Hermès Kelly Prices In 2023: All The Information You Need
The Hermès Kelly is one of the most famous and highly desired handbags in the world, but they can be pretty pricey. If you’re looking to buy one, we have all the information you need on Hermès Kelly prices.
French luxury fashion brand, Hermès, is known for its incredible collection of stunning handbags and silk scarves, as well as ready-to-wear clothes and accessories for men and women. There are two Hermès bags that are very famous, the Birkin and the Kelly.
These bags have been beloved by celebrities for decades and have become an exclusive status symbol. There is a long waiting list to get your hands on either a Hermes Birkin bag or Kelly bag, but they are the perfect investment piece that you will love for years to come, resell later on, or pass down the generations.
If you have got your eye on a Hermès Kelly bag, you may be wondering how much they cost new; this is information that can be difficult to find as Hermès never release the prices of their bags. That’s where we come in; we have all the information you need to know about Hermès Kelly Prices so you can easily decide on which size and type of leather to go for on your new Hermès bag!
Hermès kelly Styles
There are a couple of different types of Kelly bag – the Sellier and the Retourne, and each of these are available in different sizes and types of leather. This means outlining the prices of Hermès Kelly bags can be a little complicated.
1. Sellier vs Retourne
Firstly, let’s establish the differences between the Sellier and the Retourne. The Sellier style is perhaps the most famous Kelly bag, this was the one that Grace Kelly was seen carrying – this Hermès bag is distinguished by the sharp edges and visible topstitching.
The Sellier bags are made from more structured leather, so it is less flexible and, therefore can hold a little less than the Retourne, but looks a little more formal because of this sleek, structured look.
The Retourne model, meaning “reversed” is quite literally the reverse of the Sellier model. It does not have any visible stitching; instead, it’s constructed inside out, which also gives the corners a more rounded look. Usually, these bags are also made with softer leather, giving the bag an even more relaxed aesthetic.
The Retourne Kelly’s after often made from Chevre or Clemence leather, which are more supple and therefore a little more flexible. The Retourne bags can hold a little more, but they also can sag over time if the bag is overloaded.
2. Types of leather
Each Kelly bag is available in a couple of different types of leather, including Epsom, Togo, Clemence, swift, and Crocodile. The Epsom and Chevre leathers are at the more affordable end, while the crocodile and ostrich leathers are at the more expensive end.
3. Hermès Kelly Bag sizes
There is also a range of sizes available for both the Sellier and the Retourne. The Hermes Kelly Sellier is available in a 20 (which is also known as the mini Kelly), 25, 28, 32, and 35.
The Kelly Retourne is available in 25, 28, and 32. There are also Kelly bags available in sizes 15, 40, and 50 – but these are much rarer and hard to get your hands on.
The size, leather, and type of hardware are all going to have an effect on the price of a Kelly bag.
Hermès kelly Prices
Below are prices for the most popular Hermès Kelly bags for different luxurious leathers and sizes. Exotic skin leather bags are very rare and thus much more expensive.
It is also worth bearing in mind that there usually is a retail price increase each year, so there is never a better time to buy a Kelly bag than right now!
| Hermès Birkin Bag Size, Type and Leather | Starting Price in USD |
| Kelly Sellier 20 – Epsom leather | $8,700 |
| Kelly Sellier 20 – Chevre leather | $9,450 |
| Kelly Sellier 20 – Picnic leather | $14,300 |
| Kelly Sellier 20 – Lizard | $16,000 |
| Kelly Sellier 20 – Shiny crocodile leather | $27,575 |
| Kelly Sellier 25 – Togo leather | $10,900 |
| Kelly Sellier 25 – Epsom leather | $11,300 |
| Kelly Sellier 25 – Chevre leather | $11,000 |
| Kelly Sellier 25 – Ostrich leather | $23,100 |
| Kelly Sellier 28 – Epsom leather | $11,800 |
| Kelly Sellier 28 – Chevre leather | $11,500 |
| Kelly Sellier 28 – Ostrich leather | $25,275 |
| Kelly Sellier 32 – Togo & Epsom | $14,000 |
| Kelly Sellier 35 | $14,500 |
| Kelly Retourne 25 – Togo, Clemence, or Evercolour | $10,900 |
| Kelly Retourne 28 – Togo, Clemence, or Evercolour | $11,300 |
| Kelly Retourne 32 | $12,000 |
Top Hermès Kelly Bags
Buying a Hermès Kelly bag can take a while – you have to build up your relationship with the Hermès brand by buying other items from the brand before going on to the waiting list at a Hermes boutique.
