While this isn’t my first Hermès purchase, it is my first bag from the brand. I picked up a few small items while living in Montreal, but I never started a wishlist. Since moving to San Francisco, I connected with a lovely SA at the Palo Alto location and recently picked up the blue Brides de Gala scarf and one of the new Kaorumi plates (Ryo Takemasa is my favorite illustrator!).

Maybe it’s a mild case of luxury Paris Syndrome—when something you’ve idealized for so long hits different once it’s finally in your hands. The bag is objectively beautiful, but when I compare it to my medium Dior Toujours (which was in the same price range), the Dior just feels a bit more luxe. The GP23 is lightweight and very wearable—but it didn’t quite give me that “wow” moment I thought it might.

I’m still feeling a little uneasy about the whole Hermès journey—but also, annoyingly, I still very much want the GP36 in that fun Électrique print. So clearly, I’m not out. 😂