Hermès Birkin 30cm Beton/Gris Perle Ghillies Matte Alligator PHW

Hermès Style & Size

The Birkin 30 is favoured for its versatile proportions - large enough for daytime functionality but refined enough to carry into the evening. It transitions effortlessly between casual, business, and formal settings, making it a go-to bag for women who want form, function, and status in one piece. It can hold all the necessities, including iPad and an awful lot besides, it doesn’t get heavy, doesn’t look enormous at a restaurant table and is hugely resilient. It can be opened with ease and does not get too heavy. From this size up, Birkins are held on the forearm, your hand passing through the two handles.

Hermès Construction

Created by Hermès jeweller Pierre Hardy in 2011, the Ghillies style is based on a traditional style of shoe from Scotland called the “ghillie brogue,” whose perforations allow the leather to dry out after the shoe has been worn outdoors. Hardy added the curved perforated trims to both Birkins and Kellies, either in the same colour as the body of the bag, or in a contrasting colour. The Ghillies detailing was available on limited edition bags only and went out of production in around 2015.

Hermès Material

The high-gloss finish of Shiny Alligator is achieved by buffing the skin with a stone. This traditional technique compresses the surface scales and produces a natural, mirror-like sheen which can help disguise small imperfections. The central scales are rectangular, gradually tapering to smaller, rounder ones toward the edges, creating a balanced and symmetrical pattern. Alligator is signified by a small square ☐ next to the Hermes name on the bag.

Hermès Colour

Béton is a light, cool-toned grey that embodies modern minimalism. Named after the French word for “concrete,” Béton is an unusual grey-cream shade that works well with almost any colour palette and can be worn through all four seasons of the year, even in the UK!

A soft pale grey with a creamy undertone and another Hermes colour that can seem warmer or cooler depending on the light and leather type.

Hardware

Hermès Palladium hardware is made of solid brass, giving weight and durability, and then plated in precious metal. Palladium belongs to the platinum group of metals and has a brighter and whiter look than silver. More precious than gold, palladium is hard wearing and scratch-resistant.