Then, whenever a Kelly bag comes into the store, the sales assistants will let you know, but you won’t know the exact size, leather, and color of the bag before it arrives, so you won’t know if it is your favored Kelly handbag.
If you are looking to get your hands on a Hermès Kelly bag a little quicker, then take a look at the resale market. Resale sites such as Fashionphile, Vestaire Collective, and 1st Dibs have lots of Hermès handbags available, making it much easier and quicker to find the specific size, color, and leather that you want.
However, since Hermès bags are so sought after, the price range of a second-hand Kelly bag will often be more than a new Kelly bag – this is obviously great if you are selling a Hermès bag but not so great if you are looking to buy one.
Here are some examples of beautiful Kelly bags to help you decide on the perfect size, color, and leather to suit your personal style.
1. Kelly Sellier 20
Mini bags are so fashionable right now, and the mini Kelly bag is a stunning option to add to your wardrobe. This structured Kelly Sellier has a gorgeous trapeze shape and is finished with a rolled leather top handle and an optional leather shoulder strap – so handy!
The gold shade is a classic Hermès color, and the stamped Epsom calfskin leather is so luxurious and really durable at the same time – just perfect. This gold Kelly bag is flawlessly finished with gleaming gold hardware that sparkles in the light.
If you fancy a pop of color, then the Chevre Mysore Mini Kelly Sellier in the yellow jaune bourgeon shade is just stunning. The glossy texture of the Chevre Mysore leather perfectly accentuates the lemony yellow, which is complemented by the palladium hardware.
2. Kelly Sellier 28
The Kelly Sellier 28 is the perfect size for an everyday bag – just spacious enough to fit your smartphone, keys, and wallet, plus a couple more essentials, and a classic, sophisticated look that will suit a whole range of outfits.
We love the glamourous, eye-catching look of the orange ostrich Kelly bag, with a spotted finish and striking gold hardware on the Kelly turn-lock and around the single top handle.
Epsom leather is one of the best-selling Hermès leather because of its lightly grained finish that ensures durability, whilst still looking stunning. The Epsom Kelly Sellier 28 in the shade Etoupe is the perfect bag that will suit any day or night look.
3. Kelly Retourne 32
If you are looking for a more casual, relaxed style, then the Hermès Kelly Retourne bag is just what you need. The leather becomes more supple over time, gradually becoming unique to you! The buttery soft leather is so luxurious, while the top handle, Kelly turn lock, and belted top add that classic Kelly look.
Togo leather is perfect for a Kelly Retourne as is a softer leather, and this gold shade of the Kelly Retourne 32 is so versatile – perfect for everyday use.
The Bleu Paon shade of the Kelly Retourne 32 bag is made from Taurillon Clemence leather which has a gorgeous grain to the leather and is then embellished with palladium plated hardware that really sparkles.
The History of Hermès Kelly Bags
Lastly, we wanted to touch on the history of the Kelly bag and how it came to be, as it has quite a long, rich history. Hermès was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, first creating harnesses and bridles for wealthy European noblemen. It wasn’t until 1920 that the brand expanded from equestrian leather goods to clothing and accessories for women.
The Bugatti bag was the first handbag designed by Hermès, in 1923, and was a revolutionary moment in fashion history as it was the first handbag to utilize a zipper. In 1935, The Bugatti bag was redesigned by Robert Dumas and was named the Sac à dépêches – it was unique to other popular handbags at the time, which were smaller and flatter, while the Sac à dépêches was a little more structured and spacious.
The Sac à dépêches first found fame due to Alfred Hitchcock and iconic costume designer Edith Head. Hitchcock allowed Edith Head to purchase several Hermès pieces for actress Grace Kelly to wear in his 1954 film, To Catch a Thief. The Sac à dépêches was one of the bags that was worn by Kelly in the film, and she quickly fell in love with the bag; so much so that she continued to wear it after the filming finished.
Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in 1956 and became the Princess of Monaco; this only elevated Grace Kelly and made her even more of a fashion icon. In 1956, Kelly used the Sac à dépêches to shield her baby bump from the paparazzi during her first pregnancy, and this photo was then printed on the cover of Life magazine, which quickly promoted the Sac à dépêches as a must-have, iconic bag.
Although the bag instantly became colloquially known as the Kelly bag, it wasn’t officially renamed this until 1977.
This luxury bag continues to be in high demand thanks to its famous history and timeless aesthetic. The Kelly bag is made from 36 pieces of leather and takes a single artisan 18 to 24 hours to craft the bag from start to finish – only making the Kelly bag more exclusive and sought-after.
We hope you found this article all about Hermès Kelly Prices helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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