Feature image courtesy of @mandybork via Instagram

Since 1837, the French firm has produced harnesses and bridles for carriages. Nowadays, the Hermes powerhouse is known for its gorgeous bags, which symbolize high fashion, money, and success. However, we are explicitly casting our eye at the Hermes Kelly handbag today.

Find Our Hermes Birkin Bag Price List Here

The Kelly bag from the Hermes fashion house created from the most luxurious leathers from around the world in a gorgeous trapezoid shape is adorned on the arms of the rich and celebrated as a sign of wealth. The bags are exclusive and prestigious, so it is not easy to get one. The craftsmanship and the hours it takes to develop one Kelly bag make it worthwhile. Check out our Hermes Kelly price list below.

If you are looking to buy a Hermes Kelly bag, stick around as we delve into the history of this timeless art piece, the styles, sizes, colors, materials, and hardware used to create the Hermes Kelly.

The Hermes Kelly Bag Price Guide 2023

The sizes, materials, and hardware used to create a Hermes Kelly handbag will determine how much a Hermes Kelly Bag costs. 

Let's first look at the Hermes Kelly Price in 2023 (updated).

Hermes Kelly Prices in Europe EUR €

Kelly 20

• Epsom Sellier: €6,700
• En Desordre Sellier: €10,500
• Epsom: €6,700
• Box: €9,250
• Chèvre: €7,500
• Lizard: €16,00
• Ostrich: €11,800
• Touch: €10,400
• Matte Alligator: €26,200
• Gator Satin: €28,800

Kelly 25

• Epsom Sellier: €8,650
• Retourne Togo: €8,050
• Swift: €8,400
• Sellier Matte Alligator: €51,000

Kelly 28

• Epsom Sellier: €9,100
• Retourne: €8,650

Hermès Kelly Sellier Style Prices Starts From (USD)

Kelly Sellier 32 $14,000

Kelly Sellier 35 $14,500

Hermès Kelly Retourne Style

• Kelly Retourne 25 (Togo/Evercolor/Clemence) $10,900
• Kelly Retourne 28 (Togo/Evercolor/Clemence) $10,400
• Kelly Retourne 32 $12,000
• Kelly Retourne 25 $11,700

The resale Hermes Kelly price are almost always higher than brand new from Hermes boutiques. Unless you have a long list of prior purchases at Hermes, it's quite hard to be offered the bag of your dreams. Many people opt to find exactly what they're looking for on the resale market.

View our List of Resale Hermes Kelly Options Below

Hermes Kelly Mini 20

Hermes Kelly Price Sellier 25

Hermes Kelly Price Sellier 28

Hermes Kelly Price Retourne Various Sizes

The Hermes Kelly Bags Style

If you've ever looked for a Kelly bag on pre-loved sites, you've probably seen that there are two types available: Kelly Sellier and Kelly Retourne. It's crucial to distinguish between these two Kelly styles before we get into the sizes available. The Hermes Kelly price guide is separated by the two bag styles as mentioned above.

The Kelly Retourne vs. the Kelly Sellier

The Hermes Kelly Retourne and the Hermes Kelly Sellier are similar bags, but the most significant differences between these Hermès handbags are stitching and silhouette.

Hermes artists stitch the Kelly Sellier from the outside in. Because of the sturdy leather used by Hermes artisans to create the bag, the Sellier is a highly structured, stiff purse.

The stitching on the Kelly Retourne, on the other hand, is not visible, and the edges are rounded. Hermès artisans tenaciously sew the inside of the bag before turning it out to make a Kelly Retourne, sometimes referred to as the “Souple.”

A brief history of the Hermes Kelly bag

Hermès' most historic handbags are the Kelly bags. The bag has been around for longer than the Birkin bag. The Kelly bags may be traced back to 1852 when the Haut à Courroies bag was released. Initially, the handbag was created to serve as a saddle holder for equestrians. The Haut à Courroies bag was later redesigned into the Sac à Dépêches in the 1930s. Robert Dumas, the son-in-law of Hermès CEO Émile Hermès, created this exquisite Hermès handbag.

