For those TPFers with both: BIRKIN or KELLY?

[tinkerbell68]

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.

I too keep returning for scarves and shawls…DH wonders how I can possibly wear them all but somehow I manage. I will, as you suggest, continue to wait patiently knowing that my SA will find me the right bag eventually. And I’ll post pics when she does!

 

[FaubourgTropical]

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 wasn’t sold initially of using Kelly as a cross body but once I had my K32 in my hand, I was convinced that a longer, thicker strap would be useful. I am waiting for my canvas, 105cm strap (they ordered it custom as the hardware is brushed gold to match the bag hardware) but in the meantime, I am happy to read about your experience.

To keep on topic, although I am yet to have a birkin, I have a vintage vuitton that performs exactly like B35 sellier and to me, if I were to choose, I would get a Kelly with two straps: shoulder and cross body lengths. Then it fulfills all functions: shoulder, hand, and crossbody with added bonus of different looks for each of the functionalities.

 

[LuxBoy_AJ]

I have 4 Kelly 28 (two Retourne and two Sellier) and 5 Birkins (two 35s and three 30s).

I love all of them but I do tend to reach for my Birkins a lot more than the Kellys. I just feel they work better for me both as a work bag but also for everyday use.

 

[PoppyLadyBird]

Kelly is great for hands free use. Birkin 35 and birkin 30 give me a bicep workout.

 

[Daosabao]

You definitely need both! Have you gotten your Kelly? I think both are very different bags with different aesthetics and serving different purposes.

I used to like birkins only as they are so convenient to use. However when you have 2 kids to take out on weekends a Kelly becomes a more practical choice as you’ll need to be hands free. Just be mindful that the corners of sellier Kellys are sharp and can hurt little kids at their heads or sides when the corners bump into them as they walk beside you. And that’s how I transitioned to the retourne Kelly style where the corners are soft and rounded and you can stuff more things in vs sellier.

 

[Monaliceke]

I had 2 birkin 30 and 1 kelly retourne 32 but sold them all because they’re too big for my life. I only kept 1 kelly sellier 28 in epsom because it’s a la carte. Honestly, I hardly reach for it because it’s very stiff.

 

[lvpiggy]

I used to be Birkin all the way, back when I was mostly driving. Now that I moved to a different city, I walk / take the metro so I find the crossbody capability of the Kelly much more practical and also better to prevent pickpocketing.

It all depends on your lifestyle !

 

[CTLover]

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?

I have a BBB 30 and a K28 Sellier. Love both, but if I had to choose it would be the Kelly. For me it comes down to the strap. Particularly when traveling, having the strap option makes the Kelly more versatile. However, it is harder to get into and out of, whereas the Birkin can be worn open, so it's easier to access wallet, phone etc.

 

[tinkerbell68]

You definitely need both! Have you gotten your Kelly? I think both are very different bags with different aesthetics and serving different purposes.

I used to like birkins only as they are so convenient to use. However when you have 2 kids to take out on weekends a Kelly becomes a more practical choice as you’ll need to be hands free. Just be mindful that the corners of sellier Kellys are sharp and can hurt little kids at their heads or sides when the corners bump into them as they walk beside you. And that’s how I transitioned to the retourne Kelly style where the corners are soft and rounded and you can stuff more things in vs sellier.

I did end up with not one but two Kellys! I now have a vintage (1999) box K32 retourne and an orange K28 retourne in Togo which I wear often. I think I'm still a Birkin 'girl' as I love the easy access and capacity of a tote but, as you note, there are sometimes when a hands free option is essential!

 

[Winiebean]

I have one of each, a B25 and a K28. Currently, trying to figure out which style I prefer more


It’s really convenient that the B is open/easy access (compared to K where you can’t really leave it open) whereas the K is hands free which is also super convenient. I feel like both are equally as efficient. Tough call. Guess we need both

 

[tinkerbell68]

I have one of each, a B25 and a K28. Currently, trying to figure out which style I prefer more
View attachment 5862758

It’s really convenient that the B is open/easy access (compared to K where you can’t really leave it open) whereas the K is hands free which is also super convenient. I feel like both are equally as efficient. Tough call. Guess we need both

I think you're totally right...we need both Now that I have both, I'm not sure I could state a strong preference for one or the other for exactly the reasons you state. That being said, I did tell my SA that my Kelly itch has been scratched but I wouldn't say no to another B30!

 

[Winiebean]

I think you're totally right...we need both Now that I have both, I'm not sure I could state a strong preference for one or the other for exactly the reasons you state. That being said, I did tell my SA that my Kelly itch has been scratched but I wouldn't say no to another B30!

Agreed, I feel the same way. I’m currently open to a B30 or K25 sellier. Would take either or

 

[GigiPickles]

Kelly is great for hands free use. Birkin 35 and birkin 30 give me a bicep workout.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Aprilmay]

I have to say B25 my kelly is a larger size, I like the idea of B30 but I had spinal fusion surgery last year C4-6 so I should really not overload my bags. I have some larger heavier totes that I no longer use. I’m only 5’5 too so the smaller size works

 

[AnnaE]

I only buy Kellies. I have tried on many many Birkins, but I hate having to carry a bag in my hand. That’s the only reason. It’s just a deal breaker. I need a Kelly with a strap.

The only kind of bag I can tolerate having to carry in my hands is a clutch for an evening, and even then, it spends a lot of time being put down.

But for an every day… no way am I carrying a bag in my hands all day. It’s one thing to carry it from a car to restaurant, but walking around all day… gosh no.