Hermès Birkin Vs Hermès Kelly: Know The Difference

August 22, 2025

There are very few luxury handbag names that have the prestige, desirability, and timelessness as Hermès. The brand has ferreted out two handbags that have transcended trends and culture: the Birkin and the Kelly, for any luxury handbag in circulation. Both bags are made by hand, by skilled artisans and can take anywhere from 20-40 hours to make one bag, depending on the requirements. For customers, the exclusivity, price points, and wait lists add to the appeal. But for many handbag lovers and first time Hermès buyers, the question is always, Hermes Birkin vs Hermes Kelly. Which bag should you buy?

While the Birkin and Kelly bags share the same brand DNA and craftsmanship, there are differences between the Birkin and Kelly that are attributed to history, design, practicality, and even personality. This guide will address everything you need to know about the two iconic bags, so you can make an informed (and fashionable) decision for yourself.

The Origin Stories

The Birth of the Kelly

The Kelly bag originally predates the Birkin bag by a few decades. The Kelly bag was first brought into production in the 1930s by Hermès, chief designer Robert Dumas, who created the bag as the Sac à Dépêches and was designed to be an elegant and functional bag capable of holding documents. The Kelly bag was rebranded in 1956 when Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco used her Kelly bag to obscure her pregnancy from the relentless lens of paparazzi cameras. That fleeting moment was documented in Life magazine, and they rebranded the bag as “Kelly” in her honor.

The Kelly rapidly became a symbol of refined femininity, often associated with royalty, elegance, and a certain Parisian chic.

The Birth of the Birkin

The Birkin has a more casual and serendipitous origin. In 1984, British actress and singer Jane Birkin was sitting next to Hermès’ CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a short flight from Paris to London. She said she couldn’t find a stylish, but practical bag for daily use. Dumas sketched out the design of what would become the Birkin on an airplane sick bag. What he designed was a tote-style handbag that manages size with effortlessness and sophistication.

While the Kelly has sureness and set up, the Birkin was born from sprawling luxury.

Design and Structure: Side-by-Side Comparison

Although both arms bags share Hermès’ signature trapezoid shape and precise craftsmanship, they are very different. Looking at the Birkin from the front, you see two handheld top handles meant to be held by hand or over the arm. The bag opens from the top, and can be closed by flap and a turn-lock clasp. The bag can be allowed to remain open at the top for easy access. The overall design is slightly more relaxed, and may soften or deepen in character over time based on the leather, and therefore it is indeed more a casual charm.

The Kelly is much more formal, as it does have a top handle format with a detachable crossbody shoulder strap. The Kelly flap entirely covers the opening and secures with the same turn-lock as the Birkin; but, its design offers a more formal and sure fit with closure than the Birkin. The Kelly is also a bag designed with a shape to maintain its form even if used for several years, or just hanging in a closet or under an arm, with a professional feel to it on the body, and with its structure, a polished and sophisticated look. The Kelly is in short meant for formal timings, class, or a more or less “formal” experience; the Birkin is casual and an easy fit.

Size and Capacity

Both bags are available in various sizes with a good range of use.

Birkin Sizes

• 25 cm – small whereas it is evening appropriate
• 30 cm – a casual day bag available day and night
• 35 cm – a great bag for work and travel
• 40 cm – tote with no weight limit! Great for overnights

The Birkin is open without a flap and usage of double handles allows for it to be full.

Kelly Sizes

• 20cm (Kelly Mini II) – elegant evening companion
• 25 cm – tiny, but functional
• 28 cm – daily elegant equation
• 32 cm – professional
• 35 cm – spacious, formal but capable

The Kelly’s structured shape limits capacity slightly compared to the Birkin, but it excels in keeping items organized.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Both bags are created with the same dedication to quality of craftsmanship from Hermès. Both bags are created solely by hand by a single artisan, using saddle stitching to create the best structure, both practical and aesthetically beautiful.

Popular Types of Leather:

• Togo – Tough, scratch resistant, slightly textured
• Epsom – Lightweight, structured, embossed finish
• Clemence – Soft, slouchy, casual
• Box Calf – Smooth, glossy, classic (popular on Kelly)
• Swift – Soft, has good color absorption, vibrant colors

Finishes: Both bags have the same hardware options in gold and palladium with special order options in limited edition hardware which could include rose gold or even diamond studded options.

Styling: How to Wear Them

Birkin Style

The Birkin is usually worn open, with the flap tucked inside, and is often seen as casual, yet elevated. Many celebrities have been seen using the Birkin as an every day carryall and even as a gym bag like Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, and Cardi B.

Best for:

• Business meetings
• Brunches
• Travel
• Casual luxury outfits

Kelly Style

The Kelly with its single top handle and closure is somewhat on the more formal side. Rich, Hollywood history makes it a red carpet favorite with stars like Grace Kelly, Amal Clooney, and Cate Blanchett.

Best for:

• Formal events
• Weddings
• High-end dinners
• Work related

Investment Value

From an investment perspective, Hermès Birkin vs Hermès Kelly, both bags have been considered “better than gold” when it comes to resale value. They increase in value over time for two primary reasons: the limited supply & high consumer demand.

