First and probably only Kelly: Gold, or ...???

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C

catsinthebag

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O.G.
Sep 7, 2010
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#1
Hi Ladies,

I usually content myself with reading/lurking and making the occasional "That's so gorgeous!" comment, but now I find I need your knowledge and advice, please! I am finally in the position to put myself on the list for a Kelly, and although I always thought I'd choose Gold (Togo or Clemence, with Palladium HW), I'm afraid of missing something I might like better. It's important I get this right because it will very likely be my only Kelly, or bag in that price range, ever.

My lifestyle is casual, and I have a black Chanel flap for dressier occasions. In spite of the casual lifestyle, however, I've always been drawn to the elegance of the Kelly. Can't do Birkins because I can't do handheld only, and no other style does it for me like the Kelly does.

As much as I love H colors, I want to stick to a neutral since this will probably be my only one, at least for a very long time. My only other H bag at the moment is an all-leather Garden Party in Azure. I love blues but don't need another one.

My wardrobe is casual and usually neutral-- blue jeans, lots of black, navy and gray. I love jewel-tones in accessories, and my scarves tend toward those jewel-y blues and purples. I want palladium HW since all my jewelery is silver/white gold.

I love the H Gold color -- its a warm neutral, and looks like it will go with just about everything in all seasons -- but am afraid I'm missing something. I like Etoupe and wonder if it is more elegant than gold for this style of bag (as opposed to, say, the Victoria, which looks perfect to me in gold). Gris T is beautiful but I fear color transfer issues.

Any advice? I'd love to hear all your thoughts on gold in a Kelly, as well as any neutral alternatives you'd recommend.

Thanks so much!
 
#2
Hi catsinthebag,

What a fun decision to make! If this is going to be your one and only Kelly I agree it should be a color that will go with a lot of your outfits.
You already have a beautiful blue GP and a black Chanel flap. I think that Etoupe would be a very nice add to your collection.
And if you allow me to recommend another color for a Kelly, I would say red. If you don't like the bright reds you can do a more muted red like Rouge H.
A PF member recently got a gorgeous 32 Rouge H. Kelly with a thicker strap and phw. It is absolutely gorgeous!
Gold is nice as well but personally, I prefer Etoupe over Gold.
Maybe it's an idea to go to a H. store to see if they have bags in the colors you are interested in. Then you can try them on to see if you like the color ;).
 
#3
#4
I know how you feel with not wanting to make the wrong decision but it sounds like you've thought about it quite a lot. I'd say gold in togo is quite different from clemence, with the latter being darker. I personally love it but it is also slightly slouchier so you may prefer togo in a bigger kelly.
I have a gold birkin and wear only cool-undertoned colours like you & a lot of black. I often tie the gold into my outfit with a scarf and have found it a great neutral. My other pick would be the same as yours: etoupe.
Oh, I just saw **Chanel**'s reply and I concur. If you are thinking of something with a little more colour Rouge H clemence would be divine.

It's easy to get swayed by all the beautiful & exciting colours here on the TPF. But I find that although I like to look at them, I wouldn't get much wear out of a colourful bag. If you are a neutral gal too then go with your gut instinct. I'm sure you'll stop second-guessing yourself as soon as your lovely kelly arrives.
 
#7
Thanks for your answers, **Chanel**, Chincac, Xquisite, and HeidiMom! I've perused all the threads on kellys, modeling pics, colors, etc. Agree that a neutral red can we wonderful, I just think I'd get more use out of a non-red. Chincac mentioned that togo is less slouchy than Clemence in a larger bag -- not sure if this is considered larger, but I'm on the list for a 32. My SA said she will also call me if she gets a 35. I've seen a couple of Kellys at the boutique, but inventory is so low, I haven't seen the exact combo -- or combos! -- I want. I wish H would keep more "floor samples," so to speak, so customers could try on different styles and sizes.
 
#8
Also forgot to mention, I definitely want retourne -- I think that fits my life better, and I've heard too many people say that sellier is harder to get in and out of.
 
#9
My gold Togo retourne Kelly is one of my workhorse bags. I think it would work very well. I recall reading at least one thread about gold vs. etoupe. You might search for it if you are not sure which one would work better for you. I like etoupe but don't have a bag in this color. For my wardrobe, gold is better. I actually have two gold Kellys. The other one is a sellier in a discontinued leather called Courchevel, which is a lighter color than my Togo. They are both beautiful, but I use the retourne more even though it's smaller (28 rather than 32).
 
