Hermès Kelly Sizes: All The Important Details

We only feature products that we hope you will love. We may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.  

The Hermès Kelly bag is an iconic handbag, but there are so many different types, how do you know which is right for you? That’s where this Hermès Kelly Sizes article is here to help out.

© Igor Zakirov | Depositphotos.com

The Hermès Kelly handbag is one of the most famous and most in-demand bags in the world, with a sleek and sophisticated silhouette and practical design. The history of this shoulder bag, along with its exclusivity, has made the Kelly bag highly desirable in the luxury fashion world.

If you do have your eye on the Hermès Kelly bag, you are going to want to know all the important details before you take the plunge. That’s where this Hermès Kelly Sizes article comes in handy, we are going to take a look at sizes available as well as some of the different leathers available and show you examples of these bags so you can easily figure out the right bag for you!

Just keep reading to find the perfect Hermès Kelly bag to add to your collection!

Hermès Kelly Sizes

History of the Kelly Bag

The Kelly Bag began life as the Haut à Courroies in 1852, which was designed to hold saddles for equestrians. This bag remained a staple in the Hermès equestrian collection until the 1930s when the bag was reinterpreted for the first time and transformed into the Sac à Dépêches.

The Sac à Dépêches, designed by Robert Dumas, was added to the Hermès handbag collection and quickly become popular. The Sac à Dépêches shot to worldwide fame when the American actress turned Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly wore the bag in the 1955 Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief and she continued to wear it after the film finished shooting.


Most noticeably, after Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, the bag was used to hide her pregnancy from the paparazzi. The Sac à Dépêches was now famously associated with Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco so the bag was renamed in 1977 the Kelly bag.

Design of the Kelly Bag

The design of the Kelly bag has slowly changed over the years to become the stunning and super practical design we know and love today. The subtle trapezoidal silhouette features a single top handle, an optional shoulder strap, and a crossover front flap, that is held in place with a thin belt that secures at the front with a turn lock and padlock.

A single Kelly bag can take a single artisan between 18 and 24 hours to make, depending on the size – this is one of the reasons why Kelly bags are so exclusive and so in demand.

Kelly Sellier vs Kelly Retourne

You also need to be aware that there are two different types of Kelly bags, the Kelly Sellier and Kelly Retourne. Both of these bags include the same features but they have a difference in finish.

You can see from the Hermès Kelly Sellier bags below that these have a sharper silhouette due to the visible stitching on the outside of the bag. Kelly Sellier bags are also often made from some of the more structured and rigid leathers, like Epsom leather or Courchevel leather – this is another reason why a Kelly Sellier bag has a more structured silhouette.

The Hermès Kelly Retourne, on the other hand, has a softer silhouette; this is due to the fact that the stitching is on the inside of the bag creating more rounded edges and corners. You will also find that Kelly Retourne bags are made from softer leathers, such as Togo leather, Taurillon Clemence leather, or Evercolour leather, giving the bags a more relaxed appearance and means you can fit more inside your Hermès bag.

Each of these types of leather has different qualities, meaning some leathers may be more hardwearing and therefore better suited to your lifestyle. For example Epsom leather and Togo leather are a little more durable and scratch resistant, while box leather, Evercolour, and Vache leather are more supple, meaning they can scratch easily and may slouch over time.

For more information on the different types of leathers offered by the French fashion house, check out our article on Hermès leathers.

Hermès Kelly Bag sizes

Here are all the details you need to know about the different Hermès Kelly sizes to help you ring the perfect option. The first number is the length of the base, the second is the height of the bag, and the third number is the width of the base – this will help you picture the size and work out which best suits your lifestyle.

Hermès Kelly 15
Hermes Micro Kelly 15 in purple
Get this at The RealReal

Measurements: 5.9” x 4” x 2” OR 15 x 11 x 5cm

Hermès Kelly 20
Browse. all Kelly 20 bags on Fashionphile

Measurements: 7.8” x 6.3” x 4” OR 20 x 16 x 10cm

Hermès Kelly 25
Browse all Kelly 25 bags on Fashionphile

Measurements: 10” x 7.5” x 3.5” OR 25 x 19 x 9cm

Hermès Kelly 28
Hermes Epsom Kelly Sellier 28 Vert Verone bag
Browse all Kelly 28 bags on Fashionphile

Measurements: 11” x 8.5” x 4” OR 28 x 22 x 10cm

Hermès Kelly 32
Hermes Porosus Crocodile Kelly Sellier 32
Browse all Kelly 32 bags on The RealReal

Measurements: 12.5” x 9” x 4” OR 32 x 23 x 10.5cm

Hermès Kelly 35
Browse all Kelly 35 bags on The RealReal

Measurements: 14” x 9.5” x 4.7” OR 35 x 24 x 12cm

Hermès Kelly 40
Hermes Epsom Kelly Sellier 40 bag
Browse all Kelly 40 bags on The RealReal

Measurements: 15.2” x 11” x 6.3” OR 40 x 28 x 16cm

Hermès Kelly 50
Hermes Veau Sikkim Kelly Relax 50 bag
Browse all Kelly 50 bags on The RealReal

Measurements: 19.6” x 13” x 9.8” OR 50 x 34 x 25cm

The Hermès Kelly range

The popularity of the Kelly bag also means there is now a wide range of Hermès Kelly accessories. This includes leather goods, such as the Kelly wallet, Kelly pochette, Kelly backpack, Kelly compact wallet, and Kelly clutch.

