Hermes Kelly 32 too big on me???

[showgratitude]

Finally purchased my first ever Hermes bag - this stunning Kelly I got it pre-loved. Courchevel sellier 32 in gold from 1994. It’s in pristine condition and I’m loving the color... But I’m uncertain about the sizing on my frame

I’m 5’1” about 120 lbs. I typically like smaller bags with most of my collection consisting of more compact bags (My Lady Dior, Saint Laurent sac de jour baby, medium Chanel classic flaps - so you can get the idea of sizing I typically gravitate towards).

I also do not carry much. So would the 28 or 25 be a better fit for me???

I have until August to decide if I want to keep or return. Thoughts on how the 32 looks on me would be much appreciated.

THANKS!

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It looks good. But I guess the better questions to ask one's self in this kind of situation would be-Does it fit your lifestyle and are you able to carry what you need to carry or is it way too big for what you actually need to take with you?
I don't believe that a bag can be too small or too big for a person. An 80-pound person can carry an LV Keepall 60 if she needs to and wants to, and a 600 pound person can carry a mini Evelyne if she needs to and wants to. Both of which are perfectly fine.

 

[Etriers]

I love big bags and am always confused about the body size/bag size thing. So do we say to someone who is 5’2, “Sorry little lady, you may only carry a Barbie-sized bag that holds a tightly folded dollar bill and a stick of gum. Too bad you’re not 5’8, cause then you‘d get to carry all of the things adult women carry in their bags.” I’d say get the bag that is the size you need to hold your stuff. Otherwise what do you do when your items don’t fit into a 28, carry another bag too? Hire a Sherpa?

Here’s what I see: I love your dress and love the bag, but I personally would not pair a tailored, structured Sellier K with a romantic, floaty floral summer dress. I’d pick a Picotin or another fun, lighthearted bag for that. Try this K though with a crisp white shirt, slim black pants and caramel colored sandals, or white capris and a navy striped sailor shirt, or a chic black cashmere turtleneck, pencil skirt and boots and it would look completely different. I think that is perhaps part of the reason for some of the comments. To my eye it’s not that the bag doesn’t fit you, it just doesn’t fit the current outfit.

 

[WhiteBus]

If you had just posted pictures to show off your new bag, it would have been universally admired with everybody pleased for you; nobody would have suggested it was too big.

 

[pasdedeux1]

I’m 5-1 and I do find the Kelly 32 too large and too briefcase-y on me. My style though is very casual, a lot of jeans and t shirts, which can be made to work but I don’t quite have the “model off duty” panache required.

that’s me though. If you love it - who else matters? I get the sense that you don’t love it, for whatever reason.

 

[snibor]

It looks lovely but it is a large bag. Based on your description of the bags you like and the fact that you had to start a thread because you’re unsure ( which leads me to believe you don’t love it), I’d return. You’d know if you really loved it.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Thank you for that input! I actually wear heels almost daily. I’m an attorney, so I do have a more professional attire during the work week and more casual during the weekends, but I still usually wear some type of heel everywhere. But, I feel like this bag could give a even more polished look to my work outfits!

I‘m definitely more casually dressed in these pics I posted, and this is not necessarily an outfit I would even pair this bag with… I had just unboxed her and was so eager to try her on for sizing opinions before my DH and I headed out for dinner. I think I‘ll try on a new outfit that I would actually wear with this bag, WITH HEELS, and see if she looks any better I honestly just would HATE to return her and regret it… I already passed on buying a 28 vintage black box a few years ago and I still regret that decision to this day... Esp. since the price was unbeatable

Try it with a more typical outfit then! IMO there's nothing like a sellier K as a power bag and in that case you do NOT want a micro bag. You can't get a laptop or iPad Pro in it but at least you can carry some serious basics. When you get down to a 28 you will struggle to accommodate even a small umbrella or water bottle (tiny versions of both will fit).

You can always carry it for a while and sell it if it doesn't work for you. It took me at least a year to bring myself to sell mine (it was also a special order and really dear to my heart) - and by then I had found an almost identical 28. If you think you'll end up with a 32 in your collection, no need to make a hasty move you'll regret The good thing with preloved is you'll get much of your money back (if not all ).

 

[papertiger]

If you think you would like both a 32 and a 28 in your wardrobe eventually, keep this and get the 28 later.

A larger bag is probably better with a closer-fitting silhouette on any height woman/man so I think it's more a case of styling rather than size.

 

[Handbag1234]

If you're having doubts I would return it. I had a Kelly that I wasn't happy about the proportions, and no amount of external approval changed my mind, and I sold it in the end. Trust your gut feeling. There will be other Kellys.

