Hermès Bag Types Explained: From Birkin and Kelly to Evelyne and Picotin
Anyone new to the house quickly runs into a long list of names. Birkin, Kelly, Evelyne, Picotin, Lindy, Bolide, Garden Party: each refers to a distinct shape with its own history, and each suits a different kind of day. Understanding the main hermes bag types makes it much easier to decide what you actually want before you walk into a boutique or open a browser tab.
This is an independent editorial guide for shoppers and collectors. It is not published by Hermès, and it refers to the brand in the third person throughout. The aim is to sort the models into groups that make sense in practice.
The Structured Classics: Birkin and Kelly
The two best-known shapes are the Birkin and the Kelly. The Kelly has a single top handle and a removable shoulder strap. It was renamed after Grace Kelly in 1977, although the design goes back to the 1930s, when it was known as the Sac à dépêches. The Birkin, introduced in 1984, was named after Jane Birkin. It has two handles, a flap with a turn-lock, a touret, a clochette with keys and a padlock.
The Birkin comes in 25, 30, 35 and 40 centimeters, and the Kelly in 20, 25, 28, 32 and 35. Both exist in sellier construction, which is rigid with exterior stitching, and retourne construction, which is softer with interior stitching. Anyone researching a hermès bag birkin will see these terms constantly, so it is worth learning them early.
The key practical point is that neither bag is sold on hermes.com. They are offered in boutiques, availability varies by boutique, and buying one typically involves working with a sales associate in store.
Everyday Shoulder and Crossbody Bags
If the Birkin and Kelly are the formal end of the range, the Evelyne is the relaxed end. This casual crossbody is recognizable by its perforated H, and it is made in Clemence, Epsom and other leathers. It comes in sizes 16 (TPM), 29 (PM) and 33 (GM). The evelyne hermès bag is built for carrying everything from a phone to a book, and it can be worn hands-free, which is why it appeals to people who walk a lot.
The Evelyne is also sold on hermes.com, which makes it one of the more accessible entry points to the brand. Its relaxed shape is a deliberate contrast to the rigid top-handle styles.
Structured Day Bags Beyond the Big Two
Several other models sit between the Evelyne and the Birkin in terms of formality. The Lindy is a softer, slouchier carryall with a zipper top and a shoulder strap. The Bolide has a rounded, trunk-like form with a zip closure and is known for being easy to open and close. The Garden Party is a tote built for larger loads, and the Jypsiere is a crossbody with a flap and a distinctive twist closure.
Each of these has its own character, and several are sold online. If you want to compare shapes without visiting a store, Hermès bag types on the official online store gives a quick view of what is currently listed, although the selection changes.
Smaller and Newer Shapes
The Picotin Lock is a compact bucket bag with a padlock-style closure, and it works as an everyday bag for people who carry little. The Roulis is a small, curved crossbody. The 24/24 is a more contemporary design with a bold, architectural look. The Constance, sold online in some regions, has a distinctive H clasp and a slim profile that suits evening more than errands.
These models matter to collectors because they offer different personalities without requiring a boutique relationship from the start. Many people who eventually buy a Birkin first build a collection around a few of these.
Leathers That Define the Feel
The skin often matters more than the silhouette in how a bag behaves. Togo is a grained calfskin with a slight sheen that resists scratches and holds its shape moderately. Epsom is embossed, rigid and lightweight, and it is easy to clean. Clemence is heavier and slouchier. Swift is smooth and soft, and it shows Hermès store locator color vividly. Box calf is glossy, develops patina and shows scratches. Chevre, a goatskin, is light and durable.
Exotic skins form their own category. Niloticus crocodile has small symmetrical scales, porosus crocodile has smaller scales with visible pores, and alligator, lizard and ostrich each look and feel different. International travel and resale of exotics involves CITES documentation, and the CITES website explains how that system works.
How to Choose Between Bag Types
Start with how you actually live. If you want a bag for commuting, errands and travel, a crossbody or soft carryall is more practical than a rigid top-handle design. If you want something for dinners, work and events, the structured shapes give a more polished result.
Size is the next question. A small bag looks elegant and encourages you to carry less, while a large one holds a laptop but adds weight. Try the bag on with a coat if you buy in winter, since a bag that sits well on a shirt may catch on bulky sleeves.
Finally, consider color and hardware. A neutral leather in black, etoupe or gold goes with nearly everything, while a brighter shade is more of a statement. Gold-plated and palladium hardware both come standard, and each changes the tone of the leather.
Where to Look and What to Avoid
To see what the brand offers online, browse women's bags and clutches at hermes.com, and use the same site to find a boutique. For authenticity, buy from a Hermès boutique, from hermes.com, or from an established reseller that authenticates its stock.
Be patient and treat the first visit as research. Sales associates can explain what is currently in the store, which leathers and colors are in season, and what repair options exist later. Knowing the differences among bag types will make that conversation far more productive.