The Sac à dépêches bag was then later renamed after Grace Kelly, a famous Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, in 1977. There is a widespread myth that the Kelly bag was created expressly for Grace Kelly. That is not the case! Grace Kelly was given the purse in 1954 to use in Alfred Hitchcock's film “To Catch a Thief.” She loved the bag so much that she continued to use it even after her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

Here is a fun fact, did you know that Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier met on the French Riviera while she was filming “To Catch a Thief”?

When Princess and actress Grace Kelly was pictured clutching the Sac à dépêches bag over her tummy to conceal her pregnancy from the press in 1956, it catapulted the bag to international prominence.

The shot was featured on the covers of publications all around the world. However, it wasn't until 1977 that Hermès decided to rename the bag. As a result, the Sac à dépêches became known as the Kelly bag.

The Hermes Kelly is now one of the most coveted designer bags globally. If you own one of these iconic Hermes bags, feeling like a princess is fitting! 

The Hermes Kelly Design

The trapezoid form, single top handle, and shoulder strap are the most distinguishing aspects of the Kelly bag. Surprisingly, most people distinguish between the Kelly and the Birkin based on these three characteristics.

Most bag enthusiasts are looking for a bit of variety these days. When it comes to deciding which purse to buy, the shoulder strap on the Kelly bag is sometimes a deal-breaker. The Birkin bag, unlike the Kelly, does not have a shoulder strap.

Whether traveling or pairing it with your daily outfit, the Hermes Kelly is a must-have staple in your wardrobe. The Kelly's shoulder strap allows you to wear the bag hands-free. This increases the bag's functionality making it the ideal bag to carry whenever.

Hermes Kelly Bag Sizes

The Hermes Kelly bags come in eight sizes: the Kelly 15, Kelly 20, Kelly 25, Kelly 28, Kelly 32, Kelly 35, Kelly 40, and Kelly 50. The Kelly 15 and kelly 20 are the trendier bags popularly known as the mini Kelly, while the Kelly 40 and 50, which are larger, are the ideal Hermès bag for the traveling girl.

Please note that the numbers on the Hermes bag refer to the width at the base of the bag. For instance, when we talk about Hermes Kelly 20, we mean it comes with a base width of 20cm. Let us break down the sizes to get a more detailed insight into the bag sizes. It's important to remember that a big factor in the Hermes Kelly price guide separation is based on size.

Style Size (inches) Size (cm)

When it comes to Hermes Kelly bags, the Kelly 25 and 28 are the most popular sizes. Both sizes are ideal for everyday wear. You can fit your essentials like makeup, keys, smartphone, etc., but Kelly 28 has a little more storage to accommodate even your laptop.

Kelly 25, on the other hand, is perhaps the more versatile of the two. Because of its small size, the Hermes Kelly 25 bag easily transitions from your day bag to your night bag. You can easily pair the bag with your trendy outfit for a night out with friends. Furthermore, the Kelly 25 is tiny enough to be taken to formal settings or worn casually as a crossbody (a hugely popular size now).

The classic Kelly Materials and Hardware

The Hermes Kelly Leathers

Kelly's leather selections differ according to the style. The Kelly bag initially emerged in the Retourne design in calf box leather. The calf box is a historical leather and Hermès' oldest leather. Because of the many materials used to build the bag, the range of Hermès Kelly handbags is practically limitless.

Kelly handbags have a polished appearance because of the extraordinarily smooth surface of this leather. 

Another type of leather Hermes uses on the Kelly bags is Togo leather. Because of its silky suppleness, Togo leather is the most preferred choice for Kelly Retourne bags. Hermes first launched this durable, scratch-resistant calfskin leather in 1997. It is named after the African territory, the Togolese Republic. A natural drumming method is used to bring out the inherent characteristics of the leather, which include an uneven and round grain with noticeable veins and wrinkles.

