Hermès Bags

To own an Hermès bag is to own a piece of history and functional art. Hermès of Paris was established in 1837, producing exceptional custom equestrian tack. The quality and style of the hand-tooled saddles, harnesses, and bridles remain evident in the exquisite details of Hermès purses and handbags today.  When it comes to buying authentic Hermès handbags, Madison Avenue Couture is the premier destination, offering a carefully curated collection of the finest pieces available.

Authentic harness detailing, gold and palladium hardware, and exacting hand craftsmanship set Hermès bags apart. Inspired by renowned beauties and fashion icons like Grace Kelly and Jane Birkin, Hermès bags have become the gold standard for luxury leather goods and investment-grade handbags.

Hermès handbags — where old-world craftsmanship meets timeless style.

Authentic Hermès Handbags for Sale

For generations, the most fashionable women in the world have worn Hermès bags and passed them on to their daughters and granddaughters as cherished heirlooms.

Our collection of store-fresh Hermès handbags is curated to include the most popular and hardest to find pieces. We feature the most coveted Hermès styles, the Kelly and the Birkin, as well as other favorites like the Constance, Lindy and Evelyne, among others. 

In addition, we specialize in rare and limited-edition Hermès bags, including Hermès Special Order or Horseshoe Stamp (HSS) bags, ensuring that our clients have access to the most exclusive designs available. We also carry limited edition and à la carte (ALC) Hermès handbags, ensuring that you have access to the most unique pieces in the market.

Explore an array of beautiful colors and lavish leathers, including Togo, Epsom, Clemence, and exotics such as lizard, ostrich, alligator, and crocodile. All exotic Hermès bags are created in strict compliance with CITES, ensuring that every piece is ethically sourced. With models ranging from the mini to the travel size, we are happy to introduce you to the handbag that best fits your needs and style.  

Whether you’re seeking new/never been worn Hermès handbags, rare, preloved models, or you are intrigued by Hermès Special Order or Horseshoe Stamp (HSS) bags, our extensive selection is sure to delight you. If there is a specific style or model of Hermès bag you are unable to locate, our concierge service is always available to assist you in finding the perfect piece.

Hermès Bags FAQs

How can I buy a Hermès bag?

It has become difficult to walk into an Hermès boutique and buy one of its popular leather handbags without first building a profile. Bags that once were located on the boutique’s floor are now kept in its stockroom.  This is not only the brand’s holy grail bags – Birkins, Kellys and Constances – but also its popular small bags, such as Evelynes, Lindys and Picotins. Buying a popular Hermès bag can be done in one of two ways. One approach is to establish a Profile by spending thousands of dollars on other Hermès products as you develop a relationship with a specific SA at a specific store. As you build the Profile, more desired bags will be offered until you are offered a holy grail bag. This could take months or even years and when the time comes, you may not be offered the Birkin or Kelly that you have been dreaming about.  The alternative is shopping with a reputable Hermès dealer like Madison Avenue Couture.  While not affiliated with Hermès, these dealers are Hermès experts with extensive sourcing networks and authentication skills.  Madison Avenue Couture maintains an inventory of the most popular and hard-to-find bags, which you can find on its website or in person (by scheduling an appointment).  On its website: Madison Avenue Couture, you can order the bag of your dreams in the color, leather, and size of your choice, and it will be shipped within one to two business days.

What is an Hermès quota bag?

As part of the brand’s scarcity strategy, Hermès has implemented a strict quota system that severely limits the number of premium Hermès bags a customer can purchase each calendar year. Birkin and Kelly bag sales are strictly restricted to just two bags per year per customer. All Hermès boutiques and websites have now linked customer profiles to stop collectors from traveling to get around the Hermès quota bag limitations. The only way customers can purchase more than two quota bags in a year is to do business with a trusted Hermès dealer like Madison Avenue Couture. 

Why are Hermès bags more expensive on the secondary market?

Hermès bags are more expensive on the secondary market for several reasons. 

First, the rarity of these items. Hermès bags are notoriously difficult to obtain, as the company produces them in limited quantities, and they often sell out immediately. Shoppers must build up an extensive purchasing history – the Profile – with the brand in order to be offered the opportunity to purchase premium bags like the Birkin and the Kelly bag, but now even for a  Lindy or an Evelyne. These purchases include items such as Hermes jewelry, clothing, shoes, home goods, furniture and more products unrelated to the bags and need to accumulate over many months or even years. Professional shoppers and regular collectors factor in the costs of these items in setting the price they ask for these bags when reselling.  The aggregate cost of these additional items can often exceed the cost of a bag on the secondary market.

Second, the ability to choose the bag style, color, leather, and hardware of your choice is extremely valuable to many shoppers, and they cannot get this when purchasing directly from the brand. When you buy from an Hermès boutique, you accept what they have available, or you miss out.

