Hermès Kelly Bag

The Kelly is one of the oldest bags still in the Hermès lineup. Created in 1935 as the Sac à dépêches, it earned its nickname in 1956 when Grace Kelly used it to shield her pregnancy from photographers — Hermès officially renamed the bag in 1977. On JoliCloset, 664 pre-owned Kelly bags are listed, each one saddle-stitched by a single artisan in 18 to 24 hours from 36 leather pieces and 680 stitches.

Sellier or Retourné, mini or travel-size

Two constructions coexist. The Kelly Sellier is rigid and structured, with exterior saddle stitching on display. The Kelly Retourné is sewn inside-out then turned, hiding the seams for a softer silhouette. Available sizes: Mini Kelly 20 (most coveted since 2020), Kelly 25, Kelly 28, Kelly 32, Kelly 35, Kelly 40. Hardware in gold (GHW) or palladium (PHW), with or without shoulder strap.

Hermès leathers: how to choose

Box Calf, smooth and glossy, is the historic leather and elevates any Sellier construction. Togo (grained calf) and Clémence usually dress the Retourné. Epsom holds shape best for a sharp silhouette. Swift is silky and saturates color. For exceptional pieces: Crocodile Niloticus or Porosus, Lizard, Ostrich, or Barenia with its root-tanned finish.

Pre-owned Kelly price

Boutique retail for a Togo Kelly 28 exceeds $9,400 in 2026, with quota lists comparable to the Birkin. On JoliCloset, pre-owned Kelly prices range widely by size, leather and hardware: from a few thousand euros for a Clémence Retourné to over €30,000 for rare exotic pieces. The Mini Kelly 20 remains one of the hardest bags to obtain new anywhere in the world.

Authenticating a Hermès Kelly

Our experts verify the Hermès Paris Made in France stamp, the year letter (squared until 2014, rounded since), the artisan code, saddle-stitch regularity, the Kelly turn-lock alignment, sangle quality, and the inscription on the padlock. See also the Birkin, the Constance, or browse all Hermès bags.