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Hermès Kelly 20 vs. 25 vs. 28 vs. 32: Detailed Comparison and Reviews 2024

Hermès Kelly 20 vs. 25 vs. 28 vs. 32: Detailed Comparison and Reviews 2024

    • Buying your first Hermès Kelly is a milestone for any bag lover – this sophisticated style is a true design icon, after all. Kelly bags range from Micro – just 15 centimetres across – to the travel-ready Voyage and Relax editions, which measure 50 centimetres, so SIZE is an important factor. With the most common Kelly sizes being K25, K28, K32 and K35, landing somewhere in the middle could be just right for a first-time purchase. And are you planning to buy a Hermès Kelly Bag, but aren’t sure which size is suitable or how much money you should set aside?  Or you maybe want to know: What is the difference between Kelly 25 and 28? Which size Kelly is best? Is Kelly 28 too big? If your answer to these question is yes, then this Hermes Kelly size Guide got you covered.

Cover Photo:hermes.com

How About Hermès Kelly Bags?

Long lauded as a statement of timeless and effortless class, the Hermès Kelly bag remains an emblematic piece of modern glamour. The iconic Hermès handbag was introduced to the fashion world as the Sac à Dépêches in the 1930s. It became an international sensation when legendary beauty and fashion icon Grace Kelly used her favorite Sac à Dépêches to shield her baby bump from the Paparazzi.

Women all over the world soon clamored for the “Kelly bag”. For years, the classic purse was informally known as the Hermès Kelly bag, though it wasn’t until 1977 that the company made the rebranding official. Today, the Kelly bag has become synonymous with elegance, style, and glamour.

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Source:madisonavenuecouture.com

Every Kelly bag is handmade by Hermès artisans using luxurious leathers and palladium or gold-plated hardware.The iconic Hermès Kelly bag is instantly recognizable for its trapezoidal shape topped by a single rolled handle. Over the years, several different sizes, colors, and Hermès VIP or Special Order models have proven popular.

The smallest of the classic Kelly purses is the Hermès Kelly 20cm, also known as the Mini Kelly II. From there, the sizes range from the 25cm Kelly and the 28cm Kelly — which carry all your essentials for day or evening —  to the roomier 32cm Kelly bag and the 35cm Kelly models, which are often used as travel bags in addition to day bags. 

 

 

Popular Hermès Kelly Sizes

The Hermès Kelly bag comes in many sizes ranging from the Kelly 15 to the Kelly 50. The most popular Hermès Kelly bags are the Mini Kelly 20, Kelly 25 and the Kelly 28. These Kelly 25 and Kelly 28 sizes fit everyday essentials, with the Kelly 28 providing more room for necessities. The smaller Kelly sizes (the Kelly 15 and the Kelly 20) are trendier bags while the larger Kelly sizes (the Kelly 40 and the Kelly 50) are highly functional and recommended for use as travel bags. Kelly bag sizing is determined by the length of the bag’s base. For example, a Kelly 25 will measure 25 centimeters across the base.

Where to Buy Hermès Kelly Bags?

  • Buying in-store

As you may know already, buying a Kelly bag directly from an Hermès boutique is not as straight-forward as you’d hope. Hermès cultivate an air of rarity around their bags by not having them readily displayed on shelves, or available via systematic waiting lists – instead, these bags are cloistered away in a boutique’s private showroom, and are often only offered to clients once they have built up a loyal relationship with a sales associate.

  • Buying online

As such, the most realistic route for your first-time purchase is best found by shopping PRE-OWNED HERMÈS BAGS online, or via an auction house. An online secondhand shop like SACLÀB has the advantage of being entirely transparent, with incredibly thorough methods of authentication, so you can shop with confidence and ease. 

Although some can feel squeamish about not buying ‘brand new’, rest assured, HERMÈS BAGS are one of the few secondhand items that truly hold their value, if cared for correctly.

Below are more online stores to get Hermès Kelly Bags:

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Hermès Kelly 20 vs. 25 vs. 28 vs. 32 Overview

Hermès Mini Kelly 20 Review

What is Hermès Kelly 20?

Otherwise known as the Mini Kelly, the Kelly 20 is number one on most people's luxury shopping list. Despite its limiting size in terms of what you can fit inside, this mini must-have is the perfect crossbody addition to fit every style.

