What to Buy at Hermès to Build a Well Rounded Profile in Pursuit of a Quota Bag

Starting your Hermès journey takes patience and intention. It will be much more enjoyable and successful if you follow a guide. Rushing into purchases just for “spend” and trying to expedite the road to a quota bag offer usually backfires and leaves us feeling frustrated and disappointed. The strongest Hermès clients are those who use and enjoy the products they purchase across diverse categories, not just handbags. Here are our suggestions to build a worthwhile profile. Remember dreams do come true. It may just take some patience and focus.

photo courtesy @pastel_lattes

photo courtesy @mrsyhjourney

Popular Starter Items for Daily Life

Starting with purchases that you can use daily show your SA you’re exploring Hermès products you will certainly wear and/or give as gifts:

Scarves (90cm, 70cm, Twilly) Iconic entry point, and easy to build a collection over time with a reasonable price point ($200-$800)
Bracelets/Jewelry: Clic H, enamel bangles, leather or silver bracelets and rings are easy to wear daily and great gifts. (many items $1,000 or less)
Belts: A popular adjustable Kelly belt, a reversible Constance belt kit with H buckle, or a more understated buckle (like the Collier de Chien belt). These are classic Hermès symbols that are wearable and versatile. ($1,000-$1500)

photo courtesy @iitsninaaaa

Non-Quota Bags

Choose one or two non-quota bags you truly love. Consider one non-quota bag and one Constance or Kelly To Go which are considered small leather goods. They help you experience Hermès leathers and colors while you wait for a quota bag offer. Be aware that accepting a non-quota bag may delay the offer of a quota bag depending on your SA and boutique location. This is more common in busier, highly competitive stores in larger cities where it can be a year or more wait for a quota bag offer.

Do not purchase only non-quota bags. A profile full of leather non-quota bags may delay the offer of a quota bag. Diversification among purchases is key.

Constance or Kelly To Go: This is essentially a wallet with a leather strap that can be worn cross body and is great for every day.
Picotin 18: A great first bag, good for everyday while still being an understated tote.
Evelyne TPM (Mini Evelyne): Casual crossbody, soft Clemence leather, very wearable, and the lowest priced non-quota bag.
Mini Lindy: Playful, collectible, and versatile. Comes in a variety of colors in either Swift or Clemence leather. Very popular and may be a bit harder to get but worth a try.
Herbag Mini, 31 or 39: Excellent for travel and casual days. Some call it a starter Kelly bag. Many colors and patterns to choose.

photo courtesy @petite_favorite

Products for Your Home and Lifestyle:

Hermès SAs love to educate clients about their home products that may be overlooked. Purchasing items to adorn your home add that touch of luxury to your everyday living. Also, do not overlook the ready to wear and shoes. There are many options in varying price ranges to suit all aesthetics. Fine jewelry and watches are a great treat as well. And small leather goods are everyday items such as a wallet, charm for your bag, or passport holder. Choose 1–2 items from these categories to grow your profile:

Homeware: Avalon pillows and blanket, tableware, glassware, trays, or decorative objects (great for your home and/or gifts).
Ready-to-Wear: A silk blouse, cashmere sweater, a signature bomber or long coat, or even a bathing suit.
Shoes: Oran sandals (iconic and very popular), Oasis sandals with a small heel, loafers, sneakers, classic riding boots, and fashionable heels.
Fine Jewelry and Watches: Explore the jewelry and watches including the Apple Watch with an assortment of bands.
Small Leather Goods: Calvi cardholder, Bastia coin purse, or a Kelly-to-Go wallet. These are excellent introductions to Hermès leathers.

photo courtesy @pursebop

Building A Solid Relationship with Your SA

This is a key component on your path to being offered a quota bag. Always be polite and respectful of your SA’s time by making an appointment in advance. Your SA will guide you through the different metiers (departments) of the boutique, give you valuable advice, honest opinions, and will become a trusted and valuable friend in the end.

Shop thoughtfully: Buy only pieces you’ll use and love. SA’s notice when clients make purchases that feel authentic rather than forced. Wear your purchases when you return to shop with your SA. They love to see how you style the items they sell.
Explore craftsmanship: Ask about leathers, colors, and how things are made. Showing genuine curiosity about the brand sets you apart from other customers who only want a quota bag.
Wishlist timing: After a few months of building trust, you can politely ask to place a wishlist for a Birkin/Kelly. This is when your profile feels “rounded out” with scarves, ready to wear, fashion or fine jewelry, home, and at least one non-quota bag.

photo courtesy @iitsninaaaa

Make Purchases to Build a Profile Over Several Months

Purchases in different métiers (departments) of the store show your commitment to the brand and growing love for their products. Here is a sample list of popular items you could consider during your first few months exploring your home boutique.

Leather Calvi
Kelly Belt
90cm Scarf
Oran or Oasis Sandals and Jet Sneakers
Click H Bracelet
Avalon Blanket and Matching Pillow
Picotin 18

photo courtesy @thech.icdetail

Asking Your SA to Place a Wishlist

You have consistently shopped for several months, built a trusted relationship with your SA showing them respect by making an appointment in advance, and making one or more purchases on each visit. This proves you are a valued customer who truly enjoys the brand with hopes to continue for the long term.

If your SA has not initiated the conversation about the bags you would like, this would be a good time to broach the subject. Politely ask if you could provide a wishlist of bags you would love to be offered. It is likely your SA will advise you to text them a list with sizes, colors, leather, and hardware preferences. Be specific with your color choices and hardware but add options for flexibility. The more options provided allow your SA to learn about your preferences should one of your choices become available.

Feel free to ask your SA about a likely timeline. Be prepared to wait possibly 6 months to 1 year (or more) in highly competitive large city locations.

photo courtesy @stellaw2021

Creating a Focused Yet Diverse First Wishlist

Give your SA your definite preferences such as size or hardware color if you have one. If not, give 2 choices. For instance, if you only want a Birkin 25 as your first bag, be sure to be very specific. However, if you are open to other sizes and different color leathers and hardware, let them know that as well. The more restrictive your wishlist the harder it may be to fulfill. Just be open and honest with your SA so they know what you want, if you know. If not, let them choose for you. They are very good at surprising their clients with a bag the client did not know they would love.

Sample Wishlist

Birkin 25 or 30
Togo leather
Neutral such as Black, Gold, or Etoupe
Gold or Palladium hardware
or
Kelly 25 or 28
Retourne
Pastel color in green (Vert Peppermint or Menthe), pink (Rose Azalea or Mauve Pale), off white (such as Craie or Nata), or gray (Etoupe or Gris Pantin)
Palladium hardware