You have probably heard of the Hermès Birkin bag, you most likely have heard of the Kelly bag too. But have you ever heard about the Mini Kelly bag? As you can probably guess, the Mini Kelly is a different size from the staple Hermès Kelly bag. There is something quite charming about the Kelly bag’s smaller counterpart. Everything you need to know, before purchasing the Mini Kelly Bag, is in this article.
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An introduction to the Hermès Mini Kelly
The story begins in 1930 when a true handbag icon was born. The Hermès Kelly bag. Hermès were originally a brand that specialised in the creation of saddles for royalty and other high earning members of society, and the original name was the ‘Sac à dépêches’ (News bag). The Kelly bag was not created as a bag that was supposed to be worn only as an evening bag, it is a bag that is practical and can be used daily. Its main purpose is to look elegant and make you feel like royalty. So, the Kelly bag was intended for independent and elegant women of the time, which is why it fell into the hands of pregnant Grace Kelly in 1956. In order to hide her blooming belly from the eyes of the public and paparazzi, she held the Kelly bag in front of her. The photo (featuring the Kelly bag) went viral. And just like that, the Hermès bag had a namesake.
What is the cost of the Mini Kelly bag?
The demand for the Mini Kelly bag is only increasing as time goes by. Now may be a great time for you to sell your current Hermès bag and change it for a new one, maybe a Mini Kelly. The price of the Mini Kelly starts at around £7,000, but the price depends on the features of the individual bag.
Kelly vs Birkin bag
This is a massive question, and can only really be answered by your personal style choice and lifestyle. However, the two bags were made with two very different original uses. As we have previously explored with the Hermès Kelly, the bag was designed as a bag that epitomises luxury, for princesses and idols like its namesake, Grace Kelly. On the other hand, we have the Hermès Birkin. The Birkin bag is supposed to be a little bit more rough and ready for everyday use. It was designed as a practical bag, with the purpose of being a bag that would stop the contents from spilling out.
Another difference between the two bags is the lock closure. We will come onto the lock closure on the Mini Kelly bag later on. The Birkin bag is most commonly worn as a tote with the lock undone, again reiterating the idea that it is an everyday bag. Paradoxically, the Kelly flap needs to be closed shut to avoid any added strain on the top handle.
What colours does the Mini Kelly come in?
The Mini Kelly bag offers a range of different colours, some of which change every season. The 2021 colours include lime, craie, rouge sellier, rose confetti, bleu noir and etoupe, just to name a few. The charm of this bag lies in its ability to add a pop of colour to any outfit. Rumour has it, the most popular shades for Hermès bag collectors are the blue shades, more specifically the Bleu Brume shade. This was a new addition for Hermès in 2020, but it has been popular ever since.
What does the Mini Kelly handbag actually look like?
The mini bag trend has been around for a couple of years now, which can be seen as a good thing, considering you might have to wait that long to get your hands on a Hermès Mini Kelly. The Mini Kelly bag resembles the signature Kelly shape – trapezoid shape, two triangular gussets, top handle and shoulder strap. After all, the Mini Kelly is the Kelly bag, just in a smaller size. Mini Kelly’s are all manufactured in the same Sellier style, in either Epsom or Chevre leather. They can also be made in exotic materials like ostrich and alligator, in order for the bag to have a more structured look to it.
The closure
As we have previously talked about, the design of the Mini Kelly is obviously very close to the original Hermès Kelly bag. However, there are a few differences. One is that there is not a lock, clochette or key, and another being the closure is smaller. This does mean that the straps (sometimes called sangles) cannot be moved as easily.
The inside
Inside the bag itself, it actually looks a little different from the Kelly bag. The interior of the Mini Kelly only has one slide pocket on the back side, which can fit smaller items in, like a credit card or ticket. The only downside is that if you did want to put any larger items inside this pocket you may struggle. We cannot all be minimalists after all.
The outside
The outside of the bag looks, well, like a smaller Kelly bag. The Mini Kelly has the same feet as its larger counterparts, but the feet are proportionally smaller.
Do not underestimate the Hermès Mini Kelly
To summarise everything you need to know about the Hermès Mini Kelly bag, this accessory is definitely best designed for an individual who wants the practicality a Birkin bag can offer them, but the elegance associated with a Kelly. On top of that, the size of the Mini Kelly means that the bag is not made for everyone. For the minimalists of the world, this could make for a great addition to your wardrobe. For those of you who prefer to overpack rather than under pack, the Mini Kelly may not be the best option. One thing we can conclude is that the Mini Kelly is not a luxury handbag to be underestimated. This bag is like a small jewel, one which can make for a great addition to your wardrobe.