Delightful in size, the Mini Kelly proves huge popularity - it’s one of the most coveted handbag sizes Hermès has to offer. Sweet, petite, and so very chic, the Hermès Kelly 20cm bag packs a great deal of glam into such a small package. the Kelly 20, or the "mini Kelly 2" as it is widely and affectionately known, is the ideal day-to-evening bag for the fashionable woman who travels light. 

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Source:mightychic.com

Compared to its big sisters, the Hermès Mini Kelly bag is designed with a rather truncated trapezoid silhouette. The sharp edges (the reissued Mini Kelly II comes exclusively in the Sellier cut) exude ladylike chic and you can carry it by the curved top handle in your hand. Unlike larger Kelly sizes, however, the handle won’t fit your wrist or arm. But not to worry, the dainty shoulder strap is perfectly suited to carry the bag crossbody and keep your hands free.  

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hermès Mini Kelly

ProsCons

High resale value

Detachable shoulder strap provides versatile styling options

High quality materials and construction ensure that Kellys will last a lifetime

Metal feet protect the bottom of the bag from damage

Part of Hermès’ Holy Trinity of bags, meaning it will remain stylish for many years

  • Must be worn closed.

  • Togo and Clemence leathers may slouch over time

  • Very in demand and difficult to purchase in your desired size, color, and leather

  • Flaps are challenging to use, causing most owners to leave their bags open all of the time


Where to Buy Hermès Mini Kelly Cheapest?

Hermès Kelly 25 Review

What is Hermès Kelly 25 Bag?

The Hermès Kelly 25cm is an exquisite handbag of timeless style and distinction. Born as the Sac à Dépêches in the early 20th century, the company renamed the bag in 1977 after legendary actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. Yet, for years before the name change was made official, fashionable women the world over were seeking the Kelly bag. Today, the Hermès Kelly 25 is among the most highly coveted of this iconic style.

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Source:mightychic.com

Measuring 9.8 inches wide, 7.5 inches high, and 3.5 inches deep, the Hermès Kelly 25 neatly secures your daily essentials. Always prized for its sophisticated style, the Kelly bag 25 was traditionally preferred by mature women, carrying it by its single rolled handle in the hand or slipped over the forearm. However, now that the company produces the Kelly 25 with a matching shoulder strap, these highly versatile Hermès bags have gained popularity with a younger audience as well. 

The Hermès Kelly bag 25 is available in two styles; the highly structured Sellier, with external stitching, and the more relaxed-looking Retourne, with interior stitching. Both are rendered in luxurious leathers like Epsom, Chevre and Togo, and they feature hardware detailing in palladium or gold plating. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hermès Kelly 25

ProsCons
  • For a tiny bag it can sure pack a punch! A god send for people like me who carry little, it can still hold all the essentials with room for more

  • Can easily transition from a day to night bag

  • Can be used for formal occasions

  • Small enough not to bang into other things

  • The handle drop is absolutely perfect!

  • Can easily slide through the arms despite being a mini bag or can be held using the shoulder strap

  • Small enough to go crossbody for a casual look

  • It’s a small bag so holding its shape is not an issue

  • It’s a mini bag so unless you carry very little and love the look of a mini bag this isn’t the bag for you

  • Looks super cute, so if that’s not a look you are after this may not be the size to add

Where to Buy Hermès Kelly 25 Cheapest?

Hermès Kelly 28 Review

What is Hermès Kelly 28 Bag?

The Hermès Kelly 28cm handbag is an icon among luxury bags. Exquisite in its clean lines and unmistakable glamour, the Kelly 28 comes with its own fairytale history that adds luster to its appeal. Originally named the Sac à Dépêches, the “purist aesthetic” of the handbag was a distinct departure from the more ornate, embellished bags that were then in vogue. 

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Source:mightychic.com

In 1956, Grace Kelly, legendary beauty and actress, fell in love with the chic bag on set and refused to part with it. Later, she was photographed holding her purse to shield her baby bump, and fashionable women the world over demanded the “Kelly bag.” 

