Need help: K25 retourne versus B25

[WKN]

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments. My store director and a few of the SAs had quite a laugh (in the nicest way!) trying to convince me to add the Kelly 25 to my collection. They know I don’t own a Kelly retourne, and I suspect they thought this beautiful Bleu Lin piece might finally be the one to tempt me.

And to be fair, it almost did, the colour has been a dream of mine for years. But I had to pass. As much as I admire the elegant trapezoid silhouette of the Kelly, I’ve come to accept that it’s just not for me. I have a low tolerance for bags that require fiddling, and the Kelly’s structured closure and top-handle nature feel too fussy for me.

I agree that the longer we collect/buy (and not just with Hermès!), the clearer our preferences become. In my case, age and experience have taught me that function tends to win out over form. I’ve also started having more fun with colours, a big shift from the all-black bags I used to buy and reach for without fail. So, while I left the Kelly behind, I feel good knowing I stayed true to what actually works for me - ok, I do hope I will not regret my decision, which could happen! Now, fingers and toes crossed for that perfect Birkin to come my way this year!

 

[classybags4ever]

Totally get it! I know now at my age the kelly just isn't me. I don't want to fiddle with the opening, but also it's too fancy looking with the shape, I don't like how it looks on the strap or crossbody - I don't want to wear a formal bag crossbody, it just looks off! For formal events or date nights, I'll take a woc or a clutch. If I want to wear a bag crossbody, I take an actual crossbody bag.

I have only Bs in my collection and no kellys. I know some say you need one of each, but I really don't think I do!

 

[880]

I’m one who needs both types bc it seems I switch preferences every five years or so. These last few years, I’ve been focused on the B25 sellier, but my easiest access, lightest weight bag is the so Kelly elan (I simply twist the turn lock). I do admire people who can definitively come out one way or other

Re classic kelly bags, I prefer to hand carry them

 

[Etriers]

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments. My store director and a few of the SAs had quite a laugh (in the nicest way!) trying to convince me to add the Kelly 25 to my collection. They know I don’t own a Kelly retourne, and I suspect they thought this beautiful Bleu Lin piece might finally be the one to tempt me.

And to be fair, it almost did, the colour has been a dream of mine for years. But I had to pass. As much as I admire the elegant trapezoid silhouette of the Kelly, I’ve come to accept that it’s just not for me. I have a low tolerance for bags that require fiddling, and the Kelly’s structured closure and top-handle nature feel too fussy for me.

I agree that the longer we collect/buy (and not just with Hermès!), the clearer our preferences become. In my case, age and experience have taught me that function tends to win out over form. I’ve also started having more fun with colours, a big shift from the all-black bags I used to buy and reach for without fail. So, while I left the Kelly behind, I feel good knowing I stayed true to what actually works for me - ok, I do hope I will not regret my decision, which could happen! Now, fingers and toes crossed for that perfect Birkin to come my way this year!

We seem to be bag-twins on many of our bags, and I can completely relate to you on this also. I was offered a stunning K a few years ago, I’m not even going to say what it was so nobody passes out , suffice it to say, it was very cool, and someone’s declined special order, just to make the choice even harder. To this day I think about whether or not I did the right thing. But my reasoning was exactly the same, I just don’t think I’d carry it. I have always loved the Kelly bag, and I love the idea of this other life where I dress like Grace Kelly and carry ladylike structured bags, but I’m finally getting wise to my irrational tendency to buy things for a life I don’t have. I am a B girl. I wear jeans every day and haul a MacGuyver-esque load of cr*p around with me, so I need a big-&ss tote. It is what it is. Having said that, I have a Bleu Pale B and LOVE the color. Any of the pale gray blues you mentioned, you would probably love.

 

[ladysarah]

We seem to be bag-twins on many of our bags, and I can completely relate to you on this also. I was offered a stunning K a few years ago, I’m not even going to say what it was so nobody passes out , suffice it to say, it was very cool, and someone’s declined special order, just to make the choice even harder. To this day I think about whether or not I did the right thing. But my reasoning was exactly the same, I just don’t think I’d carry it. I have always loved the Kelly bag, and I love the idea of this other life where I dress like Grace Kelly and carry ladylike structured bags, but I’m finally getting wise to my irrational tendency to buy things for a life I don’t have. I am a B girl. I wear jeans every day and haul a MacGuyver-esque load of cr*p around with me, so I need a big-&ss tote. It is what it is. Having said that, I have a Bleu Pale B and LOVE the color. Any of the pale gray blues you mentioned, you would probably love.

I always carry my bags closed (well living in big cities and walking around it would be crazy to leave them open) so kelly is perfect and I also wear jeans most of the time. With a Birkin you can have things sticking out of the top if you dont close it, but I always close mine. I do realise a closed birkin is practically a crime against fashion but still...

 

[Sunlitshadows]

I agree with you, the B is so much more functional than the K for me. I can't deal with a bag that is a hassle to open and close, however gorgeous.

 

[WKN]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

 

[stupidolive]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Congrats! Is the leather clemence? Its beautiful!

 

[horselove]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Love it! You are brave and strong in overcoming your life challenge, l can sense your joy and pride. Salute

 

[caruava]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Stunning! Love this combination. Congratulations!

 

[WKN]

Congrats! Is the leather clemence? Its beautiful!

Thank you! It is togo!

 

[loh]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Beautiful, congrats! Thank you for sharing your story. It's wonderful to hear how you made it through your struggles last year and came out stronger and wiser. Enjoy!

 

[880]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Congrats! It’s beautiful! And even more meaningful given how much thought you put into making sure this is right for you
I’m so happy for you!

 

[tinkerbell68]

I did the do! Woot woot! I finally brought home my new baby B, months before my birthday!

Gris Pantin was supposed to be my “second best” option, but boy oh boy, did it deliver (or rather, my amazing store director did)!

I'll admit, I was nervous before picking it up. What if I didn’t love it after all? What if I cannot move on from my Bleu Lin obsession? But the moment I saw her, all of that melted away. She has that quiet, gentle, steady look about her... and somehow, deeply right. I even teared up a little.

I wanted to share this so you can understand my mad quest. It wasn’t really about the bag itself. It was about what it represents. Last year, I nearly died from an illness. Post-recovery, I felt like I had lost all sense of joy. Nothing excited me: not bags, not scarves, not books, not even life itself. I felt lifeless for months.

Also, this is my first meaningful purchase since striking out on my own in January last year, something I wasn’t sure I could do. Holding my new baby reminded me that I made it! I survived, I’m independent, and I can feel joy again, even in the small “silly” things that once made me smile.

The greatest lesson for me? We don’t always get the exact thing we dream of, but if we stay open, sometimes second best turns out to be exactly what we needed.

Gris Pantin may not be Bleu Lin, but it is perfect for this moment in my life - and I'm even more stoked that the stamp is K (my initial)! Oh, thank you so much @carlinha for your gentle nudging! And thank you everyone for making this forum a safe place to share my silly moment of happiness!

Here are photos of my baby with different twillys (I'm team-twilly especially for my light-coloured bags).

View attachment 6208556
View attachment 6208557

Congrats on this stunning bag!

 

[Sabee]

I hate my K25 Retourne Gold on Gold. I wore it once and never again. I had so much trouble getting things in and out and I am not a fan of open Kellys. (Keeping it for my daughter when she gets older) I love my B25 so much that I want many more in that size!

I didnt know that getting things in and out of a kelly would be hard. I dont own one myself but thinking of it.