The leather defines the character of every Hermès bag: its texture, its weight, its structure and how it ages. Here are the leathers you will meet most often.
Togo
A grained calfskin and the most popular choice for the Birkin. It is durable, resists scratches well and has a soft, relaxed structure. Perfect for everyday use.
Clemence
Made from young bull calf, Clemence has a larger, flatter grain than Togo. It is soft and slightly heavier, and bags in Clemence tend to slouch gracefully over time. It is common on the Lindy, the Evelyne and larger Birkins.
Epsom
An embossed leather with a fine, regular grain. It is light, very rigid and easy to clean, which makes it ideal for structured bags such as the Kelly Sellier and the Constance. Colors look especially vivid on Epsom.
Swift
A smooth, fine-grained leather with a subtle sheen. It absorbs dye beautifully, giving rich, luminous colors, but it shows scratches more easily than grained leathers.
Box calf
One of the oldest Hermès leathers, smooth and glossy. It develops a beautiful patina with age but is sensitive to water and scratches. It is prized by collectors of vintage pieces.
Exotic leathers
Crocodile, alligator, lizard and ostrich sit at the top of the range. Crocodile comes in shiny or matte finishes, and each skin is unique. These pieces are rare and highly collectible. Some exotic leathers are subject to shipping restrictions outside the United States.
Which leather should you choose?
- For everyday durability: Togo or Clemence.
- For a crisp, structured look: Epsom.
- For vivid color and a refined finish: Swift.
- For a statement collector piece: exotics.
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