Hermès Kelly Bags

Long recognized 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 bag to shield her baby bump from the Paparazzi.

Women the world over soon clamored for the “Kelly bag.” In 1977, the company made the rebranding official. Today, the Hermès Kelly bag has become synonymous with elegance and style.

Experience Iconic Luxury with Hermès Kelly Bags

Hermès Kelly bags are fashioned in two main styles. The Kelly Sellier is a structured, ladylike style, while the Kelly Retourne is more relaxed and casual.  All Hermès Kelly handbags are crafted from the finest Hermès leathers, while some exotic Kelly bags are made of skins like lizard, ostrich, and crocodile. Every Hermès Kelly bag is handmade by highly skilled brand artisans using luxurious leathers and palladium or gold-plated hardware.

Both the Sellier and Retourne styles can be worn during the day, but a small leather Kelly Sellier is sufficiently elegant to wear to a cocktail or evening event, which the Retourne is best for wearing during the day.  A Hermès Kelly bag in alligator or crocodile skin is at home at any red carpet event in the world.

Kelly Bags for Sale

The iconic Hermès Kelly bag is instantly recognizable for its trapezoidal shape topped by a single rolled handle. The luxury handbags are rendered in a dazzling array of Hermès colors, including sophisticated neutral shades, delicate pastels, and vibrant hues. You’ll note that some, the Special Order (HSS) bags, feature two tones. These are bespoke styles customized by brand VIPS and available to you. 

The smallest of the classic Hermès Kelly bag is the Kelly 20cm, also known as the Mini Kelly II. The sizes include the 25cm Kelly, 28cm Kelly, 32cm Kelly, and 35cm Kelly. 

Kelly Bags FAQs

What is the difference between a Kelly Sellier and a Kelly Retourne?

The Kelly Sellier is a structured, ladylike style, while the Kelly Retourne is more relaxed and casual. The sides of the Sellier are stitched on the outside and sealed with resin.  This creates a rigid bag that maintains its shape over time. In contrast, the Kelly Retourne has stitching on the inside, which makes it more relaxed. Most people regard the Sellier style as more formal than the Retourne style.

Hermès Kelly vs. Birkin — What’s the difference?

There are several distinct differences between the Hermès Kelly bag and the Birkin bag. The Kelly bag features a single handle, while the Birkin bag has two. The way the bags are constructed, the Kelly must be carried closed, while the Birkin is often carried open like a tote. The Kelly also has a more trapezoidal shape than the Birkin and comes with a matching, detachable shoulder strap, while the Birkin must be carried in the hand. 

Which is harder to get, a Kelly or Birkin?

Both Hermès Kelly bags and Birkin bags are extraordinarily difficult to get. There are two primary ways to buy an Hermès bag — at an Hermès boutique and from a trusted Hermès dealer like Madison Avenue Couture. At a boutique, you’ll be expected to purchase many non-bag items, totaling in the mid-five figures, before you’ll have a chance to purchase one of the few Kelly bags they have in stock. The process can take several years. At Madison Avenue Couture, you can choose from an extensive array of Hermès Kelly bags, each available to be shipped within one to two business days.

Do Kelly bags increase in value?

Hermès Kelly bags are exceptional investment bags that can increase in value if they are stored safely. By some measures, investments in Kelly and Birkin bags have outperformed investments in gold and the stock market.