It’s taken me years to come to the conclusion that my first H bag is just not for me. A beautiful Kelly 28 Sellier noir Epsom ghw. Originally when my SA presented me with the bag, he said that I shouldn’t turn the offer down as it is a classic that many of his clients would kill for. It’s now 7 years later and I probably have only worn the bag 15 times. I find it boxy and difficult to wear. On the other hand, I have a Kelly 25 Sellier in etoupe Epsom phw that I find much easier to wear in comparison. However, more and more I am finding myself wishing for a Kelly 25 (or even 28) in retourne Togo. Has anyone else had a similar evolutionary journey with moving away from Sellier to Retourne? Now I am undecided if I should keep my first H bag as it is beautiful even though I don’t wear it much.
Am I the only one who doesn’t use my Kelly 28 Sellier?
- Thread starter Swedishstyle
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You have a beautiful bag but I wish your SA didn’t pressure you into accepting the offer. I was thinking you might not have used it as much since you have the Kelly 25 etoupe and that must’ve suited your wardrobe better but I see you said the 28 is more difficult to wear. By difficult do you mean by weight, size, etc? Because only you could tell if you should keep it based on your comfort, style, and personal reasons. But if you’re asking if it’s worth keeping in terms of beauty, it definitely is. But nothing is worth keeping no matter how beautiful if it makes you uncomfortable.
In regards to your question about sellier and retourne, I use and love both equally. Sellier fits a bit less and tends to look bigger. Some people wear their sellier with more put together outfits and retourne for casual which I agree on but I love mixing things up for juxtaposition. They’re both same and different at the same time but they’re both beautiful for sure!
In regards to your question about sellier and retourne, I use and love both equally. Sellier fits a bit less and tends to look bigger. Some people wear their sellier with more put together outfits and retourne for casual which I agree on but I love mixing things up for juxtaposition. They’re both same and different at the same time but they’re both beautiful for sure!
I think sellier can be a bit tough to style, especially if you don't have a formal or structured way of dressing. It takes time to get used to the rigid architectural shape - and some folks never do get used to it, which is ok.
I have found I carry selliers most in smaller sizes. But I' sure the answer to your question is yes, as there are many many folks who only carry retourné.
I have found I carry selliers most in smaller sizes. But I' sure the answer to your question is yes, as there are many many folks who only carry retourné.
I own a k25 retourne and a k25 sellier , they are different and I appreciate the differences . I also know for a fact that if all goes unchanged in my life , I would not ever want a k28 sellier , maybe I could like a k28 retourne in a neutral color as an everyday bag.
With age , I desire smaller bags and bags that are a bit more practical, I have less tolerance for things that bother me.
I will say that I find the sellier style much more attractive than the retourne and I cannot only own retourne.
It is very difficult to accept that such a coveted beautiful bag doesn’t work for us, I am living that with a B30 and my SA also told me to not turn it down, even if deep deep deep down , I had a little feeling it would not work .
I also think it depends , can you keep it and purchase another k25 ? If so, wait a bit longer . If you need to sell it off before acquiring a new kelly , then I would , the fact you’re here and asking us means ur done. Will you regret it ? Maybe once or twice every year .
Good luck
With age , I desire smaller bags and bags that are a bit more practical, I have less tolerance for things that bother me.
I will say that I find the sellier style much more attractive than the retourne and I cannot only own retourne.
It is very difficult to accept that such a coveted beautiful bag doesn’t work for us, I am living that with a B30 and my SA also told me to not turn it down, even if deep deep deep down , I had a little feeling it would not work .
I also think it depends , can you keep it and purchase another k25 ? If so, wait a bit longer . If you need to sell it off before acquiring a new kelly , then I would , the fact you’re here and asking us means ur done. Will you regret it ? Maybe once or twice every year .
Good luck
I have a k28 sellier in noir too and I also struggle with using it. I find it is too big to protect in crowded spaces and I always freak out when people bump on into it. I don’t intend to sell it though. It is a beautiful bag. However, knowing what I know now, I would have preferred a k25 sellier.
My k25 retourne in etain is my most used bag. I think you would love a k25 retourne.
My k25 retourne in etain is my most used bag. I think you would love a k25 retourne.
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My rule of thumb when it comes to sellier is for it to be one size down from my favorite retourne size. While my favorite retourne Kelly size is a 32, I only have Kelly selliers in 28. For Birkins, my favorite retourne is 30 and am conflicted on what size sellier I like. Though I find 25 to be too small, I find the Birkin 30 sellier to be too bulky.
