What's your Holy Grail Bag- HGB? ?

Presenting my ‘night’ holy grail bag ? I just wish it came in a size 24

Inhale… exhale… I needed to type those words out in case I forget to breathe. ? Every bag lover who has ever considered a Birkin to be their Holy Grail has a story to tell. Here’s mine:

Where did I start with Hermès Birkins? To be honest, I don’t know. Just like how I don’t remember how I learned about Fashionphile where I chanced upon this beauty. All I know is, as a stay-at-home mom, my decision to leave the workforce had somehow dampened my then bubbling curiosity for Birkins. I felt as though the style of Birkins was best left for when I returned to work, whenever that may be. An Hermès Kelly, however, with its strap, I knew this toddler-toting mom could give a chance.

But the search for one Kelly whose condition, color, price and size were just right proved too difficult even in the pre-loved market. I stalked, almost everyday, Yoogi’s Closet, Fashionphile, Ann’s Fabulous Finds, and Portero. I almost even gave in to a JPG Birkin and a Shoulder Kelly.

Then last Saturday, on the way to a lunch out, I had to do a double take when, while scrolling through excellent condition Birkins in the $12500 price point on Fashionphile, there’s one that was $8750. Yep. $8750!!

Now this was no accident. Fashionphile sometimes has a price slashed if an item is in-demand (many people have left an item in their carts without completely checking out). With 50 people ready to check out any given time with this piece that came with a dustbag, a raincoat, a clochette, its padlock and keys, a sense of urgency had me resuming the “Birkin Talk” (a.k.a. I promise to behave for the next three years ?) I initiated early that morning with the husband. I wanted a Kelly, but the opportunity presented itself with a Birkin in my dream color combo, of which, I could no longer deny, I wanted just as much, so why not? To my shock (I still AM in shock), the husband said YES.

The rest is handbag history. Say hello to my Hermès Birkin 35 in gold Togo leather. ?
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P.S. It did not arrive with an Hermès dustbag as declared but it surprisingly arrived with a box! ?

(Group shot has my Top 5 Bags, including my first Holy Grail, the Chanel Jumbo Double Classic Flap and my ultimate Holy Grail, Miss B35 ?)

Keep your eyes on the prize and work hard for it…..This describes my journey to acquiring my holy grail bag. This roomy and (more) practical bag is my holy grail bag #HGB amongst my humble bag collection. Apart from the convenience of the sport strap and secured flap for ease of mind, this chameleon bag takes on many style depending on how it is dressed. Secure the sangle and turn lock, it is a briefcase that accompanies you to the meeting table. Ease the sangle, undo the turn lock and add a bag charm, it’s a casual semi-open tote which accompanies you to delightful errands or a casual engagement. It’s my top choice to bring along my travels due to its versatility – a briefcase, a tote and a messenger bag (I had custom made longer and broad strap for this). The Kelly 40cm is an even harder specification to come by (speaking about the H trilogy category of most sought after bags). As it’s not widely preferred and less demanded, hence supply is thin on the ground. For those who are yearning for this specs, acquiring this bag could be as hard as hunting a unicorn Birkin or Kelly. From my limited knowledge, the size 40cm Birkins are produced in smaller ratio as compared to its smaller cousins. And the Kelly 40 are produced in an even smaller ratio to that of the Birkin 40cm (speaking of ratio within a ratio)! In terms of specifications, Black is my first choice or other classic neutrals simply because of the ease to match outfits (to own it, is to use it). Then, there was “Plomb” reintroduced in 2015, dark grey or to describe it simply- matte Black. It is a softer shade of Black, understated, yet a head-tuner. It was a new found love for me. I love palladium hardware for its chic and fresh outlook. This stallion is crafted from fine-grained Togo leather (yes among the skins there is the prime cuts; hides yielded from areas closer to the spine of the calf are known to be stiffer and fine-grained) and maintains it’s structure up to this day. (Side note: K40 stays structured longer than B40) Having shared the above, to me a holy grail bag is the bag of the ultimate specifications that one desires the most, with scarcity being the imminent threat. May I now introduce Kiki, my Kelly Retourne 40cm in Plomb, Togo and PHW.

