How Do I Decide What Size, Style, Color, Leather, and Hardware to Choose for My First Hermès Quota Bag?

Dear Pursebop:

I need advice on choosing my first Hermès quota bag. How do I know what size, style, color, leather, and hardware is best for me?

Dear First Timer:

Making your first Hermès quota bag purchase is an exciting time. However, it is best to ask a lot of questions and thorough research before deciding what style, size, color, leather, and hardware suits your tastes best.

Our advice is as follows:

Do your research:

Talk to friends and family members who may have a Hermès collection or who have friends who have a collection. Getting as many different perspectives is helpful to help narrow down the choices.
Many Hermès boutiques have sample Birkins and Kellys in different sizes which your SA can show you and allow you to try on for size and preference.
Go to brick and mortar stores that have Hermès bags on display where you can view, touch, try, and examine actual bags in real life. There are reputable resellers that have stores you can visit such as Fashionphile, or other retailers that are now reselling pre-loved Hermès quota bags.
Examine your daily and evening wardrobe, your favorite colors, your lifestyle, the places you go on a daily or weekly basis, what color jewelry you wear, how many items you tend to carry in your handbag.
Write down all this information which will help you decide whether you prefer neutral color bags such as black, gold, etoupe, gray, off-whites, or colors such as pastels or brighter reds, blues, greens, pinks, etc.
Do you dress casually in jeans and athletic attire most days, or do you tend to dress in a coordinated outfit most days?
Do you work in an office or remotely at home? Do you go out for lunch or dinner often or go to events and parties on the weekends?
Do you tend to wear mostly gold, white gold or silver jewelry? Most people tend to match their handbag hardware to the color of most of their jewelry. If you mix metals, then you can be open to either gold or palladium hardware.
Do you carry a lot of items in your handbag such as a large wallet, make up bag filled with items, agenda, car and house keys, cell phone, airpods, sunglasses, ipad or computer, etc.? How much you carry will help you decide the size that works best for your lifestyle and aesthetic.

Don’t be influenced by what is most popular or on social media:

Follow your heart and choose the bag’s size, style, color, leather and hardware that fits your lifestyle whether it is popular or not.
Many people prefer smaller bags but an equal number of people find them impractical and prefer larger or medium sized bags. A Birkin 30 is one of the most requested size Birkins for a reason.
Choose a bag carefully and thoughtfully. One that you will use and enjoy for a lifetime. Hermès bags are designed to be used and enjoyed, not remain a closet ornament for private viewing.

Good luck and happy shopping.

Read:

Reference Guide: Comparing Birkin and Kelly Styles and Sizes