Official Size Comparison: Kelly 25 vs. Kelly 28

Part I: Official Size Comparison: Birkin 25 vs. Birkin 30
This is Part II of a four-part series on Birkin and Kelly sizes

By @e14bz

Let’s recap: As a newbie navigating my way through unknown, uncharted, winding roads of the elusive and complex world of Hermès, I have made many bag size mistakes. After considerable hits and misses, I am finally at a point where I feel like I know what works for me in terms of bag styles and sizes. And I thought I would share my experience with people who are starting their H journey. I am in no way an expert, but here are some snippets from my humble experience that I hope you find useful.

Today, we’re going to compare the Kelly 25 (25 cm x 19 cm x 9 cm) vs. Kelly 28 (28 cm x 22 cm x 10 cm), both Retournes.

@el4bz

@el4bz

Pros of the Kelly 25

  • For a tiny bag it can sure pack a punch! A god send for people like me who carry little, it can still hold all the essentials with room for more
  • Can easily transition from a day to night bag
  • Can be used for formal occasions
  • Small enough not to bang into other things
  • The handle drop is absolutely perfect!
  • Can easily slide through the arms despite being a mini bag or can be held using the shoulder strap
  • Small enough to go crossbody for a casual look
  • It’s a small bag so holding its shape is not an issue

Cons of the Kelly 25

  • It’s a mini bag so unless you carry very little and love the look of a mini bag this isn’t the bag for you
  • Looks super cute, so if that’s not a look you are after this may not be the size to add

@el4bz

@el4bz

Pros of the Kelly 28

  • It holds tons if you carry a lot of stuff in your bags
  • The dimensions of the bag make it proportionately appropriate for most of us
  • It’s the perfect medium-sized bag that sits prettily between big bags like K32 and mini ones like K25—so best of both the worlds!
  • Can be held by its handles or carried on the shoulder using the shoulder strap

Cons of the Kelly 28

  • For people who don’t carry much, this is still too big of a bag where your things can swim inside
  • Big enough to still bang against things and get corner wear more quickly than a K25
  • Harder to maintain its shape in a Retourne
  • More of a day bag
  • Too big to be carried cross body

@el4bz’s Final Choice

It has to be a Kelly 25! Perfect size and perfect proportions. A K25 wins in terms of its versatility—of how (hand held, on the shoulders, crossbody), when (day, evening, night) and where it can be carried (formal events, informal outings, running errands).

@el4bz

Are you a B25 or B30 kind of gal? Stay tuned for Parts 3 and 4 of @e14bz‘s Hermès size comparison series!

Read related articles:

Official Size Comparison: Birkin 25 vs. Birkin 30
The Kelly: The Hermès Underdog?
The Hermès Kelly, Revisited
Hermes Bag Size Encyclopedia

Published: May 17th, 2019
Updated: January 31st, 2020

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