Maybe I’m not a Kelly girl? Or try again?

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forgetmenot301

forgetmenot301

O.G.
Jul 18, 2011
1,775
7,925
#1
Hello! Long story but I’m going to try and summarize, lol. I’ve bought and sold a few Hermes bags over the last 8 years. My first H purchase was a gold Evelyne pm in Togo. Sold because the style did not work for me but loved the gold color. Next I purchased a Kelly 28 in Togo black GHW and then a Kelly 32 in gold with PHW. I also purchased and returned a roulis. So I then gave the Constance a chance and it didn’t work for me. During this time I was newly married and we moved across the country 3xs over this timeline and had 2 children. It was a stressful but exciting time and my mind was not on my bags. So when I was pregnant with my first (maybe crazy pregnancy hormones) I decided to sell my Kelly’s because I was not using them and they felt too mature. Pains me how little I paid for them to Vs now .

I’ve taken the last few years away from Hermes and have owned many many different brands and I’m back to Hermes again. Nothing can compete imo. Recently I added the 24/24 in 29cm and most recently I added a birkin 30cm. I’m now itching to add either a Kelly 28cm or another birkin 30. And I guess my question is should I stay away from Kelly given my history? Or give it another go? Anyone else sold and then years later repurchased and loved?
 
#2
What was it about the Kelly that didn’t work for you? Was it the size? The closure?

If it was just that they felt too mature.. Do you feel the same way about them now? I would personally try a smaller sized Kelly as i find them more playful and younger, but that’s just me!!
 
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#4
Agree with others’ comments and questions above. It’s worth really interrogating exactly what it was that you didn’t like about the Ks.

Just to refer to my own experience as an example, I’ve found over the years that I am a Kelly retourne person rather than a sellier person. I will never get rid of my K28 sellier because it was my first H bag, but even now, over 15 years later, I haven’t aged a day :happydance: and neither has my K28 because it’s still too ladylike and structured for me and I almost never carry it. So for a long time I thought I wasn’t a K person, but I was wrong - after many years of carrying other H bags I recently acquired a vintage K32 retourne and find it works perfectly in my everyday life. I use it a lot and really love carrying it. So for me it was the structured sellier style rather than the K itself that was the problem.
 
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#5
forgetmenot301 said:
Hello! Long story but I’m going to try and summarize, lol. I’ve bought and sold a few Hermes bags over the last 8 years. My first H purchase was a gold Evelyne pm in Togo. Sold because the style did not work for me but loved the gold color. Next I purchased a Kelly 28 in Togo black GHW and then a Kelly 32 in gold with PHW. I also purchased and returned a roulis. So I then gave the Constance a chance and it didn’t work for me. During this time I was newly married and we moved across the country 3xs over this timeline and had 2 children. It was a stressful but exciting time and my mind was not on my bags. So when I was pregnant with my first (maybe crazy pregnancy hormones) I decided to sell my Kelly’s because I was not using them and they felt too mature. Pains me how little I paid for them to Vs now .

I’ve taken the last few years away from Hermes and have owned many many different brands and I’m back to Hermes again. Nothing can compete imo. Recently I added the 24/24 in 29cm and most recently I added a birkin 30cm. I’m now itching to add either a Kelly 28cm or another birkin 30. And I guess my question is should I stay away from Kelly given my history? Or give it another go? Anyone else sold and then years later repurchased and loved?
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People change. If you are thinking about it, then give it another chance. I started out as a Kelly 28 person. Then for a decade eschewed the kelly and thought I was a 30B persopn, only to wear both in size 25 or 28Ks or 25 or 30Bs.
 
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#6
I agree with other posters. Tastes change over time. I have switched from preferring birkins to Kelly’s and back again over time. Sellier and retourne Kelly’s are different styles of bag. Retourne are more casual. Sellier are more popular currently but they were seen as formal/mature a few years ago. Don’t underestimate the power of popular opinion and fashion too. I’ve purchased mini bags after initially thinking they wouldn’t work for me, and I love them!
 
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#7
You’re in a different phase of life now so you may find more opportunity to use a Kelly. I agree with other posters, have you identified WHY you didnt use the Kellys before? You sold your Roulis and Evelyn, maybe you don’t like long straps or crossbodys?

Perhaps the colors you had weren’t vibing with you.

