Kelly 28 Retourne or Sellier?

[ypph]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading up on the forums and other blogs about this question between retourne and sellier.

I do at some point would like to own both styles.

Done a bit of research and looks like I've got the opportunity to acquire either one of these bags for a reputable seller in a colour I like but in GHW. But I'm somewhat in denial as to which I should get.

I've always wanted a sellier as my first Kelly bag and am on the waitlist for my HG black sellier in PHW.

Should I continue wait for my sellier from the Hermes boutique just so I get the perfect experience getting my HG Kelly bag and acquire a retourne in the meantime from a reputable reseller given the 2 per year restriction at the Hermes boutique?


I know it comes down to preference and style but I wondered what's currently trending more? Is everyone still loving sellier more or retourne more?

And with black Kelly, what's your preference in hw colour?

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated!

Thank you for reading

 

[QuelleFromage]

I love both, but from what I understand is in production, getting a black sellier in PHW from the boutique is going to take a very long time. Most sellier Kellys in production are in Epsom (some in Sombrero, here and there in box, and every now and again a unicorn) and most of those black Epsom sellliers are GHW. I agree that this is an ultimate HG bag but I had to special order mine (and am still waiting haha).

There are many, many threads on retourné vs. sellier overall and if you do a forum search you will find lively discussions

 

[PJW5813]

The considerations you raise are all a matter of taste.
You write,"I've got the opportunity to acquire either one of these bags for a reputable seller in a colour I like but in GHW."
This suggests GHW would be a compromise.
If you seriously dislike GHW - then do not buy.

If you are on the wait list for your HG, stay with it and let that be a special experience.
ALSO
You've read the forum - some people get lucky the first time - but the wait could still be long - so the 2 per year quota from Hermes might be hypothetical.

If something is nearly, but not quite right don't be afraid to let it go.
Opportunities do always come round again especially if it is a fairly regular specification.
I really do subscribe to the 'do not compromise' mindset.
It's a lot of money to have regrets about.
Others would not be so cut and dried about it, I agree.

 

[Keren16]

I have two Kelly's both Retourne. One has ghw, the other phw. Though I prefer palladium, my bags are different leathers & to me, different hw compliment certain leathers so I'm fine with it.
I would love a black, phw Sellier Kelly but I'm not so sure I would want it in Epsom.
I find buying a Kelly is more involved than appears.
Deciding your priorities will give you a better idea if you want to buy one now & wait, or just wait.

 

[ladysarah]

I really think one has to see it in person, hold it and get a good feel of the leather and size.

 

[ypph]

I love both, but from what I understand is in production, getting a black sellier in PHW from the boutique is going to take a very long time. Most sellier Kellys in production are in Epsom (some in Sombrero, here and there in box, and every now and again a unicorn) and most of those black Epsom sellliers are GHW. I agree that this is an ultimate HG bag but I had to special order mine (and am still waiting haha).

There are many, many threads on retourné vs. sellier overall and if you do a forum search you will find lively discussions

That's very interesting you say that. Maybe my SA is being very optimistic towards me. I've specifically stated I wanted black sellier with PHW and he said he will help me get that and he also gave me the impression I didn't have to wait too long (ie another short few months) but perhaps I misunderstood and you could be right. I am happy to wait for that one unless 6 months later I'm still waiting, then I might start itching to go down the reseller path to get it rather than waiting for the boutique [emoji23][emoji23] but given the rarity of it, might not be as easy as I want it and I can get it either!

I have done a search of this topic and most of them are years old and goes back as fast as 2006. Actually more curious as to what's currently trending more. Did read up on the purseblog too. [emoji848][emoji848]

 

[ypph]

The considerations you raise are all a matter of taste.
You write,"I've got the opportunity to acquire either one of these bags for a reputable seller in a colour I like but in GHW."
This suggests GHW would be a compromise.
If you seriously dislike GHW - then do not buy.

If you are on the wait list for your HG, stay with it and let that be a special experience.
ALSO
You've read the forum - some people get lucky the first time - but the wait could still be long - so the 2 per year quota from Hermes might be hypothetical.

If something is nearly, but not quite right don't be afraid to let it go.
Opportunities do always come round again especially if it is a fairly regular specification.
I really do subscribe to the 'do not compromise' mindset.
It's a lot of money to have regrets about.
Others would not be so cut and dried about it, I agree.

Thanks very much for giving this advice. You are right that I shouldn't settle for something not quite right as its a lot of money to be spending on.

That said though, I actually want to own both selliers and retournes at some point in my life within my means of course. And would also like to own both styles in PHW and GHW. It's more a matter of which ones I want to get first and whether I'd like to have a specific one acquired directly from the store to enjoy the special moment or am I happy to acquire through a reputable reseller.

I'm leaning towards waiting for the black sellier in PHW from the boutique for the special moment and the rest can be acquired if an opportunity arises from a reputable reseller [emoji1]

 

[ypph]

I have two Kelly's both Retourne. One has ghw, the other phw. Though I prefer palladium, my bags are different leathers & to me, different hw compliment certain leathers so I'm fine with it.
I would love a black, phw Sellier Kelly but I'm not so sure I would want it in Epsom.
I find buying a Kelly is more involved than appears.
Deciding your priorities will give you a better idea if you want to buy one now & wait, or just wait.