Third, Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags tend to appreciate over time. Most other Hermès bags tend to depreciate far less than nearly any other fashion item. Most designer handbags and clothing depreciate as soon as they are worn, and the resale value is a substantially lower percentage of the original cost. Given the value proposition, an Hermès bag is an exceptional investment.  

Are Hermès handbags good investments?

Hermès bags are outstanding alternative investments. Hermès Birkins and Kellys are considered an asset class by capital management companies. Credit Suisse reported that in 2022, these handbags (along with Chanel classic flap bags) increased 16% from the prior period and 92% over the past decade. Time Magazine found that over the past 35 years, the average annual return on a Birkin was 14.2%, compared to the S&P average of 8.7% a year and gold’s -1.5%.  

What are Hermès bags made of?

Hermès bags are crafted from the finest quality leathers, including exotic skins like crocodile, ostrich, and lizard. The metal hardware on Hermès bags is plated with genuine gold or palladium. The atelier’s commitment to impeccable materials and exceptional artisanship is legendary.

How many types of Hermès bags are there?

There are over 80 types of Hermès handbags, totes, bucket bags, shoulder bags, and crossbody bags to meet various styles and circumstances. The Birkin bag, Kelly bag, and Constance shoulder bag are undeniably the most in demand.

How do I care for my Hermès bag once I purchased one?

Always treat your leather Hermès bags with care. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dirt and gently wipe the bag inside and out. A soft-bristled makeup brush can be used in hard-to-reach crevices. Do not use water, which might damage the leather. We do not recommend the use of leather cleaners because this may void the Hermès warranty. For more soiled bags, entrust them to the experts for a “spa treatment” that includes expert cleaning.

What does it mean to buy a Hermes bag in the “secondary market”?

We speak of the secondary market as anything that take place directly at the store. Therefore, if someone buys a bag at Hermes, that is considered the first sale; then if that person sells it to a reseller or even a friend that is a secondary sale. Secondary sales can be of items new direct from the boutique or after months or years of use. Items in the secondary market can be sold, and resold over and over. Hermes bags compared to other brand bags have the best resale value in the secondary market regardless of how many times it has been sold providing it is carefully cared for.

How can I be sure that a Birkin or Kelly purchased in the secondary market is authentic? 

To avoid counterfeits, it is best to do business with an established reseller, preferably one that specializes in Hermès bags, such as Madison Avenue Couture, which has been in business 14 years. They have the knowledge base and tools to determine authenticity. In addition to establishing and/or validating provenance, especially on new bags, they rely on in-house and third-party Hermès experts to authenticate every bag they sell. 

What is the importance of the date stamp on an Hermès bag?  

The date stamp indicates when the bag was produced by Hermès. Not all bags sold at the boutiques are made in the current year; many were made in the prior year and sometimes a store will stock a bag that was produced two or three years earlier. This is not uncommon with Himalaya bags and crocodile bags.  

While date stamps provide a key piece of information about the bag, it is not the only consideration when buying a bag. Condition, scarcity and color are factors that should be considered. This is especially true for limited edition and seasonal color bags that are produced for one or a few seasons and then “rested”, i.e., no longer produced.

How should I store my Hermès bag?

Your Hermès bag can look its best for a lifetime with the proper care. Before storing an Hermès handbag, empty the contents so you don’t risk a spill or an indentation in the leather. Buff the bag with a microfiber cloth, then stuff it with acid-free tissue paper. Remove the clochette, lock, and any removable straps. Protect them with their dust covers and put them in the bag. Place the felt that came with the bag (Birkins and Kelly bags) over the sangles, pontents, and plaques. Then, slip the bag into its dust cover. Set the bag upright, out of direct sunlight.   

What is the best Hermès bag to buy?

This question has nearly as many answers as the people asking it. The best Hermès bag for you depends upon your purpose. A Birkin or Kelly bag in a classic color is the best choice if you're looking for a luxury handbag as a collectible investment. However, if you’re looking for an everyday bag, consider a Picotin, Lindy, or Evelyne bag. 

These lesser-known Hermès purses feature the same extraordinary quality and iconic style as the Holy Grail bags but are easier to find, with a smaller price tag. Most avid Hermès collectors include several of these more casual styles in their collections in addition to the “holy grail” bags. It shows you know the brand beyond its most famous models and can appreciate each design's subtleties and unique attributes.

Should I get a Retourne or Sellier style bag?

Which should you choose? Your choice of Hermès bag should reflect your lifestyle. The classic Retourne Birkin, with its spacious design, double handle closure and relaxed structure, is well-suited for the woman on-the-go seeking to merge practicality with style. The Retourne Kelly offers the same everyday on-the-go look but with a single handle and a removable shoulder strap.  Most Retourne Hèrmes leather bags are made of Togo, Clemence, Swift and Evercolor

Hermes also makes the Birkin and the Kelly in the Sellier style. These are both more structured, and refined, but less roomy than the Retourne.  They are beautiful to wear in the day, but compared to Retourne bags, they are more elegant options for formal settings or special occasions.

Most Hermes lovers have all or most of these styles in their collections.