If you’ve ever wondered whether the Hermès Kelly Cut is worth the splurge, welcome to the ultimate deep dive!
As someone who’s spent more hours than I’d like to admit scrolling through resale sites and admiring the sleek silhouette of this iconic clutch, I finally got my hands on one, and I have thoughts. From the craftsmanship to how it actually fits into your wardrobe (and under your arm), consider this your honest, fun, no-fluff review of the Hermès Kelly Cut. Let’s get into it!
It’s a Friday evening and I am watching Desperate Housewives and Gabrielle Solis pops on the screen. She is wearing an elegant outfit & a long east-west clutch bag which she is wearing under her arm.
The sleek shape, the structured lines, the way it effortlessly tucked under her arm, it had all the hallmarks of a Hermès Kelly Cut.
And before I knew it, I was deep in Kelly Cut territory, obsessing over every detail from the signature turn-lock closure to the impeccable leather.
I searched through multiple TikToks & YouTube videos, but could rarely find a detailed video on the Kelly Cut.
“They’re probably not that popular at the moment”, I thought to myself. Little did I know later that year, the east-west bag trend was about to take the fashion world by storm.
I still wanted a Kelly Cut though, so I text my SA enquiring about them, but she said they rarely get them at the store. So I decided to do that any self-respecting Hermès lover who has been told they can’t have something do. I decided to go the reseller route.
I opted for a trusted, reputable reseller who stock Hermès items, at a reasonable price, including all the packaging & paperwork it comes with.
Unboxing My Hermès Kelly Cut – Black Swift Leather
A couple of days later, my Hermès Kelly cut arrived, in all her swift leather glory.
I present to you: Hermès Kelly Cut in Noir, swift leather, with gold hardware. She was perfect.
I peeled the stickers off. That’s it, she’s officially mine.
I ran my fingers through the impeccably soft swift leather, many thoughts where running through my head.
- I have never felt leather that soft, it must be a dream to carry around such a delicate bag.
- Due to how delicate she is, she might be prone to scratches. Does that scare me a little? Yes.
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But then I remember something I always say to myself: bags are meant to be used, and worn. And at the end, they are tools that we use to express ourselves and make memories, so I quickly talked myself out of the idea of babying this bag.
Her first night out was to a jazz bar with my cousins.
I wore a red silk dress, black blazer, and my black Kelly Cut. And I danced the night away with beautiful company.
Who Designed The Kelly Cut?
The Kelly Cut was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier during his time as the creative director of Hermès in the early 2000s. He took the classic structure of the iconic Kelly bag and reimagined it into a sleek, elongated clutch—basically, the Kelly bag’s chic, night-out-ready sister. Trust Gaultier to take something timeless and give it that effortlessly cool twist!
What Are the Measurements of the Kelly Cut?
The Hermès Kelly Cut measures approximately 12.2 inches (31 cm) in length, 5.1 inches (13 cm) in height, and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in depth. It’s perfectly slim and streamlined—just enough room for your phone, lipstick, cardholder, and keys without losing that sleek, under-the-arm vibe. Think minimal, but mighty.
Shop Hermès Kelly Cut In Black
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