Most people who walk into Hermès for the first time leave thinking the only bags that matter are the Birkin and the Kelly. The Constance rarely comes up in that first conversation — and that is precisely what makes it interesting. Designed in 1959, produced in smaller quantities than either of the big two, and increasingly difficult to source at retail, the Constance has quietly become one of the most sought-after bags in the Hermès range. The question is whether it is worth the spend — and for whom.
This is a 2026 review of the Hermès Constance from a pre-owned specialist's perspective. We cover history, sizes, leathers, current pricing at retail and on the secondary market, how prices have moved, styling, and how the Constance compares to the Kelly. If you are considering a Constance as your first or next Hermès purchase, this is where to start.
A Brief History of the Constance
Catherine Chaillet designed the Constance in 1959 and named it after her daughter, born the same day the design was finalised. The bag arrived at a moment when Hermès was already synonymous with the Kelly — a structured, formal, top-handle piece. The Constance was the opposite: flat, modern, casual. Its oversized H-clasp was bold for the era, a graphic statement that broke from the house's typically discreet hardware.
Jackie Kennedy carried the Constance regularly throughout the 1960s and 1970s, cementing its association with understated intellectual style. That association has never quite faded. Where the Birkin reads power and the Kelly reads polish, the Constance reads quiet confidence — and that positioning has proved remarkably durable over six decades.
Production has always been more limited than the Birkin or Kelly. Hermès allocates fewer Constances per boutique, and the bag is offered even less frequently to clients. That scarcity is a significant part of the story for anyone considering the pre-owned route.
Constance Sizes: 18 vs 24
The Constance is currently produced in two primary sizes, each suited to a different use case.
The Constance 18 measures approximately 18 x 15 x 4 cm. It fits a phone, cardholder, keys and lipstick — nothing more. Worn crossbody, it sits neatly against the hip and works beautifully for dinners, events and lighter days. The 18 is the more popular size on the pre-owned market and commands higher premiums above retail, trading at roughly 130 to 160 per cent of retail for classic colours as of spring 2026. It is also the harder size to obtain at the boutique.
The Constance 24 measures approximately 24 x 19 x 5 cm. The extra space accommodates a compact wallet, sunglasses, keys and a small cosmetics pouch — enough to serve as a primary handbag for those who carry lightly. The 24 trades at slightly lower premiums — approximately 110 to 140 per cent of retail — but remains significantly more liquid than most Hermès models outside the Birkin and Kelly. For daily use, the 24 is the more practical choice.
Hermès has previously produced the Constance in sizes 28 and 32, though both are now discontinued. The Constance Élan — a longer, slimmer variation of the 24 — was produced for a limited period and remains collectible on the secondary market.
Leathers and Which to Choose
The leather you choose affects how the Constance looks, how it wears and how well it holds its value over time.
Epsom is the most common Constance leather and, for most buyers, the best all-round choice. Its pressed grain is lightweight, scratch-resistant and holds the bag's flat structure crisply. Epsom also takes colour exceptionally well — the saturated hues that result suit the Constance's clean lines particularly effectively.
Swift is the second most popular option. It is smooth, supple and luxurious, with a semi-matte finish that feels refined in hand. The trade-off is durability: Swift marks more easily than Epsom and requires more careful handling. Many collectors consider Swift the most beautiful leather for the Constance, but it is better suited to occasional use than daily rotation.
Evercolour occupies the middle ground — smoother than Epsom, more durable than Swift. It has become increasingly popular and is an excellent choice for buyers who want a refined look without the fragility of Swift.
Chèvre (goatskin) is rarer on the Constance but highly prized. Its fine grain, light weight and durability make it a collector's favourite, particularly in bi-colour combinations. Exotic leathers — alligator, crocodile and lizard — push pre-owned prices into the £25,000 to £45,000 range for the Constance 18.
For colours, the rules are consistent across Hermès. Noir is the most liquid and versatile, followed by Gold, Étoupe and Craie. The Constance's clean silhouette also carries bold colours well — Rouge Casaque, Bleu Royal and Vert Cypress are all striking.
Constance Prices in 2026: Retail and Pre-Owned
Retail prices at Hermès are theoretical for most clients. You are unlikely to be offered a Constance without a meaningful purchase history — and even then, allocation is limited. Still, the retail figures anchor the secondary market. For a deeper look at how Hermès retail pricing works, see our Birkin pricing guide at byjull.com/journal/how-much-does-birkin-cost-2026 — the allocation mechanics are the same.
Retail prices as of spring 2026: the Constance 18 in Epsom or Swift starts at approximately £7,200. The Constance 24 starts at approximately £8,500. Exotic leathers carry significant premiums — a Constance 18 in alligator retails around £22,000.
Pre-owned market prices as of May 2026: Constance 18 in a classic colour (Noir, Gold, Étoupe), standard leather, gold hardware: £9,000 to £14,000. Constance 18 in a seasonal colour: £8,000 to £11,000. Constance 24 in a classic colour: £9,500 to £13,000. Constance 24 in a seasonal colour: £8,000 to £10,500. Exotic Constance 18: £20,000 to £45,000.
The gap between retail and pre-owned is smaller on the Constance than on the Birkin but larger than on most other Hermès models. That gap reflects genuine scarcity — fewer Constances reach the market each year than Birkins or Kellys.
