Hermes is one of the most iconic designer brands out there, and many people would do anything to get their hands on one of its bags.
One of the most classic collections is the Hermes Garden Party Bag.
This tote is an icon of luxury and style, with a relatively more affordable price tag than some of the other bags the brand sells.
The thing that people love about the Garden Party collection is its enduring appeal and versatility.
It comes in a wide range of sizes and colors, meaning there’s a design out there for everyone.
But is the Hermes Garden Party bag worth it? And should you consider purchasing one yourself? You can find out the answers in our guide below.
Hermes Garden Party Bag: Discovering the Beauty
The origin of the Hermes brand dates back to France in the 1830s, but it didn’t start off as a bag store.
Founder Thierry Hermes actually opened up a harness and saddle shop for the horse enthusiasts of the region.
Even though Hermes wasn’t creating bags, he still used the finest leather and stitching methods to produce the highest quality products.
This earned him a good reputation among riders, and helped the brand when it created its first bag.
The first Hermes bag was created in 1900 and sold to riders as a saddlebag.
It wasn’t until the 1920s that Hermes bags were used for purposes beyond the riding industry.
From there, the brand only went up.
Hermes is now one of the most luxurious designer brands worldwide, with big names such as the Birkin and Kelly bags being on fashion-forward consumers’ wishlists.
But not all of Hermes designer bags are made purely to show off and match an outfit.
The Hermes Garden Party bag was created in 1964 with more practical uses in mind.
The Hermes Party Bag maintains the brand’s focus on quality materials and craftsmanship, yet it has a slightly more affordable price tag.
The tote can carry more items, depending on the size, and you can take it out to, of course, a garden party or a picnic.
Unveiling the Garden Party Collection
Ready to learn all about the Hermes Garden Party bag collection? Let’s dive right in:
Materials
The material your Hermes Garden Party bag comes in will depend on which style you have purchased.
There are two to choose from – an all-leather bag or a canvas bag with a leather trim.
If you opt for the canvas-style Garden Party bag, then the accessory will come with a canvas body and leather handles and trim.
The leather bag speaks for itself when it says it’s made all out of leather.
However, the leather is a special Negonda leather known for being soft and supple, offering a matte finish.
It is highly durable and water-resistant, meaning it can last long, even with frequent use.
Key features
The Hermes Garden Party is a gem in itself, not only because it is good to look at but also because it comes with a wide range of features.
Some of the key features include:
- Spacious interior, allowing you to carry all your everyday essentials
- Zippered interior pockets, which can help organize your items
- Durable due to the use of high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship
- Clou de Selle snap closure, which keeps all your items in the bag
- Suits both casual and formal occasions
Variations
The great thing about the Hermes Garden Party bag is that there is a variation for everyone.
It comes in all different sizes and colors, meaning you can find one that perfectly suits you.
You can choose out of three sizes: small, medium, and large.
The small bag is 30cm, the medium is 36cm, and the less common large bag is 39cm (and normally comes in canvas).
The prices will also vary depending on the size you purchase.
You can also choose many colors, but the availability of certain colors will depend on the season and specific collection.
Some of the shades you might find include black, natural, blue, pink, orange, and green.
The Allure of Everyday Luxury
Many people put their Hermes bags away for special events because they want to protect them at all costs.
However, with a Garden Party bag, you can bring it out for any occasion, allowing you to show it off when you want.
Casual daytime use
Since the Hermes bag comes with a simple design, you can easily use it for the day-to-day.
Whether you want to take it to work and use it for storing documents or take it out to casual outings and run errands, you can easily pair this bag with any outfit while ensuring you have everything you need.
Transitioning to evening
Once you’ve completed all your day activities, it’s time to put on your glitz and glam and hit the town.
Whether it’s going out for dinner and drinks with your friends or attending a more formal event such as a cocktail party, you don’t have to change bags.
Simply take out your items from the day and replace them with everything you’ll need for the evening.
Craftsmanship and Materials
There are two main things that Hermes prides itself on – meticulous craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials.
And these two pillars can be clearly seen in the design of the Garden Party bag.
Each Hermes Garden Party bag is highly durable due to its artisanal craftsmanship. Each individual bag is handcrafted by only the very best artisans.
Hermes ensures that everyone who works for them to create these masterpieces goes through extensive training to reach the high level of quality its customers expect.
Similarly, each Garden Party bag is made with only the finest materials.
As mentioned, you can purchase the bag in two styles: canvas or leather.
The Negonda leather used is soft, supple, and durable.
The canvas is also incredibly durable but helps lower the price of its style.
Classic Design Elements
The design of a Hermes Garden Party bag is simplistic. It is a standard tote bag with a spacious interior and many practical functions.
