Frigid January afternoon at 706 Madison, NYC
Hermès luck hit me (ever so softly) again this January. Still recovering from the Christmas hangover of Mr. PurseBop’s gift (Miss Mimosa) and the Ombre Lizard Constance purchased at the opening of the new Madison Avenue boutique, another bag entered my life. Old style, new hue, it’s a Kelly Pochette in swift Vert Fizz.
Waiting with my SA for the gold themed room on the 4th floor.
For those who have yet to see Vert Fizz in person, it’s the softest shade of fresh mint green. So subtle, it could even pass for a sublime tinted white with just a sprig of spring green. Remember Vert Fizz was released in a trio of very pale pastel shades including Mushroom and Mauve Pale in 2022. Now it seems Hermès is swinging to the opposite side of the color spectrum in vibrant saturated almost neon like hues.
Read here for more details:
Updated New Hermès Colors 2022
New Hermès Colors 2023
After hiding in my handbag armoire for the winter months, she was itching to get out. And at last she did. This bag escaped her orange box and accompanied me on last week’s trip to NYC.
Close diaries.
706 Madison on May 2nd. My Vert Fizz pochette makes her maiden voyage to NYC.
Contemplating new jewelry wishlist items with my SA.
Allow me the opportunity to finally introduce her to you and indulge in a comparison discussion of the Kelly Pochette and the highly coveted Kelly 25.
A very unscientific poll (discussed more below) raised an interesting question: in the Hermès world, which small Kelly style is easier to obtain at the boutique? We know it is NOT the mini Kelly. That tiny bit of handbag real estate continues to soar in popularity and shopping obscurity.
Mauve Sylvestre Kelly 20 versus Vert Fizz Kelly Pochette
But, what about a battle between a Kelly 25 (K25) and the Kelly Pochette (KP). Both are petite handheld purses sharing the Kelly name and the Kelly classic closure with sangles. Neither bag is available for purchase on the Hermès website. And either is a wonderful choice for day, evening, and day to evening.
Using my Tri color Kelly 25 as a comparison here.
A glance at the bags evidences many differences, however. For starters, the K25 measures slightly larger at 9.8” wide x 7.5” high and 3.5” deep, as compared to the KP’s 8.75” x 5.5” x 3”. The K25 has the classic trapezoidal Kelly shape while the KP hews closer to a rectangle, albeit a somewhat short and squat model.
Despite the dimension discrepancy, the capacity of the two bags is somewhat similar. However, the KP probably has a slight edge in just how much can fit inside comfortably. Surprisingly accommodating, it held my lipstick, airpods, a Hermès Calvi wallet, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, powder compact, and sunglasses in a fabric case.
And then there is the matter of feet, handle, and hardware. Although both handbags stand on their own, only the K25 stands on his own four feet. Metal feet. The base of the KP rests solely on its leather. Also missing from the KP is a lock and clochette, although as evident from community pictures, many leave those weighty matters home.
Read:
Hermès Kellys We Spotted in Action on Rodeo Drive
What is the Mini Kelly Missing?
Another major difference is the handle. Where the K25 has a stiff and unmoveable handle, the KP’s is soft and can be made to lie flat against the bag. Kelly 25s come complete with a removable shoulder strap, making the bag (theoretically) more versatile. True fashionistas can swap out the matching strap for a different one from Hermès or many other brands.
On the other hand, any attempt to use the KP on the shoulder requires DIY jerry-rigging, whether with a scarf, Chaine d’Ancre necklace, or something else. As a result, many consider the KP to be more of a clutch bag. As such, though, there is another hands-free carry technique that works with the KP and not the K25. Tuck it under your arm while juggling a drink and a canapé.
Read also:
Official Battle of the Clutches: Kelly Cut vs. Kelly Pochette
Kelly Pochette with Chaîne d’Ancre necklace as strap. Image courtesy @katya_gousset
Given the similarities, you might think choosing one over the other is a toss-up. It’s not. For starters, people have personal preferences. Some think only the K25 is a real Kelly. Others believe that the KP is just a clutch. Still, “poor man’s Kelly” is a moniker sometimes applied to the KP. Not that the KP is inexpensive, but it is three to four thousand dollars less than a K25.
See also:
US Hermès Price Increase 2023 – Here are the New Prices
Hermès Birkin & Kelly Prices 2023: How Much Have Prices Increased?
| Style | 2023 Price (USD) |
| Kelly 25 Epsom Sellier | $11,300 |
| Kelly 25 Retourne Matte Gator | $42,000 |
| Kelly 25 Togo Retourne | $10,900 |
| Kelly Pochette Swift | $6,950 |
| Kelly Pochette Lizard | $14,500 |
Greens all around, NYC.
Now, though, that tide may have turned. We are seeing more Kelly Pochette’s in an array of sweet swift colors (and for a very select lucky few, even a lizard or two).
So let me ask you… if your Hermès fairy magically offered you a choice of one or the other, what would you choose? K25 or KP? There’s really no wrong answer.
Updated: May 21st, 2023
Comments
4 Responses to “Hermès Reveal & Review: Would You Choose a Kelly Pochette or Kelly 25?”
I will grab the KP! 😍
Being fortunate enough to own all 3, I would definitely go with another KP. It’s the roomiest of all the smaller bags and so easy to travel with. Between KP and K20, again I would take another KP(I must admit though, that might be because I have several K20s👀).
I don’t own a k25 although I have a k28 retourne, I would have to say I will choose KP in a heartbeat. It’s so roomy and so chic, it’s my go to when I need to grab a bag for a night out with the girls or a date night with hubby. It’s also my go to for weddings. I would imagine a mini K will be my ultimate dream bag but KP will always be the most practical. If I cannot fit my iPhone pro max comfortably (in which my mini Lindy and Constance 18 can no longer fit after I upgraded my phone), I will rarely reach for it.
Kelly 25 all the way. Honestly, I hate small bags and never got all the hype around mini Kellys, the pochette, even the new birkin 20. It’s just not my thing