I completely agree with you on the part about different leathers and different hw colours compliment each other in different ways.

Thanks for the advice too! [emoji9]

 

[ypph]

I really think one has to see it in person, hold it and get a good feel of the leather and size.

Pretty sure for my height and my lifestyle, size 28 is most suited for me.

But I could potentially consider going size 25 or even 32 once I've collected the 28's id like for my collection.

In terms of leather, def want Epsom for sellier which is mostly the case and Togo as preference for Retourne. But not super fussed towards Clemence too coz it gives a slightly different grain texture and look from Togo.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

LOVE the look of sellier but find it difficult to get in and out of... just very fussy. sold it!
Now I have 2 retourne Kelly 28 in togo and LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE them!
Kelly is still fussy compared to B but I'd take retourne any day. Still love the way sellier looks tho. In the right color... I'd take sellier k28 now that I have retourne. Maybe. I hate to fuss.

 

[HMuse]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading up on the forums and other blogs about this question between retourne and sellier.

I do at some point would like to own both styles.

Done a bit of research and looks like I've got the opportunity to acquire either one of these bags for a reputable seller in a colour I like but in GHW. But I'm somewhat in denial as to which I should get.

I've always wanted a sellier as my first Kelly bag and am on the waitlist for my HG black sellier in PHW.

Should I continue wait for my sellier from the Hermes boutique just so I get the perfect experience getting my HG Kelly bag and acquire a retourne in the meantime from a reputable reseller given the 2 per year restriction at the Hermes boutique?


I know it comes down to preference and style but I wondered what's currently trending more? Is everyone still loving sellier more or retourne more?

And with black Kelly, what's your preference in hw colour?

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated!

Thank you for reading

Black is always stunning with GWH. With regards to retourne/sellier, it boils down to whether you prefer slouchy/rigid look. Both looks great imo.

 

[aynrand]

I had the misfortune of not knowing exactly what I wanted, having never tried any of the sizes, leathers and other specifications, personally. So the first time the boutique asked me what I wanted, I just said neutral, no stiff leathers, and I got just that. It took me a year to figure out the universe of choices and what's right for my lifestyle is more narrow. You sound like you've done your homework. If you know exactly what you like, and you're willing to wait for it, nothing better than getting it from the boutique directly, especially when bags appear more easily supplied so your timeline may be shorter. I prefer a less structured Kelly. I love (love!!!) black with gold hardware as a first, but either would probably satisfy me. I prefer a less structured, less formal Kelly. Good luck to you as you search for your perfect Kelly.

 

[papertiger]

Thanks very much for giving this advice. You are right that I shouldn't settle for something not quite right as its a lot of money to be spending on.

That said though, I actually want to own both selliers and retournes at some point in my life within my means of course. And would also like to own both styles in PHW and GHW. It's more a matter of which ones I want to get first and whether I'd like to have a specific one acquired directly from the store to enjoy the special moment or am I happy to acquire through a reputable reseller.

I'm leaning towards waiting for the black sellier in PHW from the boutique for the special moment and the rest can be acquired if an opportunity arises from a reputable reseller [emoji1]

That sounds the most sensible, I think you answered you own question

 

[NikkisABagGirl]

I like the look of the Retourne. Just because I am super casual almost always running around after a two year old. The same reason why I turned down a Kelly Cut. I have no use for dressy bags. I would wait for what you want and what will suit you.

 

[baghag21]

Each of the Retourne and Sellier Kelly is unique in her own special way. Either hardware will offer different aesthetics as well. A Retourne Kelly is a good daily workhorse which is more resilient to knocks especially the corners. With PHW, it has a cooler, more modern and casual vibe. With GHW, it is a classier and dressier bag. A Sellier is a grand old dame and so beautifully elegant. As such, it requires lots of TLC, especially the corners. I have both Sellier and Retourne. I find myself reaching out for the Retourne more especially if I have to run around town.

For store-offered bags, I have grown to be more flexible as I have regretted passing on bags because the hardware was not what I wanted. With each bag style, there are essentially 4 requirements i.e. size, colour, leather and hardware. If I have to compromise on one of the 4 requirements for a store-offered bag, I will. After all they are all beautiful and special. Another joy of being more flexible is that there may be unexpected surprises as to what the store will offer.

For reseller bags, I will not compromise as I am paying the premium to buy the exact specifications I want.

For a black Kelly, I would prefer GHW. In Sellier box leather preferably. For this, I am more than willing to buy vintage unless the store can offer me a box Kelly, which is like a unicorn in my neck of the woods. Vintage box is simply amazing.

Ultimately, your decision to buy your first Kelly from the store or reseller depends on your willingness to wait amidst the uncertainty of when and what you will be offered. I think that you will be very happy with your Kelly journey if you are willing to wait for your 1st Kelly from the store and the subsequent one(s) from resellers. Happy deciding!