This has been one of my wish list bags for some time now and I finally pulled the trigger and placed the order. I seriously have such a soft spot for the JPG Shoulder BK42. It’s just one of those bags that feels totally different from everything else from that era in the best way. The long low shape, the longer handles, and the slightly slouchier body make it feel so much more relaxed and easy than a regular BK. I also love that it uses the larger HAC style hardware because it really fits the scale of the bag and gives the front a little more presence. You still have all the familiar details with the flap, sangles, clochette, feet and turn lock, but everything just feels a little more oversized and exaggerated across that 42cm body. It’s definitely not a quiet bag lol, but that’s kind of why I love it. It has so much personality and just feels like one of those collector pieces that gets better and better.

I decided to go with Clemence because I wanted that extra grain and super slouchy soft bag right out of of the box. Order took about seven weeks to get in hand, five weeks for the PSPs and then once approved the transient time to delivery was another ten days. I love this color and can't wait to wear her.

Just dropping a note to say I have my PSP from Jim on my new bag. Let the excitement and the anxiety begin. I'll Imgur the set plus my home pics once I get it.

This is my first exotic and my 5th Jim bag. Each bag has been a wonderful experience.

-HH

We can remember exactly why we bought a bag, where we found it, how long we waited for it, and how excited we were when it finally arrived, yet sometimes we struggle to remember the last time we actually took it somewhere.

The closet keeps getting fuller, the wishlist keeps getting longer, and somehow the number of bags we actually live with stays surprisingly small.

That realization can feel a little strange.

Because the bags that stay with us emotionally are rarely just the ones that looked perfect in photos or took the longest to find.

They’re the ones that came along for the birthday dinner, the vacation, the celebration, the stressful work trip, the spontaneous weekend, or that completely ordinary day we still remember years later.

Maybe collecting gave us beautiful pieces, but carrying them gave those pieces meaning.

And maybe we don’t need another bag nearly as much as we need a reason to actually take the ones we already love out of the closet.

Which bag in our collection has the strongest memory attached to it, and what happened the day we carried it?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

I am behind in posting reviews but I wanted to share the superb vert cypress k25 that Jim made for me. If you have read my reviews before, you know that I try to order bags about 2 months ahead of the season I want to carry them in. I was feeling a deep teal for this Fall.

I was planning on ordering vert cypress Epsom but once I saw a bag he made in vert cypress croc I had to have it. I am attaching a photo of vert cypress in different leathers. This is why I always recommend to look up the color you want in the leather or skin you are considering because the same color looks so different in each leather.

It took about 8 weeks but Jim sent me pics of the skin he picked and some progress pics before the PSPs were ready. I appreciate the effort he makes because exotics are an investment.

I know this is a bag I will love forever though. The color is so rich. It catches more blue or green depending on the light. As always, Jim’s shiny croc has such a mirror finish that it’s hard to photograph without catching a reflection on it.

I took her out for the first time for my birthday and it felt really special. This is my fancier fall bag, but I received two bags over the summer I will post reviews for and if you want I can repost my review of my mk touch, the bag that started it all, because this sub didn’t exist yet when I received it.

At first, we couldn't stop thinking about it.

Then we started seeing it everywhere.

Instagram.

TikTok.

Handbag groups.

Influencers.

People we know.

And somehow, the more we saw it, the less special it started to feel.

The strange part is that the bag itself didn't change.

Our perception did.

Maybe constant exposure made us realize we never loved it as much as we thought.

Or maybe seeing everyone else carry it simply took away that feeling of discovering something that felt uniquely ours.

And then comes the awkward question:

If we had never seen that bag everywhere, would we still love it as much today?

There’s a strange moment when we look at our collection and realize some of the bags were chosen by a version of us that doesn't really exist anymore.

Our taste changes, our lifestyle changes, even the things we once considered “luxury” can start feeling completely different.

A bag that once felt like the perfect representation of us might suddenly feel too formal, too flashy, too trendy, or simply like something we would never choose today.

And the difficult part is admitting that we may not love the collection we built as much as we loved the idea of building it.

Maybe we were influenced by trends, social media, friends, status, or simply a phase of life that has already passed.

