Is It Mini Kelly Fatigue or an Overexposed Obsession?

Where It All Began

Since the introduction of the Mini Kelly II in 2016 the demand for this pint sized version of the elegant and classic Kelly bag has exploded. Arguably the number one most requested bag, it can be found on many Hermès enthusiasts wishlist. Everyone from young fashionistas just entering the Hermès world, to seasoned collectors, desire to add the adorable and versatile mini Kelly to their collection. Hermès lovers say they want just one, but once the first is secured, most want to add even more.

Image courtesy: @pursebop

An Explosion of Mini Pink Kellys
Clockwise:
Magnolia Chevre
Rose Sakura Chevre
Mauve Sylvestre Epsom
5P Hermès Pink Epsom

What is it about this elusive, highly unobtainable, mini handbag that makes it so popular? Let’s break it down.

Noir Mini Kelly HSS Chèvre
Nata Mini Kelly HSS Chèvre

L-R: MK Mauve Sylvestre
MK Rose Sakura

The original mini Kelly was released in 1957 with a mid-length non-detachable shoulder strap and no top handle. The top handle was introduced in the 1980’s. The dimensions were 20cm wide across the bottom, 14-16cm high, and 9-10cm deep.

Although the mini Kelly was shaped like its larger sisters, many found the size a bit small for their needs at a time when larger bags were all the rage. The mini Kelly was more of a niche or novelty bag at that time. It had appeal to the fashion forward group and celebrities, but otherwise did not have mass market appeal.

This version was discontinued in 2009. Now it is referred to as the Vintage mini Kelly. Those produced between 2004-2009 are highly sought after, very collectable, and rare.

Vintage Box Mini Kelly

In the fall of 2016 Hermès re-introduced the mini Kelly II when the “mini bag” trend was becoming popular. It was viewed as a revival of a coveted silhouette that had been discontinued. Although still 20cm across the bottom, the new model was much shorter standing only 12-12.5cm high, and 5.5cm deep. This time it was designed with a detachable shoulder strap and the classic Sellier design. Much smaller than the original, it appealed to the younger client interested in small aspirational luxury items. The capacity was greatly reduced and designed to hold only the bare essentials: keys, lipstick, credit card.

Mini Kelly Pink Obsession

When two mini lovers create a rainbow of pinks :) Mauve Pale
Rose Sakura
Mauve Sylvestre
5P Pink
Rose Pop
Magnolia

A decade old, the mini and micro bag craze has withstood the test of time. As evidenced by Hermès’ release of the mini Garden Party and mini Herbag this year, mini bags are here to stay. Despite the recent resurgence of bigger bags, the mini Kelly II continues to explode in popularity. Hermès’ strong presence in the market, coupled with limited supply and increased desirability, has kept the demand for all mini bags high.

Nevertheless, we ponder whether the mini Kelly II hype has deflated at all? It seems everywhere we go mini Kellys can be seen hanging cross body or by hand adorning chic fashionistas of all ages. Is this diluting the exclusiveness of this iconic bag or solidifying its place in handbag history?

Keep reading for PurseBop’s personal opinion and why her obsession rwith the mini Kelly II runs deep. Team member Karenzpurses also provides a glimpse into the world of mini bags from her perspective. Share with us your thoughts on the desirability of the mini Kelly II.

MK Nata Chèvre Permabrass
MK Mushroom Chèvre ghw

PurseBop's Ongoing Love Affair with the Mini Kelly II

My love for mini’s is no secret. I was pining over them long before they became widely celebrated, and over the years I’ve slowly curated a diverse, well-loved collection. Granted, these days I’m far more selective about the variations I bring home—but for my lifestyle and constant travel schedule, nothing fits quite as seamlessly as the Hermès mini Kelly II.

Doré
Gris Argentè

Front to Back:
Mushroom Chèvre
Mauve Sylvestre Epsom
Rose Pop Chamkilight
Noir Chèvre

At 7.87 x 5 x 2.24 inches, the mini Kelly II is the classic Kelly distilled to its most charming form. It keeps all the structure, sharp lines, and elegance of the original, just scaled down to a size that feels effortless. And yes, it also happens to be the ultimate evening accessory, with an optional strap that lets you go hands-free when the moment calls for it.

