Small but Mighty Fine
The Hermes Kelly has lived a thousand lives since its paparazzi moment with Grace Kelly in the 1950s. From then on, it’s been scaled down, reimagined, and absolutely worshipped. The Mini Kelly and the Kelly Pochette are two of its tiniest descendants. They’re sisters, not twins. So, which is your mini-me? Let’s find out.
Graced by Grace Kelly
Hermes introduced the Kelly in the 1930s to give women a roomier, hands-free handbag. It was a sign of the times and a radical feminist symbol. The simple introduction of the strap transformed it from an accessory to an act of female empowerment, marking a new era for Hermes.
Geometric and oh-so-glam, the Kelly was originally called the Petit Sac à Courroies. It flaunted a trapezium shape, a flap, two side straps, and a swivel clasp. But it wasn’t until Grace Kelly was photographed using it to hide her baby bump that a star was born. The bag was renamed Kelly in her honor, and the rest is fashion history.
Haute Tip: Learn all about Hermes Kelly bags here.
Meet Mini Kelly
The Mini Kelly made its first appearance in 1957. By 1980, Hermes refined the design with the rounded bracelet-style top handle that became signature to the Mini Kelly 20. This vintage Mini Kelly, sometimes referred to as the Mini Kelly I, stood taller with a larger top handle. It was discontinued in 2009, but the demand for mini handbags didn’t disappear with it.
Hermes heard the cries and delivered the Mini Kelly II in 2016. Although still a size 20, the new version carries slightly different proportions. Today, it’s one of Hermes’ most fiercely hunted pieces. Unlike other Kelly bag sizes, the Mini doesn’t include a lock, key, or clochette.
Meet Kelly Pochette
The Kelly Pochette debuted in 2004 under Jean Paul Gaultier, transforming the Kelly into a clutch. French for pouch, the Pochette has since become one of Hermes’ most popular clutch bags. Its smaller proportions made it a mini bag in its own right—and a highly collectible one at that.
Style and Size
The Mini Kelly measures 7.5” x 5” x 2.25”. It keeps the Kelly’s trapezoidal shape, giving it a sharp, upright look. The interior is narrow, with room for a few essentials. If your phone is on the bigger side, it may be a tight fit.
Haute Tip: Learn about the anatomy of the Mini Kelly here.
The Kelly Pochette measures 8.5” x 5.25” x 2.75”. It’s wider and deeper than the Mini Kelly, with a more rectangular interior that handles essentials better, including your phone. The bag is more forgiving, even though the size difference seems small on paper.
Haute Tip: Did you know there’s another style of Kelly Pochette? Meet the Kelly Cut Clutch Pochette here.
Structure
The Mini Kelly is architectural with a rigid boxy silhouette and almost only comes in Sellier. It’s become an It Girl calling card to carry the Mini Kelly unclasped, and its design supports that. The Kelly Pochette, while just as chic, is not meant for the casually open vibe. It must stay closed when in hand, or the contents will spill out.
The Mini Kelly has a tubular rolled-edge handle, one interior slip pocket, and metal feet at the bottom. The Kelly Pochette has a flatter, wider handle that sits lower on the bag, an interior patch pocket, and no bag feet. (Haute Tip: Feet or no feet, use a Handbag Hook to keep your Kelly elevated.)
Leather
The Mini Kelly shows up mostly in Epsom leather, which is pressed grain and incredibly scratch-resistant. The Kelly Pochette is most often found in Swift leather, which takes color beautifully but scratches more easily than Epsom. That said, Hermes produces both styles in a range of leathers, including highly coveted exotic skins.
Styling
The Mini Kelly includes a removable strap, so you can wear it crossbody, over the shoulder, or carry it by the handle. While the Kelly Pochette features a top handle, it’s a true clutch bag and does not include a strap.
Rarity
Both styles fall under Hermes’ quota system, which, like the Birkin, makes them nearly impossible to buy at retail without purchase history. Overall, the Mini Kelly tends to command higher prices on the secondary market, but the Kelly Pochette has a cult following of its own.
Make Them Jelly with a Kelly
You don’t need a purchase history or time machine to shop new, vintage, and rare-edition Kelly bags. You find your one-of-a-kind Kelly at FASHIONPHILE, whether that’s a Mini Kelly, Kelly Pochette, or both. Happy hunting, fashionphile!
