Should I Choose a Birkin 30 or Kelly 28 As My First Quota Bag?

Dear PurseBop:

I have been given a choice by my Hermes SA of a Birkin 30 or a Kelly 28 as my first quota bag. I am beyond excited but I don’t know which one to choose and do not want to make a mistake.

Dear This One or That One:

How exciting that you have been given a choice of two amazing bags as your first quota bag. The good news is you cannot make a mistake because you will love both of them no matter which one you choose. The bad news is you will have to wait until the next time your SA offers you a quota bag to accept the one you left behind.

Let’s discuss the differences between the two bags and some of the pros and cons.

Birkin 30

Classic, iconic and the perfect size if you carry a good amount of things in your bag. It easily sits in the crook of your arm and can be held by hand also.

There will always be room for a good sized wallet, make up bag, keys, cell phone (any size), sanitizer, and more. The only con is it is a medium sized bag so if you are petite in size or height it may seem a bit large for your frame unless you love larger bags. It is the most popular Birkin size because it suits most people’s needs.

Kelly 28

The Kelly is the quintessential elegant handbag as seen on Grace Kelly in the 1950’s. A bit more understated, and not as easily recognizable as the Birkin, you will not regret choosing a Kelly as your first quota bag.

A Kelly 28 is the classic medium size Kelly bag that has the added benefit of coming with a shoulder strap for hands free use. In addition, the top handle is big enough to easily fit in the crook of your arm or can be carried by hand. The versatility of this bag makes it a great choice.

With respect to capacity the Kelly 28 holds a little less than the Birkin 30 due to its trapezoidal shape. It definitely holds the essentials similar to the Birkin 30.

As a first quota bag you cannot go wrong with either choice. Eventually it is likely you will want to own both some day. If the colors offered are more favorable to you in one bag then you could use that as a basis to make your decision. Many people choose the iconic Birkin as their first bag but still hope for a Kelly in the future.

Consider your lifestyle, your wardrobe, your activity level, and the places you visit and shop to help make your final decision. Good luck and congratulations on scoring your first quota bag.

Read:

The Birkin Dictionary

The Kelly Dictionary