Hermès Birkin 30 vs. Birkin 35 – Which Size Is The Best?

It’s one of those age-old Hermès questions that us fans of the brand have been debating since our obsessions began. Birkin 30 or Birkin 35, which one is better? It can prove quite the predicament when shopping for an Hermès Birkin, especially when it’s your first. It’s a conundrum that I myself have faced and since I like to think of myself as your Hermès Big Sister, it’s only fitting that I do a complete comparison breakdown of these two exceedingly popular sizes of the famous Hermès Birkin bag. 

In addition to the basic difference in dimensions, I’m also going to take a look at the difference in prices (both brand new and on the pre-loved market) and subsequent investment value, plus usability, versatility and (of course) some killer styling inspo. Everything will draw on my firsthand experience using both of these bags.

This guide will help you make the most informed decision if you’re choosing between purchasing a Birkin 30 or Birkin 35, or will fulfill another step of your Hermès education if you’re simply a little curious. So, let’s get started!

The story of the Hermès Birkin’s conception is about as iconic as handbag origins come. For those who don’t know, in 1983 the CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, sat next to actress and singer Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. The two got chatting and Birkin expressed her desire for a spacious tote that could hold everything she needed. According to the legend, Birkin sketched out the original design concept for what would become her famous namesake right there and then on an aeroplane sick bag. Drawing on design influences from the Hermès Kelly and Haut à Courroies bags, the Birkin became the iconic accessory we know today and the world of handbags has never been the same since. 

The Birkin bag is now most commonly available in four sizes – 25, 30, 35 and 40, with the numerical value denoting each bag’s length in centimeters. But the original design created with Jane Birkin herself in mind is the 35 size. Like me, she was a HUGE big bag devotee, notoriously bundling her possessions around in a straw basket, so this extra-spacious size suited her perfectly.

Both the 30 and 35 sizes share the same staple features of the famous Birkin bag design, including a softly structured silhouette, dual top handles, classic touret fastening, padlock, key and clochette. The key difference is the size.  

For the most part, I find that the Birkin 30 is much more of an everyday bag owing to its compact size while still enjoying a substantially roomy capacity. The Birkin 35 is ideal for work (it fits a laptop – I’ve even tried it with multiple, an A4 notebook, any size iPad etc) and travel (my Birkin 35 is a trusty regular carry-on when I fly). Let’s look at some of the crucial differences between the two.

• Ideal for everyday 
• Perfect handle-drop length
• The ideal medium size to suit everyone’s body type
• Can be classed as that tricky in-between size that’s too big for causal errands but not big enough for work or trave
• SIZE: 30cm length x 24cm height x 16cm depth, handle drop – 9cm (approx.)

• Ideal for work and travel
• Looks gorgeous when packed to the brim (when your possessions practically spill out of the top, it gives that coveted nonchalant look and feel that would make Jane Birkin herself proud) 
• VERY heavy (heavier than you think), but this is a largely accepted compromise to make when wanting a bag of this size and quality material 
• SIZE: 35cm length x 28cm height x 18cm depth, handle drop – 10cm (approx.)

Hermès bags are obviously EXPENSIVE – that’s a given. The price of the Birkin 30 and Birkin 35 new from the store are pretty similar. But it’s important to consider the return on investment (or ROI – that’s right guys, we’re speaking in financial terms now because investing in Hermès is no joke). Many factors affect the price of Hermès bags on the thriving luxury resale market, however the 30 size typically has the highest resale value of any Birkin. Equally, this is important to consider if you’re choosing to go down the pre-loved route when purchasing a Birkin because it’s likely you’ll be able to score a Birkin 35 for a lower price. 

But when considering ROI value, it’s not just the potential resale price that matters but how worthy of an investment it is for you personally and what your cost per wear will be. If, like me, you’re someone who utililises big bags a lot, then I think the Birkin 35 is a wise choice because there’s so many different outings that it’s suited to. But if you like a more medium-sized (yet still plenty spacious) everyday bag, then the Birkin 30 is the way to go.

If you had to pick a favourite which would it be?

It really all depends on what kind of lifestyle you lead and how you use your bags. But, for the most part, I find that the Birkin 30 is much more of an everyday bag and the 35 is better suited to outings that require me to carry a lot, like work and travel. However, if you have the 35 size, this definitely broadens all the ways you can use your Birkin. But, there definitely is the case to be made that owing to the 35’s larger size, it’s more cumbersome and subsequently less suited to a range of more everyday tasks than the Birkin 30. I personally love both of these bags and can’t imagine my Hermès collection without either of them – so please don’t make me choose just one!

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