Also were the Kelly’s sellier or retourne? I think that makes a big difference.
 
#8
nashpoo said:
What was it about the Kelly that didn’t work for you? Was it the size? The closure?

If it was just that they felt too mature.. Do you feel the same way about them now? I would personally try a smaller sized Kelly as i find them more playful and younger, but that’s just me!!
Click to expand...
I think all along I was dissatisfied because I would’ve preferred a birkin over a Kelly first. But I didn’t think the birkin was practical because it didn’t have a strap and I knew I would be starting a family sooner than later and the Kelly was the most practical option of the 2. The closures bugged me as well as the strap length. However now there are so many different strap options. I also wonder if the colors I purchased were almost too neutral for me personally. I often find I get bored with browns and blacks. Whereas a special color is what usually attracts me and makes me keep a bag long term. And I agree that the smaller sizes do make them more playful!!
 
#9
Grande Latte said:
Is the birkin working out for you? Maybe you're more a birkin girl. Give it a little more time to think. It's never wise to buy and buy in such a short amount of time.
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I am wondering too if I’m more of a birkin girl. And I agree, this is not a purchase I plan on making right now. Definitely going to take my time and enjoy the other 2 so I can make the perfect decision
 
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#10
Veritybelle said:
Agree with others’ comments and questions above. It’s worth really interrogating exactly what it was that you didn’t like about the Ks.

Just to refer to my own experience as an example, I’ve found over the years that I am a Kelly retourne person rather than a sellier person. I will never get rid of my K28 sellier because it was my first H bag, but even now, over 15 years later, I haven’t aged a day :happydance: and neither has my K28 because it’s still too ladylike and structured for me and I almost never carry it. So for a long time I thought I wasn’t a K person, but I was wrong - after many years of carrying other H bags I recently acquired a vintage K32 retourne and find it works perfectly in my everyday life. I use it a lot and really love carrying it. So for me it was the structured sellier style rather than the K itself that was the problem.
Click to expand...
I am with you on the retourne style side! As beautiful as the sellier style Ks are I know those wouldn’t work for me either. I like some softness to my bags. I could quickly sum up my dislikes of my previous Kelly’s to closure annoyed me, felt mature (but may have been the colors combined too), and strap length. So I guess now my thoughts are do I try a different color and get a longer strap?
 
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#12
Handbag1234 said:
I agree with other posters. Tastes change over time. I have switched from preferring birkins to Kelly’s and back again over time. Sellier and retourne Kelly’s are different styles of bag. Retourne are more casual. Sellier are more popular currently but they were seen as formal/mature a few years ago. Don’t underestimate the power of popular opinion and fashion too. I’ve purchased mini bags after initially thinking they wouldn’t work for me, and I love them!
Click to expand...
Glad to hear others have switched from loving one to the other. Was beginning to think I was crazy I’m leaning towards adding the K back in because it is nice to have different bag styles.
 
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#13
addiCCted said:
You’re in a different phase of life now so you may find more opportunity to use a Kelly. I agree with other posters, have you identified WHY you didnt use the Kellys before? You sold your Roulis and Evelyn, maybe you don’t like long straps or crossbodys?

Perhaps the colors you had weren’t vibing with you.

Also were the Kelly’s sellier or retourne? I think that makes a big difference.
Click to expand...
To sum up my dislikes I’d pin point them to strap length, potentially the “safe” colors and the closure. I do agree that my life has changed a lot and with that my style. My previous 2 were retourne because I already knew sellier wouldn’t work for me. I like a crossbody but prefer it to be more of a mini size (I’ve found this out the hard way). My roulis was the 23. I’m a shoulder or top handle girl when it comes to my medium or larger sized bags. So I think if I do try the Kelly again I’d get a more me color and switch out the straps since there are so many strap options now.
 
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#15
I'm a Kelly gal so I understand your dilemma.
I'd consider going into your local H store & see what colors are available in the Kelly 32
The 32 is a good size offers versatility as you can do a strap or wear hand held, I think depending upon the
color/leather you are attracted to that will help you narrow your choice down.
There are classic & fun colors hopefully for to see & you also can explore the option of the reseller market
(Fashionphile) there is a return policy in place if you are comfortable going in that direction.
Have fun on your search & hope the Kelly will walk right into your arms & put a smile on your face
 
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