Its petite proportions also make it the ideal travel companion. Light, versatile, and easy to style, it’s the one bag I rarely leave behind. I can pack multiples for vacations or destination weddings (we had five this year alone—Jaipur, Spain, the UK… it never ends), and they nest neatly inside my medium Chanel 25, Goyard Artois, or Birkin 30, which are my preferred carry-ons for travel. It’s a petite powerhouse I can truly rely on.

photo courtesy @pursebop

Surprisingly, I’ve never been a true clutch devotee—except for the Hermès Kelly Pochette, though many Hermès lovers wouldn’t call it a “true” clutch. I genuinely adore a beautiful Kelly Pochette, but the lack of feet always makes me a little cautious, even though its soft top handle gives it a relaxed, easy charm. What’s fascinating to me is how much the Kelly Pochette has grown in popularity over the past two years. Hermès seems to be quietly producing them in greater numbers, particularly in Swift leather, making them slightly more accessible than in years past. Secondary market prices now hover at nearly three times retail. If that tells us anything about demand, it suggests that the Mini Kelly II may be experiencing a slight pause in its once sky-high momentum.

Mimosa Mini Kelly
Matte Alligator

As a team we’ve had internal talks about the possibility of Mini Kelly fatigue. Could it happen? Perhaps, especially if more pieces continue to appear on the market. When there’s more of a good thing available, even something as coveted as the mini Kelly II, it’s natural for collectors to pause. Of course, I speak in relative terms for Hermès: the mini Kelly is by no means any less exclusive. Compared to years ago, there are undeniably more out there, with a healthy presence on the secondary market, often listed at two to three times retail depending on colour and desirability.

But even with more pieces in circulation, the mini Kelly still holds its magic. Many clients are still hoping to get their very first one. Nothing is ever a guarantee at Hermès…But isn’t that what makes each acquisition feel so special? Every single mini Kelly feels like a moment, each one a peg in the journey of collecting, and a small milestone that is always worth celebrating.

Rose Pop Mini Kelly

Still, Hermès knows exactly how to keep that sense of excitement alive. I for one am thrilled with all the special-edition creations like the Cloutè, Doré and Gris Argentè–and I can’t wait to see if they’ll complete the metallics with a Bronze edition. And then there’s the special blue-box limited-edition Cheval De Bois and the statement fringe Pampilles iteration, each unique and enticing in its own way. Hermès understands the collector’s mindset: there’s always one more piece that feels irresistible, the one that makes your heart sing. That spark, that little rush of anticipation, is part of what makes collecting so joyful.

Hermès mini Kelly Pampilles seen at Hermès George V Paris

As for me, I doubt my appetite for mini Kellys will ever be fully satiated. Each one, whether it’s the classic Chèvre or a bold Cloutè, holds magic I haven’t found in any other bag. Part of me wonders if my collection would feel more complete if Hermès decides to resurrect the vintage iterations. Until then, the mini Kelly II remains the bag I instinctively reach for, the one that anchors my look, and always feels like home in my collection.

L-R:
Mauve Sylvestre
Rose Pop
Gris Argentè

The Mini Kelly As Seen Through Karenzpurses Eyes

L-R
Rose Sakura
Trench/Craie
Magnolia

In 2019 when PurseBop penned her excitement on receiving her first mini Kelly II, I remember thinking if I had one it would look like I was using my college aged daughter’s bag. I was not yet comfortable seeing such a small bag on my frame. But as with most things, I was completely influenced and inspired by PurseBop’s posts, photos, and excitement using this new tiny addition to her collection.

Two years later I came to a realization: my collection was lacking a Hermès bag suitable for evening or special daytime events. Naturally, my thoughts returned to the mini Kelly II.

Rose Sakura mini Kelly with matching Kelly Pocket Strap

As a devoted lover of pin, a Rose Sakurs mini Kelly in Chèvre leather felt like the most logical – and irresistible – choice for my first foray in the Hermès mini world. Fully aware that I had set my sights on one of the most elusive combinations of size and color, I committed to being patient, waiting for the perfect piece to complement my growing pink collection.

The day finally arrived in the fall of 2022 and I was over the moon. The most perfect pint sized Rose Sakura mini Kelly was finally a permanent member of my family. The timing was perfect. With events scheduled, I was ready to determine for myself whether this new pink mini Kelly lived up to its hype.

Magnolia Mini Kelly

It took just one evening event for me to be completely hooked. Paired with an off-white monochromatic outfit, the mini Kelly provided the exact pop of color I needed. Carried by the top handle, it dangled errortlessly from my hand as I mingled, and I could feel myself falling in love.

Next, I attended a daytime event where I wanted to be hands free. I was concerned about the 93cm shoulder strap as I had seen it on others looking a bit short crossbody. Determined to try all possibilities, I started with it on my shoulder. It was the perfect length as a shoulder bag so that was a relief. During the event I needed to focus on the activities so I tried wearing it crossbody. My initial feeling was that it was a bit short for me, but it certainly offered the hands-free option I needed.