Like all Hermès bags, the Hermès Kelly 28 is handcrafted by skilled artisans using sumptuous leathers. They create the Kelly in two styles, the Sellier and the Retourne. The Sellier features external stitching with sharp, clean structural lines, while the Retourne’s stitching is on the inside, lending a more relaxed look to the bag. Both styles come with an optional shoulder strap, which lends to the Kelly’s popularity among Hermès lovers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hermès Kelly 28

ProsCons
  • It holds tons if you carry a lot of stuff in your bags

  • The dimensions of the bag make it proportionately appropriate for most of us

  • It’s the perfect medium-sized bag that sits prettily between big bags like K32 and mini ones like K25—so best of both the worlds!

  • Can be held by its handles or carried on the shoulder using the shoulder strap

  • For people who don’t carry much, this is still too big of a bag where your things can swim inside

  • Big enough to still bang against things and get corner wear more quickly than a K25

  • Harder to maintain its shape in a Retourne

  • More of a day bag

  • Too big to be carried cross body

Where to Buy Hermès Kelly 28 Cheapest?

Hermès Kelly 32 Review

What is Hermès Kelly 32 Bag?

The Hermès 32cm Kelly bag is an extraordinary piece of fashion history. Not only is the Kelly 32 an exquisite example of artisan craftsmanship, durable luxury, and enduring style, it also has a romantic backstory: The iconic trapezoid shape of the Hermès Kelly 32 was a striking departure from the ornate handbag styles of the day. The chic look took the world by storm when legendary actress, and crowned princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly was photographed holding her Hermès Sac à Dépêches bag to shield her baby bump from the paparazzi. 

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Source:madisonavenuecouture.com

The Hermès Kelly 32 bag is an ideal daily bag for the busy woman on the go. It is spacious enough to carry all your everyday essentials. As such, it does not transition into evening as well as the smaller Kelly 20 or Kelly 25, or even the Kelly 28.

The Hermès Kelly 32 measures approximately 12.75” wide, 9”high, and 4.75” deep. The shoulder strap makes it convenient to wear the Kelly 32 over the shoulder, while the rolled handle can be carried in the hand or slipped over your forearm. Like all Hermès bags, the 32cm Kelly bag in Sellier, a rigid style made by stitching the sides of the bag on the outside, and in Retourne, a relaxed style made by placing the stitches inside the bag. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hermès Kelly 32

ProsCons
  • The size of Hermes Kelly 32 is also its undeniable asset for anyone

  • The strap is sufficiently long to wear the bag crossbody (just about!) 

  • Hermes Kelly 32 bag is by far the best choice for anyone looking for the fusion between aesthetically beautiful piece and a highly functional accessory.

  • Heavy

  • Hermes Kelly 32 bags do not have any external pockets for sliding small items such as e.g. a ticket or a phone, so the only option is to unlock/lock the bag each time to retrieve the required item

Where to Buy Hermès Kelly 32 Cheapest?

Hermès Kelly 20 vs. 25 vs. 28 vs. 32:Comparison Side by Side

1.Size

The Kelly is available in sizes 20cm, 25cm, 28cm, 32cm, 35cm, 40cm, and 50cm. Below is Hermès Kelly 20, 25, 28 and 32 Bag sizes chart inches and in centimeters:

Hermès StyleDimensions (centimeters)Dimensions (inches)

Kelly 20

20 x 16 x 10 cm 

7.8” x 6.3” x 4”

Kelly 25

25 x 19 x 9 cm 

10” x 7.5” x 3.5”

Kelly 28

28 x 22 x 10 cm 

 11” x 8.5” x 4”

Kelly 32

32 x 23 x 10.5 cm

12.5” x 9” x 4”

2.Leather and Color 

  • Hermès Kelly 20

The Hermès Mini Kelly bag is available in two regular TYPES OF LEATHER, Chèvre Mysore and Epsom. Epsom is an embossed calfskin, lightweight and particularly scratch-resistant. Chèvre Mysore is most commonly used to line the inside of Hermès handbags, but the fashion house occasionally singles out the long-lasting goatskin for smaller bags. 

Released in both seasonal and permanent Hermès shades, there’s a variety of colours available for the Mini Kelly bag. If you’re looking for a pop of colour, keep pinks and blues on your radar – both colourways are consistently popular with the French fashion house. 

