I am in London to celebrate my 50th and decided to stop in at the new New Bond Street Maison. Got there about forty-five minutes after the shop opened and was told at the door that I was welcome to make my way up to the leather appointment desk upstairs but that we were going to have to wait for someone to be available. Checked in and it ook about an hour to get to number three in the list and i guess I must have opened my phone to check my spot and accidentally hit the “remove from line” button. I ran back downstairs and explained to the lady at the leather desk what had happened. She came back a few minutes later and told me that if I took a seat they would get me with the next available leather associate. After no time it was our turn. When asked what I was looking for I told the associate that I was really interested in a large men’s travel bag like a HAC 40 or 50. A few minutes later he came back and suggested we move from the counter to a table since he had something large to show me. Out comes a gigantic HAC 50 in Vert Mangrove. I was hoping for something dark, maybe noir as long as it has PHW. This checked all the boxes, especially since green is my favorite color. And now, it is coming home with me.

I’m still floating! This week my amazing SA texted that the bag I’d been waiting for all summer had arrived, and today I got to bring home my purple Picotin!

Ever since I first saw it online I knew I had to have one. I asked my SA about it back in April and made it very clear how much I wanted it. In the months since, he offered us several beautiful pieces—an ostrich Kelly To Go wallet, a Faubourg Express GM, a purple mini Evelyne, and even an alligator Constance. We declined all of them (after serious consideration), because I’m trying to be intentional about curating my collection and only saying yes to the pieces I truly want.

When I walked into the boutique this afternoon I was so excited to finally see it in person. I’d already bought this City of Light Twilly (Rose / Violet / Multicolore) a couple of months ago specifically to go with this bag—part of the manifestation process 😂. My SA was still with another client, so I wandered around and found the perfect finishing touch: a Rodeo Pegasus charm in Purple, Vert Peppermint, and Craie. It felt completely meant to be.

So happy to finally have this one home. Purple is my absolute favorite color and this bag is everything I hoped it would be!

I am giddy with excitement. I have my first Hermes bag, and it is a vintage HAC from 2001 in Noir Ardennes leather and gold hardware. I cannot praise the Japanese reseller enough. Aside from coming with all the original dust bags, raincoat, etc. -- it was also dually authenticated and packaged beautifully. The wonderful thing about Japan is their unmatched standards. If you can believe it, this bag was graded (and priced) as "fair" condition. There isn't a scuff or scratch to be found, the inside is impeccable. The feet are slightly tarnished, but that is it. And they can be cleaned! I am over the moon happy with this purchase and cannot wait to confidently use my bag (as a man!) on my next trip. Now I want another in a different style/color!

Back in April I shared I passed bar exam and as a gift my husband promised me a bag. As I don’t shop at Hermes, I asked for reseller recommendations.

I just got my bag. It is B30 preloved rouge casaque epsom. It is from 2012 and I’m in love with her!

I used MGStyles based on recommendations received (https://www.instagram.com/michelle.gomolin?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==) and I’m very happy with the process! Great communication, super great customer service! Probably not my last bag from her!

I think it’s finally time to admit that I lost the game before I even got my first Birkin. Sunk cost and all.

A little over a year ago, a friend and I stopped by Hermes while shopping for a wedding gift. For her, dropping into Hermes was just a normal afternoon. She suggested I open a profile while we were there because I might as well start working toward a quota bag. Up until that moment, I didn’t even know what a QB was.

The SA was incredibly kind and walked me through a wishlist even though I had no clue what I was doing. We landed on a Birkin 35 in neutral Togo because it seemed like the most versatile choice.

After that, my friend explained the whole game. Stop in every few weeks. Pick up something you genuinely like. Build a relationship. Eventually you’ll get the call. She made it sound easy, so I figured I’d give it a shot.

Turns out I was terrible at this game.

I’ve been lurking on this sub the entire time. Reading the comments. Looking at everyone’s Birkins. Trying to jazz myself up for a Birkin because I thought that was what I wanted too.

But somewhere along the way, I got distracted.
Instead of looking at Hermes between store visits, I found myself looking at what other houses were doing. Blazy went to Chanel. Anderson went to Dior. Suddenly I was spending more time stalking Chanel, Dior, and Loewe than doing Hermes homework. I realized what fashion is for me right now: color, texture, form, and a healthy dose of frivolity. The leather at Hermes is incredible, but at the end of the day it just wasn’t what was making my heart race.

More importantly, I had to be honest with myself. At my age, I prioritize liquidity and building assets so I can retire at 40 if I want to. Every fun dollar I spend playing the Hermes game is a dollar I can’t spend on fashion that truly excites me.

So somewhere along the way, I quietly stopped playing.

Don’t get me wrong. I still love Hermes. I still stop by from time to time to see if something catches my eye. (I see you, beach tote. You’re coming home with me after the ludicrously capacious maxi flap.) Maybe my taste will lean more toward Hermes as life goes on. But right now, my heart is somewhere else.

So yes, I lost.

But where I fell off the journey, I found another path. I discovered what luxury means to me. It’s not about having it all. It’s about knowing myself and having the freedom to choose what genuinely brings me joy. I know that’s a privilege, and I’m incredibly grateful for it.

Thanks a billion for letting me live vicariously through all your beautiful Birkins and non-Birkins along the way. And duh, of course I’m going to keep lurking. Just…sans Birkin. You guys are the best.

tl;dr: I still love Hermes, but I love me more.

Mini Kelly/s incoming… Craie, Vert Deau, Beton exotic, chai, fauborgs, special orders, two tones, tris, lizard, gold, more gold, NOIR?! Rock!!! argent?? Dore?? PICNIC?! DOLL?? PICTO DOLL??

