Hermes Birkin bag to a Kelly Hermes bag
What are the differences between Hermes Birkin bag and Hermes Kelly bag?
Hermes makes two of the most coveted and expensive handbags in the world. The Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag are similar in many ways, but the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag also possess unique differences. This article looks at age, price, availability and style differences between the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag.
Age difference between Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag
The Hermes Kelly bag is the oldest of the pair. It first shot to fame during the 1950’s when Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco used the Hermes Kelly bag to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi’s prying eyes. Hence the Kelly name. It was an adaption of an earlier 1900’s style. The Hermes Birkin bag didn’t emerge until the 1980’s. The Hermes Birkin bag was created as a modern adaption to a style from the 1800’s. It too was named after a famous female. The story goes that Jean Louis Dumas Hermes and singer and model Jane Birkin were on the same flight. Birkin apparently dropped some of her belongings on the floor, because she had trouble fitting them in her bag. The next year in Mr. Hermes developed the roomy Hermes Birkin bag to cater to the modern woman.
Price difference between Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag
Both the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag can reach well above $25,000 US dollars depending on the color, leather type, size and other details. As far as entry level comparisons go, the Hermes Kelly bag can usually be acquired for a little less than the Hermes Birkin bag. Approximately $7000 US dollars, as opposed to $10,000 US dollars. Typically this is because the Hermes Kelly bag standard sizing is a little smaller than the Hermes Birkin bag. However, the difference could also be related to the Hermes Birkin bag recent media appearances. For example, the Hermes Birkin bag was a hot topic on Sex and the City.
Availability between Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag
Both the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag are handcrafted and made in limited quantities. You typically cannot simply head into to a Hermes store and purchase either the Hermes Birkin bag or the Hermes Kelly bag on the spot. You need to become a Hermes customer first, and then make an enquiry to go on a waiting list. The Hermes Kelly bag waiting list is usually over a year, but the Hermes Birkin bag can be up to three years.
Style between Hermes Birkin bag and Hermes Kelly bag
At first glance the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag styles appear to be quite similar. The Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag are both top handle styles that you typically carry by hand and are roughly rectangular in shape. They function in a similar way to an envelope which is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. A flap comes over the front, where the Hermes Birkin bag and the Hermes Kelly bag fasten with a lock.
The Hermes Kelly bag is more traditional than the Hermes Birkin bag, which has a more casual flair. Hermes Birkin bag typically come with a detachable shoulder strap option, Hermes Kelly bag do not. This makes the Hermes Birkin bag suitable for women on the go. The Hermes Birkin bag also comes in a sports version. The standard Hermes Kelly bag sizes are 28 and 32cm. whereas the most popular Hermes Birkin bag sizes seem to be 30 and 35cm. At either end of the scale the Hermes Kelly bag comes in a clutch sized handbag option called the Kelly Longue, and in contrast the Hermes Birkin bag comes in a travel bag size of 45cm. The Hermes Birkin bag has two carry handles, whereas the Hermes Kelly bag only has one.