Is it still worth buying an Hermes Birkin in 2022? Why I don’t like Hermes 

I went into my local Hermes boutique to enquire about the wait list process to get a birkin or a Kelly. I work hard and I have the funds to purchase the bag. I was told by the sales associate that they don't run a charity... I respectfully responded to her: I think you need to review the definition of charity I am a paying customer who is willing to use my hard-earned money to purchase your product. I never asked for anything to be given to me for free. I was so offended by the treatment I received that I decided to go to Chanel instead and purchased 2 bags from them. I am not willing to play their games or beg to spend my money on their products.

I saw a Barrister in court one day had a briefcase and a large Birkin, stuffed with papers. The bag was well loved and definitely in daily heavy duty use. I remember thinking that’s a bag well used

I can not be convinced that a Birkin will bring me more joy than my all leather Coach Bags. No one wants to steal it. I can chunk it around mercilessly. Some I've had for 30 years. Hermes has lovely craftsmanship but it certainly doesn't fit most lifestyles. No hate to those that live a more high profile life, but I'll keep cheerfully traveling the world with my Coach bags.

This Hermes game is a result of social media. Before youtube and instagram new money, the process was as you described, go to the boutique, put your name down, tell them which bag you wanted and they called you when bags came in. I stopped going into the boutiques. The whole thing is distasteful and frankly annoying. You are right about everything you said

My problem is I get excited to buy a bag and then that excitement dissipates once I have said bag for awhile. Then I'm looking for the next exciting bag which will also suffer the same fate. This response has nothing to do with the topic I realize but for some reason I felt I needed to proclaim that haha

Birkin is essentially a top-handle only, open tote bag (because unless you're carrying it as a trophy, nobody would bother to use that ridiculous closure or even the flap) for more casual style. That's what Jane Birkin wanted (an easy bag which she can chuck her things in) and that's how exactly she uses her birkin bags. And in that sense, there are frankly much better casual open tote bags out there, less bulky, lighter and with shoulder carry options. People talk about the craftmanship, but as Emma pointed out, if that was the priority, Hermes has many other models too. I think it's really the price, hype and unicorn status that made this particular bag how it is perceived today... and that allows Hermes to play their game.

This was such a well-informed well-rounded, and fair conversation about the Birkin.

“I’m hoping that handbags will fall out of mainstream fashion soon so we can just go back to being weirdos together” - YES!

Your comments about wearing certain bags in fear of being mugged or judged resonated deeply with me. I love designer bags and logos but I've downsized most of my collection to minimal logos. I rarely bring out my pochette metis as I can't find the right settings to wear her nowadays. I feel deeply uncomfortable wearing large logo bags and am happiest now with my Loewe puzzle bag or just wearing a lululemon Fanny pack, coach, or longchamp le pliage. Socially I find mid range/contemporary is best at this time. I find I don't reach for my Louis since it may not be as appropriate for most social settings after many I know struggled the past few years. I find wearing Chanel or LV isn't appreciated in my work setting either as many of my colleagues either have different financial priorities or make substantially less. I'm looking at the garden party or Evelyn as they are more easily accessible and more subdued. Love your content and have been a longtime viewer.

Unpopular opinion: I never found them pretty to begin with and never get the hype. I get it’s because it’s very expensive and hard to get. But like they are not pretty.

My grandma managed to get a kelly just off the cuff when we were in Madrid for her 80th birthday. Literally just walked into the store because she wanted a new bottle of the twilly perfume, we got talking to the SA and he said do you have a wishlist, grandma said no but I have always loved the kelly's since Grace Kelly made them popular. I think there is a ''game' so to speak but I've also found that if you ''conect'' with the SA you have better luck!

I love your honesty throughout the video. Thank you!

I relate so much to the way you feel about carrying your bags and the 'distastefulness'. I don't have any Hermes but I have a Chanel Jumbo and I never use it because it just feels so flashy and like I'm trying to show how much money I have (I have none, I saved for 3 years). I will eventually sell but I am going to hold of for a few years if I can. I don't worry so much about my other bags, some are just 'if you know you know' (my preference!) and people just assume others are fake, like gucci or LV canvas. I do think this comes from our own insecurity, i struggle to accept that I have bought into something so materialistic 😕

Totally related to this video 🤣. It felt like being part of a secret club to have one years ago and only handbag lovers recognised it and spoke to you. However, now I don’t take it out as much as it’s so recognisable and I don’t want to seem nouveau rich as you say 🙈. Playing the Paris game for my 30th was so fun and I loved it. I don’t regret buying mine either and still love the bag. It’s just not a great bag for living in a normal UK town and trying to blend in lol. Great video 🙌💕

