For a first Hermès bag you can buy online, start with how you carry your belongings. The Evelyne has a crossbody strap; the Picotin is a hand-carried bucket bag; the Garden Party is a tote. They are sold on hermes.com when stock is available, while Birkin, Kelly, and Constance handbags are store-only in the U.S.
The six bags below range from the $2,525 Evelyne 16 to the $7,300 Bolide mini. The cheapest suits a phone and small essentials. Paying more can buy useful room or a zip closure, but only if those are features you need.
Why These Bags (Not Birkin/Kelly/Constance)
Hermès' US FAQ states that Birkin, Kelly, and Constance handbags are sold exclusively in stores. You should not expect to buy one from the Hermès website as a first purchase. Availability depends on the boutique; a purchase history does not guarantee an offer. For a deeper look at how that boutique system works, see the Hermès quota bag system guide.
If you want the wider split of what Hermès sells online versus in store only, see which Hermès bags you can buy online. The bags in this guide share three things:
- Available online — they appear on hermes.com (even if they sell fast)
- No boutique offer needed online, though stock and regional quantity limits apply
- Different shapes and closures, from the open Picotin bucket to the zipped Bolide
Buy the bag you want to use. Do not assume an online purchase will lead to a Birkin or Kelly offer; ask your boutique directly about how it handles purchase history.
Hermès Non-Quota Bag List (2026)
In common Hermès shopping language, "quota bag" usually means Birkin or Kelly, with Constance often treated as similarly restricted. The bags below are better thought of as non-quota bags. They can still be scarce, but they are not the same buying process as Birkin or Kelly.
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota bucket bag; popular colors and size 18 can still sell fast
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota crossbody; usually one of the easiest Hermès bags to use daily
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota tote; often more approachable if you are open on material and color
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota canvas-and-leather bag; resale can be more forgiving than Picotin
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota bucket-style bag; less common than Picotin or Evelyne
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Non-quota zip bag; higher price, but more secure and more structured
Those six are the bags this guide profiles in depth. Hermès makes other non-quota bags too. They are not covered bag-by-bag below, but they can also appear on the Hermès website without a boutique offer. Regional restrictions still apply; Japan includes several in an annual purchase limit. The Lindy is the one buyers ask about most — see is the Hermès Lindy a quota bag for the full answer.
Other non-quota Hermès bags
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Soft bag with a zip closure; sold online, with regional purchase limits still applicable
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Convertible casual bag that can be carried by hand, on the shoulder, or crossbody
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Crossbody messenger with a flap; the mini size is the one that turns up online most
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Often called the slouchy Kelly: Kelly-style handle and flap on a softer body
- Quota Bag?
- No
- What That Means
- Backpack in the Kelly family; the hands-free option for buyers who like that look
Quick Picks: Best First Bag by Goal
- Choose
- Evelyne 16
- Why
- Crossbody with strap included
- Price (US)
- $2,525
- Choose
- Evelyne or Garden Party
- Why
- Several sizes and materials to compare in online stock
- Price (US)
- $2,525–$5,150
- Choose
- Picotin 18
- Why
- Open bucket with easy access
- Price (US)
- $3,975
- Choose
- Evelyne 29
- Why
- Adjustable crossbody strap
- Price (US)
- $4,425
- Choose
- Garden Party 30 or 36
- Why
- 30 for essentials; 36 for a laptop
- Price (US)
- $3,300–$5,150
- Choose
- Herbag Zip 31
- Why
- Canvas + leather at lower price
- Price (US)
- $3,525
- Choose
- Bolide 1923 mini
- Why
- Only zippered option with strap
- Price (US)
- $7,300–$7,550
What Is the Cheapest Hermès Bag?
