Hermes Bags: Is Hermes Birkin or Hermes Kelly More Popular?

Hermes bags have become a luxury fashion iconic bag. As Hermes bag collectors know, the Hermes Birkin bag and Hermes Kelly bags are two of the most highly coveted pieces of Hermes handbags. Hermes Birkin and Hermes Kelly prices can be so high that some people cannot afford them. However, both bags are extremely popular with the fashion conscious and we will tell you exactly what you need to know about the Hermes Birkin vs Hermes Kelly bags.

Just a quick side note: Hermes bag prices are going up on February 1, 2022.

If you’ve heard of Hermes bags, then there’s no doubt that you’ve heard of the Hermes Birkin bag. But what about the Hermes Kelly bag?

Hermes is a very high-end luxury brand from France known for their leatherwork, scarves, ties, colognes, perfumes and Hermes bags.  The Hermes Birkins and Hermes Kellys are some of the more common and coveted Hermes handbags.  Many celebrities have been seen with a Hermes Birkin or a Hermes Kelly.  They come in various sizes & colors which makes them popular as they can be worn for any occasion. The Hermes Birkin bag is one of the most expensive handbags on the market today while Hermes Kelly bags remain somewhat more affordable.

• We will look at the Hermes Birkin vs Hermes Kelly in order to determine which Hermes bag is more popular.
• We will delve into their history, look at the different Hermes bags they come in and discuss what makes Hermes Birkin bags and Hermes Kelly bags so special.
• We will also compare size, price & color options of Hermes Birkins & Hermes Kellys to see which Hermes bag would be best for you

What is the history of Hermes and Hermes bags?

When it comes to fashion, there are very few designers as famous as Hermès. The French fashion house was founded by Thierry Hermès back in 1837 and their first product was a harness for horses (which later evolved into leather goods and luggage). Over time Hermès has become well-known for its luxurious leather goods, especially its handbags which are now sought after across the world by both men and women.

Hermes’ first bag was the Haut à Courroies (aka the HAC) in the 1900s.

Today Hermes bags are made from the highest quality leathers, Hermes Birkin vs Hermes Kelly are both very similar in design and they are frequently mentioned within fashion magazines.

What is the Hermes Birkin bag? What sizes do the Birkin bag come in? What types of Hermes leather does it come in?

The Hermès Birkin bag is the most popular type of Hermes bag within Hermès and this Hermes bag is known for both its speed of production (48 hours) and high price.

The Hermès Birkin bag was originally named after British singer Jane Birkin after Hermès asked her to describe a handbag that would be suitable for her activities with her infant daughter, who was often with her on planes. This Hermes bag soon became popular in the 1980s with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Sharon Stone who helped boost this Hermes bag’s popularity across the world.

The most popular Hermes Birkin bags come in 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm sizes although there are some exclusive versions which can range from 25 – 45 cm in size. In addition to regular leather Hermes bags, Hermès also offers special Hermes Birkin Hermes bag collection Hermes bags, Hermes Birkin bamboo Hermes bags, and Hermès Birkin Hermes bags in python.

The Hermes Birkin 30 is a great bag to use for work. Fit a slim MacBook into this bag and use it for travel. Or the Hermes Birkin 35 is even better for travel so that you have enough space to fit everything in there and still be a handbag. It can fit a slim laptop and iPad or a thicker MacBook Pro.

The Hermes Birkin bag is one of the most recognizable Hermes bags on sale today and it continues to be very popular with celebrities. Both men and women own Hermes Birkin handbags, but Hermes Birkin prices can be high that only affluent individuals can afford them. There are several things you need to know about Hermes Birkins before you purchase your Hermes handbag.

If you’re Arab, you’ll tend to like smaller Hermes bags. Bigger Hermes bags are loved by Americans. And Europeans like a range of Birkin sizes from the Birkin 25, Birkin 30, to Birkin 35, which is useful when you have many things to carry during the day. The only downside is that a fully loaded Birkin may feel too heavy.

SHOP OUR CURATED SELECTION OF HERMES BIRKIN BAGS

Click on the images of the bags for more details regarding size, leather, and return policy.

BIRKIN 25 ADDED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Hermes Birkin bags range in size with the most popular being the Birkin 40, Birkin 35, Birkin 30, and Birkin 25. Hermes Birkin bag prices range from US$9,800 to $250,000 depending on the leather and materials used; the most expensive Birkin being the Himalayan Birkin. Hermes Birkin bags are made from very expensive types of leather such as crocodile, ostrich and snakeskin.

What is the Hermes Kelly bag? What sizes do the Kelly bag come in? What types of Hermes leather does it come in?

The Hermes Kelly is often referred to as a spin off of the Birkin, however it was first released in 1935 known as the Sac à dépêches before the Birkin was born.  The bag was redesigned several times before it was popularized by and then named after, American actress and Monégasque princess, Grace Kelly in the 1950s.

The Hermès Kelly bag may not be as popular as the Birkin due to its more angular appearance compared to the softer and more practical look of the Birkin. The Kelly bag looks like a purse that was originally made for men who needed a small pouch to store their wallet and other items in separate from where they kept their main pockets.

In 1956 Hermès released this type of handbag, which was named after Grace Kelly, a princess who used the bag to hide her pregnancy from the paparazzi. The Hermes Kelly bags may not be as popular as the Hermès Birkin bags, however there are still several versions of the Hermes Kelly bag available for sale. Although the Hermes Kelly bag can come smaller than its Birkin counterpart, it is hard to find the Kelly bag in smaller sizes.