Great video, so informative. I love your content as you’re so down to earth

OMG Emma, you’ve nailed it totally! This is exactly how I feel about the these very recognizable, super expensive luxury bags. 100% agree with every point you’ve made - it’s exactly the same in the U.S. where I live. ❤️👍

I really appreciate your honesty, especially when you’re being self-contradictory. I work in a high-end department store, as a security guard… I must have $1 million worth of handbags behind me. I think the whole thing is slightly ridiculous… At the same time I do appreciate good craftsmanship Hermes is next level when it comes to craftsmanship and brand building.

As an objective party, it is not a good thing to go into a store willing to take anything for a 5 figure price. The customer should always buy what they want, not necessarily what they are offered.

OMG! I couldn’t agree with you more on all points about the Hermès game!!! You are so refreshing and honest and so down to earth and so unlike all the other obsessive collectors out there. Thanks for a great video and for sharing your opinion. Cheers!

I just love watching your videos because you are worth the time and very lovely person. You give your honest opinion and very transparent to your subscribers. Thank you for sharing your video and until next time. Stay safe and take care ♥️

Thanks for your very refreshing and honest views about your experience and opinions about Hermes. You are so down to earth and really don’t make such a fuss about it. I totally agree with you about “the game”.

Great video, as always, Emma - thank you! 💕

Love this video Emma. Only just got my b30 out ready for work tomorrow but feel it’s acceptable in London. I use mine frequently as they put a smile on my face! 🧡

I truly appreciate how you broke down every detail from the craftsmanship, price, how one is treated in a boutique & size. They are beautiful bags but am I the only one awake thinking that people are actually begging people in stores to take 10’s of thousands of dollars from them?!?!

Love this video! I couldn’t agree more with everything you said - except maybe the Paris game. I was in Paris last week and halfheartedly tried (and failed) to get a leather appointment but I wasn’t prepared to waste my whole day waiting for H during a family trip so I wasn’t too disappointed. Did go into George V but wasn’t tempted to buy anything. I actually had more fun (and luck getting a bag I wanted) at the CDG airport H! I actually enjoy shopping in my home store as I have a great SA and like having more control over the whole buying process. But I am feeling “bagged out” like you and while loving my current collection, have little desire to add more.

I live in an area where coach and MK are considered Luxury lol. When I carry my Kelly, no one has a clue what it is, not even the sales associates at my Louis Vuitton. I just found your channel and I really hope that you start to enjoy carrying your birkin again! If you love the bag, try not to worry so much about what other people think :)

I used to work for Hermes aa couple of years ago and I really enjoyed your video 🤗 So many people post hysterical videos about Hermes bags and it's really tiresome! Thanks for your calm and interesting approach.

Enjoyed your video. Got a vintage Birkin HAC 32, love the quality, shape and functionality for daily business use. It's top quality and nice bag, however one is enough if it serves the purposes.

That's a really good bag! Looks so good on you Emma x

I loved this discussion thanks for sharing ☺️.

First time here and new subbie! The way you speak is just adorable I could listen all day ♥️

❤️❤️❤️Love your discussions, Emma!😁👌🏻🌺

I agree with everything you said. This year I ended up in Hermes and asked for a Picotin bag and almost fell over when they said they had one. I has enjoyed it's quality and soft slouchiness, and no one knows what it costs more

Great video and some great points raised! For me it isn't worth the ridiculous prices, stress, jumping through hoops, snotty assistants, risk of being mugged, risk of coming off as though I'm trying to be rich (especially as I'm not that person lol.) There are other great, great quality bags out there which are far cheaper x

Emma is back! Great video lovely, still don’t like them but every argument you made I nodded my head like a solar panel led car dash ornament! 🤣

I just purchased a pre love birkin. Exactly what I wanted. This bag is 15 years old looks brand new.

That’s why I love the Hermes garden party, it’s easy to get, much more affordable, and I’m confident nobody will try and mug me for it lol TFS!

