Kelly Messenger

[Meta]

The Kelly Messenger shown on the Men's runway for Spring/Summer 2023 has slowly started to trickle into stores. Per @Vlad the dimensions and weight shared here:



A few resellers on Instagram have been posting this Kelly Messenger in Barenia Faubourg for sale:



Anyone here plan on getting one or have been so lucky to already add one to their collection?

 

[Buildingprofile]

at first I thought it was going to be my “it” bag for work, but then I realized with the problem sangles, it may not be as practical as I’d like.

 

[Meta]

at first I thought it was going to be my “it” bag for work, but then I realized with the problem sangles, it may not be as practical as I’d like.

Not sure what you meant by problem sangles?

 

[Buildingprofile]

I stole this term from someone else here. I have the Hac A Dos and find that the sangles are very hard to deal with. It’s simply not convenient to reach in to grab keys or whatever. And unlike the Birkin, leaving the sangles unlocked means they’ll just flutter and dangle (rather ungracefully) in the air, or if you slip them through the metal buckles (which the messenger doesn’t seem to have?), they’ll keep clanking against the center mechanism. Hope that imagery makes sense… and I’m still trying to figure out a happy medium on how often to fully close my bag

 

[r luvs h]

They’ve yet to arrive at either of my home stores, but one of my SMs promised he will set one aside for me! I forgot to ask what colours would be available, only seen Naturel Barenia Faubourg, Étoupe Togo, and Caramel Togo so far-- not too keen on any of those. Dear H gods, if you’re listening, I would love to see one in a dark blue like Caban or Bleu Nuit; I would even settle for a dark green!

Adding that it also comes in Noir/Black Togo, no surprises there. I have too many black bags, so I am trying not to entertain that option. I need to go on a black bag ban really.

 

[Buildingprofile]

They’ve yet to arrive at either of my home stores, but one of my SMs promised he will set one aside for me! I forgot to ask what colours would be available, only seen Naturel Barenia Faubourg, Étoupe Togo, and Caramel Togo so far-- not too keen on any of those. Dear H gods, if you’re listening, I would love to see one in a dark blue like Caban or Bleu Nuit; I would even settle for a dark green.

Which size are you aiming for? Do you know if it’s a quota bag?

 

[r luvs h]

Which size are you aiming for? Do you know if it’s a quota bag?

I was told it will not be a quota bag, but stock will still be very limited. I really am hoping for the larger size, but I may consider the smaller size too. I was trying not to bother my SM too much with specifics, cause I also asked him about a couple other bags too.

at first I thought it was going to be my “it” bag for work, but then I realized with the problem sangles, it may not be as practical as I’d like.

This is why I'm a tad iffy about the smaller size-- sangles always bother me more on small bags (similar issue with Mini Kelly I/II and Kellymini for me).

 

[Buildingprofile]

I was told it will not be a quota bag, but stock will still be very limited. I really am hoping for the larger size, but I may consider the smaller size too. I was trying not to bother my SM too much with specifics, cause I also asked him about a couple other bags too.


This is why I'm a tad iffy about the smaller size-- sangles always bother me more on small bags (similar issue with Mini Kelly I/II and Kellymini for me).

So actually… what do people do with the sangles? Leave them open and dangling, or keep closing them and then making it difficult for yourself to reach in and out for anything?

 

[r luvs h]

So actually… what do people do with the sangles? Leave them open and dangling, or keep closing them and then making it difficult for yourself to reach in and out for anything?

For smaller bags with sangles, my friend taught me a trick where you secure the sangles under the flap instead of over the flap, as is traditionally done. This way, you don’t have to fuss with undoing and redoing the sangles every time you need to get into the bag. I will probably use that trick if I end up with the smaller K Messenger.

 

[knickknackchaddywack]

So actually… what do people do with the sangles? Leave them open and dangling, or keep closing them and then making it difficult for yourself to reach in and out for anything?

I've used the following from most frequent to least.

1) Leaving the sangles loose but UNDER the flap and utilizing the turnlock to secure closure.
Be mindful that sangles in a stiffer leather can cause the flap corners to curl upward!
Because of this, I also do option 2:

2) Leaving the sangles loose, but seated on TOP of the flap (still utilizing the turnlock to secure closure)
You can still open the flap, but just a little more effort to pull it over the floppy sangles.
I enjoy this look because I can enjoy the aesthetic of the sangles (which is what drew me to the Kelly and its siblings in the first place), but still have reasonable access to the interior.

3) Securing the sangles underneath the flap and utilizing the turnlock.
Easy to open the flap, and can works well if you like to use the slip pockets in the front, such as with a slim cardholder, passport, or boarding pass. Not as easy to grab something like your book or wallet because you may scuff the interior - the opening remains tight while the sangles are secured.
You can undo one or both of the sangles to loosen one the sides, depending on what you're trying to wrestle out.