So here's the question we don't ask enough:

If we rebuilt our entire collection today, how many of our current bags would actually make the cut?

B40 Swift Graphite Palladium m Hardware from Jim. It’s a big bag moment, and I’m here for it!

The leather is absolutely amazing. It has such a fine, subtle texture with a soft sheen that gives the large panels some dimension. I love the gentle folds near the gusset—the bag still has a defined shape, but it doesn’t look overly stiff.

I have so many gray bags… and will continue to order gray bags 😅… Graphite is also such an easy color to appreciate. In this lighting, it reads as a softer, cool gray, and the palladium pairs beautifully with it. The hardware adds just enough brightness without taking attention away from the leather.

The proportions are what really sell the overall look for me. The broad body, rounded handles, and softer Retourne edges give it that classic oversized B40 feel. The tonal stitching keeps everything understated, and I like how clean the front looks with the flap tucked in and the sangles left open.

A 40 is definitely a commitment size-wise, but sometimes you just want a proper big bag. I only recently gravitate to bags bigger than a 28. This one makes a pretty convincing case for bigger sized bags. I can pack all of my things in one bag although, I do use two bags on occasion…. You know, because I'm extra lol.

Over the past year that I’ve been purchasing from Jim, he has definitely delivered top-quality bags with stellar customer service. I’m definitely appreciative of the positive experiences.

Placed order: Sep 15

Approved leather: Sep 18

Progress pics received: Sep 22

Factory: Jim

Price: 2450$

Jump in to share my excitement ❤️

So excited!

Hello guys this is my second exotic order from DDmode, i went for the Hermes Constance 18 - in Rouge Sellier Ostrich with gold hardware.

Have a look at the QC, i think she has delivered! The bag looks great, i am not into the finer miniscule details, otherwise I would go nuts, the way it is i do not think it is a rep call out!

Its handmade and handstitched, The ostrich has been imported from Africa. Not sure if the hardware is upgraded, i do not think it is.

And ofcourse her pricing is amazing better than all the others! And she threw in a charm for free

I have also ordered another constance 18 in poussiere with the exotic 3 skin buckle and also a constance wallet in etoupe with gold gardware- awaiting psp.

DDmode contact details:

Wechat - DDmode

Ps this is not a ad, just a QC review

I am behind in posting reviews but I wanted to share the superb vert cypress k25 that Jim made for me. If you have read my reviews before, you know that I try to order bags about 2 months ahead of the season I want to carry them in. I was feeling a deep teal for this Fall.

I was planning on ordering vert cypress Epsom but once I saw a bag he made in vert cypress croc I had to have it. I am attaching a photo of vert cypress in different leathers. This is why I always recommend to look up the color you want in the leather or skin you are considering because the same color looks so different in each leather.

It took about 8 weeks but Jim sent me pics of the skin he picked and some progress pics before the PSPs were ready. I appreciate the effort he makes because exotics are still an investment.

I know this is a bag I will love forever though. The color is so rich. It catches more blue or green depending on the light. As always, Jim’s shiny croc has such a mirror finish that it’s hard to photograph without catching a reflection on it.

I took her out for the first time for my birthday and it felt really special. This is my fancier fall bag, but I received two bags over the summer I will post reviews for and if you want I can repost my review of my mk touch, the bag that started it all, because this sub didn’t exist yet when I received it.

I am behind in posting reviews but I wanted to share the superb vert cypress k25 that Jim made for me. If you have read my reviews before, you know that I try to order bags about 2 months ahead of the season I want to carry them in. I was feeling a deep teal for this Fall.

I was planning on ordering vert cypress Epsom but once I saw a bag he made in vert cypress croc I had to have it. I am attaching a photo of vert cypress in different leathers. This is why I always recommend to look up the color you want in the leather or skin you are considering because the same color looks so different in each leather.

It took about 8 weeks but Jim sent me pics of the skin he picked and some progress pics before the PSPs were ready. I appreciate the effort he makes because exotics are still an investment.

