What Fits in Hermès Medium Bags? Birkin 25, Kelly 25, Lindy And More

Dearest gentle reader, buying your very first Hermès bag is a rite of passage. 

And when you're dropping some serious cash on a 5-figure handbag, wondering whether your stuff will actually fit inside of it isn’t a shallow question. 

The great thing about Hermès medium bags is that the sizes range between 25 cm and 30 cm. These are typically your sweet spot where luxury meets practicality. They’re big enough to carry exactly what you need, yet compact enough to still look put together. 

This is your guide to exactly what fits in Hermès medium handbags and what tragically doesn't.  You deserve to know if you’ll be playing the daily game of ‘will it fit’ before you splurge.

Quick Comparison of Space in Hermès Medium Bags 

What Fits Inside The Hermès Birkin 25?

The Birkin 25 is a lot more spacious than you’d expect from the photos; however, it's a lot narrower than you’d hope when you actually pack it. 

What Fits

• iPhone Pro Max

• Small wallet or cardholder 

• Lipstick

• Keys 

• Small makeup pouch 

• AirPods 

• Slim sunglasses 

What Doesn't Fit

• Sunglass case

• iPad or tablet

• Water bottle 

The verdict is that the Birkin 25 is exactly what people who have mastered the art of carrying only what they need need. Think of it like Marie Kondo-ing your belongings. You’ll have to make your work if you're seriously committed, but you’ll also start developing strong opinions about wallet sizes. 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Kelly 25?

The Kelly 25 comes in two styles, the Sellier and the Retourne. Both have different space capacities. The Sellier is structured, with visible stitching and can probably hold about 3 items. The Retourne, on the other hand, is softer, has hidden stitching, and is compact, yet its flexible corners give you room to breathe. 

Grace Kelly used the Kelly to hide her baby bump from paparazzi in the '50s. You'll use it to hide the fact that you can barely fit your phone and wallet.

What Fits in Kelly 25 Sellier

• iPhone Pro

• Cardholder

• Keys

• Lipstick 

• AirPods 

What Fits in Kelly 25 Retourne

• iPhone Pro Max

• Cardholder 

• Keys

• Lipstick 

• Small compact 

What Doesn't Fit in Either Style

• Sunglasses with case 

• Makeup pouch 

• Water bottle 

If you’re in the market for a Kelly and capacity matters to you even in the slightest bit, the Retourne is always a good option. The Sellier is stunning, don’t get us wrong, but it’s punishingly small and not fit if you’re constantly on the go. 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Kelly 28? 

We’re guessing the Kelly 28 probably came into production when Hermès finally realised they’re making bags for the modern woman who’d like carrying more than 3 items. Some people call it the sweet spot, and we couldn’t have possibly put it better. 

What Fits 

• iPhone Pro Max

• Full-size wallet

• Larger makeup pouch

• Keys

• Sunglasses with case

• Passport 

• Slim notebook

• Small water bottle

Since that covers pretty much everything you’d need to carry, we couldn’t really come up with anything that wouldn’t fit, per se. 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Birkin 30?

We’ve named the Birkin 30 the Mary Poppins bag, and that’s because it’s the sort of bag that lives your day-to-day life with you. It’s substantial without being overwhelming, offers you practicality without sacrificing on its look,s and it’s basically the everyday luxury bag that lives up to the promise.

What Fits

• iPhone Pro Max 

• Full wallet

• Makeup pouch

• Sunglasses with case

• Passport

• Slim water bottle

• iPad Mini

• Snacks

• Hand sanitiser

• Tissues, perfume, whatever

• Power bank 

What Doesn't Fit

• Laptop

• A4 folder 

If we had to choose one bag for the rest of our lives, it’s probably going to have to be the Birkin 30. It’s great for new mums, professionals or anyone who simply refuses to give up their belongings for the sake of looking good. 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Lindy 26?

For some reason, the Lindy isn’t as popular as the Birkin, but people who collect these know that she’s an understated beauty. In fact, we’d even be as bold as to say that it’s one of the most deceptively spacious bags Hermès makes in the medium range.

