Hermès Kelly Sizes: Mini, Pochette, 20 cm, 25 cm, 28 cm, 32 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm & 50 cm Explained

Hermès Kelly Sizes: Mini, Pochette, 20 cm, 25 cm, 28 cm, 32 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm & 50 cm Explained

By the Privé Porter Editorial Team · Hermès specialists since 2008

Hermès makes the Kelly in sizes from the 15cm micro to the 50cm travel Kelly, with the Kelly 25 and 28 the most requested today. The Mini Kelly II (the 20cm size, about 19cm wide, Sellier only) and the strapless Kelly Pochette are the small-bag icons. Privé Porter, the Miami Hermès specialist, sources every Kelly size.

Kelly sizes follow the same logic as the Birkin, the number is the width in centimeters, but the Kelly family is wider and more nuanced. It includes a crossbody mini, a strapless clutch, a briefcase and a true travel bag, and the choice between Sellier and Retourne construction changes how each size looks. This guide covers them all.

For the story of how the bag got its name and the broader timeline, read our Kelly history and sizes overview.

Hermès Kelly sizes at a glance

Hermès does not publish one master chart, and measurements vary slightly by construction and leather. The figures below are approximate, compiled from collector references and auction listings.

Kelly Approx. W x H x D (cm) Strap Construction Best for
Micro Kelly 15 15 x 11 x 5 Varies Vintage, rare Collecting, evening
Mini Kelly II (20) 19 x 11.5 x 5.7 Detachable Sellier only Phone, cards, crossbody
Kelly Pochette 22 x 13 x 6-7 None Sellier Clutch, evening
Kelly 25 approx. 25 x 18-19 x 9-10 Detachable Sellier or Retourne Daily essentials
Kelly 28 28 x 22 x 10 Detachable Sellier or Retourne All-day carry
Kelly 32 32 x 23 x 10.5 Detachable Sellier or Retourne Work, the classic proportion
Kelly 35 35 x 24 x 12 Detachable Sellier or Retourne Work, documents
Kelly 40 40 x 28 x 16 Typically Varies Weekend, menswear
Kelly 50 50 x 34 x 25 Typically Varies Travel

The small Kellys: Micro, Mini Kelly II and Pochette

What is the Mini Kelly II?

Hermès produced Mini Kellys from the 1980s in sizes from 20cm down to a 15cm micro, paused them in the mid-2000s, and relaunched the bag in 2016 as the Mini Kelly II with a slimmer handle and a thinner body made for crossbody wear. It is built Sellier only and measures roughly 19 x 11.5 x 5.7 cm (7.5" x 4.5" x 2.25"). A phone, cards, a key and a lipstick fit. It is currently the most requested small bag we source; we will cover its colors and leathers in a dedicated guide. A classic example in our collection is the Mini Kelly II in black Epsom with gold hardware.

Herm�s Kelly Pochette Rose Extreme Shiny Alligator Palladium Hardware

Kelly Pochette vs Mini Kelly

The Kelly Pochette is the elongated clutch of the family, about 22 cm wide (8.5" to 8.7" wide, 5.1" to 5.5" high and 2.4" to 2.8" deep, roughly 22 x 13 x 6-7 cm), with a flat top handle and no shoulder strap or strap rings. It is carried in the hand or under the arm. We compare the two in detail in Kelly Pochette vs Mini Kelly.

  Herm�s Kelly Elan Etoupe Epsom Leather Gold Hardware

Kelly To Go and Kelly Elan

Two newer pieces carry the Kelly name without following classic sizing. The Kelly To Go is a wallet-on-strap built around the Kelly closure. The Kelly Elan is a slim flap bag that keeps the turn-lock and sangles in a flatter profile. Both suit clients who want the Kelly look in the smallest possible footprint.

The core Kellys: 25, 28, 32 and 35

 


Kelly 25 vs 28: which size should you buy?

The Kelly 25 holds a compact wallet, phone, keys and sunglasses. The Kelly 28 adds roughly 3 cm of width and height, enough for a full-size wallet and a small pouch, and it is the size we recommend most often as a first Kelly. In our experience, the 25 and 28 are the most popular and practical sizes. If you wear your Kelly crossbody, the 25 sits more neatly at the hip; if you carry by hand, the 28 has better presence.

