Hermès Bag Size Guide
Every size and special format for Birkin, Kelly, Constance, Lindy, Evelyne, and Garden Party, with dimensions, use context, and secondary market notes
The Hermès Birkin
The Birkin was introduced in 1984, named after Jane Birkin following a chance encounter with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. The core lineup runs five standard sizes (25, 30, 35, 40, and 50), produced in Retourne construction by default with Sellier variants in select sizes, plus the special formats covered in the next section: the Birkin 20 Sellier, the JPG Shoulder Birkin, the Micro Birkin 15, and the HAC, which is a separate 1892 lineage addressed in the JaneFinds HAC Archive. Secondary market premiums are highest on the 25 and 30; the 35 offers the lowest secondary premium relative to retail and is often the strongest value entry for new collectors.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkin 25 | 25 × 20 × 13 cm 9.8" × 7.9" × 5.1" |
Evening to light daily carry. Phone, wallet, keys, lipstick. Introduced 2004. | Highest secondary premium. Himalaya B25 at market apex. Most difficult boutique allocation. |
| Birkin 30 | 30 × 22 × 16 cm 11.8" × 8.7" × 6.3" |
Versatile day-to-evening. Wallet, phone, iPad Mini, cosmetics. | Most liquid secondary size. Black and Gold Togo B30 move fastest. Strongest first Birkin recommendation. |
| Birkin 35 | 35 × 25 × 18 cm 13.8" × 9.8" × 7.1" |
Laptop, files, substantial daily carry. | Lowest secondary premium of the core sizes. Best value entry. Proportionate for 5'8"+ frames. |
| Birkin 40 | 40 × 30 × 21 cm 15.7" × 11.8" × 7.8" |
The original 1984 size. Travel and weekend carry. Handles long enough for shoulder. | Strong secondary market on exotics. Standard leathers trade near retail. Travel-first purchase. |
| Birkin 50 | 50 × 43 × 26 cm 19.7" × 16.9" × 10.2" |
Multi-day travel. Special editions and exotic configurations. | Rare. Collector/archive segment. Endless Road and exotic 50s command significant premiums. |
Birkin 25 vs 30, the most common sizing question: The 25 carries less and commands higher secondary premiums. The 30 carries more and is more liquid. For a first Birkin, the 30 is the stronger practical and market choice. For a collector building a portfolio where secondary performance matters most, the 25 commands the highest premium per configuration.
Sellier vs Retourne: The Birkin Sellier, with exterior stitching and rigid architectural edges, first appeared in 2010 as a limited edition and returned to regular production in 2020, primarily in the 25 and 30 in Epsom. Because Sellier allocation is far tighter than Retourne, Sellier Birkins consistently command a secondary premium over equivalent Retourne configurations.
Birkin Special Formats
Beyond the five standard sizes, the Birkin exists in a set of distinct formats, each with its own production history and collector market.
| Format | Dimensions | History | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkin 20 Sellier | 20 × 16 × 10 cm 7.9" × 6.3" × 3.9" |
The smallest Birkin, produced only in Sellier. Introduced 2019 as the Faubourg (the flagship-facade edition in five leathers); since released in exotics such as matte alligator and lizard, and special editions such as the 2024 Bouclerie Moderne. | Faubourg editions trade as art objects at multiples of retail; the four original editions (Day, Night, Midnight, Snow) are collected as a set. Non-Faubourg B20s occupy the tightest allocation in the current lineup. |
