Burberry vs. Hermès: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Burberry and Hermès represent two distinct tiers of luxury, with Burberry offering classic British style that blends heritage with modern trends, while Hermès stands as the pinnacle of French artisanal craftsmanship and exclusivity. The primary differences lie in price point and accessibility, Burberry provides a gateway to high-end fashion with its iconic trench coats and recognizable check pattern, whereas Hermès is an ultra-exclusive brand whose coveted handbags are seen as long-term investments.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right luxury brand for your needs.

Burberry: The Quintessential British Luxury Brand

Burberry is a celebrated British luxury house, renowned for its heritage trench coats, signature check pattern, and a sophisticated aesthetic that feels both timeless and current. Established in 1856, Burberry has built a global reputation by grounding its modern collections in a history of classic, well-crafted design, appealing to fashion-conscious consumers who appreciate a blend of tradition and trend.

• Product mix: Famous for its outerwear, especially trench coats made from proprietary gabardine fabric. The range also includes ready-to-wear, handbags, scarves, shoes, and fragrances, all featuring the brand's classic British sensibility.
• Price point: Sits in the accessible luxury category. Keychains and small accessories start around $300, while their iconic trench coats typically range from $1,500 to $2,500. Handbags generally cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
• Style & Aesthetic: Classic, sophisticated, and distinctly British. While core collections remain timeless, seasonal offerings incorporate contemporary designs and trends, making the brand feel fresh and relevant.
• Quality: Known for high-quality materials and construction, particularly in its outerwear. The brand combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques to produce durable, well-made items.
• Sizing/Fit: Burberry's sizing is generally consistent with standard European sizing and fits true to size, making online and in-store purchases straightforward for most shoppers.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes responsible sourcing and has implemented programs to reduce its environmental impact, promoting greater transparency within its supply chain and aiming for carbon neutrality.

Burberry is ideal for those seeking iconic, high-quality heritage pieces with a modern twist at a luxury price point that remains relatively attainable.

Shop Burberry: burberry.com

Hermès: The Pinnacle of Artisanal Craftsmanship

Hermès, founded in Paris in 1837, is the definition of ultra-luxury. The French maison is legendary for its uncompromising commitment to artisanal craftsmanship, exquisite materials, and timeless design. Best known for its handcrafted leather goods, including the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags, Hermès is a symbol of status, secrecy, and understated elegance, catering to an elite clientele of collectors and connoisseurs.

• Product mix: While leather handbags are its most famous offering, Hermès also produces world-renowned silk scarves, high-end watches, fine jewelry, ready-to-wear collections, and fragrances. Each product reflects the house's dedication to quality.
• Price point: Operates at the highest end of the luxury market. Silk scarves may start near $400, but handbags are significant investments, often starting around $10,000 for non-quota bags and easily exceeding $50,000 on the secondary market for rare editions.
• Style & Aesthetic: Timeless, refined, and minimalist. Hermès's designs prioritize an appreciation for materials and craftsmanship over visible branding, resulting in pieces that are discreet yet instantly recognizable to those in the know.
• Quality: Considered the gold standard in luxury. Every leather product is made by a single artisan from start to finish, using the finest leathers and materials sourced globally. The construction is meticulous and designed to last for generations.
• Sizing/Fit: Ready-to-wear sizing is limited and exclusive. The brand's focus remains on leather goods, scarves, and jewelry, which are typically one-size-fits-all or come in specific, standardized sizes, emphasizing the object's artistry over its fit.
• Sustainability: The brand's identity is rooted in sustainable practice through its commitment to creating heirloom-quality products, responsible material sourcing, and preserving traditional artisanal techniques passed down through generations.

Hermès represents the ultimate for ultra-luxury shoppers who value exclusivity, impeccable handcrafting, and pieces that serve as financial investments.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Burberry vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between Burberry and Hermès is significant. Burberry is positioned as an "accessible luxury" brand, where you can acquire a signature piece like a trench coat for around $2,000. It provides an entry point into the high-fashion world without reaching the stratospheric prices of its ultra-luxury counterparts.

