ODE to Box Calf

[pinkorchid20]

Hi pinkorchid20,
may I ask you something in terms of use of your box Kelly compared to an epsom one?
I heard a lot about epsom is very stiff and hard to use especially the opening and closing.
How is it with box? Is it the same or maybe a little softer and easier to open and close?
I would be thankful for your reply

This is a tough one for me as it will also depend on how careful you try to be with your bag, if the condition is new etc. I've owned vintage and new box and I can for sure say that opening the bag will get easier with time, my vintage bags were easier to open than the new bag. However, I have not seen a huge difference between new Epsom and new Box. I am massively struggling with both in the beginning (size 28) also because I try not to destroy them right away so I may be overcautious when opening. However, friends of mine have the same impression and find the 32s a lot more easy for both leathers. Sorry if this is not of help and maybe others have a different experience, but I find both leathers equally difficult to handle in a Kelly Sellier when brand new.

 

[H_LOv3_XOXO]

This is a tough one for me as it will also depend on how careful you try to be with your bag, if the condition is new etc. I've owned vintage and new box and I can for sure say that opening the bag will get easier with time, my vintage bags were easier to open than the new bag. However, I have not seen a huge difference between new Epsom and new Box. I am massively struggling with both in the beginning (size 28) also because I try not to destroy them right away so I may be overcautious when opening. However, friends of mine have the same impression and find the 32s a lot more easy for both leathers. Sorry if this is not of help and maybe others have a different experience, but I find both leathers equally difficult to handle in a Kelly Sellier when brand new.

Thank you so much for taking time to reply, sharing your experience and your honest opinion I appreciate that a lot!!
The size I am about is 25 and a new bag. So if is easier with 32 and you are struggling with 28 a 25 must be much more difficult
I am a very careful one as well..
May I ask, are you more a Birkin or Kelly Person..?
The thing is, I really love the look of a sellier kelly! And I am struggling which leather would be the best choice for me. Originally I decided for epsom and then I heard so much about the stiffness of it and that's its hard to open and close.. so I am brainstorming on leather options and there are not many..
I am totally a Birkin lover and don't have any kelly and want to add one, but I am so unsure with open and close thing.. and trying to find out which leather could be more easier.. And I know box ist not super soft as well, but I thought maybe here in terms of use it is, because its a natural leather and a stamped one like epsom is... But it seems like it doesn't matter which leather, its about the sellier shape which causes this struggles

 

[pinkorchid20]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply, sharing your experience and your honest opinion I appreciate that a lot!!
The size I am about is 25 and a new bag. So if is easier with 32 and you are struggling with 28 a 25 must be much more difficult
I am a very careful one as well..
May I ask, are you more a Birkin or Kelly Person..?
The thing is, I really love the look of a sellier kelly! And I am struggling which leather would be the best choice for me. Originally I decided for epsom and then I heard so much about the stiffness of it and that's its hard to open and close.. so I am brainstorming on leather options and there are not many..
I am totally a Birkin lover and don't have any kelly and want to add one, but I am so unsure with open and close thing.. and trying to find out which leather could be more easier.. And I know box ist not super soft as well, but I thought maybe here in terms of use it is, because its a natural leather and a stamped one like epsom is... But it seems like it doesn't matter which leather, its about the sellier shape which causes this struggles

Well, Chèvre Sellier seems a bit easier, Togo might as well but I never owned the latter and therefore can’t comment (plus, none are regular offers at this point so you are stuck with Epsom, Box, Sombrero...). Hence, I don’t think the Sellier structure itself is the main issue but the combination of both as Epsom and Box are pretty stiff.

I replaced my 25 wish for a Retourné after having gone through the same struggle over and over again - I adore the Sellier shape (to me it is one of the most beautiful bag shapes ever made) but I just can’t go below the 28 for regular leathers. I have sold most of the ones I owned as I just can’t get past the opening/closing struggle so will keep the Epsom and Box 28s I have but not add more. My life may just not be a good fit for the bag or vice versa so if I am being honest, the B is more practical for me personally. Took me long to admit it as I am not necessarily a casual, edgy or trendy dresser and always felt the Kelly would go better with my admittedly boring, classic and low key style. But yes, even on days when I have my Kelly already out to grab it for the day, I often switch to my C24 or B30 instead as I bothered by the thought of the fiddle opening. Do you want to add the Kelly just for looks or collection completion? It may also be worth looking at preloved options which I started doing as I hope to find a beautiful and already relaxed Sellier Kelly in one of the discontinued leathers.

 

[H_LOv3_XOXO]

Well, Chèvre Sellier seems a bit easier, Togo might as well but I never owned the latter and therefore can’t comment (plus, none are regular offers at this point so you are stuck with Epsom, Box, Sombrero...). Hence, I don’t think the Sellier structure itself is the main issue but the combination of both as Epsom and Box are pretty stiff.

I replaced my 25 wish for a Retourné after having gone through the same struggle over and over again - I adore the Sellier shape (to me it is one of the most beautiful bag shapes ever made) but I just can’t go below the 28 for regular leathers. I have sold most of the ones I owned as I just can’t get past the opening/closing struggle so will keep the Epsom and Box 28s I have but not add more. My life may just not be a good fit for the bag or vice versa so if I am being honest, the B is more practical for me personally. Took me long to admit it as I am not necessarily a casual, edgy or trendy dresser and always felt the Kelly would go better with my admittedly boring, classic and low key style. But yes, even on days when I have my Kelly already out to grab it for the day, I often switch to my C24 or B30 instead as I bothered by the thought of the fiddle opening. Do you want to add the Kelly just for looks or collection completion? It may also be worth looking at preloved options which I started doing as I hope to find a beautiful and already relaxed Sellier Kelly in one of the discontinued leathers.

