Hermès Herbag 31 vs. 39: Which size is right for you?

The Hermès Herbag 31 and Herbag 39 are defined by their 8-centimeter difference in width, which creates two distinct experiences. The Herbag 31 is a compact, elegant daily bag perfect for essentials, while the larger Herbag 39 serves as a spacious carryall, ideal for work, travel, or anyone who needs to carry more than the basics. Both share the iconic Hermès silhouette inspired by the Kelly bag, blending durable canvas with luxurious leather.

Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Herbag for your lifestyle.

Hermès Herbag 31

The Hermès Herbag 31 is the classic choice for an everyday luxury tote, striking a perfect balance between functionality and refined style. Often called the Kelly bag's more casual sibling, it features a durable canvas body with a sophisticated leather top, handle, and strap. Its manageable size makes it an ideal companion for daily errands, work, or social outings without feeling cumbersome.

• What it is: A medium-sized, lightweight tote bag featuring a canvas body and leather trim, known for its versatility and understated elegance.
• Key features: Canvas body, leather top flap with a "clou de selle" closure, top handle, a long shoulder strap, and an external zip pocket on the back.
• Dimensions: Approximately 31 cm (width) x 23 cm (height) x 13 cm (depth).
• Price: Ranges from $2,500 to $3,000 USD, depending on materials and seasonality.
• Materials/Construction: Crafted from heavy-duty canvas with Vache Hunter leather trim, ensuring longevity and a beautiful patina over time.
• Capacity: Comfortably fits daily essentials like a wallet, phone, keys, small makeup pouch, and a small tablet or book.
• Pros: Lightweight and easy to carry, versatile enough for both casual and semi-formal settings, more accessible price point for an Hermès bag, timeless design.
• Cons: Limited capacity for larger items like a standard laptop, the unstructured canvas body can lose its shape if overstuffed.

This bag suits those seeking a sophisticated, practical, and lightweight option for daily use that holds all key essentials without being bulky.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/herbag-31-

Hermès Herbag 39

The Hermès Herbag 39 offers all the signature style of the Herbag line but with significantly more space. It functions as a generously sized tote or a chic weekender, designed for those who need extra capacity. While maintaining the same elegant construction and materials as its smaller counterpart, the 39's larger dimensions give it a more casual, relaxed look perfect for travel, busy workdays, or as a sophisticated parent bag.

• What it is: A larger version of the Herbag tote, offering ample space for work, travel, or carrying extra belongings.
• Key features: Same canvas and leather construction as the 31 but in a larger format, providing a spacious main compartment. Includes a top handle, shoulder strap, and rear zip pocket.
• Dimensions: Approximately 39 cm (width) x 27 cm (height) x 15 cm (depth).
• Price: Typically ranges from $3,000 to $3,500 USD.
• Materials/Construction: Combines a durable canvas body with high-quality Vache Hunter cowhide for the top, straps, and trim.
• Capacity: Ample room for a small laptop (up to 13"), a tablet, documents, a change of clothes, or a full makeup bag in addition to daily essentials.
• Pros: Excellent capacity for work or travel, highly functional, can be used as a weekend bag, offers great value for a large luxury tote.
• Cons: Can feel bulky, especially for petite frames, becomes noticeably heavier when full, might be too large for simple day-to-day errands.

This size works best for individuals needing a versatile and spacious bag that can handle the demands of travel, a busy professional life, or daily life with kids.

Shop this product: hermes.com/us/en/product/herbag-39-

Hermès Herbag 31 vs. Hermès Herbag 39 Comparison

Size & Capacity

The core difference comes down to 8 centimeters in width, but this greatly impacts functionality. The Herbag 31 is strictly an everyday handbag. It's designed to hold your essentials - wallet, sunglasses, phone, a paperback book. A small tablet like an iPad Mini might fit, but a standard laptop is out of the question.

In contrast, the Herbag 39 is a true carryall. Its generous interior can comfortably accommodate a 13-inch laptop, work files, a water bottle, and an extra sweater. This makes it an excellent choice for a work tote, a stylish travel companion for short trips, or even a chic diaper bag.