The lowest-priced bag in this comparison is the Evelyne 16 Amazone (TPM) at $2,525 US retail. Next come the Garden Party 30 at $3,300 and the Herbag Zip 31 at $3,525, for a canvas-and-leather bag with a flap and shoulder strap. The Picotin 18 at $3,975 sits above all three, so its hand-carried shape needs to suit you to justify the extra cost.
Picotin vs Evelyne: Which First Hermès Bag Is Better?
Picotin and Evelyne drive most first-Hermès-bag comparisons because both are recognizable, non-quota, and priced below the Bolide. Picotin is a hand-carry bucket bag; Evelyne is a crossbody.
- Choose Picotin
- Picotin 18 at $3,975
- Choose Evelyne
- Evelyne 16 at $2,525
- Choose Picotin
- Hand or forearm carry
- Choose Evelyne
- Hands-free shoulder or crossbody
- Choose Picotin
- Picotin 18 for light carry, 22 for more room
- Choose Evelyne
- Evelyne 29 for daily essentials
- Choose Picotin
- Open top with cord and lock
- Choose Evelyne
- Open top with snap; worn close to body
- Choose Picotin
- Cleaner bucket shape with no visible logo
- Choose Evelyne
- Casual crossbody with perforated H
The Bags: What You Need to Know
Picotin Lock 18 & 22
The bucket bag. Named after a measure of oats (it was inspired by horse feed bags), the Picotin has no visible logos — just soft grained leather and clean lines. The 18 fits daily essentials; the 22 adds room for a water bottle or tablet. Our Picotin 18 guide covers the $3,975 size in more depth, and the Picotin 18 vs 22 comparison works through what fits in each.
- 18: 7.1" × 7.5" × 5.1" · $3,975
- 22: 8.7" × 8.3" × 6.7" · $4,275
- Material: Taurillon Clemence (soft, grained)
- Closure: Leather cord + padlock (not sealed)
- Simple everyday hand-carry
- No visible logos or branding
- First-time Hermès buyers
- Hands-free/crossbody needs
- Security-conscious commuters
Evelyne 16 (TPM), 29 (PM), 33 (GM)
The crossbody with the perforated "H" punched through the leather. Originally designed for equestrian use (the holes let equipment dry), the Evelyne is popular because it's hands-free and sits flat against your body. The 16 holds small essentials; the 29 adds room for a tablet and bottle. For how the sizes compare side by side, see our Evelyne 16 vs 23 vs 29 size comparison.
- 16 (TPM): 6.3" × 7.1" × 2.2" · $2,525
- 29 (PM): 11" × 11" × 3.7" · $4,425
- 33 (GM): 12" × 12" × 3.5" · $4,850
- Strap: 16 is 45.7"; 29 adjusts 32.7"–54.3"
- Hands-free everyday carry
- Travel and errands
- Works with jeans or a blazer
- Formal events
- Those who dislike visible logos
Garden Party 30 & 36
The understated tote. Practical enough for daily life, and the leather trim still looks distinctly Hermès without a big logo. Available in canvas/leather combinations (lighter, lower price) and all-leather versions. The 36 fits a 13" laptop. Our Garden Party 30 vs 36 comparison covers the size choice in detail.
- 30: 11.8" × 8.3" × 5.1" · $3,300
- 36: 14.2" × 10.2" × 7.1" · $5,150
- Closure: Clou de Selle snap (not zip)
- Carry: Hand/arm; 36 fits on shoulder
- Work/weekend tote life
- Carrying laptops (36)
- No big logos, just leather trim
- Crossbody needs
- Those wanting secure closure
Herbag Zip 31
A canvas and leather top-handle bag that borrows the Kelly's shape at a lower price. The most frequently available bag online (appears ~58% of drop days in our tracking). Has practical pockets, a casual look, and the same hand-stitching as the leather bags.
