Kelly 25 or Kelly 28? Which is best for 5’6+ ?

[tmk_fr]

I am 5'7" and I recently obtained a K25 Sellier and I love it! I turned down a K28 Retourné & K25 Retourné, but that is because I already have a K35 Retourné in Gold which fulfills the role of a spacious and more casual Kelly.
I asked for a Mini Kelly, so the K25-S doesn't feel small to me at all - I can fit all my essentials except for my long wallet, but I can switch to a cardholder or just use an internal pocket.

 

[lialia03]

I am 5'7" and I recently obtained a K25 Sellier and I love it! I turned down a K28 Retourné & K25 Retourné, but that is because I already have a K35 Retourné in Gold which fulfills the role of a spacious and more casual Kelly.
I asked for a Mini Kelly, so the K25-S doesn't feel small to me at all - I can fit all my essentials except for my long wallet, but I can switch to a cardholder or just use an internal pocket.

View attachment 5930194View attachment 5930195

Wow!!! I absolutely looooove this size on you. Proportions look perfect. Do you find it’s smaller in person than in the pictures though?

 

[tmk_fr]

Wow!!! I absolutely looooove this size on you. Proportions look perfect. Do you find it’s smaller in person than in the pictures though?

Thank you
When I take it out of the box or look at it hand held it does appear smaller than when I wear it - perhaps it has something to do with the way it falls on the body and the angle you look at it from (handheld the eye is drawn to the top of the bag whereas worn I feel like the eye goes more towards the bottom since the top is partially obscured by the arm).
Also, if I wear it with a coat it will look smaller than in this photo specifically because of the added bulk, but I imagine that in summer without coats/sweaters this will not be the case.

 

[papertiger]

IMO, height is only one factor, it matters just as much if someone is curvy or has a straighter silhouette, and what their style is. It's not just as about height.

I've a beautiful friend who's tall (model height 5'10"/11") and curvy who'd rock a K25 easily, on me (same height as you) it would look silly. It suits her because the fineness and the size complement her elegant style (which suits her silhouette). A K 25 is a very lady-like bag, everything has been scaled down, and yet not an evening bag. For the evening, I probably wouldn't carry a K at all (exceptions K-Cut and K-L) but lots of other people do.

It sounds like you think a 25 should be perfect in theory, but doubt its practical application on you. I think you're right to doubt a K25. Most grown-ups know what suits them.

 

[Goldenbelle]

Curious how you find the K28 on you? Would you wear it to say dinners (date night etc) if K32 is your day bag?

I do like it, too - does not look out of place (actually no so much of a difference to the K32 on me) and I would wear it to dinner etc if I just had it along as my day bag which, if it happens, happens rather in summer eg when I tend to have less stuff with me, no gloves or scarf…. I think it depends also very much on colour and leather. I do not own Togo or Epsom in any bag and rather neutrals. So, more shiny leathers like a black box or chèvre K28 would work just fine for dinners in my opinion or also a jewel-toned one (which I do not own but image to be beautiful). Just talking about sellier style. Retourne is too casual in my opinion.

But, if I am just going out, I personally love a clutch. Which is rather a decision for the clutch and not against the K.

 

[cravin]

I think the structure will have a large impact. Sellier sticks out while retourne will conform to your body better.

My wife is 5’10 and this is a C24 but as you can see, because of the hard structure the 24cm bag still looks pretty large.

 

[KensingtonUK]

Old thread but wonder what you ended up choosing. Also are the strap lengths the same on both these sizes?

 

[inverved]

I am 5'6 and have a K28 in retourne boxcalf. It's can easily be dressed up or down and looks good proportion-wise.

I used to have a craving for a K25 sellier in a grained leather (like Epsom) but decided to go with a Valextra Mini Iside instead, as I don't usually like to buy multiples of the same bag. Definitely a great day-to-night option.

 

[lirienn]

Hey,
I am torn as well because I'm at least 5'9, might be 5'10, not curvy, small boned. Tbh, my Birkin 30 is perfect on me. I was scared it'd be big. It's completely not. I definitely don't want B25.
Yet like you I'm tempted by Kelly sellier 25. I'll repeat what you said "like a toy" thoughts. I want the cute Kelly though, not boxy official.
Those who decided please share your choice.

 

[meowlett]

Hey,
I am torn as well because I'm at least 5'9, might be 5'10, not curvy, small boned. Tbh, my Birkin 30 is perfect on me. I was scared it'd be big. It's completely not. I definitely don't want B25.
Yet like you I'm tempted by Kelly sellier 25. I'll repeat what you said "like a toy" thoughts. I want the cute Kelly though, not boxy official.
Those who decided please share your choice.

For me, the K25 Sellier, K28 Retourne and B30 look naturally the best on me in photos.

 

[LeahLVoes]

Well personally I'd go for a K28; I think it transitions especially well from day to night. But I might be biased due to me liking practicality over trendiness besides I'm 6 feet tall and rather go for something a bigger than a 25.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Well personally I'd go for a K28; I think it transitions especially well from day to night. But I might be biased due to me liking practicality over trendiness besides I'm 6 feet tall and rather go for something a bigger than a 25.

Not quite as tall as you are, but the proportions seem to work better in K28 than K25,
so agree here.
It also depends on the color & if it is intended to be used as a crossbody bag, JMO

 

[dreamlet]

I am 5'7" and love my K25 sellier. I'm considering adding a K28 retourne, but find the sellier doesn't look right on me in the larger size. Can you ask your SA to try on the bags for size? It's so hard to know without holding them and seeing how they look and feel.

 

[gogingercat]

I'm 5'6" about 120lbs, and I have a K28 Retourne in Noir. When I tried on a K25 Retourne at the store it felt very small. But as you can see from these pics of me wearing it, if I'm wearing something tight the bag looks bigger proportion wise. But if I'm wearing an oversized coat the bag would not look as big. The Sellier/Retourne question would also depend on how much space you want in the bag. Personally I love the Retourne K28, it's very spacious and can fit a ton, and the soft sides are very comfortable against the body. I don't own any Sellier Kelly's so I can't comment on the comfort level there. I don't think I would do a K28 Sellier since it will look even bigger than K28 Retourne. Black bags also tend to look 'smaller' than light colored bags imo. Hope that helps!

 

[880]

I’m 5’2, medium build, size 36 Chanel , 38-40 Dior, 4-6 US. I have a broad shoulder and thick waist relative to my size

I don’t wear a 25 or 28K at night bc the restaurants I normally go to are too casual and small for the bag
(There is normally no room in my chair for the depth of a classic Kelly 25-28). So, I prefer carrying an so Kelly elan (28)
or a tpm Evelyn

But, I think anyone can carry any size depending on personal style. I also get tired of small bags.
I prefer wearing sellier bags bc of their crisp, architectural lines, and I normally wear them very casually.
I carry by the top handle which tends to prevent corner damage and reduce wear and tear to my clothing,
but imo this is a daytime look.

MKII; so Kelly elan (28); K25 sellier; K28 BBK retourne; K28 toile quadrille; navy box K28 sellier; 32K sellier prunier;
and, 42 JPG fringe shoulder kelly

ETA: my retourne BBK 28 is probably my least used bag bc I wear my B25 or B30s more. If I had to pick a Kelly for evening
Or one that can transition from day to evening, it would be the so Kelly elan.