Hermes Kelly Cut

Hermes knows how to turn a bag into a crowd favorite, a star, and even a legend. Each of Hermes’ bag designs is a true work of innovation that can’t help but be admired. The love and appreciation for Hermes’ greatest bags is contagious. PurseBop has a little bit of a love bug for all things Kelly (i.e.: #PurseBopsGoneKellyCrazy – no shame!) and that crush has spread to the Kelly Cut bag too.

A couple of weeks ago, we took your hand in investigating the Hermes mini craze. Now, let’s explore everything that the Hermes Kelly family has to offer from the original bag to much more!

@swedishandstylish

The Story of an Icon

If you’re a bag aficionado, even just the utter of the words “Kelly bag” probably makes your heart flutter. In fact, “Kelly” has become so natural to our Hermes vocabulary that we often have to remind ourselves of how this namesake came to be. To debrief you on a quick history, in 1954, actor Grace Kelly was performing in Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, and worked extensively with the bag on set. The affair spiraled from there, and in 1956 she was photographed using the bag to cover her pregnant belly from the paparazzi. This moment became iconic in itself, and the bag became tremendously popular because it was endorsed by hollywood actress turned princess, Grace Kelly. The bag, previously named Sac à dépêches, officially became known as the Kelly bag in 1977.

The idea for the bag was actually conceived in the late 1800s and redesigned in the 1930s by Hermes’ son-in-law, Robert Dumas. The Sac à dépêches was originally meant to be a spacious travel bag that fit into a car door and allowed riders to carry their saddles.

#PurseBopsGoneKellyCrazy

The Kelly bag holds a prestigious chapter in bag history. Its timeless, elegant frame has naturally won over many fashionistas. “Kelly” and “Birkin” are both names that have come to be synonymous with Hermes. The Birkin is considered the ultimate holy grail bag to some, and the Kelly bag is almost equally as loved and sought after. In fact, speaking to Hermes experts it seems the Kelly bag may have taken the lead in popularity. Sometimes, it’s hard to choose whether you’re a Team Birkin or a Team Kelly girl since each bag is such a masterpiece of it’s own. Either way, it’s safe to say #PurseBopsGoneKellyCrazy! Luckily, Hermes makes it easy to appreciate the heritage of the Kelly in many different forms.

@pursebop’s reveal of Miss BopTalk

@orangeholicsanonymous

@panthere_instyle

All Shapes and Sizes: The Hermes Kelly Family

The Hermes Kelly family is extensive and quite diverse. The iconic Kelly hardware effortlessly adapts to mini and clutch bag styles as well as larger bags.

Hermes Kelly Bag (sizes: K20, K25, K28, K32, K35)
Hermes Kelly Longue (discontinued)
Hermes Kelly Cut
Hermes Kelly Pouchette
Hermes Kelly Lakis
Hermes Kelly Danse
Hermes Kelly Longue Wallet
Hermes So Kelly Bag

Hermes Kelly Bag

Photo Courtesy: FeatherFactor

Hermes Kelly Cut

@upcloseandstylish

@upcloseandstylish

Hermes Kelly Pouchette

@mrslulu3

@bibi2cuori

From Bag to Clutch: The Kelly Cut, The Kelly Longue, and The Kelly Pouchette

The Kelly Longue and the Kelly Cut are shrunken down, clutch style versions of the Kelly bag. While the two styles are very similar, there are very significant and noticeable differences between the two. The Kelly Longue has a distinct trapezoidal shape much like the structure of the original Kelly bag. Compared to the Kelly Cut, the Kelly Longue is a little wider and can potentially hold more than a traditional, flat clutch. In comparison, the Kelly Cut is a sharp rectangular shape and a little longer the Kelly Longue, but shorter height wise. Both bags feature top handles. The Kelly Longue was discontinued around 2008, and the Kelly Cut was introduced as a new version of the style.

The Kelly Pouchette still mimics a smaller, clutch type of Kelly but is more like a small bag. Compared to both the Kelly Cut and Kelly Longue, the Kelly Pouchette is wider and has more volume. This makes the Kelly Pouchette more spacious and functional.

Read LeOrangeBliss’s “The Tale of 4 Hermes Clutches” for an in-depth review of Hermes’ most popular clutch styles.

Hermes Kelly Cut

Hermes Kelly Longue

@fashionistbox

Kelly Cut Love

As many fashionistas would agree, the Kelly Cut is the perfect addition to any H collection. Its sleek look easily lends to formal or evening occasions. However, it also serves well as a daytime bag due to its accessible size. Even though the Kelly Cut scores A+ on many factors, it is unfortunately quiet elusive in the Hermes world. The stock of Kelly Cut bags is very limited, and often they are only offered to elite and experienced clientele.