Do Birkin bags have shoulder straps?

No, Birkin bags don’t have shoulder straps. As a result, the iconic bag is best toted by gripping the double handles in your hand or slipping them over your wrist. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hermès Birkin bags from some of the world’s top boutiques.

Can you add a strap to a Birkin?

Yes, you can add a strap to a Birkin bag, but only if you modify the design. Most Hermès Birkin bags do not have handle hardware that allows you to attach a strap. As a result, you’ll need to slide on a decorative ring or a key ring to connect one. Since its 1984 debut, the Hermés Birkin bag has become a coveted status symbol as much as it has an exclusive collector’s piece. The handbag is among the most expensive in the world, and the appetite for the accessory is well-known inside and outside the fashion industry. Shop a collection of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.

Why is Hermès so special?

Hermès is so special for a few reasons. The French luxury house is one of the most storied fashion labels in the world and has a rich heritage that dates back to 1837.Hermès began in Paris as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen. The house later extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and jewelry to pillows and handbags .Hermès artisans spend years honing their craft as apprentices before they produce Hermès pieces in premium materials. For example, the Kelly bag , which was named in tribute to one of its biggest fans, Grace Kelly, takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce , and its 680 hand stitches are made by one Hermès artisan. Each Birkin tote is also hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and its exotic leathers , a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile , are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France.On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Hermès handbags and accessories.

Is the Hermès Kelly strap adjustable?

No, the Hermès Kelly strap is not adjustable. If you prefer a bag with an adjustable strap, the Hermès Evelyne Generation III or the Hermès Jypsiere may appeal to you. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Hermès handbags.

Hermes Bag Strap

Leather And Canvas Kelly

Kelly Strap

Hermes Sangle

Kelly Sellier Hermes Gold Hardware

Hermes Kelly 20 Mini Sellier

Hermes Vintage Purse

Evelyne Tpm

Hermes Mini Kelly Box Leather

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H 9.5 in W 14 in D 6 in

Hermès Red Kelly 35 Bag with strap

By Hermès

Located in Athens, GA

Vintage Red Hermes Kelly 35 in Epsom leather with strap. Hermes restored both tabs on top near handles. See pics where the new tabs are a brighter red. Also cleaned and restored thro...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Linen-blue Bag 'Top with Straps', 2009

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H 9.26 in W 12.6 in D 4.73 in

Hermès 1960s Sac Kelly 32 Bandouliere Black Box Leather Hand Bag strap Hermes

By Hermès

Located in PARIS, FR

Hermès Kelly bag (size 32) in black Box calfskin with gold-tone hardware; black leather interior featuring two slip pockets and one large slip pocket (non-zipped); includes original ...

Category

1960s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès 1990s Sac Kelly 25 Sellier Brown Crocodile Leather Hand Bag strap Hermes

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Hermès 1990s Sac Kelly 25 Sellier Brown Crocodile Leather Hand Bag strap Hermes

By Hermès

Located in PARIS, FR

Handle drop: 24 cm. Shoulder strap: 90 cm. The bag has undergone a professional cleaning at Hermès, and the hardware has been replaced (the original plastic coverings on the straps a...

Category

1990s French Top Handle Bags

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W 12.6 in

Hermès 1975s Sac Kelly 35 Bandouliere H Red Box Leather Hand Bag strap Hermes

By Hermès

Located in PARIS, FR

Hermès Kelly bag, size 35, in Hermès red box leather (almost burgundy) and gold-tone hardware.

Category

1970s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Evelyne 16 TPM Rose Texas Bag AMAZONE Limited Edition Strap

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Hermès Evelyne 16 TPM Rose Texas Bag AMAZONE Limited Edition Strap

By Hermès

Located in West Chester, PA

The Evelyne TPM is a compact and functional bag that features the signature perforated "H" logo on the front and an adjustable shoulder strap.Hermes Evelyne Bag: We have it in stock...

Category

2010s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

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Hermes Black Leather Gold Evening Adjustable Strap Saddle Flap Shoulder Bag

By Hermès

Located in Charlotte, NC

Hermes Black Leather Gold Evening Adjustable Strap Top Handle Saddle Flap Shoulder Bag Leather Gold tone hardware Buckle and zipper closures Leather lining Date code present Made in...

Category

Late 20th Century French Shoulder Bags

Hermès Kelly 35 Bleu Gacier Clemence sports canvas strap satchel bag

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Hermès Kelly 35 Bleu Gacier Clemence sports canvas strap satchel bag

By Hermès

Located in Hong Kong, NT

Hermès Kelly 35 Bleu Gacier Clemence sports canvas strap satchel bag Reference: LNKO/A02392 Brand: Hermès Model: Kelly 35 Material: Leather, Metal Color: Blue, Silver Pattern: Solid ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Hermes Vintage 1994 Beige Leather Bolide 35 Satchel Bag with Strap

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By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in Philadelphia, PA

NWOT YSL Yves Saint Laurent Black Ostrich Small Sac Du Jour Handbag in excellent condition. Black ostrich leather exterior trimmed with gold hardware and a removable matching ostrich...

Category

2010s Top Handle Bags

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Hermes Bag Strap For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate vintage or contemporary hermes bag strap for your needs in our varied inventory. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Brown, Orange and more. If you’re looking for a hermes bag strap from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding a hermes bag strap for sale for women should be easy, but there are 45 pieces available to browse for men as well.

How Much is a Hermes Bag Strap?

Prices for a hermes bag strap can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $553 and can go as high as $24,000, while, on average they fetch $2,485.

Hermès for sale on 1stDibs

For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.

The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.

As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.

In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.

In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.

Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.

Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.

In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.

Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.

While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.

Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.

Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.

Questions About Hermès

Do Birkin bags have shoulder straps?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
No, Birkin bags don’t have shoulder straps. As a result, the iconic bag is best toted by gripping the double handles in your hand or slipping them over your wrist. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Hermès Birkin bags from some of the world’s top boutiques.
Can you add a strap to a Birkin?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
Yes, you can add a strap to a Birkin bag, but only if you modify the design. Most Hermès Birkin bags do not have handle hardware that allows you to attach a strap. As a result, you’ll need to slide on a decorative ring or a key ring to connect one. Since its 1984 debut, the Hermés Birkin bag has become a coveted status symbol as much as it has an exclusive collector’s piece. The handbag is among the most expensive in the world, and the appetite for the accessory is well-known inside and outside the fashion industry. Shop a collection of Hermès Birkin bags on 1stDibs.
Why is Hermès so special?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
Hermès is so special for a few reasons. The French luxury house is one of the most storied fashion labels in the world and has a rich heritage that dates back to 1837.

Hermès began in Paris as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen. The house later extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and jewelry to pillows and handbags.

Hermès artisans spend years honing their craft as apprentices before they produce Hermès pieces in premium materials. For example, the Kelly bag, which was named in tribute to one of its biggest fans, Grace Kelly, takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches are made by one Hermès artisan. Each Birkin tote is also hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and its exotic leathers, a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile, are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France.

On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Hermès handbags and accessories.
Is the Hermès Kelly strap adjustable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
No, the Hermès Kelly strap is not adjustable. If you prefer a bag with an adjustable strap, the Hermès Evelyne Generation III or the Hermès Jypsiere may appeal to you. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Hermès handbags.

Beyond the Birkin: 10 Hermès Bags with ‘If You Know, You Know’ Appeal

What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.

Dress Like Your Favorite NFL Player with an Hermès HAC Bag

Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.

This Hermès Picnic Garden Party Bag Is Elegant and Errand-Friendly

Does wicker get more high-end than this?

The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic

Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.

How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag

The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.