Hermès operates on another level entirely. It is one of the most expensive and exclusive luxury brands in the world. Its handbags are not just accessories but assets, often appreciating in value over time. An entry-level Hermès bag can cost upwards of $10,000 if you're offered one, while the coveted Birkin and Kelly bags regularly command prices of $20,000 to over $50,000. Hermès is an investment, while Burberry is a luxury purchase.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality, but their approach differs. Burberry is known for its durable gabardine fabric and high-quality leather goods, which are made to withstand the elements and daily wear. The construction blends modern technology with traditional skills, ensuring a consistent and reliable product.

Hermès is synonymous with peerless craftsmanship. Each leather item is handcrafted by a single artisan in France, a process that can take many hours to complete. The brand uses only the finest, carefully selected leathers and exotic skins. This meticulous, human-centric process places Hermès quality in a class of its own, justifying its premium price and long waiting lists.

Style & Aesthetic

Burberry thrives on a balance of classic British heritage and modern runway trends. Its iconic check is instantly recognizable, and while the brand maintains a core collection of timeless pieces, its seasonal collections often reflect contemporary fashion shifts. It's a brand that can be both classic and fashion-forward.

The Hermès aesthetic is one of understated, timeless elegance. The designs are minimalistic, allowing the quality of the material and the perfection of the craft to speak for themselves. The focus is not on fleeting trends but on creating pieces that will remain stylish for decades. Hermès exudes quiet confidence and is often preferred by those who shy away from conspicuous branding.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Burberry is a typical modern luxury experience. Their stores are welcoming and beautifully designed, and their website is user-friendly and fully shoppable. You can browse, select, and purchase products easily, both online and in person, with excellent customer service and worldwide availability.

The Hermès shopping experience is built on exclusivity. While you can purchase some items like scarves and fragrances online, the highly sought-after handbags operate on a unique system. Becoming eligible to be offered a Birkin or Kelly bag requires building a relationship with a sales associate and a significant purchase history. The experience is discreet, personal, and highly curated, reinforcing the brand's elite status.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on your budget, style goals, and what you value in a luxury brand. Both are excellent at what they do, but they serve very different customers.

Choose Burberry if:

• You appreciate classic, heritage-inspired style with contemporary relevance.
• You want to invest in an iconic, high-quality trench coat that will last for years.
• Your budget is in the accessible luxury range ($1,000 - $3,000 for a key piece).
• You prefer buying from a brand with a strong online presence and general retail availability.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are making a long-term investment in a piece that can hold or increase its value.
• Exclusivity, unparalleled craftsmanship, and rarity are your highest priorities.
• Your budget is in the ultra-luxury tier ($10,000 and above).
• You prefer timeless, understated elegance and wish to avoid overt branding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burberry or Hermès cheaper?

Burberry is significantly cheaper than Hermès. Burberry is an accessible luxury brand with many items available for under $3,000, while Hermès is an ultra-luxury brand whose most famous products start well over $10,000.

Which brand has better quality?

Both have exceptional quality, but Hermès is widely considered to have a superior level of artisanal craftsmanship. Its fully handmade process and fanatical attention to detail set a standard that few other brands can match. Burberry's quality is also excellent, especially in its heritage outerwear.

Is a Burberry trench coat a good investment?

A Burberry trench coat is an excellent wardrobe investment. It's a timeless garment that holds its value well due to its classic design and durability. While it won't appreciate in value like an Hermès bag, it will remain a stylish and functional piece for many years.

Why are Hermès bags so expensive and hard to get?

Their high price is a result of the hours of meticulous hand-labor required to create each bag, the cost of the finest materials, and limited production. Their scarcity is strategically managed by Hermès to maintain exclusivity and high demand, making them coveted status symbols.

Which brand is more recognizable?

Burberry may be more recognizable to the general public due to its iconic check pattern, which is widely featured on scarves and coat linings. Hermès's iconic silhouettes, like the Birkin bag, are instantly recognizable within fashion and luxury circles but may be less known to a broader audience.

Does Hermès ever have sales?

No, Hermès never holds sales. The brand maintains its product value and aura of exclusivity by abstaining from discounts. Burberry, like most luxury fashion brands, participates in end-of-season sales through its own stores and retail partners.

What is Burberry best known for?

Burberry is best known for inventing the weatherproof gabardine fabric and for its iconic trench coat, first designed for military use and later adopted as a civilian style staple. Its signature check pattern is also a key brand identifier.

What is Hermès best known for?

Hermès is best known for its elite status, handcrafted leather handbags - specifically the Birkin and the Kelly. Its luxurious silk scarves with intricate designs are also world-famous brand signatures.