Hermès Bags Secured
My totally reasonable, not at all obsessive Hermès journey (hehe)
I want to preface this by saying I fully understand how silly and wild this is. It’s all a little ridiculous, but I genuinely enjoy it. It’s not for everyone, but I LOVE to participate in this little game of Hermès.
It all started for me in the summer of 2021. I’m not exactly sure what piqued my interest, but I fell fast and hard. I had, of course, heard about Birkins and Kellys—but they always felt out of reach. Not just because of the cost, but because they felt… older? Like, not for me. Don’t get me wrong—they’re still expensive, but anything you see on Google is probably 2–3x the actual retail price (if not more).
I was heading to Paris that September for a bachelorette party and decided it was the perfect moment to dip my toe in. As someone brand new to the Hermès world and definitely not fluent in the language, trying in Paris felt like the best place to start.
For those who don’t know, Paris is the only place you can get a quota bag without any prior purchase history—more on that in a bit. The creator @styledbyshishi had already been deep in the game and was constantly sharing her journey. I dove headfirst into her content and binge-watched anything Hermès related on YouTube.
Here’s how it works: You apply every day for a leather appointment on the Hermès website and hope you’re granted one. You’ll be notified by the end of the day whether you were denied or lucky enough to receive an appointment at one of the three Paris stores. To double your chances, apply with your husband’s passport too. I wasn’t with mine, so my odds were instantly cut in half.
If you don’t get an appointment, the next best option is to physically go to the store and see if there are any cancellations. (I hate to admit how many times I did this—and how much I spent on Ubers doing it.) On my last day, and my final attempt (I think the woman felt bad for me), I was told to wait 40 minutes and that I’d be seen.
I gave it everything I had: I said I was looking for a Mini Kelly or Kelly 25 in “whatever colors.” I used every bit of lingo YouTube had taught me—but I definitely felt out of place, and I’m sure the SA could tell.
According to YouTube:
If they come back with orange boxes and ask you to follow them — you’re getting a quota bag.
If they return with boxes and offer them to you in front of everyone — you’re not getting one.
If they come back with nothing… well, you know how that ends.
In my case, they came back and offered me a Constance or a Kelly Danse. I said no, thank you. (In hindsight, I would never say no to a Kelly Danse now—but you live and learn.)
Even though I didn’t get what I wanted, I weirdly loved the whole thrill of the chase. That trip sealed the deal for me—I was officially in, and I knew I wanted to start my journey in NYC next.
I started my NYC home journey in November of 2021. The first store I went to and first SA I met, I knew it wasn’t going to be a match for me. A couple weeks later I tried another store with a new SA and this one stuck. I am not going to go into all the details because I do think your relationship with the SA is not to be shared (maybe with a few select friends-but seriously don’t share) but I felt good about it. Don’t stay with someone just because, make sure you vibe and have a good banter. I knew I wanted someone who was fun and not overly serious.
The idea is you build a relationship at one store with one SA, you give them your wishlist of “quota bags” aka a Birkin or a Kelly and you both work together towards that wish. That means shopping, staying in touch, patience and a little luck. You are allowed two quota bags a year, although in my three years of doing it I have only ever gotten offered one.
I went in asking for a blanket (which, of course, was sold out), and as a lay it all out on the table kind of girl, I just said it: “I’m here to start my journey, and I’d really like to work toward a Kelly 25.” Some people like to play it cool, make a few visits, ease their way in — but that’s not me. I am the opposite of playing it cool. My SA took down my wishes, and just like that, my Hermès journey officially began.
I started coming into the store every month and buying pieces I genuinely loved — shoes, a blanket, hats, and more shoes. The idea is that you build a relationship with your SA (sales associate) and a purchase history, ideally made up of items that actually bring you joy.
The first bag came surprisingly fast — just six months in, although at the time it felt like forever. It was an Epsom Kelly 25 Sellier in Etoupe with gold hardware. Sellier means the bag is more structured with stitching on the outside. Epsom is a type of leather, very durable - and Etoupe is one of the most classic, neutral Hermès shades. I was thrilled.
