What is the difference between Hermes Kelly bag and a Hermes Birkin bag?

Hermes makes two of the most coveted and expensive bags in the world. The Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag are similar in many ways, but the Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag also have unique differences. This article looks at price, age, availability and style differences between the Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag.

1. Price difference between Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag

Both the Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag can reach well above $25,000 US dollars depending on the color, leather type, size and other details. As far as entry level comparisons go, the Hermes Kelly bag can usually be acquired for a little less than the Hermes Birkin bag. Approximately $7000 US dollars, as opposed to $10,000 US dollars. This is because the Hermes Kelly bag standard sizing is a little smaller than the Hermes Birkin bag. However, the difference could also be related to the Hermes Birkin bag recent media appearances. For example, the Hermes Birkin bag was a hot topic on Sex and the City.

2. Age difference between Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag

The Hermes Kelly bag is the older of the two bags. It first became famous during the 1950’s when Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco used the Hermes Kelly bag to hide her pregnancy from the paparazzi’s prying eyes. Hence the name Kelly. It was an adaption of an earlier 1900’s style. The Hermes Birkin bag didn’t emerge until the 1980’s. The Hermes Birkin bag was created as a modern adaption to a style from the 1800’s. It too was named after a famous female. The story goes that Jean Louis Dumas Hermes and singer and model Jane Birkin were on the same flight. Birkin apparently dropped some of her belongings on the floor, because she had trouble fitting them in her bag. The next year in Mr. Hermes developed the roomy Hermes Birkin bag to cater to the modern woman.

3. Availability between Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag

Both the Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag are made in limited quantities because they handcrafted which can take two days to make one bag. You cannot just walk into to a Hermes store and purchase either the Hermes Birkin bag or the Hermes Kelly bag immediately. You need to become a Hermes customer first, and then make an enquiry to go on a waiting list. The Hermes Kelly bag waiting list is usually around a year, but the Hermes Birkin bag can be up to three years.

4. Style between Hermes Kelly bag and Hermes Birkin bag

The Hermes Kelly bag and the Hermes Birkin bag styles appear to be quite similar. The Hermes Kelly and the Hermes Birkin are both top handle styles that you typically carry by hand and are roughly rectangular in shape. They function in a similar way to an envelope which is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. A flap comes over the front, where the Birkin bag and the Kelly bag fasten with a lock.

Hermes Birkin bag come with a detachable shoulder strap option, Hermes Kelly bag do not.

The Hermes Kelly bag is more traditional than the Hermes Birkin bag, which has a more casual flair. Hermes Birkin bag come with a detachable shoulder strap option, Hermes Kelly bag do not. This makes the Hermes Birkin bag suitable for women on the go. The Hermes Birkin bag also comes in a sports version. The standard Hermes Kelly bag sizes are 28 and 32cm. whereas the most popular Hermes Birkin bag sizes seem to be 30 and 35cm. At either end of the scale the Hermes Kelly bag comes in a clutch sized handbag option called the Kelly Longue, and in contrast the Hermes Birkin bag comes in a travel bag size of 45cm. The Hermes Birkin bag has two carry handles, whereas the Hermes Kelly bag only has one.

For stitching, Hermes Birkin bags are only with inseam, but a Hermes kelly bag is not only with inseam, but also with outseam. Inseam makes the Hermes kelly bag look flexible, and outseam makes the Hermes kelly bag look stiff and smooth.

Hermes Kelly bags come in 5 different sizes and are usually made from crocodile, alligator, and ostrich-skin or plain leather. According to Miller’s guide, The Hermes Kelly bag identifiable by their distinctive metal-tipped clasp, this can be closed with a tiny padlock. Swathed in leather, the clasp’s hidden key often dangles from the handle.

The Hermes Birkin bag comes in 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45cm centimetre sizes. The 50 and 55 centimetre bags are meant for travelling. The 45 is a travel Hermes Birkin bag with slightly longer straps.

Hermes Kelly bag is elegant and feminine; Hermes Birkin bag is luxury and full of noble quality.

They are both the main and hot consumer goods of Hermes group. We should choose the suitable styles and colors to match our dressing.

Weather you purchase a Hermes Birkin or a Hermes Kelly you will be buying one of the two most coveted fashion accessories in the world. Only a few famous and rich lucky ladies receive theirs directly from Hermes each year. The reason for this is because the Hermes Birkin and the Hermes Kelly are entirely handmade from start to finish by one master craftsman, out of the finest materials. So it’s little wonder there is a demand for the Hermes Birkin and the Hermes Kelly.