  • Hermès Kelly 25

When a Kelly 25 is offered in ostrich or lizard, it is  generally crafted in a Sellier style. Lissé or shiny finished crocodile or alligator are also generally crafted in the Sellier style, whereas matte finish crocodile and alligator Kelly bags are crafted in the Retourne style. 

While the Retourne is an immensely popular style, when Hermès VIPs choose a Kelly Hermès bag 25 for a special order or Horseshoe Stamp (HSS) bag, it is most often the Sellier they choose.

  • Hermès Kelly 28

The Kelly 28 is a favorite among the VIPs who order customized Hermès special order or Horseshoe Stamp (HSS) bags. Almost invariably, they choose the Sellier style. 

While the Hermès bag Kelly 28 is often made in sturdy and luxurious leathers like Epsom and Togo, special orders may choose crocodile, ostrich, or other exotic skins. All exotic Hermès bags are made in strict compliance with CITES. 

  • Hermès Kelly 32

Like all Hermès bags, the 32cm Kelly bag in Sellier, a rigid style made by stitching the sides of the bag on the outside, and in Retourne, a relaxed style made by placing the stitches inside the bag. Kelly 32 bags come in luxury leathers, such as Epsom, Chevre, Togo and Clemence. 

They also are available in some exotic skins, including Nilo crocodile and Porosus crocodile.

3、Capacity and Practicality

  • Hermès Kelly 20

Despite Hermès Kelly 20 bag limiting size in terms of what you can fit inside, this mini must-have is the perfect crossbody addition to fit every style.

What can Kelly 20 hold?

E-s-s-e-n-t-i-a-l-s only: iPhone, card-holder, lipstick, keys, mini pouch. 

  • Hermès Kelly 25

The Kelly 25 still feels like a mini bag when worn. Whilst it still has a handle drop of 9cm, the shoulder strap does come slightly shortened compared to the Kelly 28. 

What can Kelly 25 hold?

Card holder, AirPods, keys, mini umbrella, very small water bottle and of course your iPhone. 

  • Hermès Kelly 28

Not too big, not too small, the Kelly 28 is one of the most sought after sizes and bags amongst fashion lovers. It’s the perfect everyday bag which fits all your most important necessities and the slightly longer shoulder strap makes it compliment every outfit. 

What can Kelly 28 hold?

Card holder, makeup essentials, water bottle, keys, mini pochette for coins, mini umbrella, AirPods. 

  • Hermès Kelly 32

Spacious and ideal for accompanying you to those lunchtime meetings, the Kelly 32 is on par with the Birkin 35 in terms of similarity in size and what it can fit inside. However, please note due to the narrow top, laptops and documents are a no go. 

What can Kelly 32 hold?

Card holder, makeup bag, keys, mini pouchette for coins, mini umbrella, AirPods, iPad or notepad. 

4.Prices 

Below, we’ve provided a list of the most up-to-date Kelly prices. Unless otherwise mentioned, these prices are for Sellier Kellys made out of Epsom leather. 

Check out the table below for some current Kelly prices. 

Kelly Bag Size 2022 Price (USD)2022 Price (EUR)
Mini Kelly 20 Epsom$8,250€6,150
Mini Kelly 20 Chèvre$8,900€6,650
Kelly 25 Togo Retourne $9,900€7,400
Kelly 25 Swift Retourne$10,300€7,700
Kelly 25 Epsom Sellier$10,600€7,950
Kelly 25 Chèvre Sellier $11,400€8,500
Kelly 28 Togo Retourne$10,600€7,950
Kelly 28 Clémence Retourne$10,600€7,950
Kelly 28 Epsom Sellier $11,200€8,300
Kelly 32 Togo Retourne$11,300€8,450
Kelly 32 Epsom Sellier $12,100€9,050

5.Investment Value

The Resale Stats: The iconic Hermès Kelly bag comes in second place, and holds 92% resale value on average.

Smaller sizes like the Mini Kelly, the Kelly 25,  Kelly 28 and the Kelly32 have the highest demand. 

In order to purchase a Kelly bag, clients must build up a buying history at Hermès and cultivate a relationship with the sales associates at their nearest boutique. If all goes well, the sales associate will contact prospective customers when a bag becomes available. However, sales associates cannot order specific Kelly bags and rarely know what they’re receiving ahead of time.

