Hermès Birkin 101: The Ultimate Guide to the Birkin Bag

Without a doubt, buying a Birkin bag directly from Hermès can be a pretty difficult task. But you know what can often be even more difficult? Finding information on the bag online! Hermès doesn’t really share much info about their bags (or pretty much anything else) on the internet. Hence why there is always a lot of mystery surrounding their items, including, of course, the legendary Birkin. However, fear not – today we are going to unveil that mystery together in this ultimate guide to the Hermès Birkin bag, where I am going to discuss everything you need to know: from the fascinating origins and history of the Birkin to its current retail prices and resale value.

Hermès Birkin at a Glance

Hermès Birkin	Info
Introduced	1984
Designed for	Jane Birkin
Available sizes	B20, B25, B30, B35, B40
The most popular size	B30
Original size	B35
Popular leathers	Togo, Clemence, Epsom, Swift
Common hardware	Gold Hardware (GHW), Palladium Hardware (PHW), Brushed Hardware (Gold or Palladium), Permabrass Hardware, Rose Gold Hardware
Construction	Retourne and Sellier
2026 U.S. starting price	$13,500 USD
2026 European starting price	€9,600 EUR

Hermès Birkin Bag History

Did you know that the World’s most sought-after handbag was first imagined in the sky? Yes, you heard it right! The story of the Hermès Birkin bag begins in 1984 when a British-born French singer and actress Jane Birkin coincidentally met Jean-Louis Dumas, the Executive Chairman of Hermès (1978-2006), on her flight from Paris to London. Basically, the two were sitting next to each other on that flight, and started talking after the contents of Jane Birkin’s straw basket have spilled onto the floor. 

Birkin was known for taking a straw basket everywhere with her. It was sort of her signature look. But during a conversation with Dumas, she confessed that the bag doesn’t really suit her needs anymore as a new mother. And that’s how the Hermès Birkin Bag was born.

Dumas, being a true visionary, ended up immediately sketching out a spacious rectangular holdall with a burnished flap and saddle stitching on the back of a sick bag. He based the design on another Hermès style – the Haut à Courroies, which the brand has created in the early 20th century. The very first Hermès bag, Haut à Courroies, was designed as an elegant and functional bag for horse riders, meant for carrying a saddle and riding boots. Actually, the Haut à Courroies (HAC) bag is still being sold to this day. But interestingly, it’s not as popular as the Birkin, which ended up being introduced later in 1984.

Hermès Birkin Bag Design & Rise To Fame

Unlike other handbags that dominated the 1980s (say, for example, the Chanel Classic Flap with its prominent CC logo, or Louis Vuitton’s monogram bags), the Birkin was fairly simple, devoid of any loud design elements or shouty logos. The bag was characterized by a semi-structured silhouette with two rolled top handles, four feet, as well as a turnlock closure with an accompanying padlock and key. Stylish without a doubt, but at its core a pretty simple bag, the Birkin wasn’t like the handbags of the time. Hence the reason why it wasn’t an instant commercial success.

Right, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the Birkin became the ultimate status symbol. And guess whom we should thank for that? Samantha Jones from Sex and the City! Basically, in the “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” episode which aired on August 5th, 2001, Samantha famously tries to skip the “five year” waiting list for the bag by using one of her celebrity client’s names at Hermès. Obviously, she wasn’t successful. However, after that episode aired, the Birkin’s actual waitlist has tripled in length, elevating its status to the ultimate it-bag. The Birkin was later also featured in Gilmore Girls, which even further cemented its status as the ultimate status symbol.

Hermès Birkin Bag Sizes

Originally released in the size 35, today the Hermès Birkin bag comes available in a wide array of sizes, including the 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 (the number in the name refers to the approx. width of the bag in centimeters).

Hermès Birkin Bag Size	Dimensions (cm)	Dimension (inches)	Best For
Birkin 20	20 x 16 x 11 cm	7.9” x 6.3” x 4.3”	Evenings and special occassions
Birkin 25	25 x 20 x 13 cm	10” x 8” x 5”	Essentials, day-to-night
Birkin 30	30 x 22 x 16 cm	11.8” x 9” x 6”	Everyday use
Birkin 35	35 x 25 x 18 cm	14” x 10” x 7”	Work and Travel
Birkin 40	40 x 30 x 21 cm	16” x 12” x 8”	Travel

Birkin 25

So, the smallest of the standard sizes of the Birkin is the Birkin 25. Often referred to simply as the B25, it measures 25 cm in length, 20 cm in height and 13 cm in depth. The bag is fairly petite, meaning that you’ll only be able to carry your smaller essentials in it, such as a smartphone, sunglasses and a wallet. However, that doesn’t prevent the Birkin 25 from being highly sought-after. In fact, the Hermès Birkin 25 is the second most popular size for the Hermès Birkin bag right now, after the Birkin 30.

