The Herbag appeared to be the answer to the challenge of combining elegance with a more casual life style. But unless you are willing to sacrifice functionality, then the Herbag is not that answer.
SUMMARY
If you think that because their Kelly bag is one of your favourites and this surely will work for you, think again. Despite the similar appearances, the Herbag is NOT at all the same bag.
FUNCTION
If you think Kelly is tedious to get in and out of, wait until you have to do the same with Herbag.
I need to access my bags while walking and standing. Because I never learned how to drive, my main mode of transport is my legs. Or taxis.
For reasons shown in this video, you can imagine what a nightmare this bag can be to get in and out of.
One exception I can think of is perhaps if you use a Herbag like a travel bag, where you only access it twice. When on loading at a point of departure, and then off loading at a point of arrival. Which then suggests that perhaps a bigger Herbag might be more likely to be functional for you, than smaller ones.
The top strap model that Hermes has become synonymous with in their legendary Birkin and Kelly bags were not fashion forward design adventures. But conservative adaptations of a long tradition of two very utilitarian bags. One originally created to carry a saddle and riding boots from the late 1800s, the other was based on a standard style ladies handbag from the mid 1900s fashioned with a top strap.
The original bag that started it all is even called “Haut à Courroies”. “Strapped Top”. “High Belt”.
As this become the hallmark of the fashion house, the “tall with belt” format was then further adapted into various handbags under the house of Hermes, and this, is one of them.
The top strap closure was never designed with ease of getting in and out of regularly in mind.
It was designed to secure a closure of a bag at a point of departure and only to be released at the point of arrival. Then as a branding exercise.
So here we are today, carrying Hermes bags without ever closing and securing their openings. With the straps and buckles always undone. With padlocks and keys that are never used to lock. Decorations. Mere suggestions. Symbols.
Going back to this bag.
If you only access the content of your bag while seated with an available surface to assist in your resting activities, this might be for you. (Think of "ladies rest rooms" in Hollywood movies from the 1940s). Note that at 31 cm wide, this is a smaller bag. A much larger Herbag might completely change the dynamic of how you use it, and may required a different set of assessments before we can conclude how those can work for us.
MATERIAL
I fell in love with the full grain leather they call “Hunter”. This leather is not exclusive to Hermes although the name is. I have been a fan of this type of leather for several decades now. Although the various tanning processes may differ, it is basically as natural a leather as you can get, which beauty relies on patina and signs of wear merging into a textured rich honey colour. Here, you can see that this particular leather from the late 1990s and hasn’t been moisturised regularly, the leather still feels smooth and supple. It is amazing.
The canvas is heavily coated making it somewhat hard wearing. It is resistant to water, although does not appear to be resistant to certain types of staining.
The hardware are either palladium plated, alloy, or solid. I can’t remember. Please feel free to let me know. But for a 25 year old bag worn regularly enough to show some signs of it, they are holding up great!
CONCLUSION
In itself, without considering the ergonomics of a person’s lifestyle, this is a very good bag from a highly prestigious design / equestrian / leather house.
Speaking of leathers and craftsmanship…
ALTERNATIVES
For half to a third of the price of a Hermes Herbag which has been worn to a centimetre of its life, like this one, a NEW freshly handmade leather and canvas bag of THE SAME quality, if not BETTER (yes, I said it), could be bought from a Japanese brand.
I won’t be advertising this Japanese brand, because it is hard enough for me to obtain items that I want from them due to the same issue faced by Hermes: There are only so many people making these one by one, and demand has outstripped supply. Once an item is sold out we often have to wait months before it can be restocked. On top of that, the brand is also extremely particular about which supplier and distributor they are willing to work with.
The Japanese brand is highly respected in the fountain pen community. It is the Hermes of leather fountain pen accessories, crafted in the spirit of Hermes the saddlery of old.
If craftsmanship instead of brand is your focus, stay tuned for me to illustrate my point.
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