- 31: $3,525 (canvas + leather)
- Cabine (travel): $5,200 · 19.7" × 13.4" × 8.9"
- Material: Canvas + leather (varies by colorway)
- Closure: Clou de Selle snap
- Canvas and leather with a shoulder strap
- Those who love canvas/leather mix
- A flap and top handle at a lower price than a Kelly
- Those wanting all-leather
- Buyers who care about resale value
In-the-Loop 18
The modern bucket. Similar shape to the Picotin, but with a woven leather loop detail around the rim that gives it a more textured, contemporary look. Less common than Picotin or Evelyne, with curved leather handles that form part of the rim.
- 18: 7.1" × 7.1" × 7.5" · $5,500
- Material: Taurillon Clemence
- Carry: Hand carry (no strap)
- People who want something less common
- More visual texture than the plain Picotin
- Crossbody needs
- Budget-conscious buyers
Bolide 1923 Mini
The Bolide is one of Hermès' oldest designs (1923), famous for pioneering the zipper on handbags. The mini version offers a zip closure and a removable crossbody strap — the only bag here that closes with a zipper.
- Mini: 7.3" × 5.7" × 3.1"
- Price: $7,300–$7,550
- Closure: Full zipper
- Carry: Hand + removable crossbody strap
- Security-conscious buyers
- Hand-carry or crossbody (strap is removable)
- Travel
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Those needing more capacity
Kelly to Go & Constance to Go (WOC)
These wallet-on-chain versions of the iconic Kelly and Constance occasionally appear online. They're smaller, more affordable than the full-size bags, and don't require boutique relationships.
- Evening and going out
- Minimal carry (phone, card, lipstick)
- Those who love Kelly/Constance aesthetic
2026 Pricing Guide
Hermès can change prices and materials during the year. The prices below reflect recent 2026 Hermès website listings we observed, with the newest checks in May 2026. Treat them as a current reference point, not a guaranteed checkout price.
- Size
- 16 (TPM)
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $2,525
- UK Price
- £2,700
- Size
- 30
- Material
- Varies
- US Price
- $3,300
- UK Price
- £3,230
- Size
- 31
- Material
- Canvas + leather
- US Price
- $3,525
- UK Price
- £2,390
- Size
- 18
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $3,975
- UK Price
- £3,280
- Size
- 22
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $4,275
- UK Price
- £2,890
- Size
- 29 (PM)
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $4,425
- UK Price
- £3,190
- Size
- 33 (GM)
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $4,850
- UK Price
- £3,280
- Size
- 36
- Material
- Varies
- US Price
- $5,150
- UK Price
- £2,440
- Size
- 18
- Material
- Clemence
- US Price
- $5,500
- UK Price
- £3,720
- Size
- Mini
- Material
- Varies
- US Price
- $7,300–$7,550
- UK Price
- £5,090
Resale Reality
Resale prices vary a lot by bag — knowing where each one sits helps you decide whether to hunt for retail or buy pre-owned:
- Picotin: High demand means resale prices can sit above retail, especially for Noir, Etoupe, Gold, and size 18. Compare the exact size, leather, color, year, and included box or receipt before treating one resale listing as the market.
- Evelyne: Compare by size. The 16 can be listed above retail, while used 29 and 33 bags can cost less. A premium on one size does not apply to the whole range.
- Garden Party: More variable. Canvas versions and less popular colors sometimes sell at or below retail pre-owned — worth checking before paying full price.
- Herbag: The most variable. Canvas/leather mix appeals to some but not all. Can sell below retail pre-owned — making it a good candidate for resale shopping.
- Bolide & In-the-Loop: Less market data, but generally hold value well in classic colors.
Compare retail and pre-owned prices before choosing where to buy. Waiting for retail may avoid a premium on a small Picotin or Evelyne; a used larger Evelyne, Garden Party, or Herbag may already cost less.
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Price
- $3,975
- Crossbody?
- No
- Closure
- Cord + lock (open)
- Best For
- Simple everyday hand-carry
- Price
- $2,525
- Crossbody?
- Yes
- Closure
- Snap (open)
- Best For
- Lowest price + hands-free
- Price
- $4,425
- Crossbody?
