The Hermès Constance is one of the most recognisable and sought-after bags in the world — yet it remains significantly less understood than the Birkin or Kelly. First introduced in 1959, the Constance has quietly built a reputation as one of the smartest purchases in the Hermès range: a bag that combines everyday versatility, timeless design and strong investment performance.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Hermès Constance: its history, sizes, leathers, colours, pricing at retail and on the pre-owned market, how to style it, and whether it deserves a place in your collection alongside — or instead of — a Birkin or Kelly.
The History of the Hermès Constance
The Constance was designed by Catherine Chaillet in 1959 and named after her daughter, born on the same day the design was completed. The bag debuted at a time when Hermès was establishing itself as the definitive luxury leather goods house, with the Kelly already an icon and the Birkin still two decades away.
The design was revolutionary for its time. Where the Kelly was formal and structured, the Constance was casual and modern. Its signature feature — a large, polished H-clasp on the front — was bold and graphic, a departure from the discreet hardware that characterised most Hermès pieces. The slim, flat profile and adjustable strap made it one of the first true crossbody bags from a major luxury house.
Jackie Kennedy was among the Constance's earliest high-profile admirers, carrying it regularly throughout the 1960s and 1970s. This association cemented the bag's status as a symbol of understated, intellectual style — distinct from the more overtly luxurious Birkin and Kelly.
Constance Sizes: 18 vs 24
The Constance is currently produced in two primary sizes, each serving a distinctly different purpose.
### Constance 18
The **Constance 18** (also referred to as the Constance Mini) measures approximately 18cm wide, 15cm tall and 4cm deep. It is a compact crossbody bag designed for essentials: a phone, cardholder, keys and lipstick.
The Constance 18 is the more popular size on the pre-owned market and commands significantly higher premiums above retail. Its dimensions make it ideal for evening events, dinners and occasions where a smaller bag is appropriate. Worn crossbody, it sits neatly against the hip and creates a sleek, streamlined silhouette.
The Constance 18 is the strongest investment performer of the two sizes, trading at approximately 130–160% of retail on the pre-owned market for classic colours. It is also one of the most difficult Hermès bags to obtain at retail, with allocation being extremely limited even for established clients.
### Constance 24
The **Constance 24** measures approximately 24cm wide, 19cm tall and 5cm deep. It offers meaningfully more space than the 18 — enough for a phone, compact wallet, sunglasses, keys and a small cosmetics pouch.
The Constance 24 is the more practical choice for daily use. It functions beautifully as a work-to-dinner bag and offers enough capacity to serve as a primary handbag for those who prefer to carry lightly. The slightly larger H-clasp on the 24 makes a bolder visual statement.
On the pre-owned market, the Constance 24 trades at slightly lower premiums than the 18 — approximately 110–140% of retail for classic colours. However, it remains a strong performer relative to most Hermès bags and is significantly more liquid than models like the Evelyne or Bolide.
### Discontinued Sizes
Hermès has previously produced the Constance in larger sizes — the Constance 28 and Constance 32 — though these are now discontinued or extremely rare in current production. Vintage examples in these sizes appear occasionally on the pre-owned market and can command strong prices, particularly in exotic leathers or unusual colours.
The **Constance Élan**, a longer and slimmer variation of the Constance 24, was produced for a period and remains highly collectible.
Leathers and Colours
The Constance is produced in the full range of Hermès leathers, though certain combinations are more common and more desirable than others.
Epsom is the most popular leather for the Constance. Its pressed grain is lightweight, scratch-resistant and holds the bag's flat, structured shape beautifully. Epsom also takes colour exceptionally well, producing vibrant, saturated hues that are particularly striking on a bag with the Constance's clean lines.
Swift is the second most common Constance leather. It is smooth, supple and luxurious, with a semi-matte finish that feels exceptionally refined. Swift is more susceptible to scratches than Epsom and requires more careful handling, but many collectors consider it the most beautiful leather for the Constance.
Evercolour offers a middle ground — smoother than Epsom but more durable than Swift. It has become increasingly popular for the Constance and is an excellent all-round choice.
Chèvre (goatskin) is rarer on the Constance but highly prized. Its fine grain, durability and lightweight feel make it a collector's favourite. Chèvre Constances command premiums on the pre-owned market, particularly in bi-colour combinations.
