Long before crossbody became the default posture of modern life, Hermès built a bag for stable hands — literally. The Evelyne was designed in 1978 by Evelyne Bertrand, head of the riding department, to carry grooming brushes and hoof picks: perforated leather H for ventilation, one big compartment, a strap to sling across the body and forget. Nobody involved was thinking about fashion. Which is, of course, exactly why it became fashion — the Evelyne is now the house's definitive everyday crossbody, the second-most-recommended first Hermès after the Picotin, and the one bag in the range that solves the school-run-to-supper problem without a second thought.
The complete 2026 guide: sizes, prices, the logo debate, and how to buy well.
The Design, Honestly Described
One compartment, one back pocket, no zip — a tuck-under tab at most. The perforated H is structural history (ventilating damp brushes), and it is also the loudest branding Hermès puts on any bag, which makes the Evelyne the house's one genuine logo piece. Wear it H-out and it announces; wear it H-in — as a quiet majority of owners do — and it becomes an anonymous, beautifully-made leather crossbody. That reversibility is the bag's quirkiest feature and, for many buyers, the deciding one.
The other defining trait is weight — or its absence. In Clémence with a canvas strap, the Evelyne is the lightest proper bag Hermès makes, and the difference against a loaded Birkin is measured in kilograms. Doctors, mothers, travellers and anyone with a shoulder complaint have voted accordingly for four decades.
Sizes: TPM to GM
| Model | Dimensions (cm) | Carries | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evelyne TPM (16) | 16 × 18 × 5 | Phone, cards, keys | Mini-bag life, evenings |
| Evelyne PM (29) | 29 × 30 × 8 | Full daily kit | The default — most liquid |
| Evelyne GM (33) | 33 × 34 × 9 | iPad, water bottle, life | Heavy-duty days, travel |
| Evelyne TGM (40) | discontinued | — | Vintage utility find |
The PM (confusingly labelled "III 29") is the bag most people mean: big enough for everything, light enough to forget. The TPM rode the mini wave into genuine it-bag status — expect to pay over retail. The GM is the practical traveller's pick, and the discontinued TGM is the sleeper for vintage hunters who want maximum Hermès per pound.
UK Prices 2026
| Spec | UK boutique (approx.) | Secondary, excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Evelyne TPM, Clémence | ~£2,600–£2,900 | £3,000–£3,600 |
| Evelyne PM (29), Clémence | ~£3,200–£3,500 | £3,200–£4,000 |
| Evelyne GM, Clémence | ~£3,600–£3,900 | £3,300–£4,200 |
| Vintage III / older gens | — | £2,000–£2,800 |
The Evelyne trades around retail — the TPM above it, the PM at par to slightly over, older generations below. As with the Picotin, that flat curve is the quiet miracle: an everyday bag from any other house loses a third of its value at first wear. Generational note for buyers: the Evelyne III (current) added the outside pocket and adjustable-strap options on some specs; earlier generations with non-adjustable canvas straps price lower and wear just as well — the blind stamp dates any example in seconds.
Colours, Straps, and the H Question
Clémence in Gold, Étoupe, Black and Bleu Nuit dominates demand (colour index here); the Evelyne's casual character makes brights safe money, and two-tone canvas straps (the "Amazone" spec) add value when original. The H question deserves a straight answer: if visible branding bothers you, the Evelyne is still buyable — most owners wear it H-to-body daily and H-out never, and the bag reads fully anonymous that way. If visible branding is the point, no Hermès gives you more of it per pound.
Evelyne vs Picotin vs Lindy: The Casual Trio, Settled
The Picotin is the leather purist's choice — no logo, no canvas, better resale — but it is handheld-first and open-topped. The Lindy does both carries and closes properly, at twice the price. The Evelyne is the lightest, cheapest, most hands-free of the three, and the only true set-and-forget crossbody. Commute daily with hands full — Evelyne. Want the bag that holds value best — Picotin. Want one casual bag that does everything — Lindy. We have this conversation weekly in the showroom; those three sentences end it.
Buying an Evelyne in 2026
Check the perforated H edges — clean perforation, no stretching. Strap hardware and stitching take the load; inspect both ends. Corners on Clémence tell mileage honestly. Interior is unlined suede-side leather — darkening is normal, tidemarks are not. Fakes are abundant precisely because the bag is "entry-level": stamp typography and perforation geometry are the tells, our authentication guide covers them, and both are easy to check once you know where to look. Current examples — TPM to GM, plus the occasional Amazone-strap find — are in the bags gallery, authenticated and viewable in Knightsbridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Hermès Evelyne in 2026? UK boutique roughly £2,600–£3,900 by size in Clémence. Pre-owned excellent examples: TPM £3,000–£3,600 (above retail), PM £3,200–£4,000, vintage generations from £2,000.
Which Evelyne size is best? The PM (29) for most people — the capacity-to-weight sweet spot and the most liquid resale. The TPM for mini-bag wear, the GM for travel and heavy days.
Is the Evelyne easy to buy at Hermès? Among the easiest bags in the range — Evelynes genuinely reach the open floor, though specific colour-size combinations still take patience or a trip to the secondary market.
Does the Evelyne hold its value? At or near retail for current-generation PMs in classic colours, above retail for TPMs. Older generations settle lower but plateau — the bag depreciates once, gently, then holds for decades.
Can you wear the Evelyne with the H facing in? Yes — the bag is finished on both faces, and wearing it H-inward for anonymity is common practice among owners. It is the only Hermès that lets you choose your volume.
---
JULL is a specialist Hermès personal shopping service in Knightsbridge, London. We source new, unworn and pre-owned Evelyne, Picotin, Birkin, Kelly and other Hermès pieces through a private network — every bag authenticated and available to view at our London showroom. Browse available bags or get in touch.