Hermès Garden Party 30 vs. 36: Sizing comparison [2026]

The Hermès Garden Party 30 and Garden Party 36 are separated by about 3 inches in length, a difference that defines their purpose. The Garden Party 30 is a compact, elegant tote perfect for daily essentials and city errands, while the larger Garden Party 36 serves as a versatile workhorse, comfortably holding a laptop, documents, and everything needed for a busier day.

Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide which iconic Hermès tote is the right size for your lifestyle.

Hermès Garden Party 30

The Garden Party 30 is the smaller of the two popular sizes, offering a chic, streamlined silhouette ideal for those who prefer a lightweight and more discreet luxury tote. Its compact dimensions make it perfect for carrying core essentials without the bulk of a larger bag, fitting seamlessly into a daily routine of errands, lunches, and social outings.

• What it is: A small, open-top luxury tote bag designed for everyday elegance and lighter carrying needs.
• Key features: "Clou de Selle" snap closure, expandable sides, durable leather handles. Its approximate dimensions are 11" length, 9" height, and 5" width.
• Price: As an investment piece from Hermès, pricing is available through boutiques and varies based on material (canvas vs. all-leather).
• Materials/Construction: Often crafted from durable Negonda calfskin or Vache Country cowhide, with canvas "Toile" versions also available. The construction is famously meticulous, embodying Hermès' commitment to quality.
• Capacity: Comfortably holds a wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, and a small cosmetics pouch. A small tablet or e-reader can fit, but not a standard laptop.
• Pros: Lightweight and easy to carry, particularly in crowded city environments. Its smaller size offers a sophisticated, understated look. Pairs beautifully with both casual and dressier outfits. Encourages mindful packing of essentials.
• Cons: Limited capacity is a drawback for those needing a work bag. The open-top design may be a security concern for some. Not large enough for travel or days requiring extra items like a sweater or water bottle.

This bag suits the person who prioritizes portability and a minimalist aesthetic in a daily luxury tote.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/garden-party-30-bag-H066679CK00

Hermès Garden Party 36

The Garden Party 36 offers a much more spacious interior, establishing itself as a highly functional tote that excels for work, travel, or for anyone who simply needs to carry more. While larger, it retains the line's signature understated elegance, making it a practical choice that doesn't sacrifice high-end style.

• What it is: A medium-to-large luxury tote designed for maximum practicality and versatility for work, travel, or busy daily schedules.
• Key features: Generous open interior, foldable side panels for a varied silhouette, sturdy leather base and handles. Its approximate dimensions are 14" length, 10" height, and 6" width.
• Price: Priced higher than the Garden Party 30 in equivalent materials, reflecting its larger size and increased material usage. Pricing is available upon request at Hermès boutiques.
• Materials/Construction: Available in the same premium all-leather or canvas/leather combinations as the 30, built to withstand daily use while maintaining its shape and structure.
• Capacity: Easily accommodates a small laptop (up to 13"), documents, a full-size wallet, a makeup bag, a water bottle, and even a light sweater.
• Pros: Exceptional versatility - it's well-suited as a work bag, a chic baby bag, or a carry-on. The generous capacity holds everything for a long day. Offers substantial value for its wide range of uses. Maintains a relaxed yet polished look.
• Cons: Can become heavy when fully loaded. The larger size might feel bulky on more petite frames. Its open-top can make finding small items difficult without a purse organizer.

Perfect for the user who demands functionality and space from their luxury handbag, easily transitioning from the office to the weekend.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/garden-party-36-bag-H066680CK00

Hermès Garden Party 30 vs. Garden Party 36 Comparison

Dimensions & Capacity

The most important difference is the size. The Garden Party 36 is significantly larger, measuring roughly 3 inches longer and an inch taller and wider than the Garden Party 30. This translates to roughly 50% more interior volume. The Garden Party 30 is designed for your core essentials: wallet, phone, keys, and perhaps a small tablet. It's the perfect size for keeping your load light.