… ‘At this moment´shall be a more correct title for this little contemplation, as I had a few HGs during my so far very hectic handbag journey.
We all know our preferences change with time, our current life, business and social situations and nevertheless with fashion itself.
I am no exception, often asking myself THE question: Will it ever end?! So many times my heart was feeling finally at peace thinking ‘Ok, this is it! Your collection is perfectly complete’, just to discover I NEED one more piece of this and that and that and this and only THEN will it be over and done with.
I remember how I started with bigger bags (in the past, I used to collect Hermés only) when a birkin 40 was just perfect in my eyes. Today, not only are birkins off my list but with Kellys, I don’t go bigger than 32.
I used to love shiny crocodile, Vert Emerald being my HG for quite a long time. Once the bag was delivered (a horseshoe shiny Kelly 25 with gold hdw) the thrill was gone. Shiny crocs are tricky to pull off and what is even more challenging- they are real high maintenance. No spilling, not a drop of rain, no sweaty hands. I contemplated the baby powder, but I’d rather leave that for sports.
Then my HG taste shifted to chévre. Yummy, shiny, rare. I still do have a soft spot for the skin, but not even slightly as much as before.
One of my latest HGs was a black sellier kelly in Epsom I have bought not so long ago. I loved the rigidness and structure of it, the symmetry of it, the gold hardware shining against the noir. I loved the classic shape and vibe of the bag, the raw edges and the contrast it created when I wore it casually with jeans and sneakers. The love lasted until I realised I am not such a fan of Epsom leather and the boxy shape in general, after all. ?
Then my interest shifted from Hermés altogether, bringing me back to Chanel and their limited pieces.
My closet has a few of those and to be completely honest, many of them were my holy grails at one point in time.
It almost seems like I am a bit of a HG ‘concubine’ ?, but hands on our hearts, ladies- is it even possible to have only one holy grail bag per life?
Alas, since this topic IS about that (fictional or not) one, mine shall be my latest acquisition, which I’ve waited a few years for and I consider it to be truly something special.
When I saw the bag in ‘normaľ skin first, I was on a fence. It looked like something a handyman may carry (hence the name of the bag itself), it was kind of funny, whimsical and classic at the same time. What’s most important though- it didn’t seem to go out of my head. With time, it grew on me so much that when it was time to make my next SO, I didn’t hesitate a second.
After all these years and all these bags I really think this bag has a special place in my wardrobe and in my heart. It is so unusual, yet so spectacular, I really can’t imagine now anything can beat it: my Hermés toolbox in Hermés’ most precious black matte Porosus crocodile skin with special- commissioned permabrass hardware. Thank you for letting me share! ???

I always thought that when I got a Birkin that would be my holy grail in my collection. And back when I got it, it really was my holy grail. But slowly i felt I loved my Chanel classic jumbo in black caviar with GHW more, and so that is my holy grail, and probably will be for ever. On my HG wishlist is another Birkin 35 in Togo leather in the color etoupe with PWH. I’ve been on the list forever (15 months) so I hope i’ll get it soon!

The HGB in my collection is my Chanel classic jumbo in black caviar leather with SHW. In my wishlist, the HGB is a Kelly 28 in togo or epson Leather in etoupe, or grey (any of them) or a bright blue, but must importan with PHW!!!

Hello all :) My HGB is definitely a Kelly. I really want one in mini or 25 or 28 :) I have been dreaming of it for like more than a year. I hope one day i can find my HGB. Fingers crossed :)

As much as I love my new Reissue, I’ll have to give my Classic Jumbo a HGB status becasue it fits everything. Keys, pouch, cardholder, and my Sony NEX-5 with both kit lenses. Fits me phone, too. I’m surprised it can hold that much.

@brunchatchanels

CC Boy bag is still my HGB hahaha maybe in the future a B will become my HG, but for now, Boy bag wins ;)

My HG bag was a Hima 30. (check)
My new HG is now a black B30 croc matte.