My second bag took 3x the time — a whole 18 months. I was hoping for a Birkin and was open on color. I kind of believe in letting the Hermès gods choose for you. One day, I came in to buy a sweater and brought Ford, my then 3 year old son with me. Maybe he was a good luck charm, because after I picked out my sweater, some magical events unfolded… and I was offered an Epsom Birkin 30 in Black with gold hardware. I mean, is there anything more classic?
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to build a collection I truly love. I received a Menthe Green Kelly Elan — such a fun, unique bag I never imagined I’d be offered. It’s technically a quota bag in some stores and non-quota in others. The strap is detachable, and it’s the perfect piece to dress up denim or add a pop of color to an evening look.
That same year, I scored an appointment in Paris. I was pregnant with my second son at the time and not above trying to use that to my advantage. I went in dreaming of anything in Bleu Jean — which had just been re-released and is, in my opinion, the best shade of blue ever. When I was taken upstairs to the private room and asked for a Mini Kelly or a Pochette in Bleu Jean, the SA looked at me and said (very politely), “That’s not going to happen.”
So I started tossing out other colors and mentioned that a Birkin 25 would be a dream, since I didn’t yet have that size. After 20 minutes, he returned with a single orange box. I was ecstatic. I held my breath as he opened the lid… and there it was: a Birkin 25 in Togo leather, in Bleu Jean. I asked if I could give him a hug (American girl move), and he very respectfully said, “Absolutely not.” It still haunts me. Lesson learned, never ask a French man for a hug. I should also mention that getting a bag in Paris is significantly less expensive than in the States. After the VAT refund, I paid about $3–$4k less than I would have in NYC.
Fast forward to this year: I finally got the bag. The bag of all bags. Most women who start their Hermès journey dream of scoring a Mini Kelly. I know girls who’ve gotten one their first year. For me, it took 3.5. On the Hermès spending scale, I’m definitely low on the totem pole, but I always trusted that my time would come.
When my SA asked me to come in, saying they had something to show me, I knew. We’d been working toward a Mini Kelly for a while. I remember telling him, “Craie or Nata would be my dream colors.”
We shopped around a bit when I arrived. Then my SA said, “Let me go grab what I want to show you.” They came back with a mini orange box, and I squealed. I couldn’t believe it was happening — and the best part? My SA was just as excited as I was. They pulled out the bag and I gasped: a Mini Kelly in Craie with Permabrass hardware.
Permabrass is a softer, less intense gold that’s usually reserved for special orders. (As in: you get invited in to design your own bag.) It made the whole thing feel even more special. The wait had been so worth it. This bag doesn’t even hold my phone — but it’s everything I hoped it would be. (Permabrass is now being added in to the rotation of bags.)
I think one of the reasons women become so obsessed with the Hermès world is because of the high you get when you’re offered a bag. It’s such a joy-filled, exciting moment — truly hard to describe. I don’t drink alcohol, I go to bed at 9:15, I’m happily married with three young kids. My days are pretty predictable right now. This season of life is calm and cozy — but Hermès? Hermès gives me a thrill. And let’s not forget: once you leave the store, the value of that bag immediately goes up. I have zero plans to sell any of mine — I plan to wear them, love them, and save them for my daughter someday. But there is something satisfying about knowing they truly hold their value.
Now that I finally have my Mini, along with four other beautiful bags, I feel at ease. I caught myself getting a little antsy before that last offer — and I didn’t love that. The disappointment when you don’t get a bag? It’s honestly kind of ridiculous… and not something I want to subscribe to anymore. Going forward, I just want to have fun with it.
If this is something you’re thinking of starting, just know: it can become a bit of a vice. You’re always chasing that next high. My advice? Enjoy the ride. Truly — have fun with it, or it will drive you crazy. You might think you only want one bag, but I’m here to tell you… that’s probably not true.
If you’re not a true fan of the brand or the process but really want a specific bag, buy from a reseller. (Fashionphile is a great place to browse.) Whatever you end up “pre-spending” in the boutique will often equal what you’d pay through resale — and you’ll get exactly what you want, no games required.
And finally: always, always take your shot in Paris.