Love your insights♥️

Interesting topic ! Thank you for sharing ! 😉👍

Hi Emma, your Birkin is beautiful. Thanks for the video. 👍 I have an idea for you for a future video, basically because this has happened to me twice now (I live in California where wild fires have been a big problem), basically due to a fire in the area, we had limited time to pack what we could fit in our cars and were told to be ready to evacuate. Thankfully both times we didn’t actually have to leave and everything turned out fine, but it sure made me nervous wondering if I would have time to pack “the important stuff”. I have had a lot of experience helping others who have lost everything in fires, so I know even if you have good insurance, not everything is covered, and it’s a real hassle getting expensive items replaced. So my idea for a video is, if you only had an hour or two to pack up your vehicles, and you potentially would never see any of your belongings again, what would you pack first, 2nd, and so on. For me, important documents we keep in a safety deposit box at the bank. But basically I made sure I had everything I would need to live for several weeks (clothes, makeup, shoes, skincare, hair tools & accessories, vitamins etc, and then I tried packing up my lux goods, and even though my collection is a fraction of yours, I realized I actually have lots of stuff, and I had no idea how to fit it all without damaging it by crushing it. I know, I know, first world problems, but here we are. So of course that got me wondering what someone else might do in a similar situation. In this day and age of fires, floods, and other natural disasters, it’s something we should all think about before we are faced with the problem.

I'll always want a Kelly, but I have no idea if I'll ever buy one for all the reasons you said... Maybe!! Oddly enough my most complimented bags are the least recognizable. Sometimes I've wondered if it's because people don't know how much they cost, so there's no judgement or awkwardness.

I love every video you post., you’re honestly the number 1 I go to for all the info., and you’re honest and truthful, I feel everyone else kinda lies and tells white lies ❤️💋

Love it Emma. Just a real bag lover. Someone recently said to me oh I’m a Hermes girl only now. I thought you had a Bayswater 12 months ago. I too wish the fashion changed so us true bag addicts can just get on with it lol xx

My Birkin 35 is from Paris. And yes I had to jump through hoops to get it! I totally agree with you on all points raised. When I wear it I get people looking. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

Completely agree with you! The system should be different, they do have bags, they should sell them, that’s their business, right? It’s so so confusing because it changes from store to store! Also really understand what you mean about the association of luxury handbags and everyone knowing the price… year ago I only had my Prada and a colleague asked how much it was, I said guess?! “500€?!” People had no idea!

Great video!

Loved this video, and I’ll very likely watch it again! Really interesting about your experiences in store and from others. I’d really like one (b 30, any colour but not black) but won’t pay resale prices and don’t want them to reject me 🙏😱

I am more of a Kelly person. I do have a Birkin 30 and only use for work. I agree with your opinion. The only thing I somewhat differ is I don’t care about how ppl view the association or opinion of the bag or me carrying it. I enjoy the buying experience because I simply like their goods and only buy what i like and view the offers as a bonus.

Great view points! I do also want to mention that we as consumers haven't done ourselves any favors either. The pressure/hype/urge based on social media, media and society (talking about Miami here 😊) does cloud our judgement. This may have been something we may have never even considered in other circumstances. Hermes can have their own practice. They can set the rules for their business. As consumers, perhaps we need to start really looking at whether we're following the hype, or if its something we really enjoy. Not pointing fingers, obviously I'm an Hermes consumer and also here on YT looking at videos!

I'm convinced that you're the loveliest person on the interwebs.

I agree with many of your points Emma - as you know my experience has been very different to some of those you mention. I do accept that it is not like that for everyone though so maybe I have just been lucky - I have never been offered or felt obliged to take a bag which wasn’t what I asked for. I too have heard horror stories about customers buying thousands of £ of items in the hope of a bag in the future. That is just plain wrong. My experience has only been positive with Hermes so I wanted to mention that as it’s not always game playing. I do have to wait and have no idea when I will get a call but that’s fine by me. Re the bag itself - I adore the Birkin all sizes - But overall I think the Birkin 30 is the perfect all rounder. Love it so much. Couldn’t agree more about quality vs Chanel. Love the video and how funny my video today talks about how much I love Hermes!

Watching this video and I feel exactly the same about my birkin (and the Chanel classic flap to some extent). For one, I’m also concerned about theft. A man followed me out of the high-end mall near my home when I was carrying my birkin-it was the one and only time and I took it to the mall. I also feel like a pretentious jerk if I take it out with friends or family. It’s just so recognizable now. My favorite is my reissue 227. No one knows what it is and it fits so much! Thanks for this video. I feel seen! Haha

