The Best Birkin Sizes for Your Lifestyle
Learn more about the most popular Birkin Bag sizes
Learn more about the best Hermès Birkin sizes to consider for your lifestyle.
Brief History of the Iconic Birkin
When the Birkin was first released by Hermès in 1984 it was about $2,000. The Birkin remains an icon in the fashion world, highly sought-after by celebrities, top luxury buyers and the bag-obsessed. The Birkin’s design is a collaboration between Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. The two met on a flight from Paris to London in 1984. Birkin confided in Dumas that she lacked a practical bag with appropriate functionality for her fast-paced lifestyle. Out of this conversation, the Birkin 40 in chic calfbox leather was born that takes design inspiration from the Hermès Haut à Courroies or HAC. The Birkin’s practical design featuring two rolled handles, a flap top, clou “feet,” and a lock closure continues to resonate today. The very first Birkin was the only bag to have a shoulder strap while all subsequent Birkin bags only have two handles. It is often speculated that Hermès didn't want to add a shoulder strap so it wouldn't compete with the Hermès Kelly bag.
Birkin Sizes
Birkin 20
The first Hermès Birkin 20 was released in 2019 as a limited edition called the Birkin 20 Faubourg or also referred to as the House Birkin. The front of the bag was designed to model its flagship boutique at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The first two Birkin 20 Faubourgs produced were named Day in mostly brown and Night in mostly blue. The bags are constructed with Matte Alligator flaps and Madame calfskin bodies, decorated with Swift window frames, Epsom glass and a Sombrero leather base. The awnings on all Faubourg Birkin 20 bags are done in the brand’s iconic color: Orange H Swift, which matches the little Hermès shopping bag that replaces the key-holding clochette. The limited edition Birkin 20 Faubourg is also in the more structured Sellier model. The Birkin 20 is also referred to as the Mini Birkin and even the Baby Birkin.
In 2021, Hermès released two new versions of the Birkin 20 Faubourg called Midnight or Minuit and Snow or Neige. The Midnight is mostly black with Matte Alligator Flap and PVD Hardware that was last used in the So Black collection. The Snow version is the only Faubourg with a Matte Alligagor body and Togo leather flap.
The Birkin 20 Sellier in Matte Alligator first became available on the secondary market in 2023. The new variation of the Mini Birkin is 20 centimeter and sellier model as the Birkin 20 Faubourg. It has been spotted in Lizard and Matte Alligator. This limited edition Birkin 20 is the newest obsession for Hermès collectors and we anticipate more color and hardware combinations in 2024. Sotheby's sold a Vert D'eau Matte Alligator Birkin 20 in Hong Kong for just over $115,000 or 889,000 HKD.
So far the Baby Birkin hasn't been seen in leather but given the newest Birkin 20 Faubourg is leather, we would imagine a leather Birkin 20 will also be coming soon. Given the ongoing demand for the smallest Hermès Mini Kelly 20 in leather, it would make sense the Birkin 20 will also be produced in Epsom leather like the Birkin 25 and Birkin 30 Sellier models.
The Birkin 20 is most appropriate as an evening bag or special occasion Birkin given its small size. The handles are too small for most to carry it around the wrist so most buyers will need to carry by the handles.
Birkin 25
The Birkin 25 was first released in 2004 following a growing trend for smaller bags as the smart phone replaced multiple items that were traditionally carried in a larger Birkin 30 or 35. While it took some time for this new mini Birkin size to gain in popularity, the Birkin 25 is now the most sought after size. The Birkin 25 is the smallest standard Birkin and measures 25 cm across the top. The Birkin 25 is the most popular size in Asia. While buyers in the United States, Europe and the Middle East are also fans of the Birkin 25, this is often the second Birkin choice after the Birkin 30 due to the small handles.
The best way to carry the bag is the top handles but if your hands are small you can also carry it over the wrist like a larger Birkin. If you want to carry the bag comfortably over your wrist to have your hands free, it may make sense to try it out before you purchase since the handle drop is less than the larger Birkin sizes like the Birkin 30 or Birkin 35. The Birkin 25 often sells at a premium compared to the Birkin 30 or larger Birkin sizes due to demand in the market and lower overall supply. The Birkin 25 is a great petite daily bag and can also work as a more casual evening bag but it is not large enough for a laptop. You will need a separate tote or large Birkin bag.
