A little piece of the stables, made for everyday life.
The Picotin doesn't try to be formal. Its soft bucket shape, open top and simple handles make it feel like a bag you can reach for without thinking twice.
Its story is wonderfully Hermès. The name refers to an old French measure of oats and the silhouette recalls the feed bags once used in stables. What began as an equestrian idea became one of the house's most relaxed everyday designs.
A few things worth knowing
The Picotin draws its name and shape from the world of horse feeding.
Sotheby's dates the bag's introduction to 2002.
Today's familiar Picotin Lock closes with a leather strap and a small padlock.
Unlike classic Birkin and Kelly bags, Picotin styles sometimes appear directly on the Hermès website.
Prices today
Updated October 18, 2026, from public resale listings read every day.
What is a Picotin actually listed for on the resale market? Choose a size and a condition: the figures and the chart follow.
Size
Condition
Median asking priceUS$4,700
Middle halfUS$3,900 to US$5,700
Listingsabout 1,990
Estimated sale priceUS$3,800 to US$4,200MyQuotaBag estimate: 10 to 20% below the median asking price
These are asking prices. They are what sellers ask on public listings, mostly in the United States, Europe and Asia, converted to US dollars. They include each seller's margin. Buyers often pay less: recent auction and resale reports put many bags between retail and about 30% below the asking prices seen here. The estimated sale price is a MyQuotaBag estimate, not a valuation of any bag.
Picotin 18
Classic leather. The chart follows the size and condition chosen; each column is a US$2,000 step, tap a column for its figures. Condition levels follow each seller's own grading, grouped by MyQuotaBag; All counts every listing, including those marked only « used ». Snapshot of 2026-10-18.
Arriving November 16, 2026
Asking prices over time. A second chart here will show how Picotin asking prices move week by week, for the size and condition chosen above.
Time on the market. How long a Picotin listing stays online before it is withdrawn. A withdrawn listing does not necessarily mean the bag sold.
Hermès began as a harness and saddle maker in 1837 and the Picotin carries that heritage in a particularly charming way. A picotin was a measure of oats given to a horse. The feed bag that held those oats inspired the handbag's open, practical shape.
Introduced in 2002, the Picotin is considerably younger than the Kelly or Birkin. Yet it feels rooted in the same desire to make useful things beautifully. There is no elaborate flap or showy hardware. You simply open it and reach inside.
The padlock arrives
Early Picotins were open buckets. The version most collectors know today adds a leather strap secured by a small padlock. Collector guides often place the Picotin Lock's introduction around 2008, although that date is not confirmed in the cited Hermès material.
The lock brings a little structure to an otherwise unstructured design, without making the bag feel complicated.
Where the sources disagree
The padlock: collector guides place the Picotin Lock around 2008; we found no Hermès source that confirms the year.
Why collectors love it
The beauty of unlined leather
Open a Picotin and you see the leather itself. Hermès describes the bag as unlined, which means the interior doesn't conceal the material or construction behind a separate fabric layer.
This is part of the appeal. The leather can soften naturally with use and the bag becomes more relaxed over time, especially in Clemence.
Everyday ease
Two flexible handles, a generous opening and a deep bucket shape make the Picotin easy to carry and surprisingly roomy. It can be worn in the hand or over the arm. The adjustable tab lets you leave the top open or draw it in for a neater shape.
The design
The Picotin's rounded body is made using Retourne construction, with seams turned inward for softer edges. Standard sizes have four small metal feet to protect the base, while the micro format may differ.
There is very little to distract from the form. A central seam, two handles, one closing strap and a padlock are essentially the whole story.
A bag that changes with you
Because the Picotin is unlined and made from soft leather, it wears in rather than wearing out.
Hermès notes that Clemence becomes more supple over time. A new Picotin in Clemence stands fairly upright. After months of use, the leather relaxes and the bucket settles into a softer, rounder shape.
Many owners see that gentle change as part of the pleasure. Two Picotins bought on the same day can look quite different a few years later, each shaped by the way it has been carried.
Sizes and versions
The main Picotin Lock sizes are 18, 22 and 26, named for their approximate width in centimeters.
The 18 is the compact favorite. It holds essentials such as a phone, keys and card holder, with more room than its dimensions suggest. The 22 provides extra space for a pouch or small book. The 26 moves closer to the capacity of a tote.
A micro version also exists. The source material describes a limited Micro Picotin 14 and a later micro design that keeps the recognizable strap and padlock in miniature.
Variations on a simple idea
The Picotin Lock Éclat uses contrasting leather, often visible inside the handles. Cargo and Pocket versions add canvas or exterior pockets, while Touch combines leather with exotic details. Other editions have explored woven handles, playful prints, dark hardware and unusual materials.
Despite these variations, a Picotin still looks like a Picotin: an uncomplicated bucket designed to be carried.
Finding the right Picotin
Like other Hermès bags, Picotin sizes are named after their approximate width in centimeters.
According to Hermès product listings and collector guides, the main sizes are:
Picotin Lock 18, sometimes called the PM, about 18 × 19 × 13 cm
Picotin Lock 22, the MM, about 22 × 21 × 17 cm
Picotin Lock 26, the GM
The Picotin 18 is often described as the most popular size. It's compact yet surprisingly roomy, thanks to the bucket shape.
