VN/ chamonix lovers - Should I or shouldn't I bring this baby home with me?
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Marks are par for the course for saddle leathers which add to the character. If that will bother you, you may want to look at Togo or Clemence or Swift which will not scratch like box, barenia or VN. Here's my VN bolide - tons of marks and scratches but look at the patina
Since I already love the bag, all I need to do is make sure I will use it. So you said this leather is meant to be beat up and use as workhorse bag...may I ask why these leather for workhorse bag and not Togo? If you don't mind, can you explain a little more pls? maybe this can convince me to just use it a little more. [emoji4]
Wow your bag is soo gorgeous!!! She looks just like a new bag. I guess it's new, right? I can imagine why you are afraid to use them for they are that gorgeous and still super new. But she truly is a stunner! Fainted!!
Yeahh price is the big factor to me too..I guess what I was offered is quite a good deal..but I'm not certain as there are not many VN Kelly 25 sellier in the market much so I don't know how to compare price. Maybe I PM you later for your opinion if you don't mind
I love the look of VN and chamonix but am very faint hearted when it comes to scratches. I got a vintage chamonix Drag last year that was practically new with not a scratch, carried it once and has stored it away ever since for fear of scratching it. This Kelly is beautiful and if you don't mind how this leather wears then go for it! I believe Docride has a thread on VN/barenia and how to care for it. Also, may be H spa can help?
This is a gorgeous little Kelly, and I can tell you really like it. Based on that, I'd say get it, but that's just my crazy rationale, lol. The voice of reason asks, will you love the look of a small sellier Kelly (quite dressy no matter the leather) once it has started to darken unevenly and looks a bit "Western", like a well worn saddle? Even without scratches or water spots, it will darken over time (faster with use), and not usually very evenly. That's what I love about VN and Barenia, and that's why I prefer these leathers over Togo or Clemence, which look the same no matter the age. Nothing wrong with that, just not as exciting to me.
As for waterproofing, I guess if that will set your mind at ease about using the bag, then it's worth doing. Personally, I think this Kelly is small enough that it would be simpler to just carry a folded up plastic bag in the pocket, and then tuck the Kelly in that should you be caught in a rain storm. Even with waterproofing, it's not ideal to have the bag exposed in a downpour.
If you have other bags to wear on a daily, workhorse basis, then it might be nice to have this unique and ever changing Kelly for events when you don't want to be carrying the same bag as every other woman in the room. Good luck!
As for waterproofing, I guess if that will set your mind at ease about using the bag, then it's worth doing. Personally, I think this Kelly is small enough that it would be simpler to just carry a folded up plastic bag in the pocket, and then tuck the Kelly in that should you be caught in a rain storm. Even with waterproofing, it's not ideal to have the bag exposed in a downpour.
If you have other bags to wear on a daily, workhorse basis, then it might be nice to have this unique and ever changing Kelly for events when you don't want to be carrying the same bag as every other woman in the room. Good luck!
I think ouija board brings up a good point, which is that this 25 sellier Kelly is an inherently dressy bag, so I am not sure that well-worn VN would be a good look in the long run *for this particular bag*. I love the saddle leathers myself, but always ask myself whether the leather choice suits the shape and function of the bag.
For example, I have barenia...in a 35 cm barenia and toile retourne Kelly. I would be less inclined to buy a, say, 28 cm sellier Kelly in barenia. For VN, I think jyyanks' VN Bolide is a perfect combination. Or a VN HAC. All bigger, more casual, "workhorse" bags...for carrying lots of stuff, grabbing to run errands, etc. OTOH, I had a chance to buy a 23 cm VN Constance at a good price, and ultimately declined. The leather did not suit the form and function of the bag, in my mind.
For a cute pristine 25 cm Kelly, I personally would be inclined to stay away from the saddle leathers, and stick with one of my other favorite leathers, box. I also tend to like brighter colors for smaller bags, but that is my personal preference.
In any case, good luck making your decision!
