Kelly 25 vs 28 and the Mini Kelly: How to Choose

The short answer: The Mini Kelly II is a small bag for a phone, cards and a lipstick, worn on the shoulder or across the body. The Kelly 25 holds the daily basics and can be carried by hand or on its strap; the Kelly 28 adds room for a wallet and a small pouch. Sellier (outside stitching) gives a crisp, structured shape; retourne (inside stitching) gives a softer, rounder one. In our Ginza stock in November 2026, Kelly 25s were listed from about ¥2.7 million and Mini Kelly IIs from about ¥3.8 million, excluding tax.

Kelly 25, Kelly 28 and Mini Kelly II at a glance

	Mini Kelly II	Kelly 25	Kelly 28
Approx. width	about 19–20 cm	about 25 cm	about 28 cm
How it is worn	Top handle, or strap on the shoulder or across the body	By the top handle, or on the strap	By the top handle, or on the strap
Stitching	Sellier	Sellier or retourne	Sellier or retourne
What fits (a guide)	Phone (try a large phone first), cards, lipstick, keys	Phone, card case or compact wallet, keys, lipstick	Add a compact wallet, small pouch, sunglasses case
Who it suits	Evenings, travel days, hands-free	Most frames, every day	Taller frames, more to carry
In our stock, 5 Nov 2026*	7 bags	14 bags	0 bags
Listed price range*	¥3,800,000–¥10,218,182	¥2,709,091–¥4,181,819	—
Median listed price*	¥4,472,728	¥3,618,182	—

• Items marked “現金特価” (special price) on our site can be paid by bank transfer only.
• Hermès does not publish bag dimensions online; the sizes here are approximate figures widely used in the pre-owned market.

\*LUXARIA's online stock as of 5 November 2026. Prices are our displayed prices excluding Japanese consumption tax, and are a guide only: stock changes every day. The top of the Mini Kelly range is an alligator bag; the five Mini Kellys in Epsom ranged from ¥3,800,000 to ¥4,609,091.

What is the difference between sellier and retourne?

This is the first choice to make with a Kelly, and it changes the look more than a few centimetres of size.

• Sellier ("saddler"). The bag is stitched on the outside, so the seams run along the edges. The shape is structured, with sharp corners, and the bag stands up on its own. It looks more formal and slightly smaller for its size. Sellier Kellys are often made in firmer leathers such as Epsom.
• Retourne ("turned"). The bag is stitched inside and then turned right side out, so the seams are hidden. The shape is softer and rounder, and many people find it a little easier to pack. It looks more relaxed. Retourne Kellys are often made in softer leathers such as Togo.

Neither is "better". Choose sellier if you like a crisp, polished look; choose retourne if you want a softer, everyday bag. Listings do not always say which construction a bag has, so ask. In our stock, only one of the fourteen Kelly 25s stated "sellier" in its title (Gold Epsom, ¥2,709,091).

Kelly 25 or Kelly 28?

The Kelly has a single top handle, a flap with a turn-lock and a removable shoulder strap, so both sizes can be carried by hand or worn on the shoulder.

1. Kelly 25. A versatile size for many people. It holds a phone, a card case or compact wallet, keys and a lipstick.
2. Kelly 28. Wider and taller, with room for a compact wallet and a small pouch as well. It looks more classic and suits taller frames or anyone who carries more.
3. Try both with your coat on. Check where the bag sits on the strap over winter layers.

Seen side by side, a retourne Kelly 28 looks noticeably softer and fuller than a sellier Kelly 25, so compare the same construction when you judge size.

In our stock on 5 November 2026 we had 14 Kelly 25s and no Kelly 28s. If you are looking for a 28, message us before your trip and we will tell you what we have.

What is the Mini Kelly II, and how is it different from the first Mini Kelly?

"Mini Kelly" usually means the Mini Kelly II, the current small Kelly. It is sellier-stitched, has a top handle and a long strap, and can be worn on the shoulder or across the body, which is why many travellers like it. All seven Mini Kellys in our stock were Mini Kelly II (listed as size 19).

The first-generation Mini Kelly is an earlier version that is no longer made and is found only pre-owned. It is a different bag from the Mini Kelly II, and the details of the differences (size, strap and construction) should be checked bag by bag. If a listing does not say "II", ask which version it is.