• Birkin resale value is generally between 80–120% of its retail price and rare editions, trending 2–3 times retail.
• Kelly resale value generally features a slight uptick in price over the Birkin due to being a more formal bag with more flexible wear.

Of course, some leather, color, or hardware combinations can greatly boost value, especially when the bag features neutral colors like black, gold or etoupe.

Price Comparison

By 2025, retail prices (varying by country and tax rates) will be something like:

• Birkin 25 Togo leather: $10,400+
• Birkin 30 Togo leather: $11,800+
• Kelly 25 Epsom leather: $9,900+
• Kelly 28 Togo leather: $11,300+
  

Special orders and limited editions, especially in exotic skins (like crocodile or ostrich) can easily surpass the 50k mark – one of the highest selling Birkin’s ever sold at auction went for over $380k!

Availability and the “Hermès Game”

You can’t just walk into an Hermès store and purchase a Birkin or Kelly. They are notoriously unattainable because there is a “by offer” policy in place at hermès which states they will not sell you one without an established relationship with the sales associate at the Hermès boutique, particularly if you have not purchased other items before to establish a “presence” with the brand first. You have to play the ‘Hermès’ game.

An interesting note is that while both bags are notoriously hard to obtain, anecdotal reports have suggested that the Kelly is sometimes offered more readily to new customers than the Birkin.

Which One Should You Choose?

The choice between the two will usually depend on your lifestyle and your personal tastes.

Choose the Birkin if:

• You want a large everyday luxury bag.
• You want a relaxed but still strong fashion statement.
• You don’t mind carrying one by hand or on the crook of your arm.

Choose the Kelly if:

• You want a closed, structured bag.
• You want the option to carry it crossbody or on your shoulder.
• You want something traditionally formal and appropriate for a special occasion.

The Cultural Impact

The Birkin and the Kelly bags are both designated fashion icons in pop culture.

• Birkin: immortalized in the popular culture sensibility of television shows like Sex and the City and Gossip Girl; a signifier of wealth, power, and exclusivity.
• Kelly: associated with old Hollywood glamour, regal elegance, and understated modern sophistication.

Caring for Your Bag

Both bags must be properly cared for and given their value:

• Please store in their dust bags when you are not using them.
• Don’t keep in direct sunlight or moisture.
• Don’t over-pack them to keep their shape.
• Consider using Hermès spa services at any Hermès boutique.

The Verdict: Hermès Birkin vs Hermès Kelly

In the Hermès Birkin vs Hermès Kelly discussion, no one is wrong – it’s just what’s right for you. The Birkin exudes effortless, modern luxury meant for those who want to make a statement with a bag they can wear every day. The Kelly is more about refined classic luxury, perfect for formal events and timelessness.

Both are examples of superb craftsmanship, status symbols, and buy worthy investments that can be passed on for generations. Whether your heart is pulled to the easy-going vibe of the Birkin or the poised sophistication of the Kelly, having an experience – on one – is an extraordinary experience in itself and an example of patience, prestige, and love of true luxury.

The Emotional Factor: Personality in a Bag

Choosing between the Hermès Birkin and Hermès Kelly rarely comes down just to size, color, or shape – it can also be about what kind of personality you want to embody. The Birkin embodies easy, I am among the elite and security of character, you live a life where practicality and status will only ever somehow exist together. It also indicates that you are in total control over your life, when necessary. You look elegant with functionality, at last, enough comfort can be important too. You choose quality, on both accounts, and later hope within this piece holds quality of anything that allows any divine description of this kind. That brand or piece represents a level of confidence. By the opposite, then, Kelly emphasizes precision, poise, and seriousness – while elegant, muted and understated. 

The Role of Occasion in the Hermès Birkin Vs Hermès Kelly Decision

When it comes down to choosing between these two bags, one of the easiest ways is to think about how you will use them. If you are someone whose day-to-day activities consist of work meetings, flights, and stylish brunches on the weekends; the Birkin’s easy-entry opening and capacity will suit your lifestyle better. The Birkin allows you to travel with your laptop, travel essentials, and would still have space for a little silk scarf or a makeup bag.

However, if your calendar is jam-packed with formal dinners, galas, charity events, weddings, and exclusive social events; the Kelly’s more structured shape and closure allow it to look a little dressier on you. The Kelly’s only downside is that it is not able to be worn crossbody, so if you want a chic bag that you can be hands-free while still looking elegant, the Kelly is the best choice.

The Collector’s Perspective

Ultimately, for seasoned handbag collectors, the Hermès Birkin vs Hermès Kelly debate is more about an entire portfolio of bags in both styles, in different shapes, sizes, colors and leathers. Most collectors always start with the first bag in the collection, a versatile neutral Birkin (such as Noir in Togo leather), and add the first Kelly bag in an eye-catching seasonal color (such as Rose Pourpre or Vert Vertigo). Some collectors also go so far as to seek out the rare “Sellier” Kelly, or exotic skin Birkins, solely as an investment collection, as well as sheer visual impact! Collecting can take years, especially since Hermès is not known for fulfilling your exact specifications on your first try, making the hunt that much more fun from one enthusiast to the next!