First off, let’s be real: these things are *expensive*. Like, “mortgage payment” expensive. We’re talking iconic handbag territory, designed way back in ’84 after Jane Birkin and the Hermès CEO, Jean-Louis Dumas, had a chance encounter on a flight (imagine *that* meet-cute!). And its been trending ever since.
The allure? I dunno, maybe it’s the simple rectangular shape (perfect for, like, baby bottles, apparently!), maybe it’s the heritage leather, that whole vegetable-tanned cowhide thing that develops a patina over time (fancy talk for “it gets old, but in a *good* way”). Or maybe it’s just the sheer exclusivity of it all.
You see, you can’t just waltz into an Hermès store and *buy* one. Oh no, no, no. It’s more complicated than that. There are whispers of waiting lists (though some say they don’t *really* exist anymore), rumors of needing to establish a “relationship” with a sales associate (which basically means buying a bunch of other stuff you probably don’t need), and the general feeling that you need to be, you know, *worthy* of a Birkin.
Honestly, it all sounds a bit ridiculous. But hey, people are willing to jump through hoops for these bags.
Then there’s the whole pre-owned market. That’s where things get interesting, and a little less… intimidating. You can find used Birkins online, but you gotta be super careful. Authenticity is KEY. You don’t want to drop a small fortune on a fake. There are places that handpick and evaluate them carefully, so maybe start there? Just a thought.
The Birkin 35, apparently, is the OG and still super popular. I guess that’s a good starting point if you’re, like, serious about this whole thing.
And don’t even get me started on the different styles! The Shadow Birkin? With the trompe-l’oeil straps? Seriously, who comes up with this stuff? Is it real or just a depiction? My brain hurts.