The bag comes in a rectangular shape in various sizes, rounding off at the corners to offer a classic look.
The dual handles at the top of the bag allow you to carry the bag by shoulder or hand, and the open top makes it easy to reach in and grab what you need.
There aren’t any fancy embellishments or patterns, boasting a minimalist aesthetic. The one thing that stands out is the ‘H’ for Hermes perforated on the front.
Versatile Styling Options
We’ve already talked about how versatile the Hermes Garden Party bag is, and how you can pair it with any outfit, day or night.
But sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what to wear with this bag, which is why we’re providing you with some inspiration:
Casual
Since the Hermes Garden Party bag comes with so much functionality, it is perfect for daily life. Therefore, you’ll no doubt want to pair it with a casual outfit.
It all depends on what color bag you have, but you can easily match the bag with a pair of denim skinny jeans, a white t-shirt (or a color that matches the bag), and sandals or sneakers.
Some minimalistic jewelry can also really bring the outfit together while you’re out running errands.
Business
What you wear to work is down to how strict your office’s dress code is. But no matter what it is, you can always bring your Garden Party bag into your outfit for backup.
Pair up the bag with some tailored trousers or a fitted skirt and a shirt and blazer that pull the whole thing together.
Flat ballet pumps, heels, or espadrilles can be used as footwear. All you have to do is place your work documents into your bag, and you’re ready to go.
Sophisticated
While you might not be taking your Garden Party bag down the red carpet with you, you can still bring it to various sophisticated events.
If you have a cocktail party of theatre evening planned, it can make the perfect addition.
Find a dress that either matches or perfectly contrasts the color of your bag. It can be long, short, or midi, whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Pair the dress with a pair of comfortable heels or stilettos, add a few statement jewelry pieces, and you’re all set to hit the town.
Investing in Luxury
We’ve mentioned that the Garden Party bag is more affordable than other Hermes collections, but how much will it really set you back?
While the bag is more practical, it still comes with a ton of luxury, high-quality materials, and impeccable craftsmanship, and you’ll need to pay for that.
In 2023, the price for the small Hermes Garden Party is around $3,775, while the medium bag will set you back around $3,975.
These prices are for the leather designs, and the canvas design could cost you around $1,000 less.
While it is hard to come across a large canvas Garden Party tote bag, the price is around $2,930.
Shopping and Authentication
Purchasing Hermes Garden Party bags isn’t as difficult as some of the brand’s other collections.
They aren’t quota bags, so you could go to a physical Hermes boutique store and purchase one if available.
Sometimes, you can purchase Garden Party bags on the Hermes website, which is rare as they usually sell out quickly.
Other places you can purchase authentic Hermes Garden Party bags include luxury department stores and trusted online marketplaces like 1stDibs.
However, you need to be careful when purchasing luxury designer bags, as some people might try to sell you fake ones.
Therefore, you must know how to verify the authenticity, especially if the bag is preowned.
You can authenticate any Hermes bag by doing things like examining the shape and proportions, analyzing the stitching, checking the perforated ‘H’ on the bag, and checking the size and measurements are correct.
Caring for Your Hermes Garden Party Bag
Although a Hermes Garden Party bag is durable, you still want to ensure you take proper care of it to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Be careful with what you place in your bag. For example, you don’t want to let anything like loose pens float around the bag with the chance of ink smudging. The same goes for various foods.
When not using the bag, store it somewhere away from direct sunlight. It is sometimes a good idea to keep it in its original box.
If your Garden Party bag is of a light color, then it might be more sensitive to discoloration on the handles.
Therefore, you might want to use handle scarves to dress up your bag while also protecting the handles.
You can clean the bag using a clean, dry cloth to wipe it down after a day. However, you should never use any commercial cleaning agents unless you have a vast knowledge of looking after leather.
Embracing Timeless Style
If you love designer bags and luxury brands but are looking for something more versatile and practical, then the Hermes Garden Party bag is the one for you.
Its enduring beauty and wide range of sizes and styles make it the perfect companion for someone who wants to look good while carrying around their belongings.
There is a design for everyone, and with the more affordable price compared to other Hermes collections, it’s definitely a luxury bag for the people.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with the allure and lasting appeal of the Hermes Garden Party bag, and just looking at it will make you want to take it home with you.
There are so many benefits to using this stylish accessory, and you can take it out with you wherever you go.
Explore this timeless accessory and elevate your sense of luxury and style!
More Fashion Articles:
How Much is a Goyard Tote: Updated Prices for 2023
Best Crossbody Louis Vuitton Bags [2023]
30 Best Designer Bags for Teachers [2023]