How Constance Prices Have Moved
The Constance's secondary-market position has strengthened notably over the past five years, driven by three factors.
First, social media — particularly Instagram and TikTok — has raised the Constance's profile with a younger audience. The crossbody silhouette photographs well and reads as modern in a way that the Birkin's top-handle structure sometimes does not. This has broadened the demand base beyond traditional collectors.
Second, production remains tightly constrained. Hermès allocates fewer Constances than Birkins or Kellys per boutique, and the model is offered less frequently even to established clients. The supply side has not kept pace with growing interest.
Third, annual Hermès retail price increases — typically 5 to 8 per cent — continue to push the floor for pre-owned values upward. As retail prices rise, pre-owned pieces at today's levels become comparatively more attractive.
The net result: pre-owned Constance prices have risen meaningfully since 2021, and the model's liquidity on the secondary market has improved. A Constance 18 in Noir Epsom with gold hardware is now among the most actively traded Hermès bags after the Birkin 25 and Kelly 25.
JULL is a pre-owned retailer, not a financial advisor. Pre-owned luxury goods can rise or fall in value, and condition directly affects resale price. We recommend buying a Constance because you want to own and use the bag — not on the assumption of a future financial return.
How to Style the Constance
The Constance is one of the most versatile bags Hermès makes, and versatility is a large part of its appeal.
Crossbody is the most natural way to wear it. 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 and event dressing — it adds polish without competing with the outfit.
On the shoulder — shortening the strap creates a slightly more formal silhouette. This works well with tailored coats, blazers and workwear. As a clutch — unclip the strap and carry the Constance by hand for formal occasions. The flat profile and prominent H-clasp make it a striking evening piece. This three-way versatility is a real advantage over both the Birkin and the Kelly.
The Constance moves between jeans and a cashmere knit, a tailored suit, and an evening dress without looking out of place in any context. Few bags at any price point can say the same.
Constance vs Kelly: How Do They Compare
The Constance and Kelly are natural comparisons — both function as crossbody bags and occupy a similar price bracket. But they serve different purposes, and for most collectors they complement rather than compete with each other. For a deeper look at the Kelly, see our pre-owned Kelly guide at byjull.com/journal/pre-owned-hermes-kelly-guide.
Capacity: the Kelly offers significantly more interior space. A Kelly 25 holds roughly twice the volume of a Constance 18. If you need to carry more than phone-keys-cardholder, the Kelly is the more practical choice.
Profile: the Constance is slimmer and sits flatter against the body when worn crossbody. The Kelly has more depth and structure. The Constance reads more casual; the Kelly reads more formal.
Value retention: both bags trade above retail on the secondary market. The Kelly 25 currently commands higher absolute premiums, but the Constance's premiums as a percentage of retail are comparable — and the Constance 18 is catching up.
If you are choosing between the two for your first Hermès crossbody, the decision usually comes down to capacity. If you carry light, the Constance. If you need space, the Kelly.
Is the Constance Worth the Spend
The honest answer depends on what you are buying it for.
If you want a compact, elegant crossbody bag from the best leather goods house in the world — one that works day-to-evening, holds its value well on the secondary market, and is genuinely difficult to obtain at retail — the Constance is hard to beat. The Constance 18 in a classic colour is one of the strongest-performing bags in the pre-owned Hermès market, and the 24 offers a practical everyday option at a lower premium.
If you need a bag with meaningful capacity, the Constance is not the right choice. It is a small bag by design, and no amount of clever packing changes that. A Kelly 28 or a Lindy 26 will serve you better for daily carry — see our guide to the best Hermès bags for everyday wear at byjull.com/journal (coming soon).
If you are buying purely because you expect the bag to appreciate in value, pause. Pre-owned prices have moved upward, but past performance does not guarantee future results. Condition, colour and market sentiment all affect what a bag is worth when you come to sell it. Buy a Constance because you want to own a Constance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hermès Constance harder to get than a Birkin? In many boutiques, yes. Hermès allocates fewer Constances than Birkins per location, and the bag is offered less frequently to clients. The Constance 18 in particular is among the most difficult Hermès bags to obtain at retail.
What is the best Constance size for everyday use? The Constance 24. It offers enough space for a phone, compact wallet, sunglasses and keys — sufficient to serve as a primary handbag for light carriers. The 18 is better suited to evenings and events.
Does the Constance hold its value? Classic-colour Constances in good condition consistently trade above retail on the pre-owned market. The 18 commands higher premiums than the 24. However, pre-owned values can fluctuate, and condition has a direct effect on resale price.
What is the best leather for a Constance? Epsom is the most popular and practical choice — lightweight, scratch-resistant and structured. Swift is considered the most beautiful but marks more easily. Evercolour is a strong middle ground.
How much does a pre-owned Constance cost in the UK in 2026? A Constance 18 in a classic colour with gold hardware typically sells for £9,000 to £14,000 on the pre-owned market. A Constance 24 in equivalent specification: £9,500 to £13,000. Exotic leathers command significantly higher prices.
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 ships with a certificate of authenticity. Browse our current Constance selection at byjull.com/shop/constance or contact us via WhatsApp to discuss your requirements.
