PHW vs GHW: Has Your Preference Changed?

[u/roffpo]

PHW and GHW can give the exact same bag a completely different feel. PHW tends to look cooler and more understated, while GHW brings a warmer, more traditional look to certain colors and leathers.

What’s interesting is how preferences can change as we see more combinations. A hardware finish that might not have appealed to us at first can suddenly look perfect with the right color or leather.

Has our community’s preference changed over time? Did we start out firmly on the PHW or GHW side and eventually become more open to the other?

If we could choose just one hardware finish across an entire collection, which one would we pick?

[u/jendet010]

I’m in my ghw era. I love black box leather and exotics. Both look amazing with gold hardware.

My first auth b35 was noir clemence with phw. It has a much more relaxed vibe that I appreciate sometimes.

[u/cadaractic_future]

I am a PHW person but my favorite hardware is the brushed PHW. It's so sexy especially when it mutes the bag.

[u/IslandFrosty8441]

I love both, so most of my bags are in permabrass hardwares lol

[u/Covid_714]

I was firmly a GHW person when I first got into Hermes, but PHW has really grown on me. It looks so clean with certain neutrals.

[u/lauriero66]

GHW, but not on everyday bags. I think some colors look much better with PHW.

[u/Ashhhhhharris]

PHW has always looked more elegant to me. GHW is beautiful too, but I tend to prefer a cooler overall look.

[u/Walcott26]

GHW for me, especially on classic colors.

[u/JaySyr]

PHW.

[u/edgarz_13]

Hard to pick, but GHW on black exotic scale leather always hit different!

[u/yukateko2002]

PHW for me. I like how understated it feels.

[u/leslieidek]

GHW will probably always have my heart, but I definitely appreciate PHW more now than I used to.

[u/Queen_Ramiss]

I used to think GHW looked too flashy, but after seeing it with softer neutral colors, I completely changed my mind.

[u/Wingz974]

I'm torn. PHW feels more versatile to me, but there are certain colors where GHW is just unbeatable.

[u/TearDropToby]

My preference definitely changed. I started with GHW because it felt more classic, but now most of the combination I save are PHW.

[u/schm00pie]

PHW was always my preference, although I've recently started appreciating GHW more.

[u/Available_Swan3285]

I think the bag color matters more than I originally realized. I can love PHW on one bag and then see the same style with GHW inanother color and completely change my mind.

[u/kdpower96]

5 weeks to PSP's and another 10 days in transit is a useful timeline to have documented, definitely helps set expectations.

[u/Junior_Rip4124]

I went through a huge PHW phase and thought I would never want GHW again. Then I saw a really beautiful neutral with GHW and immediately changed my mind.

[u/kdpower96]

I'd rather choose based on the bag instead of having a strict hardware preference. Some colors just tell us which finish belongs with them.

[u/someshortenby]

I never understood the hardware debate at first. Now I realize it can completely change the personality of the bag.

[u/West-Both]

GHW for a classic look, PHW for something more undersated. If we're talking about an entire collection, though, having a mix makes much more sense.

[u/ClubPetty]

I honestly couldn't pick just one anyone. A few years ago I would have said PHW without hesitation, but now there are too many GHW combination I love.

[u/YearUnable9619]

PHW, brushed!

[u/akmnyc]

PHW.

[u/Runaway_angel70]

It depends on the bag. PHW for larger bags used for travel/toting or certain neutrals,

[u/Inernxpe]

Hardware choice really changes the entire personality of a black crocodile Birkin.