 

[WhiteBus]

If you think you would like both a 32 and a 28 in your wardrobe eventually, keep this and get the 28 later.

A larger bag is probably better with a closer-fitting silhouette on any height woman/man so I think it's more a case of styling rather than size.

The side view was much more flattering, rather than the solid slab of leather held like a shield to the front.


The last post, 'Trust your gut,' is always the best advice.

 

[papertiger]

Her 'gut' was in posing this question, looking for advice.

Not everyone has H-friends they can WhatsApp/text etc.

Everyone's advice is welcome so long as it's on-topic and trying to help the OP.

 

[_kiki119_]

i think it looks beautiful and functional
The mini bag trend has def shifted our eyes and prespective for sure!
but at the end, do YOU love it? and will YOU use it?

 

[jmc3007]

I love the 32 on you especially when carried by the hand or elbow. The shoulder strap is awkward but that’s on Hermes not you just the way they designed the length. You can defo rock the 32, gold is such a beautiful color. Maybe try a different strap with adjustable so that it hits you better on the body. Good luck deciding.

 

[Love Of My Life]

I actually like the 32 on you & I think it will be functional for you as it is wearable all year long
Try it with a coat or a jacket perhaps & see if you are feeling it that way.
I would also consider a "fun colored/patterned strap" which will introduce a less structured
look.
The color, the condition & the size is really duable & covers most needs but at the end
of the day it is really your choice & since you have some time before making a decision I'd
play around with how & what you would wear it with in the upcoming months
Sometimes you just have to let your eye get used to the "proportions' of the bag
I carry both the 32 & the 35 & I prefer the 35 but I've been carrying the 35 for many years
The first Kelly I purchased was a 32 & then I grew into the 35..

 

[Bambs]

Thank you again for all of the feedback! Like @papertiger mentioned, I don't have any friends that own B's or K's, so their opinions are always biased whether they lean more towards smaller or larger bags. That's why I like to get opinions from actual H owners on TPF!

I'm leaning towards keeping it now tho I adore the color and I truly feel like I will regret it if I return it... And like I mentioned earlier, this will likely not be my only H bag. I love the structured look of the Sellier for my first K. It's just so classic and dreamy! And the more formal look works with my lifestyle and that's not a factor on whether I would want to return. But I will definitely want to add a Retourne one day, I'm sure. And I like the fun strap idea! I think that could really change the vibe of the bag on my silhouette.

We're actually heading to Hawaii this weekend. I'm going to make a trip to the store in Honolulu and try my luck there! I have been reading over the H boutique in Hawaii thread with tips and tricks on how to be offered a B or K while visiting the store. I have already picked out some fine jewelry pieces that I hope to get my first day or maybe a Picotin or another cute, fun bag... fingers crossed there's a K in stock that meets my specs and I can get an offer while still on the island.

I think I will hold onto this beauty until I get back from Hawaii though and will decide whether to keep or return based on my luck at the H boutique. WISH ME LUCK!!!

 

[Love Of My Life]

Thank you again for all of the feedback! Like @papertiger mentioned, I don't have any friends that own B's or K's, so their opinions are always biased whether they lean more towards smaller or larger bags. That's why I like to get opinions from actual H owners on TPF!

I'm leaning towards keeping it now tho I adore the color and I truly feel like I will regret it if I return it... And like I mentioned earlier, this will likely not be my only H bag. I love the structured look of the Sellier for my first K. It's just so classic and dreamy! So, the more formal look works with my lifestyle and that's not a factor on whether I would want to return. But I will definitely want to add a Retourne one day, I'm sure. And I like the fun strap idea! I think that could really change the vibe of the bag on my silhouette.

We're actually heading to Hawaii this weekend. I'm going to make a trip to the store in Honolulu and try my luck there! I have been reading over the H boutique in Hawaii thread with tips and tricks on how to be offered a B or K while visiting the store. I have already picked out some fine jewelry pieces that I hope to get my first day or maybe a Picotin or another cute, fun bag... fingers crossed there's a K in stock that meets my specs and I can get an offer while still on the island.

I think I will hold onto this beauty until I get back from Hawaii though and will decide whether to keep or return based on my luck at the H boutique. WISH ME LUCK!!!

I know that there are several tPF'ers who have purchased their straps from various sellers
including a seller on Etsy. You may want to explore that option & have fun with a pattern
full of color..
I think you made the right choice.. IMO the Kelly bag is one of the most special bags to own
& you snagged a glorious timeless classic color.. Enjoy..