If it isn't the right:
Color
Size
Leather
Hardware
Type
Stitch type
then it isn't the right bag!
I feel for you about selliers. I have some non-H sharp edged bags/sellier type stitching and I never use it. The retourné stitching is what H is famous for. The relaxed drape of those corners is what I love. Dress up or down- easy!
Even though it is classic K style, it doesn't seem the right fit; that's part of the (expensive) fun of H. We learn about ourselves throughout the journey.
Color
Size
Leather
Hardware
Type
Stitch type
then it isn't the right bag!
I feel for you about selliers. I have some non-H sharp edged bags/sellier type stitching and I never use it. The retourné stitching is what H is famous for. The relaxed drape of those corners is what I love. Dress up or down- easy!
Even though it is classic K style, it doesn't seem the right fit; that's part of the (expensive) fun of H. We learn about ourselves throughout the journey.
Just wondering, are you able to wear the Kelly 28 crossbody? I think that may help in terms is usability as it will keep the bag more protected. Has anyone tried this and succeeded?
Personally I think it depends on height. It’s quite boxy and for cross body to work causally I feel like you have to be at least 5’5 maaaybe 5’4. Anyone taller I think it would like quite nice as a boxy chic style.
Is it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. That’s why they make all sizes of Kelly’s and birkins.
On the topic of rehoming, I’d ask the same question when turning down an offer. If I never was able to get it again, would I miss it?
It’s a classic. If you don’t need the money, keep it. You never know when your taste and lifestyle would change. But if you have better use for the money then let it go.
On the topic of rehoming, I’d ask the same question when turning down an offer. If I never was able to get it again, would I miss it?
It’s a classic. If you don’t need the money, keep it. You never know when your taste and lifestyle would change. But if you have better use for the money then let it go.
I have the same Kelly as you @Swedishstyle plus a vintage one in box if one wasn’t enough. LOL Both black both gold hardware. Basically I wear them with long black coats in the winter or a structured tweed jacket in early spring /autumn. Pretty much any outfit that works with a long black coat will work with the bag. I use it for work, travel and smart lunches that sort of thing. Definitely too big for evening, unless I go out straight from work in which case it comes with me. Never had any complaints…
It is hard to make them work for late spring/summer. It may have something to do with the colour as well.
I get as much wear as Possible from October to april and then they are packed away. To my eye these bags look strange with floaty summer dresses (although I have seen them styled like that in photos and in real life with twillies and charms making them more casual)
Retourner now is another matter altogether - much much easier to wear. Most of us now have casual lifestyles and smaller/less structured bags seem easier. Having said that - black Kelly sellier 28 is probably the best looking bag ever made- not that I am biased or anything. The proportions are perfection.
Like the photo, I wear mine with no twillies, no clochete, no charms and mostly carry by hand, but I keep the strap inside for travel. I hope that helps and would love to hear from other owners how they wear theirs.
Edited to add: will look for some photos with outfits if that helps but there are lots in the casual kelly and the wildlife threads. For me it’s a winter bag plain and simple.
It is hard to make them work for late spring/summer. It may have something to do with the colour as well.
I get as much wear as Possible from October to april and then they are packed away. To my eye these bags look strange with floaty summer dresses (although I have seen them styled like that in photos and in real life with twillies and charms making them more casual)
Retourner now is another matter altogether - much much easier to wear. Most of us now have casual lifestyles and smaller/less structured bags seem easier. Having said that - black Kelly sellier 28 is probably the best looking bag ever made- not that I am biased or anything. The proportions are perfection.
Like the photo, I wear mine with no twillies, no clochete, no charms and mostly carry by hand, but I keep the strap inside for travel. I hope that helps and would love to hear from other owners how they wear theirs.
Edited to add: will look for some photos with outfits if that helps but there are lots in the casual kelly and the wildlife threads. For me it’s a winter bag plain and simple.
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I find this advice (re: seasons, coats, bag accessories) quite helpful. TY, even though I'm not the OP!
I’m a bit like you too @Swedishstyle. I have a K28 sellier in rouge H box that I rarely wear for many reasons already described by other posters. Too structured and ladylike for my life generally. I will never part with it because it was my first H bag and because I do think the proportions of the K28 sellier are perfectly balanced. It’s just a beautiful bag! But retourne suits me much better and I would not buy another sellier for daily use (although if I found a sufficiently gorgeous very vintage example I might be tempted…), but would be fine with it in say a pochette for evening only.