We’ve all heard the famous saying by the extraordinary Coco Chanel – “A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous”, and we think that having the right staples in your handbag collection are definitely great factors of this.
If you’ve got a keen sense for luxury fashion items, then the Birkin bag will sound familiar. (Side note – does anyone remember the Gilmore Girls episode where Logan buys Rory a Birkin bag and she has know idea what it is?) French luxury goods maker, Hermès, is responsible for the famous Birkin that most of us long to have stashed in our closets. The handmade leather tote bag was introduced in the 1980s and has since become a top luxury handbag fashion choice of many celebrities and ladies alike.
Hermès Kelly vs Birkin
In terms of popularity, the Birkin bag is tied in the number one spot of the Hermès collection together with the Kelly bag. Whether the time has come for you to finally get yourself an Hermès bag or you are just planning out your dream future closet, you have probably found yourself asking the question – what is the difference between the Kelly and the Birkin? If that’s you, then you’ve come to the right place!
The Story
First off, let’s talk about how both bags became so popular. The Hermès Kelly bag actually came out much earlier than the Birkin bag did, making its first appearance in the 1930s as an unnamed sac à dépêches bag. It was only until 1956 that the bag gained both its name and worldwide popularity when Grace Kelly, actress and future Princess of Monaco, wore the bag to hide her pregnancy by carrying it in front of her baby bump.
The Birkin bag, on the other hand, was inspired by a chance encounter between English actress Jane Birkin and the CEO of Hermès at the time, Jean-Louis Dumas in 1984. Birkin spoke to Dumas about how she could not find a shopping bag large enough to carry her daughter’s bottles, so he designed a holdall bag which was large enough to do so but was also stylish and handmade from luxurious leather material.
Let’s Talk Shape…
The shape of the Birkin bag is slightly more typical as it has a rectangular shape with a curved top. On the other hand, the Hermès Kelly features a squarer shape with a flat top.
Additionally, Kelly comes in two variations, namely, Sellier and Retourne. The former has a more box-like shape while the latter has rounded edges and a softer look to it.
When it comes to Size…
Both bags come in an assortment of sizes with a number to match each one. These sizes range from 25 to 55 centimetres and are labeled accordingly, for example Kelly 30 or Birkin 30. However, when comparing the two models of the same size, the Birkin has slightly more storage space due to its round edges.
The Handles
The Kelly bag has one handle, making it a top handle bag. It also comes with a removable shoulder strap which means it can also be carried on the shoulder. The Birkin bag, on the other hand, has two handles and looks best when carried on the lower arm.
The Flap
Both models have flaps and a functional turn lock. The flap of the Kelly has the handle of the bag attached to the top of it, meaning that the turn lock needs to be closed while it is being carried. The Birkin, however, can be carried with the turn lock undone since it has two handles attached to the flap.
The Price
Because the Birkin bag is larger than the Kelly bag, the price of the Birkin is slightly higher. That being said, the cost of either of the two will heavily depend on factors such as the size, colour and the grade of leather used.
At the end of the day, both the Birkin and the Kelly are on the high-end of the price spectrum. This is due to the fact that they have been labeled as Veblen goods. This means that they have a high price tag and a high demand to match, resulting in a gradual increase in value. Additionally, both bags are handmade and it can take up to 48 hours for a single bag to be created.
If we’re talking numbers, an Hermès Kelly Bag during the mid-90s would go for about $3,500. In recent years this number has gone up to anything between $8,500 to $13,000. Currently, a “basic” authentic Hermès 32cm Black Box Leather Sellier Gold Hardware Kelly Bag would cost about $8,200. Those made of exotic leather, like crocodile or snake skin, are even pricier.
Where to Buy
eBay
There are many trusted Hermès resellers on eBay, and you could get yours via auction. Click here to see which Hermès auctions are ending soon