The Hermes Kelly bag comes in several sizes that range from 25cm, 28cm, 32cm, 35cm, 40cm, and 50cm, in addition to the mini and petite wallet versions known as the Kelly Pochette and Kelly Cut. The most popular being the Kelly 25, Kelly 28, and Kelly 32.

Hermes Kelly handbags are made from high quality leathers such as crocodile and snakeskin – you can tell the difference between an authentic Hermes Kelly from a fake by checking that it has branded hardware on each individual piece of hardware. Hermes Kelly price ranges from $6,000 to $15,500 depending upon size and type of leather used and the country they are purchased from.

The Difference Between Sellier and Retourne Style Leather

Sellier means “saddler” which refers to the top stitching on the Hermes Kelly bag and tends to give you a more structured bag especially when combined with Epsom leather – the look is more of a refined grain that is not easily scratch-able. Retourne means “reversed,” which creates a more supple or soft/relaxed look in the craftsmanship of the bag by constructing it inside out. As a result, the bag will look more rounded with relaxed edges, similar to the Birkin construction.

So if you’d like a more refined and structured Hermes Kelly bag go for the Sellier style of leather. If you’d like a more casual and softer looking Kelly bag, go for the Retourne style of leather.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOGO AND EPSOM GRAIN LEATHER

Togo leather seems to look like larger, rounded grains of leather that gives a more relaxed vibe to a Birkin or Kelly bag. Versus Epsom leather seems to look like smaller more angular grains of leather that makes the bag look more refined and polished – giving the bag a more structured look and feel.

What are the cheapest Hermes bag prices?

The cheapest Hermes Birkin prices vary depending on which style you want, where you get it from, and how much leather is used in the construction of your Hermes Birkin bag. For example, togo Birkin 25s start at US$9,850 and can go to US$12,100 for the togo Birkin 35 in the United States.    

Why are Hermes bags so expensive?

Hermes Birkin vs Hermes Kelly are undoubtedly expensive luxury Hermes bags, however there are several reasons why Hermes Kelly prices are so high. Hermès spends a lot of time sourcing the best materials for Hermes Kelly handbags and they require extremely skilled craftsmen to construct.

Hermès has strict quality control procedures that apply to both the Birkin and Kelly, this is why genuine Hermes Birkin bags look very clean and pristine even if you have carried them around every day.

Hermes bags are expensive due to the high-quality materials used for these Hermes bags as well as its time-consuming construction process that makes each Hermes bag unique. The company also uses animal hides from countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal for its Hermes bags which is another reason why Hermes bags can be so expensive.

In addition to the type of leather used in your Hermès Birkin bags or Hermès Kelly bag, where you buy it from can also have an impact on the price of your Hermès bag. If you are looking for Hermès bags at cheap prices, then you should check out Hermes bags in Europe. However, good luck finding them in the stores. You will probably have to get on their waiting list to purchase one of these bags. Or you may flat out be rejected if you apply to get on the list in Paris. That’s right, they can reject your request to get on the list in Paris.  So, your best bet is to purchase pre-loved Hermes bags which we have featured for you below.

SHOP OUR CURATED SELECTION OF HERMES KELLY BAGS

Click on the images of the bags for more details regarding size, leather, and return policy.

Disclosure: When you click on the images within the post and purchase any items, we may earn a nominal commission at no additional cost to you, which helps support the maintenance of this blog and its quality content.

If you are looking to get a Hermes Kelly 28 or Hermes Kelly 32 at the lowest price possible without having to wait for years of being on a list, then definitely go for a secondhand Hermes Kelly. There is no point in purchasing a Hermes Kelly bag if it does not have branded hardware on it because this means that the item is fake. The cheapest Hermes Kelly prices start around $10,000 but this varies depending upon size, type of leather, and location of purchase.

If you want our online personal shoppers to source a Hermes bag for you for a fee, contact us.

To conclude, if you want to buy a Hermes Birkin or Kelly bag then you need to be aware of the differences between these two types of Hermès bags. For example, while both are known for their high-quality luxury design and materials they also come in different sizes and with different color options. While both types of Hermès bags can be expensive, they are worth every penny if you want to add luxury style to your wardrobe.  Hermes bags are often considered investment pieces that go up in value.

If you are interested in Hermès handbags, make sure that you do your research on all the available Hermes bag models for Hermes bags. For example, make sure that you know which Hermès bag styles suit your personality. This way you can find a Hermès handbag model that will be the right size and color for your preferences.

If you love Hermes, luxury fashion, and shopping for others, you would be a perfect candidate to become a fashion consultant and stylist. We recommend enrolling in our award-winning Fashion Consultant and Stylist eCertification for US$997.

We also offer courses to become a certified image consultant and personal stylist for US$2497. This fully comprehensive course will provide you with all the tools you need to become a top image consultant and top personal stylist.

However, if you’d like to learn how to dress an individual for all the body types, we recommend our Online Body Shape Analysis and Clothing Silhouette Training designed specifically for image consultants and personal stylists. This topic is touched upon in our Personal Style Consultation eCourse. However, you should take this program if you’d like more in-depth, fully comprehensive training on body shape analysis.

This post is written by our Team of Online Personal Shoppers and Stylists based on their experience when working with clients to source Hermes bags. So what are you waiting for, book with an online personal shopper for US$197.

Michelle T. Sterling is an American award-winning, internationally renowned image consultant, personal stylist, and online personal shopper.  She’s available for virtual consultations if you’re not located in New York, DC, San Francisco, Miami, or Dubai. Her style advice has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Details, and Forbes, among others.

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