If you were to have only one Kelly, sellier or retourne?

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I carried a Retourne Black Box Calf Kelly nearly every day for a few years and thought it was the only Hermes bag I'd ever want. And then, I saw the identical bag in Sellier and fell madly in love. I sold the Retourne and bought the Sellier. For me, a Sellier Kelly and a classic Birkin cover most of the bases. Just add a great clutch and you're all set.

My 30 Togo Birkin is the perfect every day bag and casual evening bag. My 32 Seller Kelly feels like the Birkin's fancier sister. It elevates whatever I'm wearing. That said, it's the Birkin that goes out more and the Kelly that waits patiently for the next adventure. But when I carry the Kelly I'm so glad it's Sellier and not Retourne. I think it's the ultimate elegant bag.
 
Omg I’m so glad I found this thread. I’ve been eyeing a k28 in etain retourne but was offered a sellier. Not sure if I should take it cuz im also more casual and I find the sellier a bit too boxy. But I love how it looks in pics but afraid it will be too formal and also hard to get in and out of? So far it seems like sellier is winning more votes!
 
Omg I’m so glad I found this thread. I’ve been eyeing a k28 in etain retourne but was offered a sellier. Not sure if I should take it cuz im also more casual and I find the sellier a bit too boxy. But I love how it looks in pics but afraid it will be too formal and also hard to get in and out of? So far it seems like sellier is winning more votes!

Something to take into consideration is that structured bags have been deemed more on-trend in the recent past (the same timeframe as this thread).

You know yourself well and don't just want the 'latest'. My advise to you is to stick with what you know works for you best and don't get sidetracked by SAs or popularity contests.

I actually think the hobo/unstructured bag will bounce bag soon (no pun intended).

I like both the Returne and Sellier. I have a Sellier 32 and will one day hope to have a 'heritage' leather brown/phw Returne 35.
 
Sellier all the way! It’s elegant and visually striking no matter what leather you choose or what outfit you wear.

Because of the visual top stitching, the craftsperson has to be especially skilled to ensure evenness and alignment. Even more so when the top stitching is done by hand as in the case with the sellier.

As someone who sews as a hobby, correct and neat top stitching is NOT easy on any material but especially on a tough material like leather. The near perfection found in Sellier top stitching speaks volumes toward the time and resources spent. It’s what makes Hermès such a special brand and the Kelly sellier in particular such a special item.
 
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But I love how it looks in pics but afraid it will be too formal and also hard to get in and out of?

Sellier is very boxy. Anything bigger than 28 starts to look like a computer case. I only like it in size 28 or smaller and bright, "party" colors ;) Personally, I think it is a nightmare to get in and out of and it carries much less than a Kelly retourne of the same size. Having said that, it does look kind of cute in smaller sizes and it will keep its shape very well.

I thought I was absolutely gonna love my Kelly 28 sellier in black Epson leather with gold hardware because it is always raining here so Epsom seems like a sensible choice and black goes so well with rainy, muddy weather ;) But it is so stiff and so hard to get in and out of that I have not worn it for over a year :sad:

What kind fo leather are you considering for your Kelly?
 
Thanks for all your responses!

i was originally only considering togo as i will use this more for casual/daily...also i like my bags looking soft and cushy...but i also love how sellier looks on others (you guys!) but just feel like its not me.

yes am def not trying to get pressured into the fad as well as by the SA but i live in Asia where the stock gets snatched up so quickly and the spend is also ridiculous so i am also worried about giving up the opportunity...

i can def see how the sellier is a work of art in terms of the craftsmanship though...i need to go search for pics of sellier dressed down :P
 
Thanks for all your responses!

i was originally only considering togo as i will use this more for casual/daily...also i like my bags looking soft and cushy...but i also love how sellier looks on others (you guys!) but just feel like its not me.

yes am def not trying to get pressured into the fad as well as by the SA but i live in Asia where the stock gets snatched up so quickly and the spend is also ridiculous so i am also worried about giving up the opportunity...

i can def see how the sellier is a work of art in terms of the craftsmanship though...i need to go search for pics of sellier dressed down :P

If it has to be Sellier:

Do not go for Epsom leather. While it seems like a sensible choice (especially for rainy weather), Epsom leather feels like a plastic, stiff cardboard. And while being resistent to the rain it is not rain proof. Why not get something more natural instead? I can safely say I'll never get Epsom again. In my opinion, it is hideous. But that's just me.