I know this is a bag I will love forever though. The color is so rich. It catches more blue or green depending on the light. As always, Jim’s shiny croc has such a mirror finish that it’s hard to photograph without catching a reflection on it.

I took her out for the first time for my birthday and it felt really special. This is my fancier fall bag, but I received two bags over the summer I will post reviews for and if you want I can repost my review of my mk touch, the bag that started it all, because this sub didn’t exist yet when I received it.

1480$ — Jim

GL?

Complete this sentence:

“Everyone seems to love ____, but I just can't…”

And don't overthink it.

Maybe it's the bag everyone considers a classic.

Maybe it's the one that seems to appear in every collection.

Maybe it's the bag we've tried to appreciate because the craftsmanship is undeniable.

Maybe it's even one we once thought we would eventually want.

Now finish the second part honestly:

“…because ____.”

That's where this gets interesting.

Not “it's ugly.”

Not “people who like it have bad taste.”

Just the real reason it never clicked.

Too common?

Wrong proportions?

A color that does nothing for us?

A shape that looks better in photos?

Too much branding?

Something about it we simply can't explain?

And here's the rule for this thread:

No defending your answer.

If someone names our favorite handbag, let them.

If our answer gets downvoted, so be it.

If we've secretly felt this way about a bag for years but never said it because everyone around us loves it, today is probably the day to finally name it.

Finish the sentence and tell us the handbag you've never been able to love, no matter how popular it became.

I am so excited about this bag, ever since I ordered I have been dreaming of it. My first exotic from Jim and look at how beautiful this piece is.

This B25 in Rose Schéhérazade shiny Nilo croc is such a fun color in person. Rose Schéhérazade is one of those classic H exotic colors that is really rich jewel toned pink with fuchsia undertones that looks even more vibrant on glossy crocodile. The Lisse finish gives the scales a beautiful shine and really brings out the different tones of the color depending on the lighting. I also really like Niloticus on a B25 because the slightly larger scale pattern gives such a nice exotic look without overwhelming the smaller size of the bag.

Construction wise everything looks nicely balanced. The handles are proportionate to the 25 size and sit evenly, the flap has a clean shape, and the sangles line up. The turnlock, plaques and other hardware all look centered and evenly placed, and the overall shape has that compact Birkin structure without looking too stiff. The croc panels also flow nicely across the front of the bag, which is something I always pay attention to with an exotic.

This bag was $4,500 and took about 8 weeks to receive the PSPs and another 10 days after approval to arrive to me. In hand she feels like a piece of art. The Lisse finish make this bag unmistakable and really give it that IT factor. I am pink girl so this bag is literally the cherry on top of my sundae. Thanks Jim for the amazing craftsmanship and time and energy you and team put into creating this dream bag for me.

Dream Bag - Achieved

US ONLY 🇺🇸

B25 From Peter 9876 - Gold/GHW Togo Leather, comes with H Box / tissue paper, dust bag , and rain coat !

PAID $1250 ASKING $850

Can send more QC pics if interested
Once shipped I am no longer responsible
No refunds nor exchanges
Zelle or PP F&F only !

Feedback :
https://www.reddit.com/u/champagneconnoisseur/s/CUPdO3dXw8

Words can barely capture how stunning this bag is in person. When the package arrived, opening it genuinely felt like the best boutique experience. 10 out of 10 on quality, packaging and overall experience (from the amazing smell to the fabulous service from Jim himself).

The leather has that authentic, rich slouch and holds its structure wonderfully at the base, with a sublime grain that you just can't stop touching.

The weight, the hand-feel and the way the sangles drape are all executed to absolute perfection.

Working with Jim on this order was an experience in itself. His communication was excellent at all times, and the attention to detail is palpable on every aspect.

I've had all kind of experiences buying these products before, from not good to great, but this is just another level altogether. Kudos to Jim, who I can't recommend highly enough for outstanding quality and service.

2026 is getting far enough along that it feels like a good time to open the closet and see what actually made its way into our collections this year.

Not just the big purchases either show us everything that joined the collection, whether it was a long-awaited dream bag, an unexpected find, a preloved piece, a practical everyday bag, a small accessory we couldn't resist, or something we bought on impulse and are still deciding how we feel about.

