Must-Have Hermès Bags to Elevate your Style

Browse and shop our essential Hermès bag picks to elevate your style for seasons to come.

Must-Have Hermès Bags

The Hermès brand was founded in 1837 when Thierry Hermès established a harness workshop in Paris, aiming to craft equestrian leather goods for European nobility. In 1900, Hermès unveiled its first bag, the Haut à Courroies (HAC), designed to carry riders’ saddles. The 1920s saw Hermès expand its offerings to include accessories, clothing, handbags, and travel bags. In 1935, the Hermès Kelly, initially known as the Sac à Dépêches, was launched, followed by the Hermès Constance in 1959 and the Birkin in 1984. Hermès has consistently maintained a steadfast commitment to quality, with their leather goods still meticulously handcrafted by highly skilled artisans today.

Hermès bags remain the ultimate luxury accessory. While July and August bring the relentless drumbeat of discounting from fashion brands and retailers, there is no better way to elevate your summer style than with our specialist picks of must have Hermès bags. Each bag will upgrade your style for seasons to come unlike most end of season discounted fashion. They have thoughtfully focused on the most iconic bags in the most desirable colors.

Hermès Birkin 30

Herme bags — Hermès Birkin 30 Togo Beige Marfa Gold Hardware

No luxury bag is as iconic as the Hermès Birkin. While we love the roomy Birkin 35 and the petite Birkin 25, the Hermès Birkin 30 is the most versatile size for all buyers. Basic black in Togo leather is often the first Birkin 30 for many collectors and buyers, but our Specialists believe one the many neutral beige colors is a must have classic. Beige Marfa is a light sand colored beige that Hermès released in 2023. The name translates to beige cargo and is a perfect neutral that pairs with summer whites, darker colors and everything in between. Trench and Biscuit are other neutrals that are similar to Beige Marfa. If you are buying a pristine Birkin 30 in the secondary market, the premium required means most buyers want every day neutrals like Beige Marfa and Black before venturing to bolder colors or exotic skins. Hermès neutral colors

Hermès Mini Kelly 20

The Hermès Mini Kelly 20 II was released in 2016 and remains one of the most sought after mini bags for luxury buyers. Our Specialists suggest getting an Hermès Mini Kelly in a classic Hermès color like Gold. While Hermès releases new colors every season, the classic colors like Black, Etoupe, Gold, Craie and Beton remain the most sought after by all buyers. We also love the contrast stitching of a Mini Kelly in Gold and Etoupe. As the Hermès Mini Kelly becomes a standard as the must have mini bag, an Hermès Mini Kelly in a classic color will elevate your look season after season.

Hermès Constance 18

Herme bag — Hermès Metallic Mini Constance 18 Dore Chèvre Chamkilight Permabrass Hardware

The Hermès Constance was first made popular after Jacqueline Kennedy was seen regularly wearing the bag in the early 1960s. While not as popular as the Birkin and Hermès Kelly, the Constance remains timeless and versatile and made our Must Have list. We recommend the Constance 18 in a whimsical finish like the Chamkilight Metallic or other limited edition. While many loyal fans of Hermès bags will buy multiple Birkin or Kelly bags, the Constance is a style you may only add one to your collection. If you only buy one Constance, our Specialists recommend opting for a limited edition model.

Hermès Evelyne TPM

The Hermés Evelyne bag was created by the head of the Hermès riding department, Evelyne Bertrand, in 1978. It was initially created as a convenient carryall for horse groomers. The defining perforated H logo was originally designed to face inward, towards the body, as a ventilation system to aerate the contents of the bag and keep brushes and sponges dry. The Hermès Evelyne was used exclusively by the riding department until the early 2000s when the bag was officially transferred to the leather goods department and began production for Hermès bag lovers to add to their collections. The Hermès Evelyne TPM is a must have since it is the perfect mini crossbody. Given the casual nature of the style, we suggest opting for a classic Hermès pastel like Rose Sakura or iconic Hermès orange.

Hermès Kelly Pochette

Hermès Kelly Pochette was part of Jean Paul Gaultier's first collection for Hermès in 2004. Hermès refers to this bag as the Original Mini Kelly but it wasn't considered a quota bag until about 2020. We love the Hermès Kelly Pochette as the perfect evening clutch. It has a roomier interior than the Mini Kelly but doesn't have a strap. When shopping for an evening clutch, we love a Kelly Pochette in shiny crocodile bleu electrique. We think shiny crocodile is an elegant option has an evening bag. If you are only going to purchase one Hermès Kelly Pochette, we suggest a bold statement making color since this is unlikely to be your everyday bag.

Hermès Mini Lindy 20

The Hermès Lindy was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier in 2006 and first released during the Hermès's Spring-Summer 2007 collection. This versatile bag can be carried as a shoulder bag or satchel and the smallest Mini Lindy strap is long enough to wear as a crossbody. The Mini Lindy in Bleu Pale is the final Must Have on our list due to the versatility and functionality.

Buying Hermès Bags at Sotheby's

Sotheby's is on hand to support with your next Hermès bag purchase. We have an extensive offering of carefully curated selection of Hermès bags including pristine Birkin, Hermès Kelly bags and more.