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

Lalage Beaumont is a contemporary British brand known for colorful, playful, and sustainable handbags at an accessible luxury price point, typically under $600. In contrast, Hermès represents the pinnacle of French heritage luxury, offering timeless, handcrafted leather goods like the Birkin bag that function as investment pieces costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right handbag brand for your style and budget.

Lalage Beaumont: The Playful & Contemporary Handbag Designer

Lalage Beaumont is a modern British accessories brand that offers a sense of fun and personality. It targets fashion-forward individuals who want unique, statement pieces that don't conform to traditional luxury norms. With a focus on bold prints, vibrant colors, and eco-friendly materials, the brand has carved out a niche for shoppers who value creativity and sustainability.

• Product mix: The collection focuses on handbags, wallets, and small accessories. Lalage Beaumont is known for its quirky patterns and distinctive silhouettes that feel both modern and whimsical.
• Price point: Prices are in the mid-range to premium accessible luxury category, with most handbags priced between $200 and $600.
• Quality & Materials: The brand emphasizes quality craftsmanship using sustainable and eco-friendly materials, including high-quality vegan leathers and recycled fabrics. While well-made and durable, the focus is on fashion and sustainability rather than heirloom handcrafting.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of the brand's identity. From materials to ethical manufacturing processes, Lalage Beaumont appeals directly to environmentally conscious consumers.

Lalage Beaumont provides an excellent option for those seeking a unique, sustainable, and statement-making accessory at a much more accessible price than traditional high-end luxury.

Shop Lalage Beaumont: lalagebeaumont.com

Hermès: The Epitome of Timeless Luxury

Established in 1837, Hermès is a legendary French institution synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship, exclusivity, and understated elegance. As a symbol of status and refined taste, the brand produces some of the world's most coveted luxury goods. Owning an Hermès handbag is often seen as acquiring a piece of art or a blue-chip investment, valued for its heritage and timeless appeal.

• Product mix: While famous for iconic handbags like the Birkin and Kelly, Hermès offers a full range of luxury goods including silk scarves, ready-to-wear fashion, jewelry, home goods, and fragrances.
• Price point: Hermès operates in the ultra-luxury market. Handbags start around $10,000 and can easily exceed $50,000, with rare pieces fetching much more at auction.
• Quality & Materials: Hermès sets the industry standard for quality. Each bag is handcrafted by a single artisan using the world's finest leathers and materials, a process that can take many hours. The result is an heirloom-quality piece designed to last for generations.
• Exclusivity: The shopping experience is highly exclusive, often requiring a purchase history to be offered one of the iconic bags. Products are sold primarily through official Hermès boutiques, creating an aura of scarcity and desirability.

Hermès represents the height of luxury craftsmanship, making it the choice for collectors and buyers seeking a timeless, investment-grade accessory.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Lalage Beaumont vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between the two brands is significant and reflects their different market positions. Lalage Beaumont offers stylish, high-quality bags in the $200 to $600 range, making creative luxury accessible to a broader audience. These are fashion pieces designed to be enjoyed and worn without the financial weight of an ultra-luxury item.

An Hermès handbag is a major financial investment. With prices starting in the five-figure range, these bags are symbols of wealth and status. Their value often appreciates over time, making them a popular choice for serious collectors who view their purchases as assets.

Quality & Materials

Hermès is unmatched in its dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Every stitch is perfect, and the brand uses the most luxurious and responsibly sourced leathers available. Each bag is a testament to the skill of the artisan who made it, resulting in a product that combines durability with an exquisite feel.

Lalage Beaumont also prioritizes quality but a different kind. The focus is on innovative, sustainable materials like premium vegan leathers and fabrics made from recycled components. The construction is solid and durable for everyday fashion use, but it is not intended to compete with the painstaking artisanal handcrafting of an Hermès piece.

Style & Aesthetic

The style of these two brands could not be more different. Hermès embodies classic, timeless, and understated elegance. Its designs are minimalist and sophisticated, intended to transcend fleeting trends. An Hermès bag is versatile and designed to complement a polished wardrobe for decades.

Lalage Beaumont's aesthetic is built on personality and creativity. The designs are bold, colorful, and playful, featuring unique prints and quirky details. A Lalage Beaumont bag is a statement piece meant to be the focal point of an outfit, appealing to a younger, more trend-conscious consumer who wants to express individuality.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Hermès is an exclusive, high-touch affair. Customers often build relationships with sales associates over time to gain access to coveted items like a Birkin or Kelly bag. The boutique experience is luxurious, personalized, and private. Purchasing a bag is often a selective process with long waits.

The Lalage Beaumont shopping experience is much more direct and accessible. Its online store is user-friendly and visually engaging, reflecting the brand’s creative spirit. The brand offers a straightforward purchasing process with excellent customer service, creating a delightful and stress-free boutique experience. The focus here is on ease and accessibility, not exclusivity.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands address sustainability differently. Lalage Beaumont makes it a central pillar of its business model. The use of eco-friendly materials, vegan alternatives, and ethical manufacturing is a primary selling point and draws in a customer base that prioritizes these values.

Hermès's approach to sustainability is rooted in its philosophy of creating products that last a lifetime, reducing the need for replacement. The company is committed to responsible sourcing and transparent supply chains, but its core identity is built on heritage and luxury craftsmanship rather than environmental activism.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between these two brands comes down to your personal style, budget, and what you value in a luxury accessory.

Choose Lalage Beaumont if:

• You love bold, colorful bags that express your personality.
• Your budget for a new handbag is under $1,000.
• Sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials are priorities for you.
• You want a unique conversation piece that stands out from mainstream luxury brands.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are looking for a timeless investment piece that may increase in value.
• You value exceptional, handcrafted quality and the finest materials above all else.
• Your style is classic, minimalist, and you prefer understated elegance.
• Exclusivity, heritage, and the status associated with owning an iconic bag are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lalage Beaumont a luxury brand?

Yes, Lalage Beaumont is considered an accessible luxury brand. It offers high-quality design and materials at a price point below traditional high-luxury houses like Hermès or Chanel.

Why is Hermès so expensive?

Hermès bags are expensive due to a combination of factors: impeccable craftsmanship by highly skilled artisans, the use of the most premium materials in the world, extreme exclusivity create high demand, and the brand's legendary heritage and status.

Which brand is a better investment?

Hermès is unequivocally the better investment. Iconic models like the Birkin and Kelly are famous for retaining and often increasing their value over time, making them a popular asset class for collectors.

Does Lalage Beaumont use real leather?

Lalage Beaumont focuses on sustainability, which includes offering premium vegan leather options and using other eco-friendly materials. The brand is known for its high-quality, non-animal-based fabrics.

How can I buy an Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag?

It's notoriously difficult. There is no public waitlist, instead, you build a relationship with a sales associate at an Hermès boutique over time. The store may then offer you the opportunity to purchase one when it becomes available.

Is Lalage Beaumont more sustainable than Hermès?

Yes, sustainability is a core and explicit part of Lalage Beaumont's brand identity, evident in its material choices and ethical production. Hermès's sustainability is more implicit, based on the buy-for-life longevity of its products.

Where are Lalage Beaumont products sold?

Lalage Beaumont is primarily sold through its official website. Its products can also be found in select high-end boutiques, which aligns with its boutique, creator-driven appeal.

What is Hermès’ most iconic product?

The Hermès Birkin bag is arguably its most iconic product, closely followed by the Kelly bag and its signature silk scarves.