Other small Kellys you may see: in our stock there were also 3 Kelly Pochette 22 (¥3,045,455–¥3,198,182) and 1 Kelly Danse 22 (¥3,527,273).

How do leather and hardware change a Kelly?

• Togo. Grained, scratch-resistant and soft; a natural partner for retourne. In our Kelly 25 stock, 8 of 14 were Togo.
• Epsom. Embossed, light and firm; it keeps the sharp lines of a sellier Kelly. 4 of our 14 Kelly 25s and 5 of our 7 Mini Kellys were Epsom.
• Swift and other smooth leathers. Rich colour and a soft shine; they show scratches more easily.
• Exotics. A different price range. Ask for the documents, and check the rules for bringing exotic leather into your country before you buy.

Hardware works the same way as on a Birkin: gold looks warm and dressy, palladium (silver-tone) looks cool and easy to wear, and champagne gold sits between. Our Kelly 25s were evenly split: 6 gold, 6 silver-tone and 2 champagne gold. For colours, Noir (black), Craie (off-white) and Etoupe were the most common.

What does a pre-owned Kelly cost in Japan?

In LUXARIA's stock on 5 November 2026, excluding tax:

• Kelly 25: ¥2,709,091–¥4,181,819 (14 bags, median ¥3,618,182).
• Mini Kelly II: ¥3,800,000–¥10,218,182 (7 bags, median ¥4,472,728); in Epsom, ¥3,800,000–¥4,609,091.

The Mini Kelly II is smaller than the Kelly 25 but was listed higher in our stock. Pre-owned prices follow demand for the model, size, colour, leather, hardware, year (shown by the stamp) and condition, not size alone. Boutique prices change by country and over time, so check the current price where you live before comparing.

How to choose your Kelly in Ginza

1. Choose the construction first: sellier or retourne.
2. Then the size: Mini Kelly II, Kelly 25 or Kelly 28.
3. Then the leather, colour and hardware.
4. Browse our stock online and note the item numbers. See stock For how to read the stamp, condition rank and accessories, see How to Choose a Pre-Owned Hermès Store in Ginza.
5. Message us with the item numbers before you visit. We generally do not hold items, but we will do our best to help.
6. Bring your passport. Eligible items can be bought tax-free; in store, the procedure is done at our tax-free counter. From 1 November 2026 you pay including tax, and the tax is refunded after customs confirms the item when you leave Japan within 90 days.

About LUXARIA

LUXARIA is a pre-owned luxury store in Ginza 7-chome, a 5-minute walk from Ginza Station, focused on Hermès bags: Birkin, Kelly, Constance and Picotin.

• Every item is authenticated before sale. Inspection is always done by more than one person, and only items that pass more than 50 checks are listed.
• Staff speak English and Chinese.
• In store: credit cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay.
• Online: export prices without Japanese consumption tax; overseas shipping is charged by item and shown at checkout; import duties and taxes are paid by the recipient. We do not accept returns after purchase, so please ask us anything before you buy.
• Address: 1F New Ginza Building No. 8, 7-5-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061. Hours: 11:30–20:00.
• WhatsApp / WeChat: luxaria_ginza
• See Kelly and Mini Kelly in stock
• Thinking about a Birkin instead? Read Birkin 25 vs 30 (and 35).

FAQ

How much is a Mini Kelly in Japan?

In LUXARIA's stock on 5 November 2026, Mini Kelly IIs were listed from ¥3,800,000 to ¥10,218,182 excluding tax; in Epsom, ¥3,800,000 to ¥4,609,091. This is a guide; prices change with stock.

Is the Kelly 25 sellier or retourne?

It is made in both. Listings do not always say, so ask the store. Sellier looks crisp and structured; retourne looks softer and rounder.

Kelly 25 or Kelly 28 for every day?

The Kelly 25 suits many people and holds the daily basics. Choose the 28 if you carry a wallet and a pouch, or if you are tall.

What is the difference between the Mini Kelly and the Mini Kelly II?

The Mini Kelly II is the current version: sellier, with a top handle and a long strap. The first Mini Kelly is an earlier version found only pre-owned. Check which version a listing is.

Can I wear a Kelly across the body?

The Mini Kelly II is often worn across the body. Whether a Kelly 25 or 28 works across the body depends on your height and the strap, so try it on.

Can I reserve a Kelly before my trip?

We generally do not hold items. Please message us with the item number and we will do our best to help.