Which do you prefer and why: Birkin or Kelly?

[ladybug333]

When I entered the Hermes world recently, I thought for sure that the Kelly was "my bag." It has a more vintage and feminine look, a handy shoulder strap, and it's more understated than its Birkin sister.

But then I bought my first Hermes bag -- a birkin 30 -- because I found it in a color I'd been lusting after (soleil). I was unsure if I'd really like this bag, given the fact that 90% of my purses are shoulder or cross body bags, and I was afraid that the Birkin was too noticeable and obvious.

However, I have fallen fast and hard for my Birkin! I love her size, her vibrant color, how easy she is to get things in/out of, and I don't miss the shoulder strap as much as I thought I would. Granted, I've had this bag for only about a week, so it's possible I'm still in the honeymoon phase.

But now I'm a little stumped on what I want for my next bag. I think the best option would be for me to just go and try some different options on (which I'll do), but it got me wondering which bag YOU prefer of the two.

Mods: I did a search before posting this and couldn't find any recent threads about this topic. Please let me know if I'm mistaken though!

 

[mariometa]

I have many Kellys and one birkin. So I have noticed that the birkin is not great for traveling or shopping with the kids because you need a bag with a strap . Birkin is great for work , it is specious you can put notebooks, iPad make up just toss things inside and go . Sometime I like it for shopping when I go alone or with my friends because it is easier to put your wallets and receipts . I have noticed that people turn their head when I am carrying the birkin more than they do when I wear my Kelly, I am not sure if it is the bright color , or if the birkin is more desirable than the Kelly in my country.

 

[D_Realm_8888]

I’m more of a Birkin but the amount of attention it attracts when I’m out and about, sometimes it overwhelms me, I live in a small town in UK but most people recognise the bag. I have to constantly remind myself not to worry about people looking at the bag, because they are just admiring the beauty of the bag. Yes the Birkin bag really does stand out, Kelly is more understated I always feel relaxed when I carry my Kelly.

 

[mariometa]

I think the bold colors usually attracts people and the way you hold it , they know that birkin is an Hermes and it is expensive but when it comes to Kelly you can put on your shoulder and people won’t notice it as much .Plus I have noticed that there are many brands that have a similar designs to the Kelly. Your bag is stunning.

 

[Love Of My Life]

I'm a Kelly girl . The shape, the size just works for me & I love the simplicity & casualness
of its style. Of course the pedigree of this bag is charming as well.
I'm not fond of cross body bags in general.. I like the look of the Kelly in the crook of my arm or on my wrist
I rarely use the shoulder strap & a couple of my Kellys don't even have the gold rings for the strap.
I prefer the 35 cause it just works well on me but my initial Kelly was a 32 which I still use.
Whatever "bag" works in your lifestyle that should be the bag of choice..
Hermes has a rainbow of colors that are divine not only in bags but SLG as well & I don't know of too many
design houses that offer a range like H does JMO

 

[ladybug333]

I have many Kellys and one birkin. So I have noticed that the birkin is not great for traveling or shopping with the kids because you need a bag with a strap . Birkin is great for work , it is specious you can put notebooks, iPad make up just toss things inside and go . Sometime I like it for shopping when I go alone or with my friends because it is easier to put your wallets and receipts . I have noticed that people turn their head when I am carrying the birkin more than they do when I wear my Kelly, I am not sure if it is the bright color , or if the birkin is more desirable than the Kelly in my country.

Interesting! What color is your Birkin?

I’m more of a Birkin but the amount of attention it attracts when I’m out and about, sometimes it overwhelms me, I live in a small town in UK but most people recognise the bag. I have to constantly remind myself not to worry about people looking at the bag, because they are just admiring the beauty of the bag. Yes the Birkin bag really does stand out, Kelly is more understated I always feel relaxed when I carry my Kelly.

Do you think the attention it attracts is because it's yellow (assuming you're talking about the one in your profile picture)? Do they know it's a Birkin and that's why they're staring,? Or are they staring because it's a beautiful yellow bag? Genuinely curious because I just purchased a yellow Birkin too.

 

[pasdedeux1]

I prefer the Birkin as it is more casual to my eye. I have just started learning to wear Kelly in the same way, maybe because I am older now, but I find I am better able to pair it with sneakers and a tee than I was a few years ago where I still felt like I was wearing my mom's things. I may acquire a few more and see how I feel about them now that I've grown into it.

ETA: I do think it's funny the "too much attention" thing - as I have had some of the most attention getting colors over time like Lagoon, Rose Scherazade, etc and I can't say that I've ever had a comment or even really felt that people were looking at me.

