Fashion Accessories Bags How to Buy a Birkin Bag, According to an Expert By Taylor Lane Taylor Lane Taylor Lane is a Maryland-based freelance writer who covers all things beauty, fashion, and shopping. She was previously an Ecommerce writer for InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on November 21, 2023 @ 02:12PM In This Article View All In This Article What Is a Birkin Bag? Types of Birkin Bags The Cost of a Birkin The Best Way to Buy One Frequently Asked Questions Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Edward Berthelot / Getty Images If you're ready to invest in a designer purse, you may want something that feels rare, unique, and also holds value. Enter: the Hermès Birkin bag. Aside from its expensive price point, this celebrity-approved, highly sought-after design can be pretty hard to snag—which yes, is also part of the appeal. But purchasing one comes with its own set of rules. So, if you're wondering how to buy a Birkin bag, there are some things to know before racing to the closest Hermès boutique. Firstly, what makes a Birkin bag so unique? While celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and Kendall Jenner all own a coveted Birkin, some other specific qualities and details make this bag so desired and valuable. So to find out everything there is to know about this covetable designer tote, we tapped expert Julia Rose for her industry insight and buying tips. Meet the expert Julia Rose is the owner of Julia Rose Boston, a curated shop of chic designer accessories. She is also a trusted designer reseller. What Is a Birkin Bag? "The Hermès Birkin is arguably the most iconic bag produced. It was named after Jane Birkin," says Julia Rose. "It has a unique, defined shape with double handles, no strap, and an interior zip pocket. There are variations to the size, color, leather, and, with limited edition pieces, the design." Getty Images Types of Birkin Bags One of the first steps in purchasing a Birkin bag is deciding which size you're looking for. According to Rose, the most popular size for a Birkin is the 25cm bag, which is known as the Birkin 25. Other options include the 30cm (Birkin 30) and the 35cm (Birkin 35). "They [also] come in variations of leather, including Epsom, togo, swift, alligator, ostrich, lizard, box calf, and crocodile, among others," says Rose. The Birkin 25 is also available in wicker, she adds. "Hardware options include gold, palladium, rose gold, and permabrass, among others." The classic Birkin colorways are black and caramel-toned gold, which are both produced every season. But each spring and fall, Hermès also releases a variety of a brand-new selection of shades. So if you aren't finding what you want, it's worth it to wait until the latest options are revealed. However, if your goal is to get a really rare find, keep your eyes open for the colors that are occasionally re-released, "such as gris tourterelle or gris asphalt," Rose tells us. The Cost of a Birkin You've probably heard that Birkin bags don't come cheap — far from it. "The retail prices for the most popular models are around $10,145 for a Birkin 25, $11,200 for a Birkin 30, and $12,450 for a Bikin 35," says Rose. "These vary by country and tax rate." Even still, the resale value for a Birkin can be two to three times the retail price depending on the rarity and popularity of the combination. For example, Birkins with more exotic leathers will retail for four to five times the cost of one with togo and Epsom leathers. The Best Way to Buy One Even though color, size, and hardware are all important factors, Rose urges potential Birkin buyers to do extensive research before shelling out their money and deciding on a budget. Once you've settled on your choice, though, buying a Birkin bag isn't as easy as heading to the Hermès store. You will first have to check in with a sales associate at that location to see if the specific bag you are looking for is in stock or arriving. While the fashion house says there is no special waiting list to purchase a bag, finding one in such a limited market will require patience and diligence. The 14 Best Places to Shop for Handbags In some cases, it is easier and takes less time to purchase Birkin bags secondhand—but be diligent. "It's critical to purchase from reputable companies who guarantee authenticity and have a history of selling Hermès," emphasizes Rose. Should you be worried that you're buying a fake, you can always authenticate your purchase through an established company such as Bababebi," she adds. It's also important for secondhand buyers to ask for detailed photos of the Birkin bag, along with disclosures of any flaws and odors such as perfumes or smoke. "Some flaws can be repaired at the Hermès spa, such as corner scuffs or scratches or tarnish to the hardware," Rose says. However, handles and interior wear cannot be fixed, especially if another company has already restored them. Frequently Asked Questions Why are Birkin bags so expensive? Each Birkin bag is handmade by artisans using high-quality materials, the more rare and exotic, the more expensive. Also, Hermès limits its production of Birkin bags, meaning the demand is high and the supply is low. This contributes to their desirability and increases their value. How do you tell if a Birkin bag is real? Verify the bag's measurements and inspect its material. Since each Birkin is handmade, the stitching should be beautiful but not necessarily uniform (this could indicate a machine did it). Zippers should work well and have a clean matte (not shiny) finish. Also, check for both the date stamp and brand stamp. But keep in mind that spotting a real Birkin from a fake can be tough if you're not an expert, which is why it's important to only buy from a reputable seller who can guarantee the bag's authenticity. Who owns the most Birkin bags? Celebrities, such as Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, and JLo, are known to own a collection of Birkin bags, however, Singaporean socialite Jamie Chua is believed to boast the most Birkins.