Birkin 30
The Birkin 30 was introduced in 1996 and is globally the most popular size with the largest range of buyers. Sotheby's sells the most Birkin 30 versus any of the other Birkin sizes. This is in part due to demand and also the number of bags available in the secondary market. The Birkin 30 can hold a small laptop but is a little small to hold a standard laptop and other daily essentials. The Birkin 30 handles are large enough that most can carry the Birkin over the wrists, which is the most preferred way to carry the Birkin bag. The price of the Birkin 30 is generally slightly less than the Birkin 25 in the secondary market but prices for pristine bags are very close. The Birkin 30 is more expensive than the larger Birkin sizes due to demand in the market. A pristine store fresh Birkin 30 with a current date stamp in a top neutral or new Hermès color often sells for around $28,000 to $30,000.
Collectors of Birkin bags that like multiple sizes gravitate to buying more Birkin 30 bags and only a few Birkin 25 in most regions of the world. The Birkin 25 handles are too small for many American and European women to carry over the wrist. The size of the Birkin 30 is perfect for a roomy daily carry all but not necessarily large enough for a work bag if you carry a standard laptop every day.
Birkin 35
The original bag made for Jane Birkin in 1984 was very close in size to the Hermès Birkin 35. During her life, excluding her very first Birkin, all of Jane Birkin's bags were the Birkin 35 size. The iconic Birkin was initially only made in two sizes, the more popular Birkin 35 and larger Birkin 40. Since its inception in 1984, the Birkin 35 has been considered the ‘standard’ size, and until 2015 it was more than just standard, the Birkin 35 was ‘it’ for most buyers since the Birkin 40 was never popular with buyers. As trends switched towards smaller bags, the Birkin 35 has continued to decline in popularity, but its fans never lost their love of the ‘OG’ Birkin.
The Birkin 35 is large enough to comfortably hold a laptop and all of your other daily essentials. The Birkin 35 also works as a weekend travel bag if you are heading to a second home that has already been set up for the season. As more of our essentials have moved the a phone, the Birkin 35 is generally too large for many buyers as a daily carry all. The larger Birkin sizes, like the Birkin 35 are also more popular in less urban areas that require cars versus walking and public transportation. The Birkin 35 also is more popular with buyers in the United States and Europe and less popular with Asian buyers. In Asia, the Birkin 35 buyers are also increasingly becoming men versus women. The Birkin 35 is priced lower than the smaller Birkin sizes in the secondary market but still more expensive then the Birkin 40 or Shoulder Birkin.
Birkin 40
The largest of the Birkin bag sizes is the Birkin 40. It was introduced with the Birkin 35 in 1984. The Birkin 40 has always been the less popular Birkin size compared to the Birkin 35 but it does have fans that are looking for a larger carry all. While fashion editors have been writing about the return of larger bags, the Birkin 40 is generally too large as a daily carry all for most buyers. The Birkin 40 is generally better suited as a weekend or overnight bag or an occasional carry all if you need to tote around items for a specific meeting or purpose. Larger Birkin sizes like the Birkin 40 are also more popular in locations that are less urban and require less walking. The Birkin 40 is also becoming a more popular choice for male buyers versus female buyers. The price of the Birkin 40 in the secondary market is the lowest of all of the Birkin sizes of similar quality due to the lowest demand.
Shoulder Birkin
Jean Paul Gaultier released the JPG Shoulder Birkin during his first runway show in fall 2004. In a radical departure from Martin Margiela’s staid, sophisticated Hermès, Gaultier shifted the focus from materials and craftsmanship to design. Confident in the unwavering quality of Hermès’ materials and construction, Gaultier unleashed the brand’s motifs on his models. Unlike Margiela, Gaultier was not afraid to send bags down the runway. While the Shoulder Birkin is one the least popular of the Birkin sizes, it has its fans since it is the only Birkin with straps large enough to wear over your shoulder. The elongated shape also makes this Birkin size the most casual Birkin. The JPG Shoulder Birkin was produced from 2004 to 2013 and it was sold in two sizes, Shoulder Birkin 40 and Shoulder Birkin 42. Hermès re-released the Shoulder Birkin in 2024 in Swift leather and indigo denim. While it is too early to tell if the Shoulder Birkin will become more broadly available in other leathers and materials, Hermès has been expanding its limited edition bags in recent seasons so more limited edition Shoulder Birkins could be on the horizon.
Shoulder Birkins from 2004 to 2013 generally sell at a discount to the Birkin 35 but inline with the less popular Birkin 40 from this same time period depending on the condition. If you need a shoulder bag that is less structured, the Shoulder Birkin in the perfect size. The price is also more accessible than the Birkin 35 or Birkin 30.
Buying and Selling an Hermès Birkin at Sotheby's
Sotheby's can assist with buying or selling your next Hermès Birkin bag in any of the Birkin sizes. We have a carefully curated selection of Birkin bags in pristine and excellent condition in the most popular Birkin bag sizes. Shop the newest colors with 2024 date stamps and classic neutrals in all sizes. We accept Birkin bags for consignment in pristine and excellent condition.
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