Is it me? Kelly in Togo or Clemence doesn't seem right

[shoes319]

I politely disagree.....as I had a box sellier kelly and used it once in 6 mos!! It was gorgeous...but felt dressy to me...however, finally getting a togo kelly (same size) in retourne feels much more comfy for daily use....I just can't afford at this point in my life to have a bag sitting on the shelf and apparently my "dressy" moments are few and far between!! But they always look gorgy to me~~~~

 

[lvrjrt]

I would love love love a togo kelly, but I agree not in black. I have a black box sellier 32, and I got over the "dressy" thing and wear it with almost anything. Mostly because thanks to Hermes, I now only have two handbags! (The kelly, and a bolide.)

 

[kenzie1980]

I currently wear my black box sellier 28 everywhere because I love it so much, but I know that when my etoupe togo retourne 32 arrives next year, the box Kelly will be reserved for dressier occasions. They're such different bags even though they're both Kellies, more like cousins rather than sisters. They're both gorgeous!

I do think that togo and clemence Kellies look better in colors other than black. I tend to like them in light to mid-tone colors. For some reason, darker colors don't look quite right to me in those leathers.

 

[Pepper]

I understand. Completely.
I am a Birkin girl, so I use Birkins for casual occasions.
I use Kellys to be dressy, therefore I prefer them, for me, in boxcalf.
If I were a Kelly girl, I'd have them in both box and textured leathers but for my lifestyle, not necessary. If I need a handbag rather than a tote, I grab a Bolide.

 

[jedimaster]

Hi lisawhit,
I have a black togo retourne kelly and here's my observation - the togo or clemence that Hermes uses for kelly bags, esp the smaller ones, is usually a smaller, finer grain than the togo or clemence in birkin bags. Togo is very variable in grain, bag to bag. In my opinion, the smaller grain togo looks very smooth, almost like a matte chevre, so its less rustic and more dressy than a togo birkin, for which they tend to use the more textured pieces. But going directly to your question - if I had it to do all over again and could only buy one kelly - I would hold out for box.

 

[Tamarind]

As others said, it depends on what the Kelly is to be used for. I love Kellys and I have them in different types of leather and I choose them for different occasions/styles. I think sellier is beautiful but prefer retourne for daily use. And togo retourne is much softer/less formal looking than box retourne.
I have different Kelly retourne bags in Togo in different sizes/colors, and I love them all.

 

[princessfrog]

When I first started my Kelly love is only Sellier and box or smooth leather, at that time, I would totally agree with you. I blame it on the engineer in me, everything must be straight and not curvy LOL! But I became a Retourne fan (like 2 weeks later? LOL) as it holds more stuff then Sellier of the same size. Eventually, I love both Sellier and Retourne and in grainy leathers as well as smooth leathers. The texture, colors, in-stitch/out-stitch just gives the Kelly(s) more character.

 

[shopaholicious]

I saw two Retourne Kelly - one in VACHE LIEGEE and the other is CHEVRE MONGLORE (sp?) both hold their shape well. Perhaps those would be good alternative for a dressy look and more capacity.

 

[juicyagogo]

I'm contemplating getting a Kelly now (being more of a Birkin gal before) and this is a really useful thread. I want the Kelly to look more casual (because i have very few formal events and enough dress bags already) and I'm thinking of a Fuschia/ Cyclamen 35/40cm Kelly Retourne but I'm not sure what type of leather will be best.. I was thinking Togo but I've heard Epsom is nice too? And Chevre??

Any thoughts would be most welcomed cos everyone here is so knowledgeable abt Kellies.... =) Thanks!!

 

[saban]

I love my retourne kelly. I got it in rouge garance and love it. I would wear it for casual and dressy occasions. I feel that having sellier or retourne is a matter of personal preference. All I know is that once I tried on my kelly it was the bag for me.

 

[perlerare]

Love them all !

I have both. My ostrich Kelly 35 retourné is my workhorse! A fabulous bag indeed!

 

[isus]

I love love the slouchy look of a soft leather Kelly. And, do not think of this style in terms of Princess Grace, necessarily ( which, to me, is gorgeous black box "sellier" look) but, rather in terms of how easy it is for "me" to carry with the fab shoulder strap, etc.

The sellierstyle is beautiful....but, I prefer the retourne.

Here are some pics:

 

[isus]

 

[isus]

Hi lisawhit,
I have a black togo retourne kelly and here's my observation - the togo or clemence that Hermes uses for kelly bags, esp the smaller ones, is usually a smaller, finer grain than the togo or clemence in birkin bags. Togo is very variable in grain, bag to bag. In my opinion, the smaller grain togo looks very smooth, almost like a matte chevre, so its less rustic and more dressy than a togo birkin, for which they tend to use the more textured pieces. But going directly to your question - if I had it to do all over again and could only buy one kelly - I would hold out for box.

jedimaster, I asked to see a clemence Kelly about a year ago when at the boutique and was very surprised to be handed one that had the largest grain you can imagine. Not only that, it had veins all up and down the front.

I looked surprised, looked at the SA but she didn't seem to understand my observation. Instead I received the often quoted info on how the leathers are carefully selected, etc etc....only the best

So, I gathered it's all a matter of personal taste. The bag was sold when I went in a few days later:okay:

Personally, I "prefer" smaller grained leathers.....

The Kelly's pic above is of one I had searched for for several years, ever since I discovered Blue Thalassa. I would have taken her almost no matter what the condition of her leather I loved her so much. ( embarassed to be so taken with a handbag....:shame: but....)

 

[Lyanna Stark]

Hmm lisawhit, maybe a box kelly has stolen your heart and you will never think others more beautiful than it?

I think a togo/clemence is alright in 32cm and above. And 28cm retourne may work too, but no smaller.