With its clean lines, top handle, and sophisticated clasp, the Kelly is a testament to refined luxury. But with multiple sizes available, how do you know which Kelly is right for you?
In this guide, we break down the different Hermès Kelly sizes to help you choose your perfect fit, whether you're looking for an everyday companion or a collectible statement piece.
The Kelly Bag: A Brief History
The Hermès Kelly bag traces its origins back to the 1930s when it was first introduced as the 'Sac à Dépêches', designed by Robert Dumas.
It wasn’t until 1956, when Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco was photographed using the bag to shield her pregnancy from paparazzi, that it gained international fame and was renamed in her honor.
The Kelly quickly became a symbol of timeless sophistication, known for its structured shape, single top handle, detachable shoulder strap, and signature turn-lock closure.
Each bag is handcrafted, often taking up to 25 hours to complete, making it a true icon of craftsmanship and luxury fashion.
What Are The Hermès Kelly Bag Sizes?
Kelly 20
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Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 10cm
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Best For: Evening wear, special occasions, minimalist essentials
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Why We Love It: The Kelly 20 (or ‘Mini Kelly’) is the most compact and delicate of the lineup. It’s often worn crossbody with a strap and is a favorite among collectors for its rarity.
Kelly 25
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Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 9cm
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Best For: Day-to-night wear
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Why We Love It: Small but practical, the Kelly 25 is perfect for those who love a compact bag that can still hold essentials like a phone, keys, and wallet.
Kelly 28
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Dimensions: 28 x 22 x 10cm
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Best For: Everyday use
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Why We Love It: The Kelly 28 offers a balanced silhouette that’s roomy without being bulky. A popular choice for daily wear, it’s a transitional accessory that is still small enough for evening wear.
Kelly 32
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Dimensions: 32 x 23 x 10.5cm
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Best For: Professional settings and travel
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Why We Love It: Spacious and structured, the Kelly 32 holds more without compromising its elegant shape. Ideal for those who need extra space and value practicality.
Kelly 35
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Dimensions: 35 x 24 x 12cm
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Best For: Those who love larger bags
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Why We Love It: Although less commonly seen, the Kelly 35 remains a timeless statement piece. It’s luxurious, roomy, and commands attention.
Kelly 40
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Dimensions: 40 x 28 x 16cm
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Best For: Travel, work bags, statement style
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Why We Love It: The largest classic Kelly size in this guide, the 40, offers significant storage and a dramatic presence. It’s often used as a chic travel bag and makes a bold style statement.
What About The Kelly Pochette?
From the same range as the Kelly bag is the Hermès Kelly Pochette. Much more compact, this clutch bag retains the classic Kelly DNA but with a slim, handle-top silhouette. The dimensions are approximately 22 x 13 x 7cm, making it a great choice for a soirée.
Other Kelly Bag Sizes
Other, but rarer, sizes have been in production before. These include the Kelly 15 and the Kelly 50 (otherwise known as Kelly Voyage).
Hermès Kelly Bag Size Comparison
The easiest way to see exactly what each Kelly bag can hold is to check myGemma's 'Pack This Bag' feature. When you click on a product page, you'll find the 'Pack This Bag' symbol in the top right corner of the first image.
Here you can see what can fit inside each bag, whether it is lightly packed, half-packed, or full. You can check whether different device models will fit inside, as well as other daily essentials.
Mini Kelly 20
Lightly packed: Passport, 30ml hand cream, power bank, cellphone, airpods, small make-up palette
Half packed: (Above plus) gloves, gum, chapstick, lipstick
Full: (Above plus) Lighter, wallet, keys, credit card, comb, glasses, mirror
Kelly 25
Lightly packed: Power bank, Airpods Max, Airpods, cellphone, mirror, hand cream, hairbrush
Half packed: (Above plus) perfume, gum, chapstick, lipstick, comb
Full: (Above plus) passport, keys, hair clip, lighter, hand sanitizer
Kelly 28
Lightly packed: Power bank, tablet, cellphone, Airpods, keyboard, mouse, make-up palette, Airpods Max, Bluetooth speaker, mirror, 30ml hand cream
Half packed: (Above plus) perfume, chapstick, lipstick, comb, hairbrush
Full: (Above plus) passport, keys, lighter, mirror
Kelly 32
Lightly packed: Cellphone, Airpods, camera, Airpods Max, Bluetooth speaker, laptop charger, power bank, mirror 30ml hand cream, make-up palette
Half packed: (Above plus) perfume, chapstick, lipstick, face powder, hand sanitizer, lighter
Full: (Above plus) wallet, passport, keys, car keys, glasses case, sunglasses x 2, hair clip x 2, reading glasses x 2
Kelly 35
Lightly packed: Cellphone, Airpods, Airpods Max, Bluetooth speaker, keyboard, mouse, camera, mirror, 30ml hand cream, powerbank, laptop charger, make-up palette
Half packed: (Above plus) perfume, chapstick, lipstick, face powder, comb, hairbrush x 2
Full: (Above plus) wallet, passport, keys, car keys, glasses case, sunglasses x 2, hair clip x 2, reading glasses x 2, pencil case, hand sanitizer, lighter
Kelly 40
Lightly packed: Cellphone, Airpods, Airpods Max, Bluetooth speaker, keyboard, mouse, camera, mirror, 30ml hand cream, powerbank, laptop charger, make-up palette
Half packed: (Above plus) perfume, chapstick, lipstick, face powder, comb, hairbrush x 2
Full: (Above plus) wallet, water bottle, passport, keys, car keys, glasses case, sunglasses x 2, hair clip x 2, reading glasses x 2, pencil case, hand sanitizer, lighter
What Does The Kelly Number Stand For?
The number next to Kelly, such as 28 or 32, refers to the width (in centimeters) of the widest part of the bag.
Where To Shop Kelly Bags?
The process of buying certain Hermès bags can be lengthy if buying from Hermès directly, especially when it comes to Birkins and Kellys. You cannot just walk into a store and buy a Kelly. It requires an established relationship with an Hermès sales associate, a substantial Hermès purchasing history, and even then you are at the mercy of their scarce availability. The process can take many years with no guarantee that you will be offered your preferred choice.
Luckily, this is not the only way you can source one of these highly coveted bags.
At myGemma, we carry a wide range of expertly authenticated Hermès Kelly bags in stock and ready to ship. So skip the waitlist and get your dream bag today.
Download the app for luxury at your fingertips. Check out our Trustpilot reviews to see what our customers think of us.
How To Sell Kelly Bags Online?
If you already own a Kelly that you are hoping to sell, look no further than myGemma. We offer the full resale experience. You can shop, consign, sell, or trade in with us.
Check out our guide to consignment to see whether consigning or selling directly to us is the right choice for you.
Either way, we make the journey of selling your designer goods as safe, quick and as simple as possible. Fill out the online form linked below to get started.
