The Constance is the most recognisable thing Hermès makes that is not a Kelly or a Birkin. One oversized H buckle, a clean rectangular flap, and a chain-free leather strap - that is the whole design. It has been in the collection since 1959, and it is now one of the hardest bags in the brand to buy at retail. Our team in Japan sees them rarely, and they never stay long.
What the Constance is
It is a flap shoulder bag closed by a large H-shaped buckle that slots into a leather tongue. The strap threads through a channel on the back and is adjustable, so it can be worn long as a crossbody, doubled as a short shoulder bag, or tucked in entirely to carry it as a clutch. The design is credited to Catherine Chaillet and is widely said to be named after her daughter. Unlike most Hermès bags it is genuinely hands-free, which is a large part of why demand has never faded.
The sizes and variants
- Constance 18 - roughly 18 cm wide. The most sought-after size and the hardest to find. Fits a phone, cards and a lipstick.
- Constance 24 - roughly 24 cm wide. The classic proportion, and a realistic everyday bag.
- Constance Elan - a long, low version, noticeably wider and shallower than the standard shapes. Made for a phone and flat essentials.
- Constance To Go - a compact wallet-on-strap format with card slots inside.
- Constance Slim - a belt-mounted wallet using the same buckle language.
Sizes larger than 24 exist from earlier decades and turn up occasionally in vintage stock, usually at more approachable prices than the current sizes.
Leathers and hardware
Epsom is the most common leather on modern examples because its rigidity suits the flat flap and keeps the buckle sitting square. Swift gives a softer, more rounded look and takes colour beautifully but scratches more readily. Box calf appears on older bags and develops a deep patina. Chevre Mysore is prized for its light weight and fine grain. Hardware comes in palladium and gold tone, and on the Constance the buckle finish is the visual centre of the bag, so plating condition matters more here than on most models.
What to check before buying pre-owned
- Buckle plating. The H catches on clothing and countertops. Surface scratching is normal; plating worn back to base metal is a real deduction.
- Buckle engagement. It should slide in and hold firmly. A loose closure usually means the leather tongue has stretched.
- Flap edge. Check the painted edge along the flap for chipping and lifting.
- Strap channel. The leather where the strap threads through wears from constant adjustment. Look at it from the back.
- Corners. Epsom holds up well but shows corner rub as pale abrasion rather than softening.
- Interior. Two compartments and a slip pocket. Pen marks are common and permanent.
Price reality on the secondhand market
Be prepared: the Constance 18 in a classic leather and neutral colour regularly trades well into five figures in USD, and in some colour and hardware combinations it approaches Kelly territory. The 24 typically sits below the 18 despite being the larger bag, purely because of demand. Older and larger vintage Constances from earlier decades are the most affordable route in, sometimes by a wide margin, though they carry the wear you would expect from a bag several decades old. Every one of these figures moves substantially with condition, colour and hardware.
The Constance rewards patience more than most. When we have one, it goes into our Hermès collection, and if you want something in the same spirit that is far easier to buy, read our Evelyne guide.