Exotic leathers — alligator, crocodile and lizard — elevate the Constance to a different level entirely. An exotic Constance 18 is one of the most coveted bags in the Hermès range, with pre-owned prices reaching £25,000 to £45,000 depending on the skin, colour and condition.
For colours, the same principles apply as across the Hermès range. **Noir** is the most liquid and versatile, followed by **Gold**, **Étoupe** and **Craie**. The Constance's clean design means it also carries bold colours exceptionally well — **Rouge Casaque**, **Bleu Royal** and **Vert Cypress** are all striking choices.
Hermès Constance Prices: Retail vs Resale
Understanding Constance pricing requires looking at both the retail and pre-owned markets.
Retail prices (April 2026): Constance 18 in Epsom or Swift: approximately £7,200. Constance 24 in Epsom or Swift: approximately £8,500. Constance 18 in alligator: approximately £22,000. Constance 24 in alligator: approximately £28,000.
Pre-owned market prices (April 2026): Constance 18 in classic colour, standard leather, GHW: £9,000 to £14,000. Constance 18 in seasonal colour: £8,000 to £11,000. Constance 24 in classic colour, standard leather, GHW: £9,500 to £13,000. Constance 24 in seasonal colour: £8,000 to £10,500. Constance 18 in exotic leather: £20,000 to £45,000.
How to Style the Hermès Constance
The Constance is one of the most versatile bags in the Hermès range.
Crossbody is the most natural way to wear the Constance. The adjustable strap sits comfortably on the shoulder or across the body, leaving both hands free. The Constance 18 worn crossbody is particularly effective for evening or event dressing — it adds polish without overwhelming the outfit.
On the shoulder — shortening the strap to carry the Constance on the shoulder creates a slightly more formal look. This works beautifully with tailored coats, blazers and workwear.
As a clutch — the Constance can be unclipped from its strap and carried as a clutch for formal occasions. The flat profile and prominent H-clasp make it a striking evening piece. This versatility is a genuine advantage over the Birkin and Kelly.
The Constance works across dress codes in a way that few bags can match. It is equally at home with jeans and a cashmere knit, a tailored suit, or an evening dress.
Constance vs Kelly: How Do They Compare
The Constance and Kelly are often compared because both function as crossbody bags and occupy a similar price bracket. However, they serve quite different purposes.
Capacity: The Kelly offers significantly more interior space than the Constance in equivalent sizes. A Kelly 25 holds roughly twice the volume of a Constance 18.
Profile: The Constance is slimmer and more streamlined. The Kelly has more depth and structure. The Constance sits flatter against the body when worn crossbody.
Versatility: The Constance works well from day to evening without modification. The Kelly can also transition but requires removing the shoulder strap to carry by hand for formal settings.
Investment performance: Both bags trade above retail on the pre-owned market. The Kelly 25 currently commands higher absolute premiums, though the Constance's premiums as a percentage of retail are comparable.
For most collectors, the Constance and Kelly complement rather than compete with each other. The Constance excels for lighter, crossbody use and evening occasions. The Kelly excels for everyday carry and more formal settings.
Investment Potential: Is the Constance a Good Buy in 2026
The Constance's investment credentials have strengthened considerably over the past five years.
Rising demand with constrained supply. Social media has significantly raised the Constance's profile, particularly the Constance 18. Production remains very limited — more so than the Birkin or Kelly — creating growing pressure on the secondary market.
Price appreciation. Pre-owned Constance prices have increased approximately 35–45% over the past three years, outpacing even the Birkin over the same period.
Retail price trajectory. Annual Hermès price increases continue to push retail prices upward, raising the floor for pre-owned values.
Demographic appeal. The Constance appeals to a younger demographic than the Birkin, driven by its crossbody functionality and modern aesthetic.
For buyers considering a Constance as an investment in 2026, the Constance 18 in a classic colour — Noir, Gold or Étoupe — in Epsom leather with gold hardware is the benchmark configuration.
At JULL, we regularly source and stock both Constance sizes in a range of leathers and colours. Every piece is authenticated in our London workroom and available for immediate purchase. Contact us via WhatsApp to discuss your requirements.