The 22 offers noticeably more space for daily essentials, while the 26 suits those who carry a little more.
So which one is yours? It's mostly a question of what you carry. The bucket shape is deeper than it looks, so even the 18 can hold a phone, a card holder, keys and a few small things. The 22 adds room for a small pouch or a paperback. The 26 is closer to a tote.
One more thing to keep in mind: because the Picotin is unlined, everything sits directly against the leather. Some owners like to add a small pouch inside to keep things organized.
Leathers and hardware
Taurillon Clemence is the leather most closely associated with the Picotin. Its generous grain and supple character suit a soft bucket bag. It can relax further with use, giving each piece a slightly different shape over time.
Epsom offers a lighter, more structured look. Swift has a smooth surface and strong color, often seen in micro or two-tone versions. Collectors may also encounter suede, canvas, felt and rarer exotic materials.
The hardware is deliberately limited. Gold or palladium finishes are typically seen on the padlock and protective feet. With so few metal details, even the choice of lock finish can subtly change the look.
How do you buy a Picotin?
The Picotin is generally described as a non-quota style. It is sold in Hermès boutiques and versions of the Picotin Lock have appeared on the Hermès website.
That doesn't mean every Picotin is easy to find. Popular colors and sizes may be unavailable or disappear from the site quickly. Some collectors buy one without an established boutique relationship, but these experiences are not official purchasing rules.
What does a Picotin cost at retail?
As a reference, Sotheby's reported approximately US$3,975 for a Picotin Lock 18 in Clemence in the United States in 2026. Price varies by size, material and market. Always check the current boutique or regional website price.
The resale market offers another perspective on the Picotin. Some collectors turn to it for a particular color or size; others to find pieces no longer offered in boutiques. Prices vary widely, which is why a single price rarely tells the whole story.
Classic leather, by size
Median asking prices, October 18, 2026. US dollars, asking prices from public listings, not confirmed sale prices.
Size
Pristine, asking
Pre-owned, asking
Listings
Picotin 14
too few
US$4,700
about 30
Picotin 18
US$6,100
US$4,500
about 1,990
Picotin 22
US$6,200
US$4,200
about 680
Picotin 26
too few
US$3,800
about 70
Versions and special editions
All sizes and conditions together. A version with fewer than 20 listings says less about the market than one with several thousand.
VersionMedian asking priceListings
Exotic skinsUS$12,500about 30
A Picotin in crocodile, alligator, ostrich or lizard. These skins are made in far smaller numbers and cost much more at the boutique. Crossing a border with one can require CITES paperwork and some countries restrict them.
Toile and canvasUS$6,200about 20
Canvas, often Toile H or Toile Goéland, paired with leather trim. Lighter and more casual than an all-leather Picotin, it is often chosen for travel and summer.
FaubourgUS$5,300fewer than 20
Limited editions inspired by the Hermès store at 24 Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The front recreates the facade in leather, with its windows, doors and rooftop, on a structured body. Small runs and a playful design keep them rare.
CargoUS$5,000about 70
Limited editions that pair a canvas body with Swift leather trim and practical, utility-inspired details. They are recent, made in small numbers and most listings are unworn, which is why their asking prices sit well above classic leather.
Classic leatherUS$4,500about 3,920
The reference: a Picotin in one of the house's standard leathers, such as Togo, Epsom, Clemence or Swift, in a single color. Most listings fall here, which is why this median is the most reliable on the page.
VersoUS$3,400fewer than 20
A two-color Picotin: one color outside and a contrasting color inside, on the lining and the inner side of the flap or straps. The surprise only shows when the bag is open.
Tap a version to see what it is.
Think of these figures as a snapshot of the market rather than a valuation of any particular bag.
Frequently asked questions
What does Picotin mean?
It is an old French measure of oats used to feed horses.
When did the bag appear?
Sotheby's dates the original Picotin to 2002. Collector sources commonly place the Lock version around 2008.
Is the Picotin lined?
No. The classic bag leaves the inside of the leather visible.
Which size is most popular?
The 18 is widely described as the favorite. The 22 and 26 offer more capacity.
How does it close?
A leather strap crosses the opening and is secured with a small padlock.
Which leather should I choose?
Clemence feels soft and relaxed, Epsom holds a firmer silhouette and Swift offers a smoother surface.
Can I buy one online?
Sometimes. Hermès has listed several Picotin models online, but stock varies by market and date.
Do I need a purchase history?
The Picotin is generally considered a non-quota bag. There is no published purchase threshold or guaranteed availability.
References
Hermès, Picotin collection and Picotin Lock 18 product pages.
Sotheby's, “The Hermès Picotin: Functional and Stylish”.
Sotheby's, “The Effortless Hermès Picotin”.
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About this guide
An independent reference for curious collectors.
MyQuotaBag brings together the stories, craftsmanship and market information behind some of the world's most recognizable handbags, to make them easier to explore and understand.
Resale figures come from publicly available asking prices. They represent listings, not confirmed sales or guaranteed future values. MyQuotaBag is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hermès.
How to cite: MyQuotaBag, « The Hermès Picotin », Hermès Bag Profiles, resale snapshot of 2026-10-18. https://myquotabag.com/bags/picotin/