The Kelly 32: the original standard

The Kelly 32 was once the standard size. It is a refined work bag that fits documents and a small tablet. Vintage 32s in Box calf are among the most elegant entry points into Kelly collecting.

Herm�s 35cm Kelly Sellier Bleu Marine Shiny Porosus Crocodile Gold Hardware

The Kelly 35

The 35 is the Kelly as a briefcase alternative: wide enough for files, still graceful in Retourne. Like the Birkin 35, it is less fashionable today, which can make it good value.

The travel Kellys: 40 and 50

The Kelly 40 is a weekend bag and a frequent choice for men. The Kelly 50 is luggage in all but name, with room for a change of clothes. Both appear on the market far less often than the core sizes, and we confirm construction and specification bag by bag.

 

 

Sellier vs Retourne by Kelly size

Sellier Kellys are stitched on the outside, giving sharp edges and a structured trapezoid; Retourne Kellys are stitched inside out and turned, giving a softer, rounded silhouette. The Mini Kelly II and Kelly Pochette are Sellier. The 25 through 35 are made in both. Sellier suits firm leathers like Epsom and Box; Retourne flatters supple Togo, Clemence and Swift, as on this Kelly 25 Retourne in white Swift. Read our guide to choosing Sellier or Retourne for more.

The classic Kelly pairs a single top handle with a detachable shoulder strap, which is why it converts so easily from hand to shoulder; the Kelly Pochette has no strap at all.

How Kelly size affects resale value

As with the Birkin, the smallest sizes command the strongest premiums. In our experience, leather Mini Kelly 20s often sell for $25,000 to $40,000 and exotic examples for $55,000 to $80,000, while leather Kelly 25s and 28s typically trade between $20,000 and $40,000. Vintage Kelly 32s and 35s often sell for $8,000 to $12,000. Past performance does not guarantee future value.

Why buy your Kelly from Privé Porter

Privé Porter is the Miami-based Hermès specialist founded in 2008 by married entrepreneurs Jeffrey and Michelle Berk. Every bag is personally selected and authenticated by founder Michelle Berk before sale, we source through our proprietary global supply chain, and every Hermès bag is backed by a written authenticity guarantee that covers the original purchaser for as long as they own the bag. We can show several Kelly sizes side by side, in person or by video, so you can see the difference a few centimeters make.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes does the Hermès Kelly come in?

Kelly sizes run from the 15cm micro and the 20cm Mini Kelly II through the Kelly 25, 28, 32, 35 and 40, up to the 50cm travel Kelly. The Kelly Pochette, about 22cm wide, is a strapless clutch variation.

What is the most popular Kelly size?

The Kelly 25 and Kelly 28 are the most requested core sizes, and the Mini Kelly II is the most sought-after small Kelly.

What is the difference between the Mini Kelly II and the Kelly Pochette?

The Mini Kelly II is the 20cm size, about 19cm wide, with a detachable shoulder strap for crossbody wear. The Kelly Pochette is slightly wider and longer, with a flat top handle and no shoulder strap, so it is carried as a clutch.

Does every Kelly come with a shoulder strap?

The classic Kelly, including the Mini Kelly II and the core 25 to 35 sizes, has a single top handle and a detachable shoulder strap. The Kelly Pochette is the exception: it has no strap and is carried by hand.

Is the Mini Kelly II Sellier or Retourne?

The Mini Kelly II is made only in Sellier construction, with exterior stitching and crisp edges. The Kelly 25 through 35 are available in both Sellier and Retourne.

Which Kelly size is best for everyday use?

For most clients the Kelly 28 is the best everyday size, holding a full wallet, phone and small pouch. Choose the 25 if you prefer a smaller bag or crossbody wear, and the 32 if you carry documents.

Find your Kelly: browse our collection, book a private appointment in our Miami showroom, or message us on WhatsApp at +1 (305) 432-1285.

@priveporter