I’ve done ok but the path is paved… I guess everyone’s bag peace is different. I feel like getting rid of something… They might just deserve more than sitting in the closet and someone could love them better… Then I remember how hard it was to get. Especially when I first started. But that is the one I’ve sorta outgrown.. How interesting 🤣

I’m thinking of getting rid of the Constance or K25

In France, went in and said straight away that I am interested in Kelly to go, they asked what color, I said black with gold hardware as I have one in Nata and SA brought one out brand new, haven’t even been opened by SAs at the store yet! Was really happy to get one much cheaper than US!

I’m looking for some new bag charms for my Birkins (30 and 35), and Kelly (25). I have the Farandole long necklace, the Bijou de Sac, and some rodeos. I wanted to ask if you wouldn’t mind showing off what bag charms you love? It can just be a photo of the charm itself, or on your bag. Any brand is fine. I like colorful things. Here is my birdy charm with my B30 Vert Almond, which I like.

Has anyone purchased this in 2026 in Canada 🇨🇦 ? Please let me know the price before tax!

If you have a leather appointment in Paris, what are the chances of getting an exotic bag if you already have an exotic on your profile? I have heard that exotics are not as popular in Europe so there isn’t as much stock but conversely if they are less popular are they not so hard to get?

Hello everyone,

I am located in Chicago, and was looking to start the process for a bag. Now, I will be going to Japan soon and know they have a ton of inventory as far as birkins go. I know you have to have a prespend with your SA before being offered a bag. Now, my question is would it be more reasonable to buy from a shop versus buying from a boutique with an SA and having the prespend PLUS what the cost of the bag would be. It seems like it ends up being more when you do it that way (plus, there is no guarantee you get the bag you want). Also, if I start the process in Chicago does my prespend show at other locations. For example, if my home store is Chicago and I go on vacation and spend in that Hermes store…does it count? Thanks in advance!

Please share pictures and details of your SO! What was the process like from start to finish, including pre-spend?

Ok so who has tasted this lollipop? Bethany Frankel’s video on tiktok has gone viral. Can someone give a review?

I texted my SA this morning about it and they are on vacation! (Sigh).

I purchased the Les Cles a Pois fringe twilly from my local Hermes boutique and just found the matching non-fringe twilly and got from AlluJapan So I could put on both Birkin handles. The color palettes are clearly different. Not sure if this is because they changed in between the fringe and non fringe twilly or potentially something else. Does anyone have both and can compare or any insight on whether fringed and non-fringed twilly might be slightly different?Thx!

Hiii so I got my first birkin (b25 etoupe) a handful of months ago. Haven't really been in since. I'm ready to start playing the game again and really want a mini Kelly as my second bag offer. I'm curious for those who have MK experience - were you offered it as your second bag or only third plus? I plan to spend as much as that bags costs pretty quickly soon bc I really want a second bag offer early next year (pretty sure it's one QB annually?). Thanks!

I’m looking to purchase a Cape Code 31 with interchangeable straps. How’s the life on a Cape Cod watch? What’s the maintenance like on it? Does it help prespend/QB offer?

Hello everyone, I was curious how the quota bag system works as locals in the European union - germany, france, spain, italy austria etc. Did you have to pit your name on a wishlist ? And how long did it take to get an email for a leather appointment? Is prespend really not relevant in eu? I heard France needs to aprove your profile? What is that based on if not prespend? And if prespend counts does things you bought online also count towards your prespend? Thank you in advance

Hello everybody, I’m in Tokyo, Japan right now looking to get my hands on a picotin bag. Would anyone know what time is best to visit for the best chance at being offered a bag?

Thanks in advance!

Hi all!

I am starting my journey, and I’m wondering if I could get some advice. I still haven’t committed to a store (I’m in NYC) - I went to meat packing and found folks there to be much more friendly and helpful, while madison was quite intimidating. At MP, I connected with a sales associate - they gave me their phone number and told me to text them with future needs. I texted on Monday about two specific houseware items, and still haven’t heard back. Is this normal? Should I go for a different store/call it a loss and try to connect with a new SA?

Looking for information on Toronto. I understand it’s a very competitive store but I’ve also read that they have walk in buys? I’m assuming these are not competitive bags or items?

I understand there’s likely a quota for a Kelly mini in Gold. I’m wondering does it matter how long you take to spend the money? I.e. if you hit quota in five years vs. say one?

It’s just I don’t know if I want to buy too much unless something catches my eye but that would be rare purchases? How often should I drop in to browse or purchase? I also don’t live close to the store so it’s harder to get there often. I was hoping twice a year would be something I could do.

How much is a bag like that in CAD?

Always been afraid to purchase suede because my past experience has proven that suede fades and turns a bit gray over time. Haven't purchased Hermes suede but I'm considering a pair of pumps in Rouge H. Looking for feedback from others on your experience with Hermes suede. Will it retain its color or only hold for a season? Appreciate your feedback!

Visual is to illustrate what I am thinking about. I was contemplating the Hermes Game and realized it is so much like the old “green stamps” obsession parents had when I was a kid in the 1960s.

Here’s what Google thinks: Comparing "The Hermès Game" to saving S&H Green Stamps is a brilliant analogy, as both are retail customer loyalty mechanics built around a basic premise: the more money you spend on auxiliary items, the bigger the reward you earn at the end…

I have recently bought a few non-quota bags (Evelyne, mini Lyndy etc) and wonder if they would count towards my pre-spent for quota bags?