| JPG Shoulder Birkin (40 / 42) |
Approx. 42 × 20 × 18 cm; Clemence slouch makes measurements variable | Jean Paul Gaultier's first Hermès runway, Fall 2004: elongated East-West Birkin with tall handles for shoulder carry. JPG I (2004–2010, square HAC-style hardware) and JPG II (2010–2013, round Birkin hardware, shallower body). Discontinued 2013; reintroduced 2024 in 29 and 39cm. | The 2024 reissue reignited the vintage market. Standard leathers trade below core Birkin sizes; exotic originals have entered six-figure territory. |
| Micro Birkin 15 | 15 cm base | Produced only in 2011 and 2012 under Gaultier. The rarest Birkin size ever made. | Effectively an archive piece. Surfaces at auction in single examples; priced on rarity, not function. |
| HAC (Haut à Courroies) |
Multiple sizes, 28–55 cm | The 1892 saddlery original that the Birkin descends from: taller proportions, shorter handles, square-spindle hardware. A separate lineage with its own size run. | Covered in full in the JaneFinds HAC Archive. |
The Hermès Kelly
Originally the Sac à dépêches (1935), officially renamed the Kelly in 1977. Its trapezoid silhouette and single top handle define a fundamentally different carry logic from the Birkin: the Kelly is a structured, closed bag; the Birkin opens at the top. The Kelly is produced in Sellier (external stitching, rigid) and Retourne (internal stitching, softer) constructions, which command different secondary premiums: Sellier runs 20–30% above Retourne in equivalent configurations. Rarer sizes exist at both extremes: the vintage Kelly 15 and the Kelly 50 Voyage. For a full format reference including Pochette, Élan, and Ado, see the special formats table below and the JaneFinds Collector's Reference.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly 20 (Mini II) |
20 × 12 × 6 cm 7.9" × 4.7" × 2.4" |
Evening and formal carry. Sellier only. Crossbody strap included. | Retail ~$7K; secondary consistently $17K+. Tightest boutique allocation among the core sizes. |
| Kelly 25 | 25 × 19 × 9 cm 9.8" × 7.5" × 3.5" |
Compact versatile carry. Sellier or Retourne. Strongest demand center. | Competes with B25 for highest Kelly premium. Himalaya K25 Sellier at market apex. |
| Kelly 28 | 28 × 22 × 10 cm 11" × 8.7" × 3.9" |
Day-to-dinner. iPad, wallet, notebook. Most versatile Kelly size. | Most liquid Kelly size overall. Retourne more common in 28 than Sellier. Black Togo Retourne most liquid configuration. |
| Kelly 32 | 32 × 23 × 10.5 cm 12.6" × 9" × 4.1" |
Classic proportions. Frames 5'6"–5'10". Strong vintage collector following. | Vintage Box Calf K32s actively sought. Growing interest in pre-2000 examples. |
| Kelly 35 | 35 × 24 × 12 cm 13.8" × 9.4" × 4.7" |
Work and substantial carry. Files, small laptop. Taller frames. | Lower secondary premium than smaller sizes. So Black Box Calf K35 is the highest-premium K35 configuration. |
| Kelly 40 | 40 × 28 × 16 cm 15.7" × 11" × 6.3" |
Travel and weekend. Can carry clothing and travel essentials. | Collector/travel segment. Rare in current production. Kelly 50 Voyage is the relevant travel format beyond it. |
Kelly Special Formats
No Hermès model has been reinterpreted more than the Kelly. These are the principal formats beyond the standard size run; the family also includes the Kelly Ado backpack, the Kelly Lakis with zippered pockets, the Kelly Dépêches briefcase, the Kelly To Go wallet-on-strap, and the Maxi Kelly 42 introduced at the Men's Fall/Winter 2023 show.
