Pressure Points and Indentations on your Birkin Bag - Causes, Avoidance, and Care

An in-depth look at why bulges and lines appear—and how to care for your Birkin to slow their progression.

The subtle markings that develop on the front and back panels of a Birkin over time are more than just signs of use; they reflect the nuanced relationship between leather type, internal structure, care, and storage over time. From the interior compartments to the choice of leather, every element contributes to how a bag matures. This guide explores why these markings occur, how different leathers respond, and how to preserve your Birkin’s beauty for years to come.

Table of topics

1. Why is my bag developing pressure points, lines and indentations?

2. Best practices to maintain your bag

3. Avoid practices that speed up the markings

 

1. Why is my Birkin bag developing pressure points, lines and indentations? 

The Birkin’s interior features two compartments: a flat front pocket and a zippered pocket at the back, with a gusset on one side and a flat finish on the other. The leather in these pockets is thick, making the edges and gusseted corner firm and rigid to the touch. You can feel this stiffness by running your fingers along the interior. If you then place your hand on the corresponding area on the bag’s exterior, you can feel these structural elements through the leather.

The extent to which this structure is visible or noticeable from the exterior depends on both the type of leather and the age of the bag. In heavier and thicker leathers, such as (e.g., Box or  Barenia), these inner details can be imperceptible. However, with softer and more delicate leathers (e.g., Swift, Evercolor), you may notice tactile lines, bulges, and markings on the exterior of your bag that reflect the shape and build of the interior pockets. As your bag ages, these impressions will become more visible.

This is the back of a six-month-old Birkin crafted in Swift leather.

The bag has been stored upright, used sparingly, and never overfilled. It has not been stored with a bag pillow. Despite this careful handling, the nature of Swift, a buttery-soft and smooth leather, means it is particularly susceptible to impressions. As seen here, the subtle outlines and corners of the interior zippered compartment are already beginning to leave gentle markings on the exterior. This is a natural characteristic of the material and a normal aspect of how Swift leather wears over time.

The Birkin 35 below is from 2013 and in Togo leather, a medium-weight hide. 

Despite regular use, the indentations on the exterior are minimal for a bag of this leather and age. It was carried and stored with a MaiTai Collection B35 insert, which supported the interior structure and acted as a buffer between the pockets and contents, minimizing pressure on the Togo leather. The bag was stored lying on its back with the insert and never with a bag pillow or other solid stuffing materials. Detailed storage advice is covered in the next section. Or, read our comprehensive guide on how to store your Kelly and Birkin bag.

If you’ve ever noticed that the right side of the Birkin’s back panel tends to show more pronounced markings, there’s a reason for it. 

As shown in the picture below, the right side (circled) shows a subtle imprint from the gusseted corner. Over time—and depending on leather type (e.g., softer Swift shows more marks than medium-weight Togo) and storage habits—the gusset’s rigid corner can subtly imprint on the exterior, often making the right side slightly more marked than the left. This right-side tendency underscores the importance of storage, detailed in the next section. Or, read our comprehensive guide on how to store your Kelly and Birkin bag.

Below you can see the two finishes of the Birkin's zippered interior compartment; the left side is gusseted, while the right side remains flat. 

The gusseted corner, being harder and thicker, exerts more pressure on the exterior leather, making it more prone to visible markings over time. This structural difference explains the right-side markings noted above and highlights the need for careful storage, which is addressed next.

Detail of the flat finishing on the right:

Detail of the gusseted finishing on the left:

Tip: Closing the zipper puts stress on the gusset, causing it to pull and distort. I therefore recommend leaving the zipper in Birkin bags open

As shown in the picture below, the front panel shows significantly fewer signs of structural impressions compared to the back, due to its flat pocket design.

As shown below, this is largely because the Birkin’s front interior pocket is flat with no gussets or zip, making it much less prone to visible exterior markings and pressure lines compared to the gusseted back compartment.

Detail of the front interior pocket with flat finishing:

Conclusion

With these points in mind, it becomes clear why markings and subtle impressions are almost inevitable over time. Their visibility depends largely on the type of leather and, just as importantly, the care and storage practices followed. From structured, resilient hides to soft, more impressionable leathers, each bag tells its own story of material, use, and handling.

2. Best practices to protect your bag and support its structure 

Personally, I don't mind small markings, as they are part of the signature look of a Birkin bag. However, I take care not to accelerate or aggravate the process:  With thoughtful storage and a perfect bag insert to keep shape, it is possible to support the bag’s structure while slowing down or minimizing the appearance of pressure markings.

Choose an insert designed with your bag's structure in mind

Bag inserts help support your bag's structure while keeping your bag protected and pristine. Our MaiTai Collection Birkin inserts are thoughtfully tailored to end just below the pocket edges and gusseted corners, avoiding pressing them against the leather from within.

Opt for Pliable Materials

The soft and supple nature of our inserts ensures they never press or work against your bag. They provide support without pressure on the leather or internal pockets.

Always store your bag correctly

Place your bag in its dustbag and store it in its orange box with the lid off to allow for circulation. Make sure that it is not subjected to any direct source of heat or light. To give your bag extra support, simply leave your MaiTai Collection Birkin insert inside your bag: it will gently help to keep your Birkin in shape. For a detailed blog post on How to Store Your Birkin or Kelly bag click here.

 

3. Avoidance of practices that speed up the markings

Avoid Inserts That Rise Above Pocket Height

Inserts or organizers that exceed the height of the interior pockets push the rigid corners and edges against the leather, thereby intensifying and accelerating the appearance of exterior pressure marks and lines over time.

Do Not Overfill with Airbags

Excess stuffing applies pressure to the internal pockets, particularly around the stiff edges of the zippered compartment, which can result in visible impressions on the outside of your bag.

Be cautious with bag pillows and pads

Most bag pillows and pads are too firm and have a snug fit, pressing directly the bag’s interior pockets against the front and back panels. This risks accelerating the appearance of lines and pressure marks. Once formed, these impressions are typically irreversible, so it is best to avoid snug-fitting bag pillows or pads for your Hermes Birkin bag.

Steer Clear of Rigid Inserts 

Rigid or inflexible inserts may cause their own set of issues, such as creating pressure points or pushing up against the base of interior pockets. This can force the pocket edges outward, leading to vertical lines and surface distortion that becomes visible on the exterior.

It is worth noting that the original Birkin bag, crafted for Jane Birkin herself, was made from Box Calf, a thick leather, which typically causes very little visible issues with the interior pocket design.

It wasn’t until the introduction of softer, more delicate leathers (such as Swift, Evercolor, and Tadelakt) that pressure marks on outer panels became a more significant issue. These lighter leathers are inherently prone to showing interior pocket outlines, especially over time, with improper storage or unsuitable bag inserts or bag pillows.

Why a MaiTai Collection B35 insert?

Our inserts for Birkin and Kelly bags offer perfect protection and structural support. Their pliable structure and soft materials ensure that no pressure is exercised onto your bag's interior compartments.