I actually think we unconsciously gravitate to either a shoulder or hand held bag. Not that we don't have both in our collections, but when my BFF and I talked about it, we realized we each gravitated to one type a large part of the time. I have only one K28 and adore the color (Gris Asphalte), but rarely use it as I prefer my birkins. I love how easy it is to just reach in for my phone or wallet, but can put the flap over and secure if need be. Having to stop, hold my kelly from the bottom in order to open it is a royal pain IMO. That said, I've hand held my kelly for the few times I've used it. I worry about color transfer with light to med colors if I use the strap and wear dark denim 95% of the time. My kelly is absolutely beautiful, but I hesitate to add another K when I hardly use the one I have.
For those TPFers with both: BIRKIN or KELLY?
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Your post immediately made me go into my closet and review my bags. I realized that almost all my bags have the option of being a shoulder bag except my birkins and my 2/24. Even those bags that have small handles, like my LV Speedy or my Nano luggage, have an optional shoulder strap. I guess I gravitate towards a shoulder bag and should definitely consider adding a Kelly to my wishlist
This is so spot on. My kids are young so I prefer to have my hands free/use crossbody bags. In response to OP, I prefer the Kelly over the Birkin for this reason. However, I travel very light as we use other bags for the kids' stuff so my most frequently used bags are Evelyne TPMs! Also because I travel so light, even the K28 sometimes feel like a black hole and I just asked my SA to please add a K25 to my wishlist.
I love the birkin more, B30 size, but I find that K28s are better for hands-free shopping and walking around.
I used to think the same, and I recently got offered a K28 in retourne style, and it's my most worn bag. It can have a very dainty feminine look when sangles are pulled up, but it quickly turns into a workhorse if you have to throw in a notebook or ipad. I absolutely love it. I still love my B35 but I do think that K28 retourne is more versatile.
Yes! Do it! I, too, love my Birkins and thought the Kelly would be too sweet for me but now I have two Kelly’s because you can bring them to the dark side!
I outfit mine in various long wider casual straps (both H and non-H) so that I can wear them crossbody. I must admit that they look super cool and take away the primness that it sounds like you are concerned about. The bonus is you don’t have to do the usual little one legged flamingo stance when struggling to get your wallet out with 5 impatient people behind you.I think you should go for it!
I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm categorically a B girl, but I'm wondering if I may need a K for my collection.
I thought I was the only one who used a knee to hold bottom up while I close the bag! Haha!I’ve owned two Kellys and three Birkins. Whilst I loved the style of a retourne K, in a 32 at least I found the space surprisingly limiting (compared to a B30 anyway). The sangles weren’t a major issue but having to stand on one leg to close it one handed (using a knee to hold the bottom up, I’m hoping this makes sense!) was a major PITA on occasion (I think I probably looked pretty odd too.. does anyone else do this?!). The standard strap hung too low on me on the shoulder and too short to wear cross body. In short (which i clearly am!) once I bought a birkin I never reached for a Kelly. I still think they look cute though, especially worn casually with a strap long enough to go cross body. I probably wouldn’t buy one again myself though. The birkin is just so casual and easy and I think works far better for my look / lifestyle. It also fits groceries.. ok, a bottle of wine
I used to be team Birkin because my first Hermès Bag was a Birkin 40 that I loved so much I had to get a B40 in potiron. After that I found the B40 to be to big so I when I was offered a 35 I downsized and sold the 40s. Then after some patience I managed to score my second B35.
After that my Kelly journey started unexpectedly when I tried on my friends B28 retourne and now I have 2 retourne and 2 sellier
1 year ago though I was offered a SO in my local store and for some reason (I think my friends input) made me chose a B30 and when that thought got stuck in my head I bought another B30 via Fashionphile. I guess I am just going back and fourth haha
After that my Kelly journey started unexpectedly when I tried on my friends B28 retourne and now I have 2 retourne and 2 sellier
1 year ago though I was offered a SO in my local store and for some reason (I think my friends input) made me chose a B30 and when that thought got stuck in my head I bought another B30 via Fashionphile. I guess I am just going back and fourth haha
I’ve had 7 Kelly’s in every size and sold them all except for 2 (k28 sellier and K32 retourne). I’m a casual dresser but found that you can dress a Kelly casually. I love the shoulder strap on a Kelly but hate the fussiness of the clasp. I found that my lifestyle involves being able to throw things into a bag with no fuss and Kellys don’t allow that. I do like the Kelly for dressier/formal occasions and I actually like the look of a Kelly better.
The B30 on the other hand is perfect for me. It’s effortless, easy to get in/out of, holds everything I need and goes perfectly with my casual lifestyle. I do wish it had a strap. I’m obviously Team Birkin but in a perfect world you need both!
The B30 on the other hand is perfect for me. It’s effortless, easy to get in/out of, holds everything I need and goes perfectly with my casual lifestyle. I do wish it had a strap. I’m obviously Team Birkin but in a perfect world you need both!
I suspect you are correct and I'll 'need' both. At the moment I have a B25 and a B35, both of which I love but I'm pretty sure that, like Goldilocks, I'll find the B30 'just right'...the sweet spot sizewise. However, based on the previous posts, I have also added a K32 retourne to my wishlist. I'll just have to wait and see which one my SA finds for me first
I actually like the K32 retourne better than the k28 sellier but the only reason I kept this particular one is because it’s vintage Rouge H box calf! I had a new one in Gris T but sold because I literally was afraid to use it!I suspect you are correct and I'll 'need' both. At the moment I have a B25 and a B35, both of which I love but I'm pretty sure that, like Goldilocks, I'll find the B30 'just right'...the sweet spot sizewise. However, based on the previous posts, I have also added a K32 retourne to my wishlist. I'll just have to wait and see which one my SA finds for me first
In an ideal world, it’s nice to have both. My first was B35 (which I thought was the perfect size at the time, and now mostly use for work). I then ventured into Kellyland with the next few, including Retournes (32 and 28) and Sellier (28), followed by a couple B30s as of late. When all is said and done, I use the K32 Retourne and B30s the most as I find them the most practical for my day to day life.