So, if you’re lucky enough to get the chance to purchase a Kelly, don’t hesitate to pick up this gorgeous bag.  

What dose the Hermès Kelly 20 resell for?

The industry standard for a store fresh Epsom leather Kelly 20 in 2022,

Retail price starts from: £6,150

Resell approximately between £20,000 - £25,000 - depending on spec

What dose the Hermès Kelly 25 resell for?

The industry standard for a store fresh Epsom leather Kelly 25 in 2022,

Retail price starts from: £7,950

Resell approximately between £20,000 - £26,000 - depending on spec 

What dose the Hermès Kelly 28 resell for?

The industry standard for a store fresh Epsom leather Kelly 28 in 2022,

Retail price starts from: £8,300

Resell approximately between £17,000 -  £24,000 depending on spec

What dose the Hermès Kelly 32 resell for?

The industry standard for a store fresh Epsom leather Kelly 32 in 2022,

Retail price starts from: £9,050

Resell approximately between £16,000 - £19,000 depending on spec

Tips for investing in a Hermès Kelly bag:

  • Hermès Kelly  bags are timeless, but know your colors when investing. Long term investors should look at neutral colors such as gold, black, and etoupe

  • Short term investors can look at new and seasonal colors

  • Kelly and Birkin bags have been steadily increasing in value since the 1950s and 1980s respectively and are predicted by experts to continue this trend for the foreseeable future

  • Exotic skin and rare bags will increase in value at a faster rate than regular bags

  • The condition of the bag will affect its resale value

  • The secondary market is the easiest and most sensible way to purchase a Hermès bag

  • Be extremely careful of fraudulent bags on the secondary market

  • Deal only with trusted resellers and study the small details that show a bag as genuine or fake

Conclusion: Which is the Best Size for You?

  • Hermès Kelly 20 

For whatever reason, this is currently the “hottest”, most in demand, and hardest to find bag. 

The Mini Kelly only comes in the Sellier structure and it is the perfect little evening bag. It fits only the necessities and absolutely nothing more. Proportionally, it is very visually attractive, appealing to us in the way that perfect little dollhouse furniture and baby animals are attractive to us: tugging at our innate instinct to have the cute little small things, whatever they are. 

From the sweet little turnlock to the perfect little strap, it’s adorable and fully functional. Perfect as a bag for formal events (unless you’re of the ilk that won’t carry a leather bag formally), it’s great for dinner, andit used as a very small daybag for travel sometimes.

  • Hermès Kelly 25 

This size is very popular, and works well for both day and evenings (whether Sellier or Retourne) and dressier events (generally Sellier).

Again, it’s a great everyday size, if you don’t carry much. Using the strap makes this bag pretty easy and convenient

This bag is still on the small side, with the same watch-what you-carry caveats advised for the 25cm Birkin; you’re going to have to play a bit of Bag Tetris to get this to work, especially if you are new to smaller sizes. You need to be thoughtful when carrying a 25cm Kelly, although maybe a bit less so if it’s Retourne; a Sellier is not going to fit much more than a small wallet, keys, phone and small pouch.

  • Hermès Kelly 28

It is incredibly elegant in 28 size as a Sellier, and very pretty yet slightly cooler in this size as a Retourne.

This is what many people currently consider the “sweet spot” for Kelly sizes, although it’s a tough call between this size and the 32cm; like the 30cm Birkin it holds most of what you would need, but perhaps not quite, depending on how much you tend to carry (especially if it’s a Sellier).

the 28cm Kelly is possibly the best day-to-evening size where you don’t have to seriously compromise what you need to carry (not too much of a Bag Tetris quotient here).

  • Hermès Kelly 32

Formerly the “sweet spot” prior to the great bag downsize trend, the 32cm is still a fabulous size, especially if you need to carry more or are a bigger/taller person.

The 32cm Kelly is great (though maybe just a bit on the small side) for work and fabulous for travel. It will fit quite a bit while still remaining elegant (as a Sellier) or super cool (Retourne).

A 32cm Kelly is perfect for everyday and proportionally suits most people. Regardless of structure, this is definitely more of a day bag.

Read More:

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2023-04-20 02:031342