The Hermes Constance is a classic and very coveted bag; it is often harder to find than a Birkin or Kelly. Like the Birkin and Kelly, the Constance remains in fashion regardless of changes in fashion and is very popular with Hermes handbag devotees. 


The Constance bag was created in 1969 by Catherine Chaillet, who named it after her fifth child, Constance. (The story is that Chaillet left Hermes the day that she gave birth.) Jacqueline Kennedy was a huge admirer and collector. It is easy to understand given its elegance and simplicity. The bag has a front flap with a large metal H closure, side gussets (that expand to hold to hold most essentials) and a flat matching leather strap that can be worn double or single enabling the bag to be worn on the shoulder or crossbody.

The original Constance came in 23cm size, with the 18cm (mini) coming soon afterward. Constances have been produced in a variety of sizes over the years but the most common sizes are the Micro (14cm), Mini (18cm), 24cm (which used to be the traditional 23cm), Elan, which is a long rectangular version of the bag introduced in 2010, and Cartable, a 29cm version with a shorter strap and enamel H that was introduced in 2013. Constances come in classic colors, as well as seasonal colors, and in a variety of leathers and skins.