There are also Kelly jewelry and accessories, including Kelly belts, cuffs, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. Each of these Kelly pieces is instantly recognizable from the Kelly turn lock that features front and center on the bag and each of these leather goods and accessories.

Top Hermès Kelly bags

Since there are so many different variations of the Kelly bag, we thought we would show you some examples of the different bags on offer so you can see the size, leather, and color properly.

All Hermès bags are notoriously hard to get hold of, but especially Kelly and Birkin bags, with long waiting lists meaning it may take months or years before you can get the Kelly bag of your dreams. This is where the resale market comes in! There are lots of gorgeous Kelly bags on offer in great condition, in a range of sizes and types of leather available so you can add a Kelly bag to your collection much faster!

1. Hermès Kelly 20
Blue Hermès Epsom Mini Kelly Sellier 20
Browse Hermès Kelly 20 Bags on Fashionphile
Black Hermès Ostrich Kelly Sellier Mini 20
Browse Hermès Kelly 20 Bags on Fashionphile

The Hermès Kelly 20 is considered a mini bag because of its small and dainty size but still has the same striking and irresistible look. The Hermès Mini Kelly Sellier 20 above will add a great pop of color to your look with the bright blue Epsom leather exterior, which is known for its durable finish so you know this bag will stand the test of time.

The blue leather is paired with gleaming gold hardware, while the Hermès handbag is then finished with a single top handle, a detachable shoulder strap, and a handy pocket inside the goatskin leather interior.

Hermès also offers Kelly bags in exotic skins, like this incredible Hermès Ostrich Kelly Sellier 20. The black ostrich skin gives this bag a striking look, while the gold lock hardware on the belt adds a glamorous touch. This may be one of the smallest sizes, but you can still fit your phone, card case, and keys – ideal for dinner out.

2. Hermès Kelly 28
Pink Hermès Epsom Kelly Sellier 28
Browse Hermès Kelly 28 Bags on Fashionphile
Orange Hermès Evercolor Kelly Retourne 28
Browse Hermès Kelly 28 Bags on Fashionphile

These Kelly 28 bags perfectly show the difference between the Sellier and Retourne designs. The dark pink Hermès Epsom Kelly Sellier 28 has a sharp look, with clean lines and matching pink stitching that blends into the grained Epsom leather.

This Kelly bag is embellished with palladium silver hardware, with a padlock and Kelly turn lock to secure the roomy interior, which has been lined with chevre goatskin leather and features three pockets.

The Hermès Evercolor Kelly Retourne 28 has a softer silhouette, with no visible stitching around the edges of the bag. The orange-toned Evercolour leather is also a little more supple in texture which helps to give the Kelly Retourne a smoother structure than the Kelly Sellier.

Gold hardware forms the lock on the belt that holds the front flap in place for an eye-catching finish. The Kelly 28 is great for everyday use since there is enough room for your daily must-have items.

3. Hermès Kelly 35
Caramel brown Hermès Vache Natural Kelly Sellier 35
Browse Hermès Kelly 35 Bags on Fashionphile
Tan, ivory, and navy blue Hermès Taurillon Clemence Tri-Color Kelly Retourne 35
Browse Hermès Kelly 35 Bags on Fashionphile

The Kelly 35 is one of the larger sizes and would make a great work bag since the interior is so spacious. There are some gorgeous, and unique, Kelly 35 bags available – like this Hermès Vache Natural Kelly Sellier 35! This beautiful bag is crafted from buttery soft vache leather in a natural caramel brown tone and embellished with a gold padlock, keys, turn-lock, and feet.

The Kelly Sellier 35 has the same practical features, with a top handle, crossbody strap, an interior zipper pocket, and two patch pockets.

If you are looking for an attention-grabbing Kelly bag, then the Hermès Taurillon Clemence Tri-Color Kelly Retourne 35 is just what you need. This stunning Kelly is made from three different shades of grained Taurillon Clemence leather, camel, ivory, and a navy blue front flap, all ties together with gold hardware.

The roomy interior is lined with matte dark brown leather for a luxe finish. This incredible Kelly bag is super functional as well as a statement, heirloom piece in your luxury bag collection.

We hope you found this article all about Hermès Kelly sizes helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.

Get more luxury fashion ideas

Hermès Kelly Prices In 2023: All The Information You Need

Hermès Lindy Prices: What You Need To Know

7 Best Hermès Kelly Alternatives For An Affordable, Chic Look

Browse All Luxury Fashion Posts

Similar Posts