Is the bag wearing me?

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#122
Yeah, this is a tough one to crowdsource.
FWIW (and there is indeed a whole thread on this) I can get everything you list: a Kelly Longue wallet, one or two other pouches for makeup, etc., a Kindle, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a very compact umbrella into a K32 retourné. But getting much else in would be a challenge. When I need to carry this much I do usually take a Birkin despite the lack of strap.

It is really a question of...what do YOU picture as a Kelly? Some of us here keep folders of our Kelly inspirations and that can be quite telling. If you see a K as a dainty garden party bag with a little pink dress or as a day-to-evening statement with head-to-toe black, that is very different to a Barenia K35 slung on the side of your motorbike or worn crossbody as you drive a jeep through the Serengeti ;-)
 
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#124
golconda said:
CDL said I could quote her here ....she once told me a woman should never carry a bag that is smaller than her a$$. We still laugh about that.
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Yes!

I agree with others that what you love is most important. I am a K35 gal (and shorter than OP). I have a recent acquisition from another house that is similar in size to a K32 and while I love that bag it feels a bit too small to me - there's not enough "headroom" if I want to add anything as I go about my day.

And, as far as the "is it wearing me?" question, who cares? If you love it and it works for you then IMO by definition it's fabulous.
 
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#125
QuelleFromage said:
Yeah, this is a tough one to crowdsource.
FWIW (and there is indeed a whole thread on this) I can get everything you list: a Kelly Longue wallet, one or two other pouches for makeup, etc., a Kindle, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a very compact umbrella into a K32 retourné. But getting much else in would be a challenge. When I need to carry this much I do usually take a Birkin despite the lack of strap.

It is really a question of...what do YOU picture as a Kelly? Some of us here keep folders of our Kelly inspirations and that can be quite telling. If you see a K as a dainty garden party bag with a little pink dress or as a day-to-evening statement with head-to-toe black, that is very different to a Barenia K35 slung on the side of your motorbike or worn crossbody as you drive a jeep through the Serengeti ;)
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This mental image made me sigh! My Barenia Kelly travels through the urban jungle, not the true wilderness, but still! :love: :cool:
 
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#126
mdcx said:
I looked at your Insta and the above pic and your personal style is just adorable. I stand by my earlier comment that you are quite petite, and I do think a smaller bag would fit better.
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Thanks very much. :)

frou frou said:
s


Love, love your modern retro style , I think you're the sort of woman who has confidence and flair and so will be incapable of choosing or looking wrong!
I can see the small colourful Kelly/ heels /dressy is very popular on the forum, and we're talking about a very different approach with your lifestyle . Just go with your love for the 35 VO , I guarantee you'll love it and look amazing.
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Thanks so much. I really appreciate that. Vintage fashion is my passion and the place I sink most of my cash. You're right though I'm absolutely not a small bag or heels person nor do I have the lifestyle to support that styling.
 
#127
catsinthebag said:
TBH, I think you may have the same issue with a Vert Anis K35 as with the red — it’s a very bright, noticeable color and will read larger than Vert Olive barenia or black. I do agree with @psaseattle that a wide strap will make a huge difference, as will where the bag falls on you.

As far as capacity, go with the size that works best for your needs. IMO this is the most important thing to consider when choosing a casual, everyday H bag — it’s way too much money to be frustrated because it won’t carry all you need. From what you said you carry, I don’t think you can comfortably fit that in a 32 (although I’ve seen some amazing feats of Bag Tetris on tPF!). I took a photo of what was in my 35 when I went shopping the other day. There’s a LOT of extra room on top — I could have also fit a Moleskine-style notebook in there, or a Kindle or iPad, as well as a small umbrella. It will get HEAVY with all that so I try not to overdo it where the weight is concerned. Also, I like having a little extra room in my bags, especially if it’s the only bag I’m carrying that day (instead of the smaller bag with shopping bag or backpack combo). HTH!

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Incredibly helpful. Thank you. I too like a bit of extra room. I hate feeling like I have to pack and repack my stuffs.

QuelleFromage said:
Yeah, this is a tough one to crowdsource.
FWIW (and there is indeed a whole thread on this) I can get everything you list: a Kelly Longue wallet, one or two other pouches for makeup, etc., a Kindle, sunglasses, a water bottle, and a very compact umbrella into a K32 retourné. But getting much else in would be a challenge. When I need to carry this much I do usually take a Birkin despite the lack of strap.

