Dear PurseBop: What is the Best Shoulder Strap Length on a Hermès Mini Kelly to Wear it Crossbody??

Dear PurseBop:

What is the best shoulder strap length on a mini Kelly to wear it crossbody comfortably?

Dear Wear It Crossbody:

The mini Kelly is a great bag to wear crossbody because it is small and sits comfortably next to the body. It is also comforting to keep this valuable and coveted bag secure and close to you at all times.

The standard leather mini Kelly (non SO) comes with a 93cm shoulder strap. When worn crossbody it appears to hit at the waist for most average sized people. Many find this too short and uncomfortable. Others find it acceptable and comfortable despite being a tad short.

When ordering a Mini Kelly through the Special Order (SO) process (also referred to as a la carte), there is more than one strap length to choose from. The lengths available for all Kellys are 70 cm, 85 cm, 105cm, and 120 cm. The 105 cm length is the most common size ordered for a Special Order mini kelly and tends to sit comfortably crossbody on many body types. It can also be worn comfortably as a shoulder strap. This is a more comfortable length for most. It allows the wearer to keep the bag close to them and secure by wearing it crossbody.

For comparison purposes, the shoulder strap on a Kelly 25 and Kelly 28 is 85 cm and is not meant to be worn crossbody. This is a comfortable shoulder strap length for most people.

If the strap is too long there is an option at Hermès to have the strap shortened by the aftercare team, either in your home store or sent to Paris. The aftercare department will shorten the shoulder strap for any Kelly bag up to 10 cm. This is helpful if you prefer the strap to be a little shorter than it presently is.

Good luck and happy shopping.