This Time of Year Calls for a Wardrobe Makeover! Which Hermès Kelly Size Completes Your Look?

When the stakes are that high, can you really afford to mess it up? Plus, with so many different sizes of Hermès Kelly, how do you even choose? Here’s a detailed guide to all the Hermès Kelly sizes so you can find the perfect match! 

A Brief History of The Iconic Hermès Kelly

The story of the iconic Hermès Kelly started way back in the 1850s when it all started with the Haut à Courroies (HAC) bag. Fast forward to the 1930s, and the HAC got a stylish makeover, turning into the Sac à Dépêches, thanks to Robert Dumas, the son-in-law of Hermès CEO Émile Hermès.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting — the Kelly got its true fame when Grace Kelly, the Hollywood starlet turned Princess of Monaco, used it to hide her pregnancy from the paparazzi. She was first introduced to Kelly during the filming of To Catch a Thief in 1955 and they were inseparable after. Hermès decided to officially name it the Kelly in her honour. 

The original Kelly bag design was all about elegance with its trapezoidal shape, two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a handle, and two side straps. Over the years, they added an optional shoulder strap to make it even more versatile. Did we mention the iconic Hermès hardware? 

The two main styles you’ll come across are the Kelly Retourne and the Kelly Sellier. But the Kelly magic doesn’t stop there — it’s inspired a whole range, like the Kelly wallet, Kelly belt, Kelly watch, and an array of clutches and smaller leather pieces. 

Let’s just say, the Kelly is A LOT more than just a bag! 

Hermès Kelly Bag Sizes — Finding Your Perfect Match

When we say there’s a Kelly for any occasion and woman on this planet, we really mean it. Despite all the different sizes of Hermès Kelly, they all share the same fabulous features Kelly is so loved for. 

We’re talking about the unforgettable carrying handle and an optional shoulder strap for you ladies out there who like wearing a crossbody bag. 

Here’s a quick Hermès Kelly size comparison to help you find one that suits you best! 

The ‘Hard-To-Get’ Kelly 15 

Okay, when we say the Kelly 15 is hard to get and extremely rare, we mean it’s no longer in production! Yep, it’s just that vintage. We’ve only ever seen the Kardashian sisters rocking it, so it’s safe to say it’s a tough one to get your hands on. Its truncated trapezoid silhouette stands out like a sore thumb from Kelly 15’s bigger sisters. 

The curved handle is oh-so-small, forcing wearers to handhold the handle — perfect if you find yourself attending a one-too-many formal events or evening dinners. Are we complaining? Absolutely not! 

The ‘Petite Darling’ Mini Kelly 

The Mini Kelly, often referred to as Kelly 20, may be petite but boy does it pack a punch in style! It measures 20 x 16 x 10 centimetres and is great for the ladies who love what the Kelly has to offer but in a more compact form. Since Kelly 15 is a rarity, Mini Kelly gets the smallest Hermès Kelly size title. 

Okay — we admit. It may not be the most functional bag for everyday use but you’ve got plenty of other Hermès Kelly bag sizes to rely on for that. If you’re heading out for girls’ night, you’ll easily be able to carry some cash, your phone and your favourite lipgloss — what more can a girl ask for?! 

The ‘Oh-So-Chic’ Kelly 25 

Moving up the Hermès Kelly bag size chart, we’ve got the Kelly 25, which is slightly larger than the Mini Kelly, offering a lot more room for your essentials. However, we have to warn you, it may still look smaller than the other sisters when worn. Even with the shoulder strap, it’ll sit shorter than the Kelly 28. 

It’s a great bag if you’re transitioning from a workday to a night out. You’ll easily be able to fit your wallet, phone, a small water bottle and even a small umbrella if you’re really adamant. 

The ‘Sweet Spot’ Kelly 28 

Ladies, if you’ve been on the hunt for a bag that’s not too small yet not too big, the Kelly 28 is going to be your most prized possession. We can feel it in our bones! This is perhaps Hermès Kelly’s most popular size — and it’s hard to disagree. 

Kelly 28 strikes the perfect balance between work and play. It can carry your makeup, phone, charger, wallet — you name it. It’s also a great accessory if you’re going out for Friday night drinks straight after work! 

The ‘Work-Horse’ Kelly 32

If you find yourself on the move a lot more than you’re at home, the Kelly 32 makes for the ideal companion. It’s on par in terms of size with the Hermès Birkin 35 and is spacious enough to fit practically anything you’d need on a day filled with back-to-back meetings. 

With the Kelly 32, you’ll be easily fitting all your essentials, along with a tablet and a notepad. Be aware though, since the top of Kelly 32 is a tad bit too narrow, any important documents or a laptop may not be the best idea. 

The ‘Glamour Go-To’ Kelly 35 

The Kelly 35 is probably the biggest you can go with Hermès Kelly sizes for everyday use before carrying it becomes an arm workout. This is the sort of bag you’d want to have by your side at all times if you’re commuting a lot. 

Measuring at 35 x 24 x 12 centimeters, the Kelly 35 can really hold quite a lot. We’re talking all your essentials, a small laptop, notebooks, makeup bag… you get the picture.