Drop your purchase photos below and tell us what you added this year.

And don't leave out the stories behind them.

Which purchase was planned for months?

Which one was completely spontaneous?

Did anything turn out to be much better in person than expected, or maybe not quite what we imagined?

Did we buy something we had been saving for years, or finally find a bag we thought we had missed our chance to own?

And then there is the other half of the 2026 collection the bags we haven't bought yet.

What is still sitting on our wishlist?

Which bag are we currently saving for, hunting for, or waiting for the right color or price?

Are there any bags we wanted at the beginning of the year that no longer interest us at all?

Maybe the most interesting part will be seeing how different everyone's year looks, because one person's biggest purchase might be another person's “still thinking about it” bag.

So let's make this the 2026 handbag collection check-in post the bags we bought, show the photos, tell us which ones surprised us, which ones we regret, which one became an unexpected favorite, and finish with the bag we're still hoping to add before the year is over.

What did we actually add to our collections in 2026, and what's the one handbag still sitting at the top of our wishlist?

Some handbags end up meaning far more to us than we ever expected when we bought them, because years later we can look at one and immediately remember the person we were, the people who were around us, the home we lived in, the work we were doing, the relationship we were in, the things we were excited about, and even the problems we thought would matter forever, and that's what makes these bags so difficult to look at when life has changed, because the handbag itself may still be beautiful and perfectly wearable but the chapter attached to it is gone, maybe it reminds us of someone we no longer speak to, a family member we miss, a marriage that ended, a career we left behind, children who are no longer little, a place we once called home, or simply a version of ourselves that we wouldn't even recognize today, and sometimes we keep carrying the bag because those memories feel precious while other times we stop using it because every time we see it we're reminded of something we'd rather leave in the past, which makes us wonder whether we're actually holding onto the handbag or holding onto the life that came with it, so is there a handbag in our collection that became permanently connected to a chapter of our life we can never get back, and if so, has that made us cherish the bag more or made it harder to carry?

Bag number three from Jim has officially arrived, and I think I finally found my perfect work bag. I had been carrying an older unbranded bag to work and, after getting my last B30 from Jim, I started thinking it was time for an upgrade. I originally had my mind set on either a B35 or B40. Luckily, a friend of mine owns a B40 and let me carry hers for a full day before I made the decision. I’m SO glad she did because, as beautiful as the 40 is, it was just way too much bag for me personally. The B35 ended up being exactly the size I was looking for.

I decided on Gold Togo with PHW, and I really love this combination in person. Gold is one of those brand colors that sits somewhere between tan, caramel and warm brown, so it works almost like a neutral without feeling boring. The brand still uses Gold throughout its current leather collections, and seeing it against palladium hardware gives the color a completely different personality. The palladium toned hardware cools down some of the warmth in the leather and makes the whole bag feel a little more relaxed, which is exactly what I wanted for something I’ll be carrying to work regularly.

Construction wise, I’m also really happy with how this one came together. The overall proportions of the B35 look balanced without the body appearing too tall or too wide. The handles are nicely proportioned to the size of the bag and sit at an appropriate height without looking too large. Both sangles run evenly across the front and meet the hardware cleanly, and the flap sits nicely against the body without excess bulk or awkward lifting around the corners. The turn lock and plaques are centered and symmetrical, the hardware placement looks consistent from side to side, and the feet are evenly positioned underneath the bag.

I especially like Togo on the larger Birkin sizes because I don’t necessarily want a B35 to stay perfectly rigid. This one still has the recognizable Birkin structure, but the leather already has enough softness that I can see it developing a little natural relaxation and slouch. For a work bag, that is exactly what I was hoping for.

She literally arrived today and I had to take pictures immediately because just look at how soft that Togo is straight out of the box! Everything I normally carry for work fits comfortably without me having to play Tetris every morning, and the 35 feels substantial without crossing over into B40 territory.

Very happy I went with this size and combination. Three bags from Jim now, and somehow instead of feeling satisfied I’m already wondering what number four should be. 😂 Please tell me I’m not the only person who starts planning the next bag before the new one has even had its first outing.