Birkin 30

And talking about the latter. Measuring 30 cm in length, 22 cm in height and 16 in depth, the Hermès Birkin 30 will effortlessly fit in all of your smaller essentials and then some. Arguably the most versatile size for the bag (hence the popularity), the Birkin 30 transitions effortlessly from day to night, pairing fabulously with both formal and casual outfits.

Birkin 35

Then, the next size in the range is the Birkin 35. The second biggest size of the Hermès Birkin bag, it measures 35 x 25 x 18 cm, offering generous storage for all of your daily essentials and possibly even your laptop. Actually, a lot of people use the Birkin 35 as a travel tote. And it certainly can be used for that. However, if you are going to be using your Birkin predominantly for travel, you might be better off by going for the bag in the size 40.

Birkin 40

Measuring 40 x 30 x 21 cm, the Birkin 40 is the largest standard size of the Birkin bag available. Often referred to as the “Travel Birkin”, the Hermès Birkin 40 is an ultra-spacious tote, which would fit in everything from your day-to-day essentials to a larger laptop. However, be warned – the bag can get really heavy when filled up. Hence the reason I primarily recommended this size of the Birkin bag for travel and not for everyday.

Hermès Birkin Bag Materials

The first ever Birkin Bag was made in Box Calf leather, which is one of the oldest leathers used by Hermès (btw, this particular Birkin has recently sold at an auction for a whopping €10.1 million euros).

The Hermès Box Calf leather is characterized by an extremely smooth, glossy finish which gives the bag that ultra-luxurious look. This leather, however, is known for being prone to both scratches and water damage. Hence why most Hermès lovers prefer to stay away from it.

In fact, the three most popular leathers for the Birkin bag today are Togo, Clemence and Epsom.

Introduced by Hermès in 1997, Togo is a scratch-resistant calfskin leather characterized by fine grains and good durability. The bags in Togo tend to hold their shape really well. Furthermore, this leather is also fairly lightweight, making it a fabulous choice for everyday.

Clemence leather is another really popular option for the Birkin. This leather is softer, heavier, but unfortunately less durable than Togo. Hence why the Birkin bags made in Clemence leather often lose their shape over time. But that is not necessarily a disadvantage. A lot of people actually prefer this slouchier, more casual look. And those who don’t, typically opt for other options, particularly Togo or Epsom.

The Hermès Epsom leather is an embossed leather characterized by a rigid, stamped grain and an appealing sheen. This leather is both water and scratch resistant, which makes it a top choice among those who prefer their bags to be low maintenance. Furthermore, the Hermès Epsom leather is also known for showing color way better than most of the brand’s other leathers.

Over the years, the Hermes Birkin bag has also been produced in a variety of exotic leathers. These include crocodile, alligator, ostrich and lizard. Birkins made from exotic leathers are also considered more exclusive than the standard leather Birkins, hence their higher price point.

Learn more about the different Hermès leathers in my dedicated guide.

Hermès Birkin Bag Hardware

The two most familiar hardware options for the Birkin include Gold and Palladium.

Gold hardware gives the Birkin a warmer and more traditional appearance, whereas the palladium hardware has a cooler, silvery appearance.

Hermès has also produced Birkins with other hardware finishes, including rose-gold, brushed gold, brushed palladium, and permabrass. These, however, are primarily used in special order and limited edition versions of the bag.

The Most Coveted Limited Edition Versions of the Birkin Bag

And talking about the limited edition versions of the Birkin bag: Hermès has produced countless of those over the years, with some of them becoming particularly desirable among collectors.

Shadow Birkin

First introduced in 2009, when Jean-Paul Gaultier was the Creative Director at Hermès and reissued again in 2019, the Shadow Birkin embraces the classic Birkin Bag silhouette with an original take on the trompe l’oeil, which leaves the viewer wondering if the front straps and the flap of the bag are real are not. Spoiler alert: they aren’t. They are just made to look as if they were real. Quite cool, isn’t it? Well, I guess then it should also come as no surprise that the Shadow Birkin is one of the most popular limited edition versions of the Birkin bag to date, highly sought-after for its unique and edgy look.

