There is little other adjective suitable to describe the late, great Jane Birkin other than iconic.
While we could wax lyrical about the English-French model, actor and singer’s ethereal presence, or her effortless sense of style that inspired her generation – there’s one particular object relating to Jane Birkin that often piques the interest of fashion fans throughout the globe: the Birkin bag.
Launched by the French luxury design house Hermès in 1984 at a price point of $2,000, the Birkin bag – in its rarest leathers and brightest colourways – has since been sold at prices exceeding $450,000, according to Sotheby’s. In 2022, one of Jane’s very own vintage Birkin bags sold in the UK for £119,000 at Bonhams. Today, a standard Birkin bag goes for approximately $10,000 US dollars. Yet the paragon of wealth and luxury has strangely humble beginnings.
When Jane Birkin boarded a flight to Paris to London, she found herself seated beside the CEO of Hermès at the time – Jean-Louis Dumas. Upon remarking at the difficulty Jane had in getting her open-topped, ever-classic pannier basket bag in the overhead locker – Birkin told Dumas that she has never been able to find the perfect, day-to-day luxury leather handbag suitable for travelling. Well, Dumas thought, we can certainly fix that.
And thus, the Birkin bag was born. It was officially launched in late 1984 – reflecting a perfect blend of sheer luxury and pure utility. The Birkin Bag has become a zeitgeist in itself and, despite its namesake, has developed a life within the world of luxury outside of its namesake.
However, in order to be in with the chance of buying a brand-new Birkin bag, you have to be placed on a very specific, seemingly mythical waiting list. Due to the fact that demand outweighs supply, the reality is that getting your hands on the accessory is matter of influence and sheer luck with regards to stock in your local atelier. To bypass this, you need to have your name on a different kind of list – the one pertaining to the richest individuals in the world. As such, the vast majority of Birkin bag enthusiasts tend to purchase second hand via resale platforms.
If you simply admire the design and functionality of the Birkin but cannot fathom saving up to purchase your very own, there are various luxurious lookalikes that certainly fit the bill.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best Birkin bag dupes on the market. Keep scrolling for a round-up of the best Birkin-inspired bags to complete your quiet luxury aesthetic – without having to remortgage your home.
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Mulberry Small Zipped Bayswater
Mulberry’s Bayswater bag is a fabulous, practical and beautiful accessory in its own right. Introduced in 2003 by former design director Nicholas Knightly, the original Bayswater bag has become an iconic piece for the fashion house.
This smaller, zipped version of the expertly crafted masterpiece has a remarkably similar silhouette to the Birkin bag, from the brand’s signature postman’s lock which secures two belted straps, to the twin leather handles.
Buy now £1350.00, Mulberry
Mulberry Bayswater
Though the original Bayswater design doesn’t have the same Birkin-esque silhouette as the zipped version, we had to include this quintessential Mulberry piece in our round-up. After all, what is a Birkin bag if not the essence of practical luxury? Whether packed-up for weekends away, or used as the perfect daily tote – any fashion-conscious soul would be lucky to add a Bayswater to their budding collection of luxury goods.
Buy now £1350.00, Mulberry
Coach Brooke Carryall 28
Wonderfully wearable and available at a slightly more affordable price point than the majority of Birkin-inspired bags, the Brooke Carryall 28 is realised in a beautiful, polished pebble leather. The centre-zip compartment splits this fairly sizeable bags in two, meaning that you won’t need to purchase any of those pesky bag organisers designed for owners of Birkin bags.
Buy now £247.40, Coach
Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Petite Double Bag
Another luxury, designer option which has a remarkably similar silhouette to the Birkin, this design has a uniquely attractive double layered, divided lining. Described by the fashion house as “composed of layers that unfold like the collar of a trench coat,” the Lee Radziwill bag is as beautiful and trailblazing as its namesake, the ex-princess, socialite and sister to Jackie Kennedy Onassis previously known as Caroline Lee Bouvier.
Buy now £620.00, Tory Burch
Maya Midi Dolomite Pebble Print Calf Leather Handbag
We know that this pebble print leather handbag by Lalage Beaumont looks slightly more like the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, but we still think that this design will appeal to Birkin lovers across the globe. The midi size is neither too cumbersome, nor too small and comes equipped with easily detachable square magnetic locks which can be left undone for a more casual look.
Buy now £775.00, Lalage Beaumont
The Emily
This deep, wine-stained burgundy version of The Cambridge Satchel Co.’s Emily Bag immediately makes us think of high-end luxury. The seemingly simplistic design is nevertheless immaculate and durable enough to serve as an heirloom piece to be passed down within the family.
Designed in celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary, spectators won’t believe you when you tell them that this bag is not, in fact, a luxury vintage treasure in perfect condition.
Buy now £295.00, The Cambridge Satchel Co.
Liverpool Street 2.0 Faux Croc
A fantastic option for lovers of the classic crocodile leather Birkin bags, this wallet-friendly open tote bag from Radley serves as an aesthetically pleasing alternative. What’s more, it is complete with three separate interior sections for easy daily organisation and is finished with a gorgeous A-line pleated silhouette.
Buy now £181.00, Radley