4) Securing the sangles and tucking in the flap behind the gussets like a Birkin.
Again, good to get a slim card holder or other paraphernalia from the slip pockets. I'm not fearful of weight distribution because the flap sits in a lovely manner between the gussets of leather.
I stopped doing this for fear of scuffing the front flap, but I must say - pretty convenient.
Shows off the clean and architectural lines of the Kelly in a different way, but ultimately convinced me to seek a HAC/Birkin.

5) Leaving the Kelly completely open - sangles to the wind and flap dangling like a loose tooth.
(Regarding the traditional Kelly: I know that the "carefree" it-girls do this. But to me, I wouldn't recommend; to me, it blurs the line between "carefree" and "careless." Strain is introduced to the back panel of the bag unnecessarily, and frankly, it looks sloppy.)
That said, in the Kelly messenger's case, since the weight is distributed along the sides of the bag's body, I could see leaving it completely open as a viable option.

_____
​

I think the Kelly messenger bag is a welcome addition to the Kelly line for its casual, masculine, utilitarian, and sporty traits.
As I've mentioned on other threads, I feel that the strap placement is a bit strange. Seems as though it may be top heavy and could lead to tilting and flipping. I also don't appreciate that the strap is non-detachable.

 

[momoc]

Found a video review on RED which gave some price info

小红书 - 你的生活兴趣社区

3 亿人的生活经验，都在小红书

xhslink.com

Retails in China (smaller size) for CNY 93800 for Evergrain (not sure if he confused it with Togo or that it also comes in Evergrain) and 105000 for Barenia Faubourg.

Also, genuinely one of those times where the fake ones hit the market before the real ones (so be careful when searching for photos, some - including that other purse blog that starts with P - mistakenly took a photo posted by a fake maker… )

 

[Buildingprofile]

I've used the following from most frequent to least.

1) Leaving the sangles loose but UNDER the flap and utilizing the turnlock to secure closure.
Be mindful that sangles in a stiffer leather can cause the flap corners to curl upward!
Because of this, I also do option 2:

2) Leaving the sangles loose, but seated on TOP of the flap (still utilizing the turnlock to secure closure)
You can still open the flap, but just a little more effort to pull it over the floppy sangles.
I enjoy this look because I can enjoy the aesthetic of the sangles (which is what drew me to the Kelly and its siblings in the first place), but still have reasonable access to the interior.

3) Securing the sangles underneath the flap and utilizing the turnlock.
Easy to open the flap, and can works well if you like to use the slip pockets in the front, such as with a slim cardholder, passport, or boarding pass. Not as easy to grab something like your book or wallet because you may scuff the interior - the opening remains tight while the sangles are secured.
You can undo one or both of the sangles to loosen one the sides, depending on what you're trying to wrestle out.

4) Securing the sangles and tucking in the flap behind the gussets like a Birkin.
Again, good to get a slim card holder or other paraphernalia from the slip pockets. I'm not fearful of weight distribution because the flap sits in a lovely manner between the gussets of leather.
I stopped doing this for fear of scuffing the front flap, but I must say - pretty convenient.
Shows off the clean and architectural lines of the Kelly in a different way, but ultimately convinced me to seek a HAC/Birkin.

5) Leaving the Kelly completely open - sangles to the wind and flap dangling like a loose tooth.
(Regarding the traditional Kelly: I know that the "carefree" it-girls do this. But to me, I wouldn't recommend; to me, it blurs the line between "carefree" and "careless." Strain is introduced to the back panel of the bag unnecessarily, and frankly, it looks sloppy.)
That said, in the Kelly messenger's case, since the weight is distributed along the sides of the bag's body, I could see leaving it completely open as a viable option.

_____
​

I think the Kelly messenger bag is a welcome addition to the Kelly line for its casual, masculine, utilitarian, and sporty traits.
As I've mentioned on other threads, I feel that the strap placement is a bit strange. Seems as though it may be top heavy and could lead to tilting and flipping. I also don't appreciate that the strap is non-detachable.

I thank you sincerely for these written-out tips. Almost wish I posted this in its own thread since these tips apply not just for the messenger!

 

[ccnyc]

Found a video review on RED which gave some price info

小红书 - 你的生活兴趣社区

3 亿人的生活经验，都在小红书

xhslink.com

Retails in China (smaller size) for CNY 93800 for Evergrain (not sure if he confused it with Togo or that it also comes in Evergrain) and 105000 for Barenia Faubourg.

Also, genuinely one of those times where the fake ones hit the market before the real ones (so be careful when searching for photos, some - including that other purse blog that starts with P - mistakenly took a photo posted by a fake maker… )

So torn about this model...
On the one hand, how refreshing to have a guy-specific Kelly bag (i.e. not briefcase or pouch, and not giant like the maxi or voyage).
On the other hand, I cant help but feel like the execution looks a bit clumsy. Hard to tell from photos.
That price point also seems excessive (even for H standards) for the proposition of the bag, no?

 

[travelguy2500]

on my wish list too; have only seen online - my SA also said not yet in stores - love the idea of the kelly sytle in a dedicated messenger - agree price even by H standards is expensive.

 

[Buildingprofile]

Interestingly I feel like some of the men’s bags are more overpriced than women’s - like the Cityback and the Hac a Dos