The Sellier Kelly design is sometimes created using Togo leather, although it is rare. The Sellier Mou is the name given to this kind of Hermès handbag.

Clemence is another famous leather used for the Kelly Retourne. This leather is softer, heavier, and less durable than Togo since it is made from cowhide. Clemence has a shallow granular texture with a matte finish. Clemence Kelly Retourne usually loses its stiffness and shape over time.

The pliable flexibility of Evercolor leather keeps Kelly Retourne's trademark slouchy style. Consider the Kelly Sellier, which is constructed of firm, more rigid leathers, if you want a more structured Kelly handbag. The material, which first appeared in 2012, is satiny with a slight, consistent grain created by printing. This material is available in a wide range of different colors.

Epsom leather is another popular choice for the Kelly Sellier. Kelly Retourne bags have been made using it, although it's rare. The firmness of the material helps this Hermès bag retain its form over time. Because Epsom is embossed leather, it lacks natural grain. It is also scratch and water-resistant, making it simple to clean.

Fjord leather, like Epsom leather, is a highly durable material used for the Selliers Kelly. It's also waterproof, velvety, and matte.

The leathers used to create the Hermes Kelly may be colored in any color imaginable; however, Hermès exclusively sells Kellys in a limited number of hues each year. Those seeking a wide range of shades may check into the resale market, where there are more alternatives. Preserve your Kelly away from rain and direct sunshine to keep it in excellent condition. You may also use your Hermès purse to get treatments at the Hermès spa.

Exotic Materials

Hermès Kelly handbags made of exotic materials are extremely rare and highly sought after. The most costly exotic material is crocodile skin. The skins of crocodiles, alligators, lizards, and ostriches are offered in glossy or matte textures. Hermès employs two crocodile species in its handbags: Niloticus crocodile and Porosus crocodile.

When it comes to the rarer styles, Hermes continues to make limited-edition versions of the Kelly bag in addition to different sizes year after year. The Himalaya Kelly is without a doubt the most desirable limited edition Kelly. The bag is made of Nilo crocodile leather in a delicate coloring that mimics images of the majestic Himalayan highlands. In the Hermes Kelly price, these leathers bump up the prices considerably.

Hardware of Hermes Kelly

Most Kelly bags are equipped with either palladium-plated or gold-plated metal hardware. The palladium-plated hardware has a silvery sheen, while the gold hardware has a dazzling and beautiful sparkle. Hermes often employs 18k gold for gold-plated hardware. On rare occasions, for instance, in special order bags or rarer designs, the 18k gold is replaced with 24k gold.

How To Buy an Hermes Kelly Bag

If you want to buy a Hermes Kelly in the boutique, you must first develop a close relationship with the brand or an SA (sales associate). Kelly handbags are produced in limited quantities by Hermès, making them a unique discovery for customers.

Prospective customers will often be called by a Hermès sales staff when the bag comes in-store. However, you may likely find the Hermes handbags available at the store are not your desired style. You cannot request particular Kelly bags from sales personnel, and they rarely know what model of Hermes Kelly they will receive ahead of time.

Finding the perfect Kelly handbag might require time, patience, and flexibility. If you are looking for a particular style, you can call the brand and be placed on a waiting list. The waiting list can take ages, but these timeless bags are worth the wait. The Hermes Kelly price that are listed above reflect what is available in boutique today. The resale Hermes Kelly price are almost always higher than brand new from boutiques.

Another option is finding your Hermes bag in the resale market. Trusted luxury goods dealers are listed above! These retailers have a large selection of the coveted Hermès Kelly handbag, making it easy for prospective buyers to discover a Kelly that suits their style. Our Hermes Kelly price list has been updated to current pricing according to boutique pricing.

Feature image courtesy of @mandybork via Instagram