Hermes bags I would recommend as a first purchase.
Over the past few years, Hermes seems to have caught the attention of a great many people. When I first came to know the house, getting into a boutique, and buying a bag once inside, was easy enough. The Birkin and the Kelly were the exceptions, of course. But somewhere along the way these last few years, even walking through the door has become its own challenge.
I'll admit my own interest has returned lately as well. Having moved through any number of brands, I've come around to a quiet conviction: that a bag like an Hermès, understated and well made, kept and carried for years, is far better than anything loud with a big logo.
So for anyone looking to buy their first Hermes, I've put together three I'd recommend as a starting point. All three I bought in the boutique myself, and all three I've carried long enough to know they were worth it.
Lindy Mini bag
If you're after an everyday crossbody, the Mini Lindy is one I recommend without hesitation. It looks tiny from the outside, but the interior is a single open compartment and the entire top opens up, which makes getting things in and out remarkably easy.
In practice, it swallows a long wallet, sunglasses, a car key, and a few pieces of makeup with room to spare, and even a passport tucks in without trouble.
What makes me recommend it, though, is its range. It's an easy thing to carry day to day, yet it never looks out of place with office wear or on occasions that ask for something more put together, one bag doing the work of two.
I have a soft spot for the Lindy as a model, and more than that, it carries the Hermes heritage so clearly that if you can find one in the boutique, I'd tell you not to think twice.
Evelyne 16
The Evelyne 16 is the smallest size in the Evelyne line. To my mind, it's the most casual bag Hermes makes, a clean, uncomplicated crossbody defined by the perforated H on its face.
The truth is, this bag fills up the moment you put in a card holder, a car key, your phone, and a single lip balm. Which is why, for me, the Evelyne is less a bag for carrying things than an accessory that finishes a look. A bag like that calls for a bright, eye-catching color rather than a neutral one, since a piece worn for punctuation should have some presence to it.
It also sits at the most reasonable end of the house's range, and as something that completes an outfit, it makes an easy first purchase.
Herbag 31
Of all the Hermes bags, the Herbag 31 is the one I recommend most as an entry point. The two bags above are mini sizes, and over time you may find their capacity a little wanting, but the Herbag puts that worry to rest. It's large enough to hold an iPad, even a laptop, which makes it a particularly good fit for working life.
Its signature is the construction: a canvas body finished with a leather flap and straps. The canvas keeps it grounded and easy to wear day to day, while the leather flap and straps lend it a quiet polish, which is why it's a personal favorite of mine in the Hermes lineup.
One caveat, since it's canvas: if color transfer or staining is a concern, I'd suggest a darker canvas or one of the coated models. I went with vanilla, a shade that suits the brighter looks of spring and summer.