I’m at the wrong ( to me!) end of the scale where I no longer have disposable cash and a luxe handbag is not possible. But. Please know that for me, I would rather see someone buy and enjoy the best of the best than see them buy cheaper or dupes. What I (speaking only for myself) find gauche is someone buying high street to try and seem relateable. It’s not an episode of This Morning so why bother! 😂 If you enjoy and can afford luxury then please do. I can peruse asos or Zara or wherever myself, so I dont need to know someone found a Zimmerman dupe in H&M. What I would rather see is the Zimmerman. Much less patronising i think? The number of very wealthy British influencers who pretend they are happy in a poly blend blouse from the high st….its cringey. I’m all for bargains and the high street has incredible pieces but its very apparent when someone enjoys what they have and when someone is trying to stay relateable to hit a marketing demographic. You are always authentic and relateable and your awareness of how the awful financial situation many of us are in means more care needs to be taken with purchasing or showing purchases is great, Just please know that some ( many? most?) of us want to see the best, it cheers us up and is like flicking through a copy of Vogie. Stuff that’s always been a pipe dream or the ultimate is still just that and long may that last. Totally completely and utterly support every pound you have spent or will spend. You’ve been a frontline doc through the biggest crisis in recent memory whilst raising a little one. You deserve any and every good thing! Xoxo

I actually feel pretty bad for Hermes sales associates and what I presume is the expectation from the company that they'll have to play these games with customers and be the gatekeepers of Birkins! How demoralizing, to have to let down hopeful shoppers every day! Some might get some power trip out of it, but I think it's probably not a good feeling for most of them. Personally I'd never spend my money on a company that won't treat me like a valuable customer from the first time I step in the door, and I find it actually embarrassing to hear these stories of shoppers tying so hard to score one. I can find plenty of very similar looking bags that are much easier to get my hands on, thanks!

I would really love to have a Birkin 25 sellier if I ever get the chance. Btw, your hair is gorgeous today. You are looking well and beautiful. ❤️👍🏼

I hv a B25 and 2 Kelly and also Constance, they can all be very discreet if you want them to be, just tug it in your armhole with the back facing out, the back is just a plain back, I do this all the time when I’m in crowd public transport, if I’m out in somewhere I feel not safe I will use my canvas garden party, there’s always a bag from them to fit every occasion to me lol as to the journey thing, well the bag has good resale value, unlike other bag from other brands once in second hand market goes into 50% discount, so they won’t be on the shelf wait to be bought. Another thing is if you don’t like their other items it’s verging on impossible to score a bag in store without purchase record (those lucky story you heard is just a tactic for them to deny there’s linked sales as obviously illegal), you can buy through reseller, with nowadays quota system reseller price is actually cheaper than store purchase if you don’t like their other items at all. But if you also like their jewellery and clothes two bags a year is not difficult at all….

Wonderful video. Personally If I saw you on the street with the bag, you would have cheered up my day. So please take out your luxury goods for the rest of us (many) to admire ♥️♥️♥️

Oh, I do relate about feeling that you are showing off because luxury fashion is so much more mainstream. I too eagerly wait for the day when no one recognizes these bags and their cost.

I have the same bag, so beautiful ❤️

Great video

Excellent video. I think one relief is that if you walk around with your Birkin people will think it's a fake. 🙂

To be honest, I'll rather buy 1st-hand from open market than Hermès boutiques, I heard too much negative things about them, but the bags are so beautiful so I'll source another way to buy it

Love this chat! I especially enjoy you contradicting yourself 😂 Thanks for your honesty. All I can say about this whole Hermes situation is that “it’s complicated”! Anyway glad to hear you still love the bag even if taking it out at the moment is curtailed by your feelings about various associations. At least you know it’s timeless and she shall have her day in the sun at some stage.

I love Black Chanel Trendy x

I have the Teddy Blake dupes- and still love them - 2 of them together cost less than a Mulberry Bayswater

I enjoyed the video- thank you. Ihave some Hermes scarves...and I love them. However, if I have to wait for "permission" to buy something from them I'm moving on to Ferragamo.

Let's be honest, apart from Birkin and Kelly, other 99% of Hermes bags are a horror show :D

“I have no decorum.” Hello, me! 😂👋🏼 Seriously tho, hearing random conversations always make shopping so much more fun. 👌🏼

I covet my birkin but for a large bag (mine is a 35 too) - I just find its cumbersome, and I don't want to use it as a nappy bag or a day to day bag. I just don't find it to be practical.

I have a few Hermes Kelly and Birkin, but now I move on with Delvaux…. ❤❤

Have you talked about "inspired" bags? One of the first videos I saw of yours was how to spot a fake, but I'm talking now about other brands selling bags that are eerily similar to "classics". Some opinions I've heard are that's not cool & others are art is art and over put there you can't tell others they can't have anything remotely similar.

15:17 hi there. Just came across your channel. I love your contents. Question for you: what are your thoughts on men carrying the Hermes’s Birkin 40? I’ve been thinking about purchasing one.

the only Hermes bag i like is Constance!

