SIZE GUIDE:
The Hermès Birkin
First crafted in 1984, this iconic style came to be after Jean-Louis Dumas, then head of Hermès, had a chance encounter on a flight from London to Paris with the beguiling Jane Birkin, British fashion icon, model, and singer. According to the tale, Birkin was carrying a straw purse, and lamented that she couldn’t find a leather handbag that fit her style and needs. This launched a collaborative effort between Dumas and Birkin to imagine a design that would fit the bill — and the Birkin bag was born. More relaxed than the brand’s Kelly bag, the Birkin is one of the best investments any luxury fashion buyer could make.
By The Rebag Team, July 17, 2023
How to Style
the Hermès Birkin Bag
The Hermès Birkin is meant to be used as an everyday carryall that’s great for work and travel. Pair the Birkin with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual day out, a suit for work, or a dress for to go out to dinner. Click through the gallery on the right for street style inspo.
(Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)
(Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
(Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
(Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
(Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
(Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images)
(Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
Side by Side
Birkin 25
The Birkin 25 is the smallest standard Hermès Birkin bag, with the exception of extremely rare limited edition sizes. It measures at 10” W x 8” H x 5” D with a 4” handle drop. It can be carried by hand or on the forearm. It can fit all your basic necessities, including a wallet, keys, phone, lipstick, and even a small book or notebook.
Birkin 30
The next biggest Birkin size is the Birkin 30. The Birkin 30’s dimensions are 11.5” W x 9” H x 6” D. The Birkin 30 has a handle drop of 4 inches. Carry it by hand or on the forearm. It can fit everything you need, like your keys, wallet, a phone, small makeup bag and a small book or notepad.
Birkin 35
The Birkin 35 is a medium-sized Hermès Birkin bag. An ample size, the trapeze-bodied Birkin 35 measures 14” W x 10” H x 7” D and has a 4” handle drop. The Birkin 35 bag can be carried on the forearm or by hand. It can hold a lot, including a small water bottle, keys, wallet, phone, makeup bag, and a book.
Birkin 40
The Birkin 40 is another medium-range Hermès Birkin bag. The Birkin 40 has dimensions of 16” W x 12” H x 8” D and a 4.5” handle drop. Carry the Birkin 40 on your forearm or hold it by hand. The Birkin 40 is large, and can fit a water bottle, book, small laptop, makeup bag, phone, wallet, and keys.
Birkin 42
The Birkin 42 was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier in 2005. The Birkin 42 was the answer for those who wanted to be able to carry an Hermès Birkin on the shoulder. Its measurements are 16.5” W x 9.5” H x 7” D. Wear on your shoulder or forearm, or carry it by hand. The Birkin 42 is longer and shorter than standard Birkins, but can fit everything from a small book, to your makeup, keys, wallet, and phone.
Birkin 45
The Birkin 45 (not pictured above) is one of the larger Birkin bags with dimensions that are 17.7” W x 12.2” H x 17.7” W and a 4.7” handle drop. Use the Birkin 45 as a weekender bag that can be carried by hand or on the arm. It can easily fit a weekend’s worth of clothes, plus a small vanity case.
Birkin 50
The largest of the Hermès Birkins is the Birkin 50. The HAC (Haut à Courroies “High Belts”) Birkin 50 pictured above was originated in the 1800s as an equestrian bag, and is slightly taller than the standard Birkin bag with a longer handle drop. It measures at 19” W x 17” H x 10.5” with a 5” handle drop, and can be carried by hand or on the forearm. An ideal weekender bag, it can easily fit a weekend’s worth of clothes plus a toiletry case, and anything else you might need for a weekend away.
Hermès Birkin Handbag Capucine
Togo with Gold Hardware 25
Hermès Birkin Handbag Bleu Jean
Epsom with Palladium Hardware 25
Hermès In and Out Birkin Bag Limited Edition Swift with Palladium Hardware 25
Hermès Birkin Handbag Amethyst Shiny Niloticus Crocodile with Gold Hardware 30
Hermès Birkin Handbag Brown Ostrich
with Palladium Hardware 30
Hermès Birkin Handbag Bicolor Epsom
with Gold Hardware 30
Hermès Birkin Handbag Noir Evergrain
with Gold Hardware 35
Hermès Birkin Handbag Orange H
Epsom with Palladium Hardware 35
Hermès Candy Birkin Bag
Epsom 35
Hermès Birkin Handbag Ultraviolet
Clemence with Palladium Hardware 40
Hermès Birkin Handbag Chocolate
Togo with Palladium Hardware 40
Hermès Birkin Handbag Bicolor
Clemence with Palladium Hardware 40
Hermès Birkin JPG
Bag Clemence 42
Hermès Endless Road HAC Birkin Bag Togo with Swift and Clemence with Palladium Hardware 50
Hermès HAC Birkin Bag Cosmos Togo
with Brushed Palladium Hardware 50
