The Hermès Mini Kelly: A Closer Look

Hermès Kelly 20 vs. Mini Kelly II 

If you find yourself in the early stages of exploring the resale market for a Mini Kelly, you might also come across the original Hermès Kelly 20 – and if luck favours, even the charming Micro size 15. Compared to the recent editions, the initial Kelly 20 from the ‘80s and ‘90s is slightly taller, with a more elegant vintage appeal and a larger top handle. 

It wasn’t until Fall 2016 that Hermès re-launched the modernized Mini Kelly II, which collectors and celebrities swooned over instantly. Let’s dive into the details.

Hermès Mini Kelly: Handbag Anatomy 

Compared to its big sisters, the Hermès Mini Kelly bag is designed with a rather truncated trapezoid silhouette. The sharp edges (the reissued Mini Kelly II comes exclusively in the Sellier cut) exude ladylike chic and you can carry it by the curved top handle in your hand. Unlike larger Kelly sizes, however, the handle won’t fit your wrist or arm. But not to worry, the dainty shoulder strap is perfectly suited to carry the bag crossbody and keep your hands free.  

The handbag’s closing system is similar to traditional Kelly bags, with two slim leather straps held together by a precious metal turn-lock. Yet, the Mini Kelly is missing the leather Clochette and padlock you find on Birkin and Kelly bags. On the inside, it offers a small slip pocket to stow away your credit card, ID or receipts. 

Leathers 

The Hermès Mini Kelly bag is available in two regular types of leather, Chèvre Mysore and Epsom. Epsom is an embossed calfskin, lightweight and particularly scratch-resistant. Chèvre Mysore is most commonly used to line the inside of Hermès handbags, but the fashion house occasionally singles out the long-lasting goatskin for smaller bags. Its natural character and fine grain give it a luxurious finish and it’s generally more expensive than calfskin leather. 

To the delight of every collector, the Mini Kelly is also manufactured in rare exotic skins – from Niloticus Crocodile to Ostrich and Alligator. This matte-black Alligator Mini Kelly is to date one of our favourite pieces. 

Colours 

Released in both seasonal and permanent Hermès shades, there’s a variety of colours available for the Mini Kelly bag. If you’re looking for a pop of colour, keep pinks and blues on your radar – both colourways are consistently popular with the French fashion house. Furthermore, Vert Criquet, a muted avocado green, and 5P Pink Bubblegum are two honourable mentions and trending shades. Consider whether you want to wear the bag at night or during the day and factor in your wardrobe when choosing the right colour. We recommend you browse our Hermès colour guide for inspiration. 

Content creator and Hermès collector @stefaniehelen recently scored a special-order Mini Kelly in Craie and Gold, a rather neutral (gorgeous) colour combination. Translating to ‘chalk’, Craie is a fresh shade of white and semi-regular in Hermès Boutiques. Gold, on the other hand, is a warm caramel hue first popularized by Grace Kelly in the 1950s. 

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Why did you opt for a neutral colour combination for your first-ever Hermès Mini Kelly? 

Stefanie: In fact, even if they are rather ‘neutral’, I find combining both colours is very special. Plus, they work well in summer and winter which is always important to me when choosing a bag. The white contrast stitching makes the bag stand out and you can see at first glance that it’s a special-order piece. 

Limited Edition Kellys

Granted that the classic Mini Kelly is a timeless accessory, Hermès has never shied away from experimenting with their favourite styles. In such order, many variations of the iconic Kelly have been released, with the first of our favourites being the Kelly Doll.

The Kelly Doll

At the start of this century, Jean-Louis Dumas introduced a playful twist to the Kelly based on a sketch of a playful sitting character. This 15-centimetre bag was crafted in the ‘Retourne’ style and features charming leather details like arched eyebrows, a wry smile, twinkling eye studs, and a turn-lock nose. The Kelly Doll bag’s sangles are cleverly transformed into bendable ‘arms,’ with protruding feet to complete the look. 

