…And a digression on Hermes.
Obviously there are many of these at independent artisans’ shops, especially on say Etsy, in Italy and many other countries, and online. The vintage market provides you with a plethora of these. I prefer Vestiaire Collective myself but no site is perfect, of course. There will always be problems on all sites with photos, shipping etc.
In terms of designer non-logo bags, ranging from non-wildly obvious to totally no logo, I like:
–Roger Vivier if you don’t mind the square buckle — some of his clutches and bags have it covered in crystal flowers.
–Fendi’s 2Jours tote bag in a dark neutral color; I find the old famous Spy bags too well known, but they might appeal to some.
–Nancy Gonzalez bags in bright tropical colors for those who enjoy that or who live in tropical climates [where it meshes very well with the summery styles] or in more neutral shades for those of us who prefer that type of thing. She often uses very classic shapes, which I like.
-Some people might be interested in the LV epi leather bags, perhaps the Pont Neuf bag.
-A more old fashioned shape for a bag is the Delvaux Le Brillant bag. This bag is obviously very close in shape to the old vintage Coach Station bag.
-Obviously the Kelly is one major option here, [and one of my absolute favorite bags/shapes], but some may discount it because of how recognizable it is [as well as the Birkin.] Many other Hermes bags are not so well known, but aren’t appealing: the Verrou Chaine looks too much like a bathroom stall door closure, the Evelyn [and Constance, and Lindy] is quite branded in it’s own way, and the Berlin bag is oddly half puffer-coat echoing.
The Berlingot bag is an excellent style, however. I recommend the Bolide only if you emboss something [anything] on the circle that appears to be begging for it. I cannot stand a blank Bolide bag. Another recommendation is the simple Double Sens Tote.
The Bourlingue and the Cabag are not of interest to me personally, nor are the canvas/other totes like the Garden Party. The Catenina looks too much like a craft project with jewelry hanging off of it [very 70s in style to me.]
The Christine bag is too severe in a way, but if you enjoy vintage pieces you may like it’s sharply angled triangle flap and large silver button. The Jypsiere is similarly styled in an unfortunately dated way. It does not imply youth [just like the Plume bag.] I think the Picotin is hard to pin down, it is on the line between old and new. I cannot decide.
The Marwari bags is seldom seen or found but has a great classic style to them. [The Massai is too much of an exaggerated hobo shape, much like some Postman Lock [3 eye] Mulberry totes.]
The Toolbox bag, Dalvy, Colorado style, Trim bag, the Octogone, and Drag style are uninteresting styles — simple but not simple enough to be appealing.
The Halzen is appealing, however it is too busy and fussy. If you enjoy aesthetic above all else and don’t mind a bag that’s hard to get into–and love horses and racing above all else, along with its paraphernalia–give it a look. The Herbag has a similar opening and closing problem, while the Roulis is a bit too on the nose in terms of its hardware to make it useful.
Handbag Hype 
