One of the great things about the luxury market and the process of buying a luxury accessory is that every buyer brings their own preferences to store. While there are brands out there that are synonymous with luxury, with Hermès at the forefront of the luxury industry, particularly for handbags, the different models, sizes, and colour palettes available mean that every Hermès bag has its own character and charm.
What’s fascinating is seeing what drives buyers, which colours and finishes move in and out of trend, and how the brand itself adapts to changing trends by changing what’s available each season.
With that said, which colours of Hermès Kelly are considered the most popular, and how important is trend when set against the staple shades prioritised by the brand?
The Hermès Kelly bag boasts a trapezoid shape and a widely versatile structure that, to many buyers, makes it the ultimate all-occasion luxury accessory.
But while many fashionistas and Hermès enthusiasts recognise the connection between this bag and Grace Kelly, what many don’t know is that the Kelly bag was actually in circulation prior to being carried by Grace Kelly in 1956. Once called the Sac à Dépêches, the bag was first released way back in 1935, but was eventually renamed following the success of Grace Kelly’s outing carrying the bag.
This sparked a worldwide demand for the Kelly that outweighed anything the brand had seen – with the Kelly second only to the Birkin with regard to its sought-after status.
From a design perspective, the Hermès Kelly is handmade by artisan producers, with each bag taking around 18 to 20 hours of intricate and ornate work. The short strap can be looped over the arm and nestled in the crook of the wearer’s elbow, while the four feet and plaque on the front of the bag are finished in different hardware options depending on the model and colour of the bag.
Which brings us to the big topic of this article – which colours are the most sought-after shades, and why?
There are several different avenues down which this question can be answered.
There are the colours and shades that are bold and that tap into the legacy of Hermès in using bright and vibrant shades. Then there are the softer tones and the neutrals that render a bag more accessible and more versatile.
The choice that different buyers make with regard to these two main paths tends to be subject to their personal style and their approach as a buyer. First-time or single-Hermès owners are more likely (typically) to reach for a neutral tone that they can wear with any and every outfit or look. Those with an existing collection are often drawn to the seasonal shades, the limited-edition releases, and even the exclusive and unique designs that are created as collaborative and one-off bags.
Then, there are the buyers who want to own a piece of Hermès history and who covet the prestige of owning a Kelly bag. In these cases, colour is supplementary to the model and to the authenticity of the Hermès bag.
Look at it this way.
The neutral shades are scarce because their versatility and neutrality make them a great piece to buy for those who want to own one staple Hermès bag. The high demand and limited supply across the whole Hermès range pushes prices high – as has become the norm across luxury brands.
The bolder colours and seasonal tones often fall under exclusive release, with a limited number of bags in that shade or colour palette being made available. That means that, from the date of release, specific colours are difficult to find on the market – with those that are made available often being resold on the secondary market at higher prices. The fact that they are often never restocked only serves to heighten demand.
What all this means is that every Kelly colour is coveted and limited to some degree, some because of extensive popularity and others through sheer scarcity.
But which are the top shades to look out for?
You won’t be surprised to learn that most of the top and most coveted colour tones across the Kelly collection span neutrals and soft shades.
Gold is one of the shades that is becoming more popular, with buyers preferring the muted golden tan material, complete with gold hardware and pale stitching that stands out against the leather.
A black Kelly bag, with either gold or silver-coloured palladium hardware, is another option that is incredibly popular – a cooler but still highly versatile neutral.
Etoupe and Etain lead the pack in softer shades of grey, with both colours spanning all the seasons and creating the ideal accessory for day or night. Etoupe is notably paired with white stitching across most Kelly bags, while Etain is much more subtle with blended stitching.
Some other colours worth mentioning are the off-white shades known as Craie and Nata, a soft pink called Rose Sakura, a bright-red Rouge Casque, and a pale Bleu Brume.
While some of these shades are more vibrant and/or seasonal than others, one thing that unites them all is the versatility and the fact that the materials have been purposefully matched with a hardware that elevates the finish and aesthetic of the bag.
With so many colour palettes to consider and choose from, our advice is to visit your local boutique reseller and browse their collection of available Kelly bags. Not only can you see how the shades look in different lights, but you can see how each shade looks against your colour palette and as part of your look.
Whatever your preferred colour, owning an Hermès Kelly is akin to owning a piece of art, carefully crafted just for you. Experience the magic of Hermès colourways at your local reseller.
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