Luxury Without The Waitlist: The 11 Best Birkin Alternatives (2024)

As one of the most popular luxury brands, Hermès bags have become a symbol of exclusivity and affluence.

The French fashion house’s crown jewel: the cult-favorite Birkin.

Created in 1984, the story goes that Jean-Louis Dumas, then CEO of Hermès, was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London.

During this flight, Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas sketched a design for a spacious, yet stylish leather bag that would be suitable for everyday use. The key aspects were practicality and elegance, a combination not often found in high-end fashion at that time.

Since then, the Hermès Birkin has become known for eliciting year-long waiting lists. And while the sought-after accessory may only be available to a select few, we’ve found the best Hermès Birkin alternatives.

They may not have the same skyrocketing price tags and endless waiting lists, but they do come close in style and sophistication.

Pssst..if it isn’t a Birkin-like bag you’re looking for, but something equally luxurious, see our best bags from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Prada and Chanel.

The 11 best Hermès Birkin alternatives

Ralph Lauren RL50

If you’re a regular reader of Luxe Digital, you’re probably already somewhat familiar with our love for timelessness and Ralph Lauren is the epitome of exactly that—eternal elegance. Renowned for its preppy American aesthetic and classical sophistication, Ralph Lauren is a brand worth looking at when it comes to the best Birkin alternatives, with the RL50 coming out top.

Featuring a belted silhouette and a lock on the front, the Ralph Lauren bag has a remarkable resemblance to the iconic Birkin. While the additional detachable crossbody makes it even more versatile and easy to wear.

Introduced to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary, the RL50 showcases Ralph Lauren’s signature equestrian-inspired details with an added elegance, reminiscent of the notorious Birkin.

Best for: Getting a handle on what makes the Birkin so sought-after.

Saint Laurent Sac de Jour

If you’re familiar with the iconic Hermès Birkin, you’ll know that the resemblance between these two designer bags is uncanny, with the YSL bag often mistaken for its Hermès twin.

Both bags are made from premium leather materials and feature the same structured, rectangular silhouette. And both bags have the same signature luggage tag, and elegant tote handles.

The biggest difference between the Birkin and the Birkin bag look-alike comes down to price and availability, with the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour being a lot more accessible in both areas.

P.S. It’s also one of our best designer work bags.

Best for: Achieving the Birkin look without the Birkin price tag.

Mulberry Bayswater

The Mulberry Bayswater is another designer tote that often gets mistaken as a Birkin. Similar in shape and design, the structured, rectangular silhouette is characterized by its quintessential elegance and simplicity.

Most distinctively, the Mulberry Bayswater features the same belt-like fastening and gold hardware closure—a key part of the Birkin’s anatomy. It’s also made from premium leather with a subtle gold logo at below handles. But unlike the Birkin, you can get your hands on the Mulberry Bayswater for under $1,500.

Best for: A British take on the French classic.

Tory Burch Lee Radziwill

Named after the American socialite and sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the Tory Burch Lee Radziwill reflects a blend of classic refinement and modern sensibilities.

Characterized by its unique, layered look with framed compartments, the sumptuous leather exterior is lined with a soft suede interior. And featuring belt-like leather sangles and a gold-tone push-lock fastening, the Tory Burch Lee Radziwill is one of the most popular Birkin look-a-like bags.

Best for: Another belted beauty.

Ferragamo Studio

By the best Birkin alternatives, we don’t necessarily only mean the bags that look the most similar. And while design plays a crucial role in our selection process, so does quality, functionality, and overall desirability.

That being said, the Ferragamo Studio takes on a life of its own. Made in Italy from textured leather, the structured tote features a detachable crossbody for hands-free carrying, as well as metal feet for extra protection.

But the biggest distinguishing factor is the label’s gold-hardware Gancini lock and wing sides. It’s a design that may even rival the Birkin.

Best for: Birkin-inspired, Ferragamo-created.

Prada Galleria

A slightly more paired back take on the Hermès classic, this Birkin-inspired bag is a more accessible alternative. However, it’s not just a good Birkin alternative, the Prada Galleria is an icon in and of itself. Rooted in tradition, the Prada bag was first introduced in 2007 and is named after the affluent label’s flagship store in Milan.

Scratch-proof and water-resistant (and one of the best Prada bags), the Galleria was first released in premium saffiano leather. The medium-sized tote is structured with flawless finishings, similar to the Birkin. But instead of the signature Hermès belt, the Prada Galleria—marked only by the brand’s iconic triangular logo— has a zip closure.

Best for: The Birkin’s minimalist older sister.

Delvaux Tempête

Established in 1829 in Brussels, Delvaux is the world’s oldest fine leather luxury goods house. The time-honored brand has been a warrant holder to the Royal Court of Belgium since 1883, with the Delvaux Tempête considered a signature piece in the brand’s collection.

Designed in 1967, the Tempête was inspired by the elegant lines of a sailing ship, capturing a sense of both movement and structure. Although today it’s most commonly recognized for its Birkin-like details, including the belt accent, flap closure, and angular structure.

Best for: A Birkin look-alike worthy of royalty.

Coach Brooke

As illustrious as it may be, the Birkin bag isn’t for everyone. Accessibility and price aside, it’s also on the smaller side of everyday totes, unable to carry (except if you opt for a Birkin 35 or 40) a proper laptop or other larger devices. If you’re looking for something polished and perfectly practical, the Coach Brooke is a fantastic (and much cheaper) alternative.

The Birkin-like bag is a similar rectangular shape, accented with a leather tag, a lock, and gold hardware. However, unlike the Hermès icon, the larger leather tote zips up, with a middle compartment big enough for a 13-inch laptop.

Best for: A sized-up Birkin doppelganger.

Michael Kors Hamilton Legacy

The Michael Kors Hamilton Legacy is perfect for those who love the Hermès Birkin, but prefer something a little more bedazzled—as well as something more affordable and accessible.

Featuring a similar rectangular silhouette, the leather tote is similar to a Birkin in many ways, including the belt-like fastening, gold hardware, and flap closure. However, the Hamilton Legacy is not quite as simple as the classical Hermès bag, showcasing added details such as a gold chain and leather side ties.

Best for: Spicing up the Hermès classic.

Mulberry Islington

Combining meticulous British craftsmanship with modern design, Mulberry is known for its equestrian countryside designs, with quintessential detailing such as buckles and straps—similar to those on the Birkin.

As one of the brand’s signature pieces, the Mulberry Islington is also one of our best Birkin alternatives, featuring a structured and rectangular silhouette with rounded tote handles and gold hardware.

The biggest difference is that the Mulberry Islington doesn’t have a flap, giving it a more simple aesthetic.

Best for: Flap-free but equally functional.

Celine 16

A symbol of unobtrusive elegance, Celine is a brand worth investing in. And while it may not be as famous as Hermès, it’s quickly climbing the ranks of most popular luxury brands in the era of stealth wealth and quiet luxury, with the Celine 16 considered one of Celine’s best bags and one of our best Hermès look-alike bags.

Created in 2019 by Hedi Slimane, the Celine 16 pioneered a new era for the luxury Maison. Drawing inspiration from the centuries-old Hotel Colbert at 16 Rue Vivienne, the structured leather tote includes Birkin-like details such as key covers, gold padlocks and a flap closure. While the rest of the bag remains relatively paired back and quintessentially Celine.

Best for: Marrying the old with the new.

Frequently asked questions about Hermès Birkin alternatives