For example, I have barenia...in a 35 cm barenia and toile retourne Kelly. I would be less inclined to buy a, say, 28 cm sellier Kelly in barenia. For VN, I think jyyanks' VN Bolide is a perfect combination. Or a VN HAC. All bigger, more casual, "workhorse" bags...for carrying lots of stuff, grabbing to run errands, etc. OTOH, I had a chance to buy a 23 cm VN Constance at a good price, and ultimately declined. The leather did not suit the form and function of the bag, in my mind.
For a cute pristine 25 cm Kelly, I personally would be inclined to stay away from the saddle leathers, and stick with one of my other favorite leathers, box. I also tend to like brighter colors for smaller bags, but that is my personal preference.
In any case, good luck making your decision!
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I think ouija board brings up a good point, which is that this 25 sellier Kelly is an inherently dressy bag, so I am not sure that well-worn VN would be a good look in the long run *for this particular bag*. I love the saddle leathers myself, but always ask myself whether the leather choice suits the shape and function of the bag.
For example, I have barenia...in a 35 cm barenia and toile retourne Kelly. I would be less inclined to buy a, say, 28 cm sellier Kelly in barenia. For VN, I think jyyanks' VN Bolide is a perfect combination. Or a VN HAC. All bigger, more casual, "workhorse" bags...for carrying lots of stuff, grabbing to run errands, etc. OTOH, I had a chance to buy a 23 cm VN Constance at a good price, and ultimately declined. The leather did not suit the form and function of the bag, in my mind.
For a cute pristine 25 cm Kelly, I personally would be inclined to stay away from the saddle leathers, and stick with one of my other favorite leathers, box. I also tend to like brighter colors for smaller bags, but that is my personal preference.
In any case, good luck making your decision!
Lots of really good points here. You have to think both about whether you love this combination of leather and style, and also what you will use the bag for. Personally, I love the saddle leathers more on birkins and bolides than Kellys, which always look a bit fancier to me. That said, I own a 32 Kelly in Natural Chamonix. I fell in love with the color, the vibe, and the yellow canvas strap it came with. I also liked the fact that the bag came with some flaws (it's from 1992). I knew if it was pristine I'd be afraid to use it. I have a casual lifestyle and it goes great with jeans.
As much as I love that Kelly, there are still many places in my life that I won't bring it, like the animal shelter where I volunteer, and hockey games. If the bag was Togo, I still wouldn't bring it to the shelter, but I might bring it to the occasional sporting event. Maybe.
Like svenasaes said, I personally would rather have a small, dressy Kelly in box, and save the saddle leather for a larger model (32 or 35). But if you love it and will use it, that's all the matters.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
This is over-the-top gorgeous!!!!!!!
Thanks for your input jyyanks
Thanks for all your kind words! I LOVE my bolide - I was lucky enough to get her through a lovely tpf member who had sent it to doc for treatment. sparklelisab is right in that it takes a long long time to patina so luckily this was done before me so I didn't have to worry too much about the scratches and dings.
Though I like Clemence and Togo, my Barenia 35 cm birkin is my most go-to bag. It's not dressy, the more scratches and dings it gets, it looks better with age and use. Textured leathers (like Togo or Clemence) age differently if the corners get worn or they get visible scratches or marks--it looks older without the patina that box or the saddle leathers acquire. I'm more careful with those bags. My collection has both textured and smooth leathers and I use them differently.
I hope this answers your question.
The way these bags patina is just so divine. Like people and fine wine, they gain depth and dimension as they age, and all the sags, wrinkles and scars tell a story of where they have been and what they have seen.... If only in my imagination, but it is enough
Barenia Bolide 31
Chamonix Plume 32
The way these bags patina is just so divine. Like people and fine wine, they gain depth and dimension as they age, and all the sags, wrinkles and scars tell a story of where they have been and what they have seen.... If only in my imagination, but it is enough
Barenia Bolide 31
View attachment 3095438
Chamonix Plume 32
View attachment 3095439
These are so beautiful, I just had to stop and gaze at your photos for a few minutes. Congrats on owning them both (and the hippo cadena -- I love those!).