Move over, Birkin 25. The hottest Hermès bag right now might just be the one hiding in your mom’s closet. The Shoulder Birkin is back—Jean-Paul Gaultier’s cult design from 2004 has reemerged as the ultimate insider flex. With Hermès officially reviving the style as the Shoulder Birkin Light, collectors and new devotees alike are scrambling to get their hands (or shoulders) on it.

Image courtesy: Heritage Auctions

Anyone who has spent time toting a chock-full Birkin knows that its elegance has a price – the bag can be heavy, especially since it must be carried by hand or in the crook of the arm. Jean-Paul Gaultier spotted a gap—a Birkin you could wear hands-free without compromising style. His solution? Elongated shoulder straps that let the bag hang effortlessly over the shoulder.

Affectionately known as the JPG Birkin, the Shoulder Birkin quickly became a favorite, distinguished not just by its shape but by its chunkier, more substantial hardware, including the iconic touret fastening and metal plaque. Offered in 40 and 42 sizes, the original Shoulder Birkin naturally slouched over time, giving it a relaxed, effortless vibe. Production ended in 2013, but now it’s back—and better than ever.

Hermès relaunched the Shoulder Birkin for Spring/Summer 2024 (now officially known as the Shoulder Birkin Light), and although it didn’t appear on the runway, it made a memorable debut at the Objects Presentation in Paris. This contemporary revival preserves the bag’s iconic elongated design, allowing it to be worn comfortably by hand or styled over the shoulder. The reissue debuted in a striking black swift leather-and-indigo denim combination in the size 39—slightly smaller than Jean-Paul Gaultier’s original 40 and 42 sizes.

Unlike the original design, the hardware on the Shoulder Birkin Light mirrors that found on the classic Birkin 30. In this compact form, the hardware feels ever so slightly oversized – popping against the sleeker silhouette. Combined with a slightly more structured body, the result is a refined, contemporary take on Gaultier’s slouchier design. It’s the interplay of bold hardware and streamlined construction that gives the bag its “Shoulder Birkin Light” name—the “Light” suggesting a design that is easier to wear on the shoulder without sacrificing elegance.

Traditional all-leather options followed, showcased on the Fall-Winter 2024 runway in Evercolor and Swift leather, and are available in sizes 39 and 29. Even if the classic B40 feels daunting, the Shoulder Birkin Light 39 offers a more manageable size – roomy enough to carry essentials comfortably, yet sleek enough to avoid feeling bulky.

For those who find the B25 or B30 a little too small or too large, the 29 steps in as an intriguing alternative. Its dimensions strike the perfect balance—roomy enough to carry essentials comfortably, yet compact enough for everyday wear. Styled over the shoulder or carried by hand, it offers all the elegance of a traditional Birkin with added versatility, making it an ideal choice for modern Hermès enthusiasts.

Image courtesy: @pursebop

No Waitlist, Just Birkins

If you’ve been messaging your SA and scouring boutiques for a Shoulder Birkin, Heritage Auctions has the solution. Two coveted Shoulder Birkins are available to buy now—no waitlist, no pre-spend required. Collectors can choose between two standout variations: the all-leather Hermès 29cm Étoupe Evercolor Leather Shoulder Birkin Light Bag with Palladium Hardware, or the striking Hermès 29cm Bleu Indigo Denim Toile and Swift Leather Shoulder Birkin Light Bag with Gold Hardware. In a fashion world awash with classic Birkins, the Shoulder Birkin Light is the statement you actually need this season.