Hermès Non-Quota Bags: The Easiest First Bags to Get

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. They require boutique availability, a sales relationship, and patience. 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)
• Easier to buy in-store without a long runway of prior spend
• Good bags on their own — the Picotin has been around since 2002, the Bolide since 1923

Important note: Buying online does not build purchase history with a boutique. If your long-term goal is a quota bag, consider in-store purchases instead. If you want a Hermès bag for daily use, online buying can still make sense.

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.

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 follow the same rule: no allocation, no purchase history required, and they can appear on the Hermès website. 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

Quick Picks: Best First Bag by Goal

What Is the Cheapest Hermès Bag?

The cheapest Hermès bag among the ones a first-time buyer can realistically get 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, which is the cheapest full-size bag here rather than the cheapest bag outright. The Picotin 18 at $3,975 sits above all three, so "cheapest" and "most popular starter" are not the same bag.

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. They solve different problems. Picotin is a hand-carry bucket bag. Evelyne is a crossbody.

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.

Specs

• 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)

Best For

• Simple everyday hand-carry
• No visible logos or branding
• First-time Hermès buyers

Not For

• Hands-free/crossbody needs
• Security-conscious commuters

Read our complete Picotin guide →

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 mini TPM (16) is small and dressy; the PM (29) is the everyday sweet spot. For how the sizes compare side by side, see our Evelyne 16 vs 23 vs 29 size comparison.

Specs

• 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"

Best For

• Hands-free everyday carry
• Travel and errands
• Works with jeans or a blazer

Not For

• Formal events
• Those who dislike visible logos

Read our complete Evelyne guide →

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.

Specs

• 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

Best For

• Work/weekend tote life
• Carrying laptops (36)
• No big logos, just leather trim

Not For

• Crossbody needs
• Those wanting secure closure

Read our complete Garden Party guide →

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.

Specs

• 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

Best For

• Cheapest way into Hermès bags
• Those who love canvas/leather mix
• Kelly lovers who want something attainable

Not For

• Those wanting all-leather
• Buyers who care about resale value

Read our complete Herbag guide →

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, so you won't see it on every other person.

Specs

• 18: 7.1" × 7.1" × 7.5" · $5,500
• Material: Taurillon Clemence
• Carry: Hand carry (no strap)

Best For

• People who want something less common
• More visual texture than the plain Picotin

Not For

• Crossbody needs
• Budget-conscious buyers

Read our complete In-the-Loop guide →

Bolide 1923 Mini

The secure option. The Bolide is one of Hermès' oldest designs (1923), famous for pioneering the zipper on handbags. The mini version offers zip security PLUS a removable crossbody strap — the only bag here that truly seals shut.

Specs

• Mini: 7.3" × 5.7" × 3.1"
• Price: $7,300–$7,550
• Closure: Full zipper
• Carry: Hand + removable crossbody strap

Best For

• Security-conscious buyers
• Hand-carry or crossbody (strap is removable)
• Travel

Not For

• Budget-conscious buyers
• Those needing more capacity

Read our complete Bolide guide →

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.

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: Often sells at or above retail. The TPM/16 especially, because of its lower retail price and the popularity of mini bags.
• 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.

Bottom line: For Picotin and Evelyne, it's worth trying to catch at retail. For Garden Party and Herbag, pre-owned might actually save you money.

Head-to-Head Comparison

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 anxiety: Match hardware to your daily jewelry. If you wear mostly silver/white gold, choose palladium hardware. Gold jewelry? Go for gold hardware. This avoids that "something's off" feeling.

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?