It features two compartments that create organisation, instead of the open top that the Birkin offers. It’s also got an adjustable strap, which means you can even wear it as a crossbody bag for a free hand situation. 

What Fits

• iPhone Pro Max

• Full wallet

• Mini makeup bag 

• Sunglasses with case

• Passport

• Small water bottle 

• Compact power bank 

• Keys, cards, all the things 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Constance 24?

The Constance 24 is structured and features an iconic H clasp. It’s small enough to feel like you’re not carrying much, but large enough to still be functional. It’s got a front flap and a main compartment, which makes organisation a bit easier. 

What Fits

• iPhone Pro Max

• Cardholder

• Keys

• Makeup compact 

• Slim sunglasses 

• Passport 

• Small notebook 

What Fits Inside the Hermès Bolide 27?

The Bolide 27 dates back to 1923 and it’s Hermès' original handbag. It’s possibly the most underrated bag they make, featuring a rounded shape that creates a deep interior that holds a lot more than you’d expect. There’s also a top zipper so nothing falls out. 

What Fits:

• iPhone Pro Max

• Full wallet 

• Sunglasses with case 

• Cosmetic pouch

• Passport 

• Small water bottle

• Small tablet 

• All the daily essentials 

Since it features a rounded shape, there’s a lot of depth to the bag, so you can fit a lot more than you could in, say, a Kelly. 

Which Medium Hermès Bag Fits the Most? (Ranked by Capacity)

1. Birkin 30 

2. Lindy 26 

3. Bolide 27 

4. Kelly 28 (Retourne) 

5. Constance 24 

6. Birkin 25

7. Kelly 25 (Retourne) 

8. Kelly 25 (Sellier)

Best Medium Hermès Bags for Everyday Use

If you plan to use your Hermès bag for your daily endeavours, we’ve shortlisted your best bets out of the 8 handbags we’ve listed: 

1. Birkin 30
2. Kelly 28
3. Lindy 26 

Best Medium Bags That Fit an iPhone Pro Max

1. Birkin 25

2. Kelly 25 (Retourne only)

3. Kelly 28

4. Birkin 30

5. Constance 24

6. Bolide 27

7. Lindy 26

You’ll notice all but one medium Hermès bag in the list, and that’s the Kelly 25 Sellier. It wouldn’t fit your iPhone Pro Max even if your life depended on it. 

How to Maximise Space Without Damaging Your Hermès Bag

If you’re the sort of gal that likes to be prepared (read: overprepared) for anything, and we mean anything the universe throws your way, you need to be strategic with your packing. 

This means throwing out all those bulky wallets you’ve invested in and replacing them with slim ones. When packing your sunglasses, you can always skip the case if you’re packing a 25 cm handbag. If you like keeping yourself hydrated, try not to force that choice upon your Sellier bags because the corners WILL pop. And lastly, either centre the heavy items or skip them altogether. 

Final Verdict: Which Medium Hermès Bag Is Best for You?

The final verdict on medium Hermès bags is that while they all offer some spaciousness, you’ll still need to be thoughtful when packing. 

If you: 

• Relate to Marie Kondo on a personal level, the Birkin 25 should do you good

• Are stuck in that stylish yet practical stage of your life, pick up the Kelly 28 

• Like carrying pretty much your entire life, the Birkin 30 and the Bolide 27 are your top contenders

• Need a spacious yet compact bag with compartments, don’t think twice before investing in a Lindy 26 

• Simply can’t fathom carrying around more than 3 items, head for the closest Kelly 25 Sellier 

And there you have it, ladies, your medium Hermès bags ranked! We’d like to leave you with a parting note, and that’s live your life based on your reality and not the person you perceive to be. A luxury bag needs to work for you and not the idea of a future you. 

With that, head on over to Love Luxury to make your purchase of any medium Hermès bag of your dreams. We’ve got pretty much everything, from common favourites to rare bits and pieces; there’s no Hermès handbag we can’t hunt down! 

Happy shopping, ladies!