- Yes
- Closure
- Snap (open)
- Best For
- Daily crossbody with capacity
- Price
- $3,300
- Crossbody?
- No
- Closure
- Snap
- Best For
- Tote for work or weekend
- Price
- $3,525
- Crossbody?
- With strap
- Closure
- Snap
- Best For
- Canvas bag with a flap
- Price
- $5,500
- Crossbody?
- No
- Closure
- Open
- Best For
- Less common, more texture
- Price
- $7,300+
- Crossbody?
- Yes
- Closure
- Zip (secure)
- Best For
- Zips shut + crossbody strap
Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes
Sizing Mistakes
- Buying too small because it "looks cute": The Evelyne 16 is truly small (6.3" × 7.1"). Make a "carry list" first — if you need sunglasses, it might be tight.
- Not checking strap length: Evelyne 29 adjusts 32.7"–54.3" — compare to a bag you already own that fits well.
- Buying Garden Party 30 as a "laptop bag": It's 30 cm wide; most 13" laptops are ~30 cm. Very tight fit. Get the 36 for laptops.
Buying Mistakes
- Overpaying resale when retail is achievable: Give yourself a 2–4 week retail attempt window before paying a premium — these bags do restock.
- Assuming one resale price = market price: Check 2–3 platforms and compare condition + inclusions before believing the "market."
Material & Hardware Mistakes
- Choosing material without thinking about how you treat bags: If you're rough on bags, pick grained leathers (Clemence, Togo) and darker tones. Smooth leathers show scratches more easily.
- Hardware finish: Palladium is silver-colored; gold hardware is warmer. Compare both against clothes and jewelry you often wear. Matching metals is optional.
Expectation Mismatches
- Surprised by open-top security: Picotin and Evelyne don't seal shut. If you commute on crowded transit, consider Bolide or use an organizing pouch.
- Underestimating how casual the Evelyne looks: It's not a formal bag. If you need something dressier, the Bolide or even the Picotin looks more polished.
Decision Tree: Which Bag Is Right for You?
Follow the Questions
1. Do you need hands-free/crossbody?
- Yes, and I want lowest price → Evelyne 16 ($2,525)
- Yes, and I want more capacity → Evelyne 29 ($4,425)
- Yes, and I want security (zip) → Bolide mini ($7,300+)
- No → Go to question 2
2. Do you need tote capacity?
- Yes, everyday tote → Garden Party 30 ($3,300)
- Yes, work/laptop tote → Garden Party 36
- No → Go to question 3
3. Would you use an open hand-carried bag?
- Yes, minimal carry → Picotin 18 ($3,975)
- Yes, more capacity → Picotin 22 ($4,275)
- I prefer curved leather handles → In-the-Loop 18 ($5,500)
- I want a flap and shoulder strap → Herbag 31 ($3,525)
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your First Hermès?
Whether you're hunting on the Hermès website or exploring pre-owned, we can help. We track restocks across 32 countries and aggregate listings from trusted resellers.
- Hermès restock alerts — Get notified in seconds when new inventory drops
- Search pre-owned Hermès — Find your exact color and size now
- Restock timing guide — Know the best times to check
Key Takeaways
- Birkin, Kelly, Constance = boutique only. Focus on non-quota bags that can appear online.
- Easiest Hermès bags to get: Evelyne and Garden Party are usually more approachable than Picotin in the most popular colors.
- Lowest entry: Evelyne 16 at $2,525. A Hermès crossbody at the lowest price in the lineup.
- Most popular starter: Picotin 18 at $3,975. Simple, no fuss, no logos.
- Best for hands-free: Evelyne 29 at $4,425. The everyday crossbody you can wear all day.
- Only zippered option: Bolide mini. For security-conscious buyers willing to pay more.
- Europe can be cheaper. Check the current local price and VAT refund before assuming the savings.