| Format | Dimensions | History | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Pochette | 22 × 13 × 7 cm 8.7" × 5.1" × 2.8" |
The Kelly reduced to a hand-carried clutch: flap, sangles, and turn-lock intact. Introduced 2004, during the Gaultier era. Swift is the reference leather; exotics appear regularly. | The strongest collector demand of the clutch family. Exotic Pochettes command significant premiums over Swift. |
| Kelly Cut | 31 × 13 × 2.5 cm 12.2" × 5.1" × 1" |
The elongated evening clutch, launched 2008 as successor to the discontinued Kelly Longue. Dramatic East-West proportions. | Trades below the Pochette in equivalent leathers; exotic and diamond-hardware examples are the exception and sit far above. |
| Kelly Danse | 22 × 17 × 7 cm 8.7" × 6.7" × 2.8" |
Gaultier's convertible Kelly, 2008: wearable as clutch, crossbody, shoulder bag, wristlet, belt bag, or backpack via the adjustable strap. Discontinued 2013; returned Fall 2019 as the Danse II. | The most versatile Kelly format. Ombré Lizard Danse examples are among the rarest configurations in the family. |
| Kelly Élan | 28 × 16 × 4 cm 11" × 6.3" × 1.6" |
The slim East-West Kelly, originally produced 2000–2002 in Box and exotics and long a collector grail. Reintroduced on the Spring 2023 runway with a removable shoulder strap. | Original 2000–2002 examples in good condition are genuinely scarce; the reissue renewed attention on both generations. |
The Hermès Constance
Introduced in 1959, designed by Catherine Chaillet. The H-clasp shoulder bag. More accessible at boutique than the Birkin and Kelly, which has made it a primary starting point for buyers building a primary-market relationship. Currently produced in 14, 18, 24, and 25cm; vintage examples exist in 23, 25, and 29cm, and the family extends to the Constance Élan and Constance To Go formats. The 18 is the most liquid secondary size; the 24 offers the most practical daily carrying capacity.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constance 14 (Micro) |
14 × 11 × 3 cm 5.5" × 4.3" × 1.2" |
Evening only. Card, phone, lipstick. Statement piece rather than functional carry. | Sporadic secondary supply. Exotic skins at significant premiums. |
| Constance 18 (Mini) |
18 × 15 × 4 cm 7.1" × 5.9" × 1.6" |
Compact daily shoulder bag. Phone, wallet, keys, small cosmetics. | Most liquid Constance. Black Epsom or Box with GHW is the reference configuration. |
| Constance 24 | 24 × 19 × 5 cm 9.4" × 7.5" × 2" |
Versatile daily carry. Larger wallet, notebook, full cosmetics. | Growing secondary demand. Exotic configurations command strong premiums. |
| Constance 25 | 25 × 20 × 6 cm 9.8" × 7.9" × 2.4" |
Slightly deeper than the 24, with more volume without changing the silhouette. | Less common than 18 and 24. Similar secondary demand profile to the 24. |
Hermès Lindy
The Lindy's soft, dual-zip hobo format is the most casual of Hermès' primary bag formats. It carries differently from any other bag in the lineup: it is not structured, not rigid, and its interior is accessed from both sides simultaneously. The Mini 20 is the current demand center; the 26 is the most practical daily carry. Available in Togo, Clemence, and Evercolor; occasionally in exotics.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindy Mini (20) | 20 × 12 × 10 cm 7.9" × 4.7" × 3.9" |
Compact crossbody. Casual-first carry. Current highest-demand Lindy size. | Secondary premiums rising as boutique allocation tightens. Gold and Étoupe Clemence most liquid. |
| Lindy 26 | 26 × 18 × 13 cm 10.2" × 7.1" × 5.1" |
Standard daily carry. Wallet, phone, small tablet, cosmetics. | Most available secondary size. Trades near retail in standard leathers. |
| Lindy 30 | 30 × 19 × 15 cm 11.8" × 7.5" × 5.9" |
Larger daily or light travel carry. | Lower secondary demand than 20 and 26. Practical rather than collector-oriented purchase. |
| Lindy 34 | 34 × 21 × 16 cm 13.4" × 8.3" × 6.3" |
Work and light travel. Documents, larger personal items. | Rare in secondary. Produced in limited quantities. Niche buyer pool. |
Hermès Evelyne
The Evelyne is the most accessible entry point to Hermès full-leather construction. Its perforated H panel, single back pocket, and messenger carry make it the most casual format in the primary lineup. The TPM (16cm) is the smallest and most difficult to source; the PM (29cm) is the most common and the most practical daily carry. Produced primarily in Clemence and Epsom.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPM (16) | 16 × 18 × 5 cm 6.3" × 7.1" × 2" |
Compact messenger. Phone, wallet, keys. Hardest to source in good condition. | $4–6K secondary. Scarce relative to demand. Best Hermès entry-point for the price. |
| PM (29) | 29 × 30 × 8 cm 11.4" × 11.8" × 3.1" |
Standard daily messenger. Generous interior for the price point. | $2.8–3.8K secondary. Most common and most available. Easiest secondary liquidity in the lineup. |
| GM (33) | 33 × 31 × 8 cm 13" × 12.2" × 3.1" |
Larger daily or light work carry. | Less secondary demand than PM. Practical rather than collector-oriented. |
| TGM (40) | 40 × 39 × 9 cm 15.7" × 15.4" × 3.5" |
Work or travel. Laptop, documents, substantial daily carry. | Niche secondary market. Sporadic availability. |
Hermès Garden Party
Canvas tote with leather trim. The most practical and weather-resistant bag in the Hermès lineup. Open top, unlined, canvas-backed, designed for active daily carry rather than formal occasions. The TPM is the smallest and hardest to find; the PM 30 is the most balanced between size and portability. Not a collector-tier bag, but the best daily utility Hermès produces at its price point.
