardrobe, surpassing all other bag fads.
Each bag is repairable for life, meaning it can be passed down from mother to daughter, gaining value with every passing year. Hermès spa treatments and reconditioning services are available to maintain bags, helping them look like new 15, 20, even 50 years down the line.
For Australian collectors, condition and original packaging including dust bag, box, and receipt add significant value on resale.
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Hermès Handbags FAQs
Yes, consistently. The resale value of Birkin and Kelly bags has outpaced gold over the past decade, and a Black Togo Birkin 30 has been known to double in value over five years in pristine condition. The Constance retains 127% of its retail value on the secondary market, making it one of the strongest performing luxury assets available.
For Australian buyers, the key is condition, original packaging, and classic colourways. Black and neutral leathers in gold hardware consistently outperform bold or seasonal colours on the resale market.
There are two paths. The first is building a purchase history at Hermès boutiques in Sydney or Melbourne by buying accessories, scarves, and ready-to-wear over time. This establishes brand loyalty and may result in being offered a quota bag directly from the boutique, though there is no guarantee.
The second and more accessible path is the secondary market. Vestiaire Collective, Sotheby's, and reputable local resellers in Double Bay and South Yarra carry authenticated Birkin bags at premium prices. Always insist on professional authentication documentation before purchasing pre-owned.
The Birkin and Kelly share similar silhouettes but have distinct differences. The Birkin has two top handles and a more casual, relaxed structure. The Kelly has a single top handle with a detachable shoulder strap and comes in two versions: the structured Sellier and the softer Retourne.
The Kelly is generally considered slightly more formal and versatile as both a handheld and shoulder bag. The Birkin is more relaxed in wear and slightly larger in capacity. Both carry equivalent investment value, though the Mini Kelly 20 currently commands higher secondary market premiums than a comparable Birkin 25.
For buyers without an established Hermès purchase history, the Evelyne or Picotin are the most accessible starting points. Both are available without quota bag requirements and offer genuine Hermès craftsmanship and brand entry at a lower price point than the Holy Trinity.
For buyers ready to invest in the Holy Trinity directly, a black Birkin 25 or 30 in Togo leather with gold hardware is the most universally recommended first purchase. It is the strongest resale performer, the most versatile colourway, and the style most recognisable to collectors globally.
Yes, particularly in France and Europe. As a French luxury house, Hermès prices in Europe combined with tourist VAT refunds can produce meaningful savings, particularly on the higher-priced styles. For a Birkin or Kelly retailing above AUD $20,000, the saving can be substantial.
The more relevant consideration for most buyers is access rather than price. Quota bags including the Birkin and Kelly are allocated at boutique discretion regardless of location, meaning availability rather than price is the primary challenge for most Australian buyers attempting to purchase at retail.