PurseBop team in Paris

The easiest travel bags

The following March, while traveling to Paris with PurseBop for Paris Fashion Week, I was able to order a new longer shoulder strap from the After Care department at FSH. I wasted no time ordering a 105cm strap. It took about 4 months to arrive but worth the wait. Now the length was perfect crossbody, even over a jacket or coat. I had discovered the solution to the one area that did not feel perfect for me.

After using and enjoying my new pink bundle of joy for months, I yearned for another one. What is it about Hermès bags that we can never be satisfied with just one?

Trench/Craie Mini Kelly
Rose Sakura Mini Kelly

The next addition to my collection came from the mothership in Paris. It was a Special Order bag created for the boutique to offer to clients. Not only was it my first neutral bag in a color combination I never would have considered, it had gold hardware which was new for me. Trench and Craie offered the perfect neutral combination and I became immediately obsessed.

There is something to be said for allowing the Hermès artisans to do what they do best: create a beautiful combination of complementary leather colors and hardware that you did not realize you needed in your collection. Immediately, I was drawn to clothes matching the bag, deviating from my usual monochromatic looks.

My new mini Kelly II was aptly named Miss French Roast conjuring up images of the perfect cup of morning coffee. Despite my love of pink, this bag was quickly becoming a favorite in my collection.

Trench/Craie HSS Mini Kelly

Now I was hooked. Just like PurseBop I was already strategizing how I might add yet another mini to my ever growing collection. We often spend hours talking about mini Kellys – strategizing, analyzing, discussing outfits and events where it would be the perfect bag for the occasion. To say we are both obsessed is an understatement. Pursebop has a unique way of influencing all of us without ever realizing it.

Clockwise from the top:
Nata HSS Chèvre Permabrass hw
Trench/Craie HSS Gold hw
Rose Sakura Chèvre Palladium hw

The million dollar question is: Will I ever be at mini Kelly purse peace? That is a tough question to answer. Can Hermès purse peace ever really be achieved? Hermès continues to surprise us with new versions of their bags each season that entice, attract, tempt, and lure us into their tightly wound web. What I can say is that I am extremely satisfied with all my mini Kellys. Each is unique, carrying their own secrets and stories. They attend events and shopping days often, some more than others. They are petite, offer endless possibilities, are beautiful to look at, and easy to use either hand held or with the strap. Although the Kelly 25 Sellier is my favorite Hermès bag, the mini Kelly II has a secure and well earned place in my collection.

Rose Sakura, Lemoncello, Magnolia, Trench/Craie

Mini Kelly Fatigue - Is It Real?

L-R: Magnolia, Rose Pop, 5P Hermès Pink, Mauve Sylvestre, Rose Sakura, Mauve Pale

Is it possible to be both obsessed with the mini Kelly II and experience luxury fatigue? The mini Kelly is on most people’s wishlist. At least it feels that way. Whether yearning for the first one, or hoping to add a color or leather new to a collection, the pursuit is real.

Many influencers, young collectors, and seasoned Hermès lovers can be seen unboxing and carrying a mini Kelly to events and day to day life. This leads to a feeling of over saturation and the loss of its exclusivity. The small orange box housing the mini Kelly II has become almost as famous as the bag itself, easily recognizable during unboxings on social media.

Clockwise from top:
Noir, Magnolia, 5P Pink, Rose Sakura, Nata, Trench/Craie

So this begs the question:

Has the mini Kelly II become over-hyped, saturated on the market, and almost commonplace? Has their allure, exclusivity, and charm diminished?

We are hearing from seasoned collectors who are rethinking the use of the mini Kelly II. Should we store them until the hype dies down? Or is it a temporary hiatus which may allow new collectors to experience the magic? It could possibly be the most requested bag in Paris and at home boutiques.

Alternatively, the Kelly Pochette has gained popularity arguably surpassing the mini Kelly II. A great alternative, the Pochette offers greater capacity, room for a cell phone, Calvi, keys, lipstick, airpods, and more. Despite lacking four clou on the bottom and no shoulder strap, the Pochette allure continues to soar. Is this the perfect alternative to the elusive mini Kelly? You be the judge.

The Hermès Mini Kelly II vs. Kelly Pochette | kelly pochette what fits | mini kelly what fits | hermes kelly pochette | hermes mini bag

Image courtesy: @pursebop

Front: Kelly Pochette Mauve Pale Swift

Social media may over expose the Hermès mini Kelly as well as other Hermès bags. But that does not deter the collectors who have a soft spot in their heart for the petite version of the classic Kelly bag. There is a size and occasion for all Hermès bags and we are here for all of them.

Share your thoughts on the mini Kelly bag. Do you love it, hate it, are you yearning for your first, or collecting multiple? We want to hear from you.