Design & Aesthetics

Both bags share the same utilitarian-chic design, but the size affects how each one wears. The Herbag 31 has a more structured appearance, sitting neatly on the hip or carried by hand, giving it a polished and proportionate look for most body types. It transitions gracefully from a daytime work setting to an evening dinner.

The Herbag 39 has a more relaxed, slouchy feel due to its larger size. When carried, it makes a bolder statement and leans more casual. For petite individuals, the 39 might feel overwhelming, while on taller frames, it can look perfectly balanced as an oversized tote.

Price & Value

There's usually a price difference of around $500 to $1,000 between the two sizes, with the Herbag 39 costing more due to the additional materials. In terms of value, both are considered excellent entry points into the world of Hermès handbags. The Herbag 31 offers great value as a versatile daily luxury piece. The Herbag 39 provides immense utility for its price, rivaling the capacity of much more expensive luxury totes.

Versatility & Usability

The Herbag 31 excels in daily versatility. It's lightweight, easy to manage, and fits into almost any social or professional situation. It’s the bag you grab without a second thought for a day out.

The Herbag 39’s versatility lies in its capacity. While it may be too large for a quick coffee run, it is incredibly useful as a multi-purpose bag. It can be your "one bag" for a weekend trip, your trusted office companion, or your go-to for days when you simply need to carry more stuff. Its weight when full is a consideration, it can get heavy, whereas the 31 remains manageable.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Herbag sizes are excellent choices that reflect timeless Hermès craftsmanship, but they serve distinctly different purposes.

Choose the Herbag 31 if:

• You're looking for a sophisticated and lightweight bag for everyday use.
• You typically only carry essentials like your wallet, phone, keys, and minimal makeup.
• You want a versatile bag that effortlessly transitions from casual daytime to a dressier evening.
• You have a petite frame or prefer bags that are more proportionate and less bulky.

Choose the Herbag 39 if:

• You need a work bag that can carry a laptop (up to 13"), documents, and personal items.
• You're searching for a stylish carry-on or weekend travel bag.
• You often find that standard-sized handbags just don't have enough room for your needs.
• You prefer the look of a larger, more relaxed tote and don't mind the extra size and potential weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between the Herbag 31 and 39?

The primary difference is size and capacity. The Herbag 31 is 31 cm wide and is ideal for daily essentials, while the Herbag 39 is 39 cm wide and can function as a work tote or travel bag, capable of holding a small laptop and more.

Can the Herbag 39 fit a laptop?

Yes, the Herbag 39 can typically fit a slim 13-inch laptop, such as a MacBook Air, along with other items. However, it's always wise to check your laptop's specific dimensions before purchasing.

Is the Herbag 31 big enough for daily use?

Absolutely. For most people, the Herbag 31 has ample room for all necessary daily items, including a large wallet, smartphone, keys, sunglasses, and a small cosmetic pouch.

Are Hermès Herbag bags durable?

Yes, they are exceptionally durable. The canvas body is designed to be tough and resistant to wear, while the Vache Hunter leather is known for its sturdiness and ability to develop a beautiful patina over time.

How does the Herbag compare to the Hermès Kelly?

The Herbag is often called the "Kelly's younger sister." It shares a similar trapezoidal shape and top-handle design but is much more casual due to its canvas body. It is also significantly more accessible in terms of price and availability.

Are Herbags a good investment?

While Birkin and Kelly bags are famous for appreciating in value, Herbags also hold their value very well on the resale market, especially in classic colors. They are a solid purchase that combines utility with the prestige of the Hermès brand.

Is the Herbag lightweight?

Compared to full-leather bags of a similar size, the Herbag line is relatively lightweight thanks to its canvas construction. The Herbag 31 is very light and easy to carry, while the 39 is still lighter than many luxury leather totes, though it can become heavy once packed full.

Which size is more popular?

The Herbag 31 is widely considered the classic, go-to size for everyday wear and is extremely popular. However, the Herbag 39 is also in high demand among those who need functionality and space for work or travel.