For those TPFers with both: BIRKIN or KELLY?

[Love Of My Life]

I'm a Kelly girl all the way. I do have 32's & 35's. I prefer the 35 which works well for me
No strap as I don't find for me that the 32 or 35 works with a strap. I still just like it on my wrist , in the
crook of my arm or hand held.
My favorite leather is BOX that is what I prefer . I do have several exotics which are resting
now but hope they will see the light of day in the early weeks of September.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I have both and love both. I'm definitely a Kelly lover or I wouldn't have eight of them! For me the Birkin as a tote is a casual bag and the Kelly has a little more versatility - in small sizes a Kelly works well for a dinner out, and if running around all day that shoulder strap is so important.

Think the uses and look vary wildly by size - a B35 and B25 are very different bags, for instance.

A long, long time ago, I thought of the Kelly as a bit more old-fashioned, but now I just see it as a classic that's forever chic. I'll also admit that the ever-higher profile of the Birkin makes it less appealing - everyone recognizes it, everyone sees it as a status symbol.

 

[lvstratus]

Tough, tough question.
Size wise: 25, I know this since day one. However, I can't pick my favorite between the two because they are completely different bags.
I would put it this way: Kelly in sellier, birkin in retourne.

 

[Chrismin]

i love the look of a kelly --so sleek yet feminine ..almost an ideal purse , but the getting in and out of it makes me NUTS
the birkin is much easier to maneuver bc it can be carried basically open.. although B25 is a little tighter
both have its uses... birkin is def more for casual but kelly i think looks classier..

 

[foxyqt]

Birkin girl all the way!

PS. I wish they’d do a “back pocket” for the Kelly like they did for the Birkin it would make much more sense!

 

[Culoucou]

If you have young children or run around doing things where you need your hands, Kelly gives you a chance to be hands-free.
B25 in particular, has a very tiny handle, so you end up carrying it around everywhere.

I personally prefer Kelly but there are some colours that look better in the Birkin, so I do own both in various sizes.

 

[tinkerbell68]

If you have young children or run around doing things where you need your hands, Kelly gives you a chance to be hands-free.
B25 in particular, has a very tiny handle, so you end up carrying it around everywhere.

I personally prefer Kelly but there are some colours that look better in the Birkin, so I do own both in various sizes.

I no longer have young children but do often want the ability to use both hands! I end up using my B25 quite a bit as it's much lighter than my B35 but, as you note, I have to hand hold it as the handles are tiny...it often gets stuck above my wrists I suspect a B30 will be the sweet spot for me and hope to be offered one this year (fingers crossed!) But I also hope that I too will own both Birkins and Kellys in the future.

 

[Ladybaga]

I have both, but more Birkins than Kellys. I find the Birkin much easier to carry/use than my Kelly. I am also more casually dressed ( pants, jeans, long casual dresses) so the tote is my #1 choice. (I do enjoy my Kelly, though. It's a nice change when I use it. It is retourne of course, so this is more casual than a sellier.)

 

[Senbei]

I have both, but more Birkins than Kellys. I find the Birkin much easier to carry/use than my Kelly. I am also more casually dressed ( pants, jeans, long casual dresses) so the tote is my #1 choice. (I do enjoy my Kelly, though. It's a nice change when I use it. It is retourne of course, so this is more casual than a sellier.)

I am the same as you. I also bring my Kelly to the office since it is less casual than a Birkin.

 

[papertiger]

I have always loved the look of a Birkin and have spent many years admiring them online. I finally acquired my first (and my second) in 2021: a pre-loved B35 in Turquoise and a B25 in Bleu Nuit. And, of course, I have a B30 on my wishlist. However, I’ve always thought that a Kelly was too sweet for me or too twee or too…but, recently, I’ve seen some posts of the retourne and, I have to admit, I kind of like it. I’m curious to know from those TPFers who own both Birkins and Kellys if they have a preference. Should I venture to the ‘dark’ side and add a Kelly to my wishlist?

This thread is now many months old, what did you decide?

 

[tinkerbell68]

This thread is now many months old, what did you decide?

