Best Storage & Care Practices for Hermès Picotin Bag
MaiTai CollectionIn this guide, we explore the best ways to preserve the shape of your Hermès Picotin bag, prevent slouching, and store your Picotin correctly—especially if your bag is made in Clemence leather.
Whether you own a Picotin 18, Picotin 22, or Picotin 26, proper storage with the right bag insert and bag pillow helps protect your investment and keeps your bag looking structured and beautiful for years.
Why is it important to keep your Picotin bag in shape?
The Hermès Picotin Lock is an iconic everyday handbag known for its casual chic. However, Picotin bags are unlined and have no interior pockets, meaning the bag has little internal support.
Most Picotin bags are made in Clemence leather, which contributes to the bag's relaxed look. The downside is that Clemence is heavy and—when unsupported—prone to slouching. Over time, the leather can lose structure completely, resulting in a collapsed bag that has lost its shape.
If you want to avoid long-term structual loss, proper Picotin storage and care is essential.
Do all Picotin leathers behave the same way?
Not all Clemence leather Picotin bags behave in exactly the same way. Every hide is different, and the tanning process also affects how much structure the bag retains.
For example, the Picotin 22 pictured above was quite floppy and unstructured fresh out of the box, while another has held its shape for over a decade with only a bag insert for Picotin bags for support.
In general, the smaller the bag, the better it holds its shape:
- Picotin 18: least prone to slouching, at least early on
- Picotin 22: very likely to slouch over time
- Picotin 26: highly likely to develop slouch early on
Why should I be concerned about Picotin slouch?
Picotin slouch develops because folds form that begin to carry the weight of the bag. A slouchy bag tends to “sit” on the same folds repeatedly, causing them to deepen and become permanent.
As these folds become more pronounced:
- the leather can stretch over the bulges
- the structure weakens further
- the bag loses its original silhouette
Over time, repeatedly stretched leather may even crack—resulting in irreversible damage.
If you want to prevent this, storing your bag with a bag pillow is one of the best long-term solutions.
How to keep your Hermès Picotin bag in shape
1) Use a bag insert when your bag is in use
A soft and pliable bag insert helps maintain the Picotin’s shape while being carried. A well-made and perfectly designed insert (or handbag organizer) also makes your bag more functional by preventing items from shifting inside, and it protects your bag from scratches or small spills.
Avoid rigid inserts, as they may:
- force the Picotin into an unnatural bucket shape
- create a visible pressure line on the outside of the leather
2) Use a bag pillow when your bag is not being carried
Out of 24 hours, your bag is carried for a short time—and stored for most of the day. When stored without support, the entire weight of the Picotin rests on itself, increasing the risk of slouch, folds, and structural collapse.
A perfectly designed bag pillow prevents this by:
- supporting the bag walls evenly
- keeping the base upright
- reducing fold formation
Because the Picotin has no internal pockets (and no sharp corners or zippers that could create pressure points), the ideal bag pillow should fit snugly and provide even support.
What can a bag pillow do for my Picotin bag?
A perfectly designed bag pillow:
- keeps the shape of your bag
- prevents slouch
- helps the bag stand upright
- helps regain the bag's structure
- protects the base from dust while stored
Proper use of a bag pillow + insert is the best combination for Picotin shape retention.
Can a bag pillow restore a slouchy or collapsed Picotin?
Yes, it can.
We have tested our bag pillows for many years using our founder’s personal collection of Picotin bags. The Picotin 22 shown below was purchased at an Hermès store in 2011, and it had very little structure to begin with.
Over the last few years, it has been stored with a bag pillow size P22, and it has regained enough structure to stand upright without additional support.