Birkin Cargo

The Hermès Cargo Birkin made its debut in 2020, which makes it one of the newest limited edition styles of the Birkin Bag. The bag is said to be inspired by the military and arrives in lightweight canvas with five outer pockets. Likely the most functional limited edition version of the Birkin bag to date, the Cargo Birkin is a bag for those Hermès lovers and collectors who value practicality above all.

Birkin Faubourg

Another honorable mention is the Birkin Faubourg. Released in 2019 as a limited edition style that honors the architectural legacy of Hermes’s iconic flagship store on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris, the bag features three windows with awnings in signature Hermès orange, as well as the matching Hermès shopping bag which replaces the standard key-holding clochette. So unique and fabulous, the Faubourg Birkin was an instant hit with Hermès collectors (that have also since given it a nickname “House Birkin”). Furthermore, this was also the first ever iteration of the 20cm Birkin produced, which makes the bag even more desirable.

Sellier Birkin

Interestingly, Hermès has chosen to make their first ever Birkin 20 in Sellier, instead of the typical for Birkin Retourne. And for those who didn’t know: Retourne and Sellier are the two bag construction methods used by Hermès. Retourne bags feature stitching on the interior, which makes them look more relaxed. The Sellier, on the contrary, features stitching on the exterior, giving bags a more structured, geometric appearance.

So, the first ever Birkin Sellier was released in 2014 in the 40 size. Then, in 2020, Hermès began including the Sellier in its standard offering. Rumours have been swirling around about the Sellier Birkin being discontinued, but as of August 2026, no public confirmation from Hermès has been received.

Why is it so hard to get your hands on a Birkin?

You may have heard that acquiring the Birkin bag directly from Hermès can be pretty difficult. And it is. Not only do you typically need to have purchase history with the brand in order to be offered one, but you also need to be open to options, as Hermès boutiques never really know what Birkins are coming in stock (at least, that’s what my SA says).

And honestly, I think this is one of the things that makes buying a Birkin so different from buying almost any other luxury handbag. Even if you have an established relationship with Hermès, there is no guarantee that the exact bag you’re hoping for will become available. You may have your heart set on a Birkin 25 in Gold Togo with gold hardware, only to be offered a Birkin 30 in a completely different color or leather.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to buy a Birkin directly from Hermès. There is a very well-established secondary market for the bags, and for some people this is actually the preferred route. You get to see exactly what you’re buying rather than waiting for an offer, and you can often find specific sizes, colors and leathers that would be extremely difficult to source directly from a boutique. The downside? The prices can be several times higher than those in the store.

Hermès Birkin Bag Prices

And taking about the prices. Hermès increased prices for their Birkins yet again in January. As a result of the January 2026 Hermès Price Increase, the most affordable Birkin (B25 Togo) now costs $13,500 in the U.S. (before the sales tax) and €9,600 in Europe. The Birkin 30 and 35 bags in Togo now retail for $14,900 (€10,600) and $16,300 (€11,600) respectively.

Hermès Bag Style	Current Price (USD)	Current Price (EUR)
Birkin 25 Togo	$13,500	€9,600
Birkin 30 Togo	$14,900	€10,600
Birkin 35 Togo	$16,300	€11,600
Birkin 40 Togo	$20,300	–

Find more prices in my latest Hermès Birkin Bag Price Guide for 2026.

Buying a Hermès Birkin in Europe vs. the USA

As of August 2026, a Birkin 25 in Togo leather retails for $13,500 in the U.S., and €9,600 in Europe. At the exchange rate of €1 = $1.17, the European retail price works out to approximately $11,232.

That means that, before taking taxes or VAT into consideration, the same Birkin 25 is already approximately $2,268 cheaper in Europe than in the United States.

Buying a Birkin Bag in Europe in 2026	U.S.	Europe
Birkin 25 Togo	$13,500	€9,600
Equivalent in USD	$13,500	~$11,232
Difference	—	~$2,268 less

That’s a difference of roughly 17%, which is significant enough to make the European price worth considering if you’re already planning to travel there.

However, I ain’t gonna suggarcoat it: getting your hands on a Birkin in Paris can be rather difficult. Definitely check out my guide to How to Score a Birkin in Paris if you’re thinking of trying your luck!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hermès Birkin