With so much emphasis and attention going directly to the most famous Hermès bags, it’s easy for other bag collections to fall by the wayside.
The Birkin and Kelly bags are undoubtedly the most iconic in the Hermès range, attracting endless publicity from celebrity outings and designer collaborations.
But they are not the only bags that Hermès has designed – and nor are they the most versatile or even the most practical.
In this article, we’re looking at three alternative Hermès bags that are often recognised for their everyday design (not to mention more accessible price tag). For fashion lovers and bag enthusiasts who want to own their own piece of Hermès history, buying one of these bags is a good first step into the world of luxury bags. But which one is the best fit for you?
Introducing the Alternative Hermès Bags
The three bags we’re focussing on in this article are the Lindy, Picotin, and Evelyne bags.
Lindy Bag
The Lindy bag was released in 2006, boasting some practical innovations that make this the ideal bag design for an everyday user. Recognising that standard handbags need to be held on an outstretched arm, leaving the user feeling a little uncomfortable, designer Frederic Vidal created the bag with handles at either end of the structure.
This allows the wearer to thread their arm through the handles and horizontally across the top of the bag, with the main body of the bag close to them. A long shoulder strap connects the two shorter handles for hands-free use, or you can grip the two handles and bunch the main body of the bag for a more relaxed vibe.
There are four sizes of the Lindy bag available, with the underlying selling points for users being the relaxed style and the adaptation in handle placement, which makes the bag both more practical and more comfortable to carry.
Picotin Bag
The Picotin bag is popular among true Hermès brand enthusiasts, mainly because its design taps directly into the brand’s history as an equestrian range.
To look at the shape and structure of the bag, you can immediately see the link between this and practical bags used to carry and transport horse feed. It is, essentially, a bucket bag with two handles at the top, and a belted stretch of fabric that holds the two sides of the bag closed for extra security.
In terms of everyday use and style, this bag is the epitome of function, and enables the user to carry lots of items around with them. Available in three different sizes and countless colour palettes and textures, the most difficult thing is choosing between the plethora of attractive finishes.
Evelyne Bag
The Evelyne bag, first released in 1978, owes its name to designer Evelyne Bertrand, and its design once again to Hermès’ equestrian roots. Believe it or not, the motivation behind this bag’s original release to market was entirely functional, providing a bag in which riders could carry their horse grooming equipment.
Though it has now become a staple in the Hermès collection for fashion lovers and collectors alike, it still retains the core features of an equestrian grooming bag. The perforated H isn’t just a nod to the brand name and logo; it’s also an important means of ventilating the inside of the bag.
From a user’s point of view, the Evelyne bag is easy to carry, owing to its long shoulder strap and more compact shape, with the variety of finishes and textures inviting buyers to match their own personal style with the perfect accessory. This bag comes in four different sizes.
Comparing the Three Bags
All three alternative Hermès bags boast many of the hallmarks of the brand, ensuring that owning and carrying the bag grants the owner the sense of prestige and status that comes with any premium luxury item.
Having said that, perhaps the biggest selling point of all three of these bags is their practical design and the features that render them well suited to regular use.
If you’re looking for an everyday accessory that you can sling over your shoulder and use to carry all your important personal possessions, then look no further than the Evelyne. While the perforated H ensures that the Hermès name is front and centre of its design, this is a bag built to be used and worn regularly.
The Picotin bag, meanwhile, is considered a luxury form of tote bag and is, as a result, highly practical for transporting multiple items. Despite being so spacious inside the bag, the luxury materials used keep this bag lightweight and effortlessly stylish – available in countless colours.
And the Lindy bag boasts its own place on the market, with arguably the biggest departure from the standard Hermès look. By changing the location and placement of the bag handles so drastically, the way this bag is carried is different – creating a more versatile solution for users, who either want to gather the two handles and fold the bag or connect the two handles with a long shoulder strap.
Which Bag Is Right for You?
Suffice to say, the Lindy, Picotin, and Evelyne bags all have their benefits. Despite falling firmly under the Hermès brand, they are not as iconic or as well-known as bags like the Birkin, and so do not command the same price tags on the market.
This makes them a great introduction to Hermès for those new to the market, as well as for those who are keen to own something a little different. What’s more, these bags speak to the history of the Hermès brand, and all play a role in following the brand’s equestrian roots and commitment to innovation.
Choosing the right bag for you ultimately comes down to personal style and what you are looking for in a luxury accessory. The benefit of all three of these bags is that you get a piece of Hermès history, as well as a functional and incredibly versatile bag to call your own.