A Guide to Existing and Discontinued Hermès Colors: Classic Neutrals

Without a shade of doubt, Hermès has become the epitome of luxury fashion. In terms of the fashion house’s most iconic silhouettes, the Birkin and the Kelly, Hermès has really set the standard of what luxury craftsmanship looks like. But with all facts aside, you might be wondering, “I know what style of bag and leather I want, but what color compliments my style best?” Here at What Goes Around Comes Around, we offer a wide variety of color options for our customers to choose from. Let’s lift the curtain and unveil Hermès’ true colors.

Existing Classic Neutrals

To create an almost perfect ensemble, the icing on the cake is the bag—but it must be one that matches everything. That’s where the classic colors come into play.

With over 250 distinct colors produced by the brand’s artisans, Hermès doesn’t just slap any color onto any handbag style and proclaim, “that works!” Each color is thoughtfully chosen in the pre-production phases and is then exquisitely executed in each artisan’s craftmanship, even meticulously matching the shade of stitching color to compliment different leather types. What that means in Hermès lingo is—identical colors are going to appear to the naked eye differently depending on the textile used to construct the bag.

Here’s everything you need to know, broken down into digestible, bite-size pieces:

Discontinued Classic Neutrals

If you had to describe Hermès in one word, what would it be? Here at What Goes Around Comes Around, we’d say: exclusive. And nothing says that more than archival colors.

See it once, and it catches your eye; see it twice, and you’ll know you’ve got to have that color! Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Hermès reveals another color trick up its sleeve. “Poof, it’s gone!” That’s right—Hermès does say goodbye to colors that were once the talk of the town, only to see them quietly fade from the spotlight. But don’t fret—sometimes, if you’re lucky, that color you thought you’d never see again comes full circle—and that’s exactly what happens here at What Goes Around Comes Around.

It’s no secret that Hermès loves to keep us on our toes. The brand is known for making consumers work for their pieces—but for true Hermès lovers, that’s part of the appeal. After being renowned for decades, Hermès’ legacy of pristine craftsmanship has earned its place at the top. To this day, Hermès remains the most exclusive handbag brand in the world.

Part of that exclusivity lies in the brand’s intentional strategy to phase out certain colors. This not only fuels demand and enhances excitement but also aligns with seasonal trends to help each bag remain unique. So, what shades in the neutral color family have been discontinued by Hermès? Let’s take a look.

As we said earlier: same color, different leather, entirely new vibe. That’s the magic—and the mystery—of Hermès.

And as we’ve seen, the Hermès color palette is anything but static—rooted in heritage, yet ever-evolving. Part 1 introduced the foundational hues that define the brand’s identity, from enduring classics to quietly discontinued favorites. But the story doesn’t end here. In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into the vibrant pinks and reds that make any outfit pop! You'll be turning heads left and right—but honestly, if you’re carrying an Hermès bag, you already are. The spectrum continues—stay with us.

Ready to take your collection to the next level? Shop our curated neutral selections at What Goes Around Comes Around—you won’t regret it.