#10
given the choice between gold and etoupe, i would go with etoupe. gold is more of a tan/caramel brown color, whereas etoupe has a stronger grey undertone, which i think gives it more versatility. don't get me wrong - etoupe definitely has a brownish cast, but compared to gold, it is not as much of an obvious caramel/tan color.

i personally think etoupe is one of the most versatile neutrals out there! i wear a lot of black, white, greys and occasionally color, and etoupe is always a great complement.

and i think 32 retourne is the perfect choice, especially in togo/clemence. i just got my 32 retourne kelly and i am just over the moon because it's the perfect size for me!

in the end, hopefully one color will sing to you - whether gold or etoupe, and both are great choices. my personal view is that etoupe is more versatile. good luck deciding!
 
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#11
I am the queen of neutral. My first H bag was a gold retourne kelly, and I love it, since then I have gotten two more Kelly's one black box and one chocolate box. I also have a rouge H Kelly on order, and a rouge H Garden Party. Just this week I got my first Birkin, an etoupe in togo. It is a wonderful neutral, but I am finding it harder to fit into my wardrobe because it is a cool neutral. For my wardrobe using the gold was absolutely effortless, it seemed to go with everything I have. The etoupe on the other hand, has proved to be more of a challenge for me. With the exception of black, I didn't have a single pair of shoes to go with it. So 4 pairs of shoes later, and a new H belt strap I'm finally able to work etoupe in. Still in my opinion gold is much easier, but I have to say I do love etoupe, it has made me work outside the box.
 
#12
The queen of neutral, I love it! Lilith1, I bet our closets look similar, in color tones anyway. I love both etoupe and gold, but what you said about having to buy new shoes to go with the etoupe bag rang true to me. I think gold may fit better with what I've got. And I've got to see if my local boutique has anything in Rouge H or Rouge Garrance she can show me ... I've been through the color swatch book, but it's not the same as seeing an entire bag, KWIM?
 
#13
I am fascinated by the chameleon like properties of graphite in clemence as shown in post 100 in this thread.

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-colors/gray-white-color-family-pics-only-100914-7.html

Same chameleon effect in ebene clemence. Post 71

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-colors/brown-color-family-pics-only-100916-5.html


I am fond on marron fonce in all leathers.

If you are willing to seach for pre loved, vache natural is nice.

I think I read on another thread that sable fjord is currently available, but not sure.

Gold is pretty in vache liegee.

Parchmein is nice. No one had a bad word to say about it on the worst color thread.







How a color looks depends so much on the leather.
 

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#14
Given your wardrobe colors I think Etoupe would work better, if you want a warm tone maybe Etoupe with GHW. However if you are truly in love with good go for it! It's a great color!
 
#15
BHmommy said:
given the choice between gold and etoupe, i would go with etoupe. gold is more of a tan/caramel brown color, whereas etoupe has a stronger grey undertone, which i think gives it more versatility. don't get me wrong - etoupe definitely has a brownish cast, but compared to gold, it is not as much of an obvious caramel/tan color.

i personally think etoupe is one of the most versatile neutrals out there! i wear a lot of black, white, greys and occasionally color, and etoupe is always a great complement.

and i think 32 retourne is the perfect choice, especially in togo/clemence. i just got my 32 retourne kelly and i am just over the moon because it's the perfect size for me!

in the end, hopefully one color will sing to you - whether gold or etoupe, and both are great choices. my personal view is that etoupe is more versatile. good luck deciding!
Click to expand...

lilith1 said:
I am the queen of neutral. My first H bag was a gold retourne kelly, and I love it, since then I have gotten two more Kelly's one black box and one chocolate box. I also have a rouge H Kelly on order, and a rouge H Garden Party. Just this week I got my first Birkin, an etoupe in togo. It is a wonderful neutral, but I am finding it harder to fit into my wardrobe because it is a cool neutral. For my wardrobe using the gold was absolutely effortless, it seemed to go with everything I have. The etoupe on the other hand, has proved to be more of a challenge for me. With the exception of black, I didn't have a single pair of shoes to go with it. So 4 pairs of shoes later, and a new H belt strap I'm finally able to work etoupe in. Still in my opinion gold is much easier, but I have to say I do love etoupe, it has made me work outside the box.
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Ladies, I think your sentiments are right up Cats' alley!! Either is going to be fabulous; I don't have either. But I was thinking that etoupe with Cats' wardrobe description warrented Etoupe more. Also, to me, it is younger cool whereas gold is more warm sophisticated. Since shoes don't really match bags anymore, to me again, I don't think shoes should be a problem with either bag or a belt...just sayin'...

catsinthebag said:
The queen of neutral, I love it! Lilith1, I bet our closets look similar, in color tones anyway. I love both etoupe and gold, but what you said about having to buy new shoes to go with the etoupe bag rang true to me. I think gold may fit better with what I've got. And I've got to see if my local boutique has anything in Rouge H or Rouge Garrance she can show me ... I've been through the color swatch book, but it's not the same as seeing an entire bag, KWIM?
Click to expand...

Good luck Catsinthebag!! Can't wait to learn hear your decision.
 
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