In contrast, the Garden Party 36 elevates functionality to a new level. Its ability to hold a 13-inch laptop, A4 documents, a water bottle, and an extra change of shoes makes it a true all-day companion. If your daily carry includes more than just the basics, the 36 is functionally superior.

Wearability & Aesthetics

How the two bags look and feel when carried is distinct. The Garden Party 30 has a chic, tidy appearance. It’s often carried in the hand or the crook of the arm, offering a delicate, put-together look suitable for casual and slightly more formal settings. On petite frames, it provides a very proportional silhouette.

The Garden Party 36 carries like a classic tote. It has a more relaxed, substantial presence on the body and is most comfortably carried on the arm. While still incredibly elegant, its larger size gives off a more casual, carry-all vibe. It works well on average to taller frames, but could potentially overwhelm a very petite user.

Versatility & Use Case

The choice between these two sizes truly comes down to your primary use for the bag. The Garden Party 30 is the quintessential "errands and lunch" bag. It is perfectly suited for weekend shopping, brunch with friends, or any occasion where you want an elegant accessory and want to stay hands-free and unburdened.

The Garden Party 36 is the "work-to-weekend" bag. It’s an exceptional choice for the office due to its capacity for tech and documents. Its roomy interior also makes it an ideal personal item for flights or a stylish option for a weekend trip, adapting to nearly any situation where more space is a necessity.

Price & Value

While exact prices are boutique-dependent, the Garden Party 36 consistently costs more than its smaller counterpart due to the extra materials and labor. However, value is subjective. The Garden Party 30 offers value as a classic, understated Hermès piece that is beautiful and functional for light use.

The Garden Party 36 presents incredible value for its utility. For those who need one luxury bag to do it all - work tote, travel companion, and daily carry-all - the higher price of the 36 is easily justified by its versatility. Both sizes also have famously strong resale value, making either a sound investment.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both sizes are excellent choices that reflect iconic Hermès quality, but they serve very different needs.

Choose the Garden Party 30 if:

• You prefer carrying only the essentials.
• You value a lightweight, compact bag that is easy to manage.
• You want a chic, city-friendly tote for social outings and daily errands.
• You are petite and find that larger totes can overwhelm your frame.

Choose the Garden Party 36 if:

• You need a work bag that can fit a small laptop, tablet, or documents.
• You value a versatile tote that doubles as a personal item for travel.
• You often carry extra items like a water bottle, makeup bag, or sweater.
• You are looking for one primary luxury bag to serve multiple purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between the Garden Party 30 and 36?

The primary difference is size and capacity. The Garden Party 36 is approximately 3 inches longer and 1 inch taller, making it capable of holding a laptop and other work essentials. The Garden Party 30 is a smaller bag designed for carrying daily essentials only.

Can an Hermès Garden Party 30 fit a laptop?

The Garden Party 30 cannot comfortably fit a standard laptop. It is better suited for a small tablet, like an iPad Mini, or an e-reader alongside your other daily items.

Is the Hermès Garden Party 36 a good work bag?

Yes, the Garden Party 36 is an excellent work bag. It is professional, stylish, and spacious enough to hold a 13-inch laptop, files, a wallet, and other necessities, making it a favorite for the office.

Do Hermès Garden Party bags have a closure?

Yes, Garden Party bags feature a single snap closure in the center, known as a "Clou de Selle" snap. It is not a full-zip top, so the top remains largely open for easy access.

Which size is more popular?

Both sizes are incredibly popular and sought-after. The 36 is often seen as the classic, functional choice, while the 30 caters to a preference for smaller, more discreet handbags that are trending today. The "better" choice depends entirely on individual lifestyle and needs.

Are the Garden Party bags heavy?

For their size, they are considered relatively lightweight. The canvas ("Toile") versions are significantly lighter than the all-leather models. While an all-leather Garden Party 36 can get heavy when full, it is generally more manageable than other luxury totes of a similar size.

Should I get a canvas or all-leather Garden Party?

This is a personal preference. Canvas versions are more casual, lightweight, and typically less expensive. All-leather versions (in leathers like Negonda or Vache Country) offer a more luxurious look, increased durability, and greater structure, but they are also heavier and a higher investment.