I enjoy knowing about luxury bags even though I don’t own any. I can recognize top luxury handbags when I see them. The design, quality, and workmanship are obvious; definitely not $500 to $1k mid range bags. perhaps this is why ppl buy and use these bags because they are practical luxury. If I had money for luxury bags it’d be 70s Gucci monogram with bamboo handles or 80s LV brown monogram. 80/90s Coach classic saddle leather bags are also nice. I use canvas totes for decades. I like the juxtaposition of canvas with my work attire, like wearing teva sandals with my tailored trousers.

I've just bought a Hermes Toolbox 20 preloved. It's my second Hermes bag and I am in full agreement re the astounding quality of leather and craftsmanship. I also don't like and won't sign up to play the Hermes game, hence buying preloved. Sadly I think Chanel are moving into that elitism mentality, although they need to have a serious chat with themselves regarding their declining quality alongside ridiculous price increases.

I understand that was one of the reasons I really don't like carrying the Birkin. One lady asked me if she could touch my bag. I thought OMG! I was very uncomfortable it was creepy but I almost felt like I needed to let her.

I like Birkin from afar but not for me i just cannot justify the price when vintage Coach Willis bag or any other piece from old Coach has the very same quality and i am not the only one thinking this. I have Hermes vintage Market bucket bag so i can compare that with my vintage Coach bucket, same quality. (edit to add) IMO true luxury is quality, not price.

How much are kelly and Birkin bags? Nobody ever said.... Only reseller prices... I would really like to know how much do they cost at the store? 🤗

How blessed you must be to be able to purchase these bags. I sincerely mean that. Good for you. I think they are lovely, and I am sure they are excellent quality. I truly do not think I could ever carry one knowing how many hungry children and elderly people could have been fed with the money spent on one bag. Please remember that you are the steward of your money. Spend it well.

I agree with everything you said, back when i got my first Kelly 18 years ago it was such a treat and delight to wear it only those who knew knew! Now i don't even like to wear them because of all the things you just mentioned PLUS ......... half the people out there are wearing very good fakes so the whole thing is ruined for me at least !! ok.... except for maybe the 25 in a beautiful color hahahahaha

I like the birkin style too.. But unlikely buy the Birkin. Just similar styles for me now xoxo

I say if you want to wear it then don’t worry about what others will think about you. It’s your money and you chose what you spend that on! Having said that it’s crazy to think how much these bags actually cost to make in terms of raw materials and labour and how much they are sold for. Hermes share holders laughing all the way to the bank!

I have a lot of expensive bags, but I am afraid to wear them. I bought some MCM bags because people don’t know what they are. I have about 250 bags I can’t use because of this.

The " game" of Hermés is so bizarre and ridiculous. I'd just get a second hand one.

I bought a Birkin knockoff to see if I would like the real thing I found the opening and closing of the bag too bothersome I need a bag I can get in easily . The Birkin design style of bag is a no for me it's just not user friendly

How much for it at store when u got it ? If u can say ,. I see resell 3to 4 times higher

I love size 35 ♥️

Hi what size is this hermes bag ? Thanks

I actually feel safer using my hermes bags than wearing lv or chanel as it is in your face kinda bag because of the logo.

wait, spikings?? did I hear right? can we hear more about these crimes in a nice area? was there anything to look out for? are there newspaper stories?

Hermeshas this amazing marketing technique ..why would they change ? There are enough people willing to go through the hoops

Birkens look sloppy to me. No one ever wears them buckled. If the Kelly lock is such a big deal flippin use it.

I agree! It’s absolutely not a nice game at all.

Its really sad we have to watch what we carry these days given the state of the world. I am so hypervigilant now when I carry it for fact of NOT WANTING TO GET MUGGED. I also hate that I feel the need to quickly go in to the Boutique and directly to my car as to not walk around with the shopping bag which screams “look what I have and MUG ME”. Its sad. But hey, HERMES FOREVER❤️

It is heavy when it is empty already. After put things in and carry it walking. It is too heavy. Not practical

Hermes trying to fine her for disturbing or not allowing her to walk in the store 😀

I’ll be honest the Birkin (and Kelly) have become way way too commonplace. I’m tired of every other half way healthy 25 year old on TikTok or Instagram posting about them. They have entirely lost their cache over the last couple years.

❤

What size is this?

The couple was probably declined an opportunity to buy a bag because of the high occurrence of bag forgeries-taking the original bags and making copies…just a theory .