Hi everyone! My HGs were lagoon and rose tyrien k or b. I was lucky to have gotten both. Lagoon kelly 32 with phw in togo leather and rose tyrien b 30 with phw in chevre. Now my hg is black shiny croc b in size 30! Some day!!!

My HGB would have to be a Birkin 35 in Malachite with Palladium hardware..!! ??

my HG bags are all the babies I owned now…couldnt pick favor and dunno what should I go after :(

Himalayan Croc Gris Cedre ?

I’ve had 2 holy grail bags for years… Hermès Lagon and Rose Shocking… Since they’re rested and hard to come by at a reasonable price, I was/am open to the colors in different styles, sizes and leathers (birkin 25/30; Kelly 25/28/32; Togo/Clemence, Swift and Chèvre)… A few months ago, I was blessed to come across one of these holy grails and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about it. It still remains very much a holy grail even if I own it ? ~ Lagon Kelly 32 in swift leather with GHW. Even though I only dreamed of this bag in Lagon, the entire combo could not be more perfect for me… As time has gone on, I’ve realized that I love the way the Kelly looks, more than the birkin, and 32 is the perfect size, not too big, not too small. I LOVE swift leather, it’s so luxurious and soft, I am obsessed with it, and lastly, GHW is such a rare combo with Lagon that I don’t think I’ve even seen one prior, so I never thought to dream of it with GHW which is my preference by far. Feel so so lucky to have this bag…

That leaves me with a rose shocking chèvre preferably GHW! One day, I’m in no rush!!

The other unrealistic holy grails for me are violet lizard and Rose Scheherazade croc/gator… Not anytime soon as they are not in my price range, but maybe one day ?

I am afraid to share and jinx myself.. lol. hoping to get it sooner than later. aaaah…

My “HGB” was something I didn’t even know I wanted. My husband found me a Kelly 32 in swift Bleu Electrique with GWH. After asking what I wanted for my first Hermes bag, I replied with “a Kelly in some shade of blue.” Well, knowing my favorite color in the world is cobalt and my wedding ring is a sapphire because of it, he found that bag. Swift is rare enough because people are scared of its delicacy. I’m obsessed but it’s only led to more! My current HGB is a Kelly in any size in Bambou, with any hardware in either Epsom or swift. Virtually impossible! Emerald is my second favorite color and bamboo is the best green (maybe tied with Menthe) that Hermes has ever done. Everything I’ve seen is in Togo, which isn’t for me. ???

As for this moment, Blue sapphire ostrich B with GHW

My HGB is the Chanel Boy, any size, any color, any material ahahahaha there´s just something about that bag that drives me crazy. Another HG is the fuchsia or red caviar classic flap. Of course I adore Kelly´s and Birkin´s but I´m also realistic and know I will never own one… and since it makes me happy just to see them being rocked by beautiful and nice ladies, I don´t even bother turning them into a HG for myself hahahaha great thread Maura ;)

Mine is definitely a 30cm White Himalaya Birkin. I have requested one in store but as the store near me is very small, I have been told they do get them, but rarely. My HG has definitely evolved over time. It was initally a Birkin, then Birkins (plural), now a Himalaya Birkin. So let’s see how long the dream takes to come to fruition. I can wait!!

cheers! it was your photographs that brought me here ?

my HG was the bag that started all the madness: the chloe paddington, i was obssessed by it! my first one was a really good fake and that was how i discovered TPF. eventually i owned a 05 tan paddy (sold) and kept a brun and grenat paddys and i have a soft spot for older chloe bags: soft, creamy leather and that lovely leather smell…
then i moved to baleciaga, my HG was a magenta city which i got but that did not stop the madness! after it i needed a dior gaucho (got it) so i kept moving the goal post
yes, i would love a SO hermes birkin but i am realistic, short of winning lotto there is no way i’ll be getting one, sad but true! at least i know that is my HG of HG and will remain so with no chances for dissapointment which i think can be common once you get “the” bag as the ilusion becomes reality