 

[mariometa]

Mine is rose poupre . My friend has magnolia and she say the same thing too much attention. I suggest you put twilly on the handles if you are planning on using it on a daily.

Interesting! What color is your Birkin?


Do you think the attention it attracts is because it's yellow (assuming you're talking about the one in your profile picture)? Do they know it's a Birkin and that's why they're staring,? Or are they staring because it's a beautiful yellow bag? Genuinely curious because I just purchased a yellow Birkin too.

 

[lxrac]

When I entered the Hermes world recently, I thought for sure that the Kelly was "my bag." It has a more vintage and feminine look, a handy shoulder strap, and it's more understated than its Birkin sister.

But then I bought my first Hermes bag -- a birkin 30 -- because I found it in a color I'd been lusting after (soleil). I was unsure if I'd really like this bag, given the fact that 90% of my purses are shoulder or cross body bags, and I was afraid that the Birkin was too noticeable and obvious.

However, I have fallen fast and hard for my Birkin! I love her size, her vibrant color, how easy she is to get things in/out of, and I don't miss the shoulder strap as much as I thought I would. Granted, I've had this bag for only about a week, so it's possible I'm still in the honeymoon phase.

But now I'm a little stumped on what I want for my next bag. I think the best option would be for me to just go and try some different options on (which I'll do), but it got me wondering which bag YOU prefer of the two.

Mods: I did a search before posting this and couldn't find any recent threads about this topic. Please let me know if I'm mistaken though!

Guys use Kellies too ya know. It may be feminine to some, but it has that office/briefcase look to it. I use a wide strap for my K28 and it looks good and more comfy. I think birkin is more feminine looking.

 

[jmen]

I am no help because I like both styles. My first h was the Kelly but I found the ease of access annoying to no end so no surprise I switched to Birkins.

The first time I noticed a Kelly I was shopping and a nicely turned out lady was perusing the Chanel dept. She was carrying a Kelly and recall thinking beautiful purse, just stunning, a home run.

For the past year it is the Kelly that tags along. I got used to opening and closing. I let the sangles hang and I do this because I carry only the bare minimum. If only a 28 barenia would find its way to me, I would swoon all the way to the moon!

 

[papertiger]

There are threads like this but this is could be more for the 'bag 3' choice.

I prefer the Kelly. Id like the HAC equally if they were around more but sadly they're not.

 

[ladybug333]

I prefer the Birkin as it is more casual to my eye. I have just started learning to wear Kelly in the same way, maybe because I am older now, but I find I am better able to pair it with sneakers and a tee than I was a few years ago where I still felt like I was wearing my mom's things. I may acquire a few more and see how I feel about them now that I've grown into it.

ETA: I do think it's funny the "too much attention" thing - as I have had some of the most attention getting colors over time like Lagoon, Rose Scherazade, etc and I can't say that I've ever had a comment or even really felt that people were looking at me.

Interesting! Do you think it has more to do with mindset then? Do you feel like you are confident when wearing your bags and so therefore don't scrutinize other people's attention in the same way someone else might if they were worried about the perception of their bag?

 

[ladybug333]

Guys use Kellies too ya know. It may be feminine to some, but it has that office/briefcase look to it. I use a wide strap for my K28 and it looks good and more comfy. I think birkin is more feminine looking.

Of course! It appears my comment may have triggered you -- that was obviously not my intention whatsoever as you can probably tell from the context of my post. In my opinion it feels more feminine, but by no means does that mean it wouldn't look great on a man, and also doesn't mean that others will have a different opinion on whether or not the bag has a slightly more feminine look. I'm sure your bag looks terrific on you.

 

[louise_elouise]

Omg OP same!! So I've always loved the Kelly. It love the clean lines and classic look.

I got two. I love them but I did at times, feel like I was wearing my mum's bag. I just got my first birkin, like literally yesterday, and I'm swooning at how easy it is to get in and out of.

The funny thing is, before, the birkin didn't speak to me AT ALL. Now I love it...and am torn on what is next for me, as I still want a HG Kelly bit the birkin is just too easy to use!!

 

[Madam Bijoux]

It depends on the outfit I’m wearing and the color of the bag. Some outfits look better with a Kelly and other outfits look better with a Birkin. Also, some colors are better as a Kelly while others are better as a Birkin. For example: I always see light blue and light green colors as Kellys, but I see dark blues and greens as Birkins. Reds, browns and neutrals can be either.​