Do not go for black. If a bag has to be formal and structured then at least have it in a fun color, which is going to break down the severity of the lines.

Do not get sellier in a size bigger than 28. It's gonna look like you're a UPS delivery person, carrying a card box.

I am no expert of course. I am only writing based on my experience and some purchases I have made, which are sadly collecting dust at the back of my closet :D because I never use them.
 
If it has to be Sellier:

Do not go for Epsom leather. While it seems like a sensible choice (especially for rainy weather), Epsom leather feels like a plastic, stiff cardboard. And while being resistent to the rain it is not rain proof. Why not get something more natural instead? I can safely say I'll never get Epsom again. In my opinion, it is hideous. But that's just me.

Do not go for black. If a bag has to be formal and structured then at least have it in a fun color, which is going to break down the severity of the lines.

Do not get sellier in a size bigger than 28. It's gonna look like you're a UPS delivery person, carrying a card box.

I am no expert of course. I am only writing based on my experience and some purchases I have made, which are sadly collecting dust at the back of my closet :biggrin: because I never use them.

Damn, I have a sellier 32 in Epsom gold :lol:. I have the body to carry a 32 without it looking odd, and I love it every time I wear it! I love this thread because it just shows that choice of bags is so personal. I will say that the Epsom leather has relaxed since I first bought it - it’s even more wonderful now.
 
@meluvbags, I’m a fan of sellier dressed down and posted pics (along with other TPFers on a variety of threads)

@TankerToad posted a pic of a woman wearing a larger sellier casually)
(@tlamdang08 posted a pic of an ostrich sellier worn casually)
(@cap4life wrote about the type of clothes for a sellier)

Plus, an older pic of Renee Z. With her vintage sellier 32 croc kelly with crossbody strap is all over H subforum. :D

But, here is an argument for a large retourne kelly (including my favorite kelly inspiration of all time (@dodo2005)
 
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Sellier 32, and I’m 5’2”. It’s is large enough to carry every day, yet can still make the transition to dinner. I am debating whether to take my Sellier 32, my 35 Retourne, or one of my new purchase Retournes on a trip next week. I love the lines of a Sellier, but worry about going through security and bumping the corners on a flight, and my 28 Sellier would not be very convenient for a weekend of running around day to night. It holds less and is stiffer to open. My K35 retourne would also be the perfect travel companion. Decisions decisions.
 
Hi all, I‘m new, and this is my first post. :smile:
I second @gettinpurseonal: Sellier 32 (in Epsom, I love it!), Retourne 35 (in Togo, I love it as well!) are the ideal choices for me. The Sellier for more formal occasions, the Retourne for everyday use. The Retourne ist the one I use more, but whenever I take my Sellier I enjoy the feeling of the leather and the elegance of the shape.
 
@meluvbags, I’m a fan of sellier dressed down and posted pics (along with other TPFers on a variety of threads)

@TankerToad posted a pic of a woman wearing a larger sellier casually)
(@tlamdang08 posted a pic of an ostrich sellier worn casually)
(@cap4life wrote about the type of clothes for a sellier)

Plus, an older pic of Renee Z. With her vintage sellier 32 croc kelly with crossbody strap is all over H subforum. :biggrin:

But, here is an argument for a large retourne kelly (including my favorite kelly inspiration of all time (@dodo2005)

thanks 880 for finding all those posts for me!!
I was going through the forum too and IG before heading to the store since I was so set on a retourne and always felt the sellier to be a bit boxy and too formal…but long story short…I fell in love when the SA pulled it out - the color and hardware combo was perfect…and it didn’t look tooo overly formal and I actually think it adds a bit of something to a casual outfits with the sleekness and clean lines. That being said I don’t think this is something I would grab on the go so I’ll probably need to add a retourne one day…‍:angel: lol. Still love the soft Togo leather but can’t say I don’t appreciate how light the epsom is. Can’t wait to try her out with diff outfits!

Here’s a pic of the bag! I’m camera shy :giggle: Thanks everyone for sharing, happy to join the K28 sellier club!

13FCE489-8219-4B57-88B3-0B96FC1CCC6B.jpeg
 
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