| Size | Dimensions | Context | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Party TPM | Approx. 25 × 20 cm | Compact tote. Rarely produced. Most sought-after size for its scarcity. | Sporadic secondary. Premiums driven by scarcity not demand category. |
| Garden Party 30 (PM) | 30 × 22 × 15 cm 11.8" × 8.6" × 5.9" |
Daily tote. Wallet, phone, cosmetics, small carry items. | Retail $2–3K. Near-retail secondary pricing. Practical purchase, not investment. |
| Garden Party 36 (MM) | 36 × 26 × 17 cm 14.2" × 10.2" × 6.7" |
Workhorse daily tote. Files, laptop-compatible. Most common size. | Most available. Standard secondary pricing near retail. |
| Garden Party 39 | 39 × 29 × 18 cm 15.4" × 11.4" × 7.1" |
Larger daily or work carry. Documents, laptop, substantial items. | Less common than 36. Practical use case with modest secondary premium. |
| Garden Party 49 Voyage | 49 × 35 × 25 cm 19.3" × 13.8" × 9.8" |
Travel tote. Substantial capacity. Weekend or carry-on scale. | Rare. Limited secondary supply. Collector interest for travel format collectors. |
How to choose the right size
Size selection is a function of three variables operating simultaneously: what you carry, how you carry it, and what the secondary market does with it. These don't always point in the same direction: the most practical size for daily carry is not always the strongest secondary market position, and the highest-premium size is not always the most useful. Here's how to think through the decision:
Daily functional carry
Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 for most buyers. Both accommodate a full daily load (wallet, phone, iPad, cosmetics, keys) without becoming unwieldy. The B30 opens from the top; the K28 requires unlatching the closure. If you carry a laptop regularly, the B35 or K35.
Evening and occasion
Kelly 20 Mini II, Kelly Pochette, or Birkin 20 Sellier. All three are proportioned for evening scale. The Mini II has a strap; the Pochette does not; the B20 is the rarest of the three at boutique.
Strongest secondary position
Birkin 25 and Kelly 25/28 in standard leathers (Black, Gold, Étoupe Togo or Epsom). These are the most liquid configurations across all market conditions. If secondary performance is the primary criterion, start here before moving to unusual leathers or rare sizes.
First Hermès bag
Birkin 30 in Black or Gold Togo or Clemence, Palladium or Gold Hardware. Easiest to source, most liquid to resell, most practical to carry. The Constance 18 is also a strong first purchase, more boutique-accessible than the Birkin and with a growing secondary market.
Frame and proportion
The B25 and K25 read as statement pieces on frames above 5'7". The B30 and K28 are proportionate for most frames. The B35 and K32 are most balanced on frames 5'8" and above. Larger formats (B40, K40) are travel tools rather than everyday carry at any frame.
Entry-level budget
Evelyne PM or TPM. Genuine Hermès leather construction at $3–6K secondary pricing, no boutique relationship required. Garden Party as an alternative if you want a tote format. Both are honest daily-use Hermès pieces without the Birkin and Kelly's boutique access requirements.
The size that ages best: The Birkin 30 and Kelly 28 have been the most consistent secondary market performers across every market cycle JaneFinds has operated through. Not because they're the rarest or the most expensive, but because the buyer pool for these sizes is the deepest and most consistent. Size and configuration decisions made with an eye toward eventual resale should weight liquidity above novelty.
For buyers who want to understand this in more depth: the JaneFinds collecting guide addresses secondary market behavior by budget tier.