It is really a question of...what do YOU picture as a Kelly? Some of us here keep folders of our Kelly inspirations and that can be quite telling. If you see a K as a dainty garden party bag with a little pink dress or as a day-to-evening statement with head-to-toe black, that is very different to a Barenia K35 slung on the side of your motorbike or worn crossbody as you drive a jeep through the Serengeti ;)
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Very valid points. I'm absolutely more the motorbike girl than the dainty lady. I'm a sling it over your arm/shoulder girl all the way. I also used to own motorbikes before I moved here so - yep, definitely more that image than anything else.
 
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#128
minuit said:
The top consideration should be what purpose this Kelly will serve in your wardrobe. Perhaps the reason why many members are saying it’s too large is because many people prefer to use a Birkin when carrying more, and use a Kelly when they carry less. This has some logic to it, since the Birkin distributes weight more evenly due to its two handles.

I’ll admit that my first reaction was that the Kelly was too big. However, I think whether you end up using the Kelly matters more than what other people think you look like when you use it. How it makes you feel is also important, and a Kelly at this size can be pretty “loud” in my opinion, so you’ve got to be comfortable with that and rock it. However, the colors you’re looking at are neutral, so it will probably read more like a briefcase, especially if you carry it by the top handle and leave the sangles open. This can look very cool, and I had briefly considered using a large sellier black Kelly as a briefcase, but I felt that the weight when fully loaded would be a problem for me.

I would really encourage you to try a K32 retourne before making your purchase. I know you love the leather options you have for the K35, but who knows whether you wouldn’t love a barenia K32 even more? For example, after I tried on Kellys at a consignment store I discovered that even though lots of members prefer K28 as the perfect small Kelly, I prefer K25 because it seems to weigh only half as much as a K28 when empty! It’s better to see what it’s like for yourself to be certain in your choice so you won’t have any regrets.
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Will have a look and see if I can scout out a K32. You do make a good point. Weight is a concern for me.

calexandre said:
All of this is such great advice! I especially agree that even though it's often difficult to get your hands on Hermes bags to try-- much less bags in a specific size, style, or color-- the results of a size trial can be very surprising. I'm on the tall end of the spectrum, and own and love Kellys ranging from 28-35 Sellier. The Plume, on the other hand, only works on me in 28 (I would have expected 32 would suit better), and the Picotin only in 18 (I'd have thought 22). I have small friends that look phenomenal in bags I could probably curl up and ride in, and friends taller than I am who need even smaller bags. So much depends on the shape of your body as well as your height, and a 32 might end up being the size that makes you feel the most confident-- and as @minuit says, what matters is rocking it! I'm sure from seeing your pics that whatever you decide on, you will rock it indeed. :smile: Looking forward to seeing what you choose in the end!
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Thanks so much for the compliment. You're right about comfort.

azukitea said:
Though personally I do find K35 too big for me, and I prefer K in size 32.
I do think K35 looks good on you.
Like others have mentioned already it is more a work/travel bag than an evening/ party bag
best wishes!
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I would use it as a travel and day bag.

bagnut1 said:
Yes!

I agree with others that what you love is most important. I am a K35 gal (and shorter than OP). I have a recent acquisition from another house that is similar in size to a K32 and while I love that bag it feels a bit too small to me - there's not enough "headroom" if I want to add anything as I go about my day.

And, as far as the "is it wearing me?" question, who cares? If you love it and it works for you then IMO by definition it's fabulous.
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Thanks so much.
 
#129
ManilaMama said:
I looked at your IG to get a feel of your style to see if I can offer recommendations and my first thought was, “Gee, she looks like she’s where I’m from” and then I saw a shot of SLEX and I was like OMG MANILA! Haha. High five and cheers all around for being in this hectic, tropical and sweltering hot city!!

About bag advice... well, I don’t know much about style or no style but all I know is that if you LOVE the bag, get it!! I have tiny pink bags and I have teddy bear shaped bags and man, they bring me more joy than some of my more “popular” bags. Know what I mean?
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Hiya! How funny. It's a small world isn't it? :drinks:Yep - I've lived here in Manila for almost 6 years now. Feels like a lifetime. Nice you meet you. :wave: Love the idea of teddy shaped bags. So not my thing but love seeing them around.
 
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