Which do you prefer and why: Birkin or Kelly?

[Love Of My Life]

Kelly!
Because I need to have my hands free when I walk my boys and pick up their..."left overs"
The only thing I wish for would be a back pocket on a Kelly so that I could put the poo bags in there.

Many many years ago Kelly bags did have a back pocket (slit) that was intended for passport cases. & flatter items
Poo bags might have been a tight squeeze LOL.

 

[EmilyM111]

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!

2 Kellys 32 and one Birkin 35 and can’t imagine how I lived without the B. Very roomy and not that heavy. The Kelly lock annoyed me a bit and also the space (especially the sellier one) was small - I could barely carry the essentials. Having said that I’m not sure whether my next purchase shouldn’t be a Kelly 32 again (don’t want 35) as B30 looks small on me (same as 28)

 

[Tasha1]

2 Birkins and no Kelly. Like the Kelly in the pictures but this bag doen't work on me

 

[AlienaHermes]

I am actually thinking about getting a Kelly (I have a B35), just because I have 1 toddler and I find I rarely use it anymore. This thread is been extra helpful as I see now that sellier would not really help either...

 

[lxrac]

i have a mini kelly too (I posted a pic before in latest hermes purchase thread) Its very small. It fits an iphone max phone though and keys, bifold wallet. U cannot close it anymore with these things though.

 

[H Ever After]

It really depends on the occasion for me and what I need to carry that day. I don’t carry much on a day to day basis, and I am able to crossbody my K25, so for daily convenience I would prefer my K25. I find it a bit awkward at times to get my arm through the handles of my B25, but it definitely holds more than the K25. B30 obviously is even more roomy but if I load the bag up too much it does get heavy and I have gotten broken capillaries on my arm from it before.

Maybe think about what situations you use your current bags for, and then ask what size/style/color of the next bag would add the most functionality to your lifestyle?

 

[tensgrl]

My first H bag was a blue nuit birkin 30 in togo. I truly love it and how easy it is to access everything. Shortly after I got it, my SA offered me a kelly 28 togo in gris asphalte. I hadn't been expecting another offer so soon and although surprised, I bought it as I loved the color and thought I would enjoy having both styles. Both have pros and cons, but ultimately, the birkin is just so much easier for me.

 

[ladysarah]

I ve always loved the kelly and own different sizes. But as I get to know hermes better my appreciation changes to include other, less well known styles. Not Birkin though because (at least where I am) it comes with a lot of baggage.

 

[golconda]

Own both and prefer Birkins.
Off topic, but the Bolide is a great casual bag with a shoulder strap.

 

[jyyanks]

I'm more of a Birkin girl. I wanted to be a Kelly girl as I love that it's understated, elegant and has a strap. However, after owning multiple Kellys in several sizes and leather, I realize I'm a Birkin girl. The kelly is just too fussy and difficult to get in/out of. The strap is too thin and it just doesn't feel like 'me". I like the openness of a Birkin, the fact that it holds everything I need, and that it works with my casual life. I can take it to work, the gym or to a party. I never thought I'd choose a Birkin (30) over a Kelly but after finally getting a B30, I can't go back. The other bag that works for me is the Halzan!

 

[Purrsey]

Birkin. I prefer fuss free if i have to compare these two. Less fiddling of flap is what i prefer.

 

[LilMissCutie]

Birkin.

I have a beautiful sapphire blue kelly but I rarely wear it. I don’t know how to fit it in to my life. feel bad for neglecting her by not wearing it as with my black birkin it goes with everything and is extremely versatile

 

[Culoucou]

I thought I was a Birkin girl, but after 3 B's I am basically done with Birkin. I like the convenience of the Kelly's shoulder strap (even if it does make access a bit difficult sometimes) and that it's less instantly recognisable by the general population.

 

[Phiona88]

Both, for different reasons! I love travelling with the K32 retourne - it's roomy enough to hold important travel essentials, and I can choose to either use the shoulder strap or just hold the handle when dashing around. It's also 'slimmer' than the Birkin, in that I can slip the Kelly behind me when eating at casual restaurants. It's also much less eye catching than the Birkin when used with the shoulder strap.

The Birkin, on the other hand, is very roomy and it's so easy to grab things in and out of the bag. It's so spacious that I fill it up with papers, my iPad, a small umbrella and H scarf and it still looks amazing. I do love the overstuffed Birkin look lol

I love them both equally, and they are both great in their own specials ways.

 

[Notorious Pink]

Yeah, I love both. I have more Ks than Bs, but to me Kelly Sellier and Kelly Retourne are different bags, plus there are more Kelly size options that work for me, as I max out at B30. But I use both Bs and Ks all the time.