Out of all the bags I own, I get asked the most questions about my Kelly bags by far, so I thought I’d do a quick little update today with my new strap and some more photos so you can more of the size (for the record, I’m 5’1!). This is my 28cm Kelly, and it’s probably my favorite size. Fits everything I need on most days, and a wee bit less bulky/heavy than my 32cm version.
Earlier in 2014, I ordered a matching canvas strap for my Kelly. Actually, since Hermes wouldn’t let me do an adjustable strap, I actually ordered two – one shoulder length and one crossbody length. See what lengths I go to?
And since it’s Hermes, six months later I received the notification that one, just one, of the straps had come in…but hey, I’ll take what I can get! Luckily it was the one I wanted more, the shoulder length strap, so I’ll be covering it today. Besides, I’ve already done a post on the crossbody strap length if you want to read about that one.
My beautiful new strap….ta da!
In short – I love, love the canvas shoulder strap. It is a godsend. I honestly loved my 28 Kelly before, but now I’m in super duper love with it. The canvas strap makes it so comfortable to carry all day. Sure, the thin leather strap that comes with the Kelly is a bit more elegant and dressy…but the canvas strap is better for my day to day life. Now my Kelly can be the perfect tourist bag!
I hope this post helps some of you that are looking for custom straps for your Kellys!
If any of you are looking to order a strap, I’d recommend going to your local store (better if it’s one that has a craftsman in house, like San Francisco or New York), and getting measured for the right length for you. Hermes will make the strap in 5cm increments to your exact specifications, so I’d definitely get measured.
By the way, the sales manager was crazy impressed that my strap order had come in under a year, especially since it was in chevre. She was in disbelief at first. She checked my order slip twice to make sure I didn’t have a brain fart and hadn’t actually ordered the strap in 2013, or even 2012. So when you order your strap, be prepared to wait…and wait….but who knows? You might be lucky and get it sooner than you think!
Price? Around 325 euro, if I recall correctly.
29 Comments
Jenny Gao
January 12, 2015 at 8:05 amLove your white shirt! Mind if telling me the brand of it? thanks!
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:36 pmIt’s just a basic Gap one! I think it’s called the oxford…they usually have it in the store. I love it too!
Trang
January 12, 2015 at 8:35 amLove your Kelly and am totally surprised that they wouldn’t let you order an adjustable strap. Don’t they make them all the time for the evelynes?
Also, curious as to your experience with chevre. How is your Kelly holding up with frequent use? I am thinking of adding one, in either box or chevre, and am leaning toward box because of what I have heard about chevre wearing out at the corners.
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:37 pmI love chevre…I think it can wear out as all leathers can but it’s a bit more hardy for “day to day” use than box. But box is dreamy all the way!
I don’t know why they didnt with the strap…it’s really dependent honestly I think on the whims of your SA and whether they think it’d “match”.
Maria
January 12, 2015 at 9:00 amI’m curious…. why wouldn’t they let you order an adjustable strap? I ordered an adjustable chevre/canvas strap for my Kelly in 2012. Still nothing. I wonder if that was why?
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:37 pmMy SA didn’t think it would “match” – simple as that! I think that some do allow it though.
christine brightside
January 12, 2015 at 9:16 amIs this the “evelyne” strap or a special/different strap? …I don’t have a Kelly yet, but one day, one day *sigh *dreaming 😉
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:38 pmIt’s the basic canvas strap for the Kelly..they call it Bandouliere, they will know what you are talking about if you go request it 🙂
Cassie
January 12, 2015 at 10:18 amWhat jeans are those if you don’t mind me asking?
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:38 pmI’ll have to go back and check but I think they are Old Navy rockstars!
Rach
January 12, 2015 at 11:11 amWhat length(s) did you end up getting?
Katherine
January 12, 2015 at 1:38 pmThey did a custom length, I think it was around 70 or 65cm? I would have to double check.
J
January 13, 2015 at 9:20 pmWhat a great idea! I have a very similar Kelly in 32 (also chevre!) and I think a strap will allow me to get more use out if it during the week.
Quick question, is the leather part of your strap also chevre?
Katherine
January 14, 2015 at 4:34 pmYup it is!
Luxuriously Frugal
January 14, 2015 at 7:39 amLove the idea! It adds casualness and losses formalness.
Jane
November 5, 2015 at 1:26 pmI just purchased my first Kelly from Hermes last week. I went back to the store to inquire about ordering a canvas strap and was informed that the US stores no longer accept orders for it. Where did you order your canvas strap from and do you know if they are still accepting orders?
Katherine
November 6, 2015 at 9:02 amI think it depends on the store and your independent relationship with it (frustrating answer, I know). I placed mine in Paris at the same time I placed my Kelly order. Hope that helps.
Jenn
February 10, 2016 at 9:43 pmHi Katherine
I am also of same height as you and I think that length looks perfect! Is it 70cm? Thks!
Katherine
February 11, 2016 at 8:14 amI believe it is!
Dodo
March 31, 2020 at 9:35 pm70cm is the length of the canvas and leather part only or including the hardware part please? Thanks
Linda
May 29, 2016 at 8:32 pmAmazingly beautiful kellys and thank you for sharing your experience about ordering the canvas strap. I recently got a K28 in retourne and found out that its strap is a lot shorter than my exisitng K28 in sellier. I was very confused and came to google strap length and came upon your blog. I’m not sure whether the difference is caused by different craftsmanship because the base of the retourne is also smaller, only 27cm… still trying to figure out why and what to do…
Katherine
May 31, 2016 at 1:41 pmEnjoy your Kelly! That’s interesting about the strap – all of mine are the same length. Its normal for the base to be smaller for retourne due to the construction. Did you get your new Kelly from Hermes directly? If so I’d stop in and ask them about it.
lebagfairy
June 5, 2016 at 5:54 amThanks for info on the strap.When you custom order it, can you choose the width? Besides canvas color, leather, and length what other options are there for the strap?
Katherine
June 5, 2016 at 7:25 amWidth is standard.
Dodo
March 31, 2020 at 9:34 pmHi Katherine, I am about your height. May I ask about the length and width of your cross body strap pls?
Asura
July 7, 2016 at 6:34 pmHi Katherine, just wonder whether you can help order a Hermes Kelly Canvas Shoulder Strap in Black colour with Gold hardware. My bag is a Vintage made in 1960s.
Katherine
July 8, 2016 at 7:10 amMy apologies, I suggest you check with your closest Hermes store.
EV
August 26, 2016 at 5:18 pmSo true about the wait for the canvas strap. It took about a year to get mine. Unreal.
Katherine
August 28, 2016 at 1:28 pmA year isn’t even so bad compared to other stories I’ve heard…crazy I know!