Thank you so much for your reply.
I am not a preloved buyer, but thank you very much for the suggestion!
I owned a kelly 25 retourne and its absolutely not my style, so I ended up rehome her, but she is with my friend, so its fine.
I really want to add something different to my collection. I don't like the look of a Sellier bag in Togo. This casual leather doesn't match to edgy look of that style, that's my personal opinion. I can place a special order for a chèvre that's not the deal, but it has to be two colored and I really don't like two colored bags, even when you can hardly see it when I choose the inside and outside in a different color.
I think I will go to my store and see epsom and box in person, my SA suggested this to me as well.
Thank you so so much for the help

 

[pinkorchid20]

Thank you so much for your reply.
I am not a preloved buyer, but thank you very much for the suggestion!
I owned a kelly 25 retourne and its absolutely not my style, so I ended up rehome her, but she is with my friend, so its fine.
I really want to add something different to my collection. I don't like the look of a Sellier bag in Togo. This casual leather doesn't match to edgy look of that style, that's my personal opinion. I can place a special order for a chèvre that's not the deal, but it has to be two colored and I really don't like two colored bags, even when you can hardly see it when I choose the inside and outside in a different color.
I think I will go to my store and see epsom and box in person, my SA suggested this to me as well.
Thank you so so much for the help

I totally understand and am curious to hear what you think after visiting your store. Keep us posted if you don’t mind

 

[MoaMoaMoa]

Hi!
How do you store your box Kellys? Standing up or lying down on its back? I bought my first Hermes bag (a vintage BBK retourne 32) last month and it is so beautiful and in such great condition. Want to preserve it that way.

 

[Stansy]

View attachment 4929592
My vintage Box leather 1983 Kelly 28 Retourne in Bordeaux with GHW.

my dream bag

 

[plastic-fish]

Hi!
How do you store your box Kellys? Standing up or lying down on its back? I bought my first Hermes bag (a vintage BBK retourne 32) last month and it is so beautiful and in such great condition. Want to preserve it that way.

DocRide has a great explanation here and she is the one of the queens of Hermes care... (post #6).

Docride's Hermes leather care recommendations list no chatter

Hello everyone Because this will help me help you to help yourselves I'm going to compile my recommendations for the care and upkeep of various Hermes leather and exotics skins I ask that this will become a guide and sticky to help all everyone so please no questions , posts or statements...

forum.purseblog.com

 

[ccbaggirl89]

Hi!
How do you store your box Kellys? Standing up or lying down on its back? I bought my first Hermes bag (a vintage BBK retourne 32) last month and it is so beautiful and in such great condition. Want to preserve it that way.

Mine stands up. The bag is so structured and has feet, so I've never worried. Softer bags and leathers I rotate their position often but not my box bags.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Hi!
How do you store your box Kellys? Standing up or lying down on its back? I bought my first Hermes bag (a vintage BBK retourne 32) last month and it is so beautiful and in such great condition. Want to preserve it that way.

Per my local craftsman, in the box, inside the dustbag, lying on its back with the felt insert, with the lid of the box OFF so the leather can “breathe”. I do have one very old retourné that I store standing up, and selliers can probably stay upright with no issue, but I do what Édouard tells me

 

[duna]

Even Hermès insiders have different opinion on the same subject! My SM told me never to store my bags, any bag any leather, lying on it's back because, he said, it's not their natural position and they get out of shape in the long run ( especially the handle area). I've never stored my bags lying down anyway, so it didn't change my way of storing them. The most I do, if it's a slouchy Birkin, I stuff it either with tissue paper or cotton fabric, in it's dust bag upright on my closet shelves.

 

[MoaMoaMoa]

Thanks to all of you for replying! My bag is also very structured and is not starting to sag in any way. However fairly often you see ads on Vestiaire and other places showing box Kellies that are misshaped. I wonder what happened to those?! Perhaps they had other bags placed on top of them?

I first made a pillow for placing inside my bad but then felt that it expanded it a bit too much. And thenI bought a bag insert of senamon on Etsy (custom size. Such good fit and at a great price) which fills the bag out slightly but not too much. I just wonder if it’s ok to store it upright with the insert inside it. Or if I should lay it down... I don’t have the box unfortunately.

Have attached som pictures of my beauty too .
.

 

[nymeria]

She is absolutely fabulous! And in great condition with a gorgeous patina
I think to a certain extent we all wing it, but the retourne may do better over time if she is stored lying down ( but honestly, that's just my opinion), as opposed to a sellier.
But why are you even asking??? I'm SURE you will wear her as much as you can, so how much storage time can there possibly be?

Congrats on a wonderful bag- enjoy her!

 

[MoaMoaMoa]

She is absolutely fabulous! And in great condition with a gorgeous patina
I think to a certain extent we all wing it, but the retourne may do better over time if she is stored lying down ( but honestly, that's just my opinion), as opposed to a sellier.
But why are you even asking??? I'm SURE you will wear her as much as you can, so how much storage time can there possibly be?

Congrats on a wonderful bag- enjoy her!

So true! Yes she certainly gets to go outside too

 

[am2022]

Not the best photo - blinding lights inside FDC tent waiting to be seated ! BBK 1993 with dallet twilly !❤️