The Kelly Picnic

Our second pick, the Hermès Kelly Picnic, uniquely combines traditional wicker picnic baskets and the iconic Mini Kelly shape. Expertly crafted through a meticulous process that combines traditional leatherwork and basket weaving, it boasts durability and style. Originally part of Jean-Paul Gaultier’s 2011 Hermès collection, it is the perfect ever-summer bag.

The Kelly en Desordre 

Our last bag is a Picasso-esque work of double-sided art. With dimensions similar to the Mini Kelly, the Kelly en Desordre provides more room than its originator due to its side-swept pouch on the back. The pocket and the main compartment are accentuated by angled flaps, both with one sangle and the iconic turn lock. After its release in the Women’s AW 2022 collection, it became an instant hit, but with only a few hitting the secondary market, early pricing at auction was more than three times the retail price.

The (big) question: What fits into an Hermès Mini Kelly? 

Hands down – the Hermès Mini Kelly is stunning but truly small. It’s a great choice for formal occasions or evenings when all you need is the bare essentials. But even during the day, you may just fit in everything you need, as Stefanie explains. 

How do you pack your Mini Kelly and what does it fit?

Stefanie: Because it is such a tiny bag, I have contemplated my purchase for a long time. But it generally fits everything I need: a small wallet, AirPods, a lipstick and car keys (I always leave my house keys in the car). My big iPhone theoretically fits as well but being a blogger, I usually carry it in my hand anyway. My advice is to wear a jacket or pants with extra pockets for some additional space. 

How to style it

Like most Hermès handbags you can dress the Mini Kelly up and down effortlessly. Considering its size, it’s an elegant choice for dinner parties and nights about town – but works just as well with everyday outfits. 

How do you prefer carrying your Hermès Mini Kelly, crossbody or in your hand? 

Stefanie: That’s as if I had to decide between Tiramisu and Mousse au Chocolate – impossible! Every way of carrying this bag is absolutely gorgeous. During the day I tend to wear it crossbody, in the evening hand-held. 

Mini Kelly prices

How much is the Hermès Mini Kelly? 

Made from regular leather, the Mini Kelly retails for around $8,000 or €6,500 in boutiques. However, the bag’s availability in-store is extremely limited – one of the reasons demand in the secondhand market is booming. Maxine, Head of Sales at SACLÀB, explains: “The Mini Kelly has become a holy grail for many collectors and prices on the resale market for styles in immaculate condition start at €20,000. Despite their price tag, Mini Kellys regularly sell out within a matter of hours on saclab.com.”  

Store vs. Online: How to buy a Mini Kelly

As with most Hermès handbags, buying in-store comes down to an extensive purchase history, a close relationship with your sales associate and, in most cases, a long wait. That’s why – particularly if you’ve set your eye on a specific colour–leather–hardware combination – chances are you might find the right bag on the resale market, given you’re willing to pay a premium. Importantly, always make sure to shop with a trustworthy reseller. 

You bought your Mini Kelly with SACLÀB. Why did you choose to buy pre-owned? 

Stefanie: I love Hermès bags so much but you generally get access to very few in-store, scoring a Mini Kelly is nearly impossible. So spotting the special order on SACLÀB, I just had to snap it up. Special orders are extremely rare, especially with Mini Kellys, and I don’t know if I would ever get the chance to commission one. 

Worth it?  

Looking at the price tag, you might be wondering if the Hermès Mini Kelly is a solid investment. Since its release in 2016, the bag’s resale value has been increasing consistently – a good indicator given you ever want to sell. And even though bigger bags might make a comeback, there’s no sign of demand slowing down. Similarly to Birkin 25s, the smallest available Birkin bag standard size, unworn pieces regularly sell with a plus of 150% above their retail price tag, with a tendency to rise. 

More important, though, is to consider if the Mini Kelly ticks all your boxes. After all, Hermès bags are meant to be worn and enjoyed. We find it’s a great investment piece to add to an existing collection, however, if you’re buying your first-ever Hermès bag, opting for a Kelly 25 or Kelly 28 instead might be wise, as you simply get more wear out of bigger sizes. Our consultants are always happy to advise you and are here to answer any questions you may have. 

Ready to find your dream Hermès Mini Kelly? Reach out to us with your wishlist or shop our current selection of pre-owned Hermès handbags.