Based on all the wise responses in this thread, I am now convinced that a Kelly would be welcome addition to my wardrobe and give me the hands free ease that I often want. So I have added a Kelly to my wishlist (retourne in either 28 or 32). However, I apparently live in a Birkin and Kelly desert and have yet to be offered anything on my wishlist. Fingers crossed my SA will have something for me by year end though I continue to scroll through the various auction sites (Christies, Sothebys and Bonham) and Fashionphile for inspiration! Thanks for asking

 

[papertiger]

Based on all the wise responses in this thread, I am now convinced that a Kelly would be welcome addition to my wardrobe and give me the hands free ease that I often want. So I have added a Kelly to my wishlist (retourne in either 28 or 32). However, I apparently live in a Birkin and Kelly desert and have yet to be offered anything on my wishlist. Fingers crossed my SA will have something for me by year end though I continue to scroll through the various auction sites (Christies, Sothebys and Bonham) and Fashionphile for inspiration! Thanks for asking

That's a wise decision, it also means you have twice the chance of perhaps securing.

I have tried Bs on a number of occasions. I would need a 35 (which doesn't feel that big to me) but it's too heavy and smaller look and feel weird. With a Kelly, I can carry a lighter tote (GP, DS or possibly other brand) ready for work or a day's shopping, or I can chuck on a Evie or other cross-body and carry a Kelly in-hand. The most important thing is that we wear our bags, and I really find a K very useful. Hope you get yours soon.

 

[Ladybaga]

I came back to add that I have an Hermes (woven, not leather) cross body strap that I purchased last year for my retourne 32 kelly. This made a huge difference in how I wear it because it makes it more casual and very easy to use hands free. I use this strap more that the one that came with the bag. I think having the cross body option has made my kelly more user friendly. As you can see, I highly recommend buying a cross body strap the same day you purchase your kelly. I can't want to see what you purchase!

 

[tinkerbell68]

I came back to add that I have an Hermes (woven, not leather) cross body strap that I purchased last year for my retourne 32 kelly. This made a huge difference in how I wear it because it makes it more casual and very easy to use hands free. I use this strap more that the one that came with the bag. I think having the cross body option has made my kelly more user friendly. As you can see, I highly recommend buying a cross body strap the same day you purchase your kelly. I can't want to see what you purchase!

I definitely get the impression that a cross body strap will be essential both for hands free use and to 'dress down' my Kelly...I've noticed that a few other TPFers have posted Etsy links for sourcing a longer strap. Hoping my SA helps me find my dream bag before year end or that I find the perfect bag elsewhere. While I've been waiting for an offer for about 15 months from my SA (who is really wonderful and has helped me add so many lovely pieces to my collection), I was lucky to get both an appointment and a B25 last fall at FSH so I'm trying to be patient as I wait for my next bag! I'll be sure to post pics of whatever comes my way when it does.

 

[Ladybaga]

I definitely get the impression that a cross body strap will be essential both for hands free use and to 'dress down' my Kelly...I've noticed that a few other TPFers have posted Etsy links for sourcing a longer strap. Hoping my SA helps me find my dream bag before year end or that I find the perfect bag elsewhere. While I've been waiting for an offer for about 15 months from my SA (who is really wonderful and has helped me add so many lovely pieces to my collection), I was lucky to get both an appointment and a B25 last fall at FSH so I'm trying to be patient as I wait for my next bag! I'll be sure to post pics of whatever comes my way when it does.

Patience is key, for sure! I have five bags from my home store ( 3 birkins, a KP, and a Constance). On average, I got each one about two years a part. My Kelly is from FSH back in 2015 when one only had to line up in the store. There wasn't any sleeping over night in a line looped around the block. I like having that one special Kelly to remind me of Paris. I feel pretty content with my collection, so I am just going to enjoy what I have bag wise and keep loading up on scarves and shawls. (I've recently dabbled in RTW twillaines. Those are very hard to get at my store.) To be honest, the scarves and shawls are what keep me coming back to Hermes for more. I should ditch most of my clothes to make more room for those! Good luck with your Kelly! Remember that all good things, come to those who can wait patiently.