Help Me Create My First Hermès Quota Bag Wishlist

Dear PurseBop:

I have recently started my Hermès journey. I am really connecting with my SA. The other day he requested I text him a wishlist of bags I might want as my first quota bag. I am so confused and don’t want to make a mistake. Is it better to request a classic neutral color or a seasonal color for your first wishlist quota bag? Should I choose a Birkin 25 or 30 or a Kelly 25 or 28 as my first bag? Any advice you have would be appreciated.

Dear Confused About Creating a Wishlist:

How exciting to be submitting your first wishlist to your Hermès SA. Yes, it can feel overwhelming and confusing for your first time. Once you focus on what type of bag and size will suit your lifestyle, wardrobe, and taste, the fear of making a mistake will diminish.

First, decide whether a Birkin or Kelly fits your lifestyle best for your first Hermès bag. This is a deeply personal choice but there are practical differences between the two bags that may help you decide.

Birkin

Pros:

Classic Hermès icon, universally recognized;
Generally more casual and spacious;
Excellent for everyday, work, travel, shopping, etc.
Comes in various sizes, 25cm, 30cm, 35cm, 40cm

Cons:

Less structured than a Kelly so may lose its shape over time
Can feel bigger due to its silhouette and inside capacity
May feel heavy holding essentials
The only option is hand carry or in the crook of the arm. No hands free option;

Birkin sizes:

25cm:

Best size for day to night;
Compact but still spacious;
Generally only hand carry;

30cm:

Most universal size;
Able to carry by hand or in crook of arm;
Can feel heavy at times;

35cm:

Most classic and original popular size Birkin;
Can feel large on some body types,
Good for work and travel;

Kelly Sellier

Pros:

Very sophisticated and polished aesthetic;
Works with more formal or tailored wardrobe;
Has a shoulder strap for hands-free option;
Option to carry bag by the top handle which fits comfortably on arm;
Not as universally recognized so can pass under the radar;
Offered in either Sellier (structured) or Retourne (relaxed) style;

Cons:

Not as universally recognized as the Birkin;
Trapezoid shape makes interior smaller and capacity less;
May feel more formal for some occasions or lifestyle;

Kelly sizes:

25cm:

Small but not too small;
Transitions easily from day to night use;
Very well like among Kelly users;

28cm:

Universal size; arguably more popular size;
Sellier may feel boxier but Retourne offers more capacity and a relaxed aesthetic;

32cm:

Chic size in Retourne;
Large capacity for work, day use, or travel;

How to Choose Color: Classic Neutral vs. Seasonal Color

Unless you have an absolute favorite color and must have a bag in that pop of color (such as pink, green, red, or yellow), it is safest to start your collection with one of the classic neutral colors.

Neutrals:

More versatile;
Classic and timeless;
They pair well with everything: work wear, evening outfits, travel, casual day wear;
Offer timeless style and demand;
Give much flexibility;

Neutral Colors:

Noir (black)
Gold (tan)
Etoupe (gray with brown undertones)
Gris Perle (light gray)
Craie, Nata, Beton (off white with gray undertones)
Dark Bleus (Bleu Nuit, Caban, Bleu Marine, etc.)

Seasonal Colors:

Tend to be trending for a season or more;
Harder to incorporate color into a wardrobe long term;
Should be a color that you love that is versatile;
May not appear in future seasons;
List seasonal color as a secondary option after neutrals to show you are open to color but prefer a neutral;

Lifestyle and Wardrobe Questions to Consider When Making Choices:

Do you carry a lot of items on a daily basis (if yes, consider B30 or K28);
Do you prefer a structured silhouette (choose Kelly Sellier) or more relaxed aesthetic (choose Birkin or Kelly Retourne);
Is your daily wardrobe mostly neutral and tailored or colorful and expressive;
Do you want a bag to work equally for work plus weekends;
Or a bag that transitions well from day to evening;
Do you like a hand carry bag (Birkin);
Or is your lifestyle so busy that you need a hands-free option (Kelly)

Decide what color hardware you prefer:

Match your jewelry to your hardware request;
Mix and match your jewelry and hardware so both gold and palladium (silver) are represented;
Gold is classic and more popular;
Palladium hardware is fresh and modern and only slightly less popular;

Sample Wishlist:

A thoughtful wishlist gives choices, shows flexibility, but is precise in the desired result. If you only want a Gold Birkin 30 with gold hardware make that clear. If you are open to other sizes or colors, express that desire as well.

Wishlist with flexibility and options:

Birkin 25 or 30 in Gold or Noir with gold hardware;
Kelly 25 or 28 Sellier in Pink or Red or similar seasonal color with gold or palladium hardware;
Kelly 28 Retourne in Black or Gold Togo with gold hardware;

Wishlist with no flexibility:

Birkin 25 in Noir togo with palladium hardware; or
Kelly 25 Sellier in Gold with gold hardware;

Summary:

For your first quota bag:

Start with a classic Birkin 25 or 30 in neutral colors with gold or palladium hardware;
Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 are very popular and the most versatile first quota bag choices;
Consider including one or more seasonal colors you truly love, but anchor your wishlist in neutrals and classic sizes you will use and enjoy for seasons to come.