Hermès · Care Guide

Kelly 28: Complete Care & Storage Guide

The most versatile and most-carried Kelly size. Retourné construction softens with use — a properly sized pillow is what keeps the shape.

Dimensions28 cm W × 22 cm H × 10 cm D (approx. 11" × 8.7" × 3.9")

Common leathersTogo, Clemence, Epsom, Swift, box calf

First produced1935 (as Sac à dépêches)

Find the pillow for this bag Shop Kelly 28 accessories

Quick specs

Interior dimensions

27 × 9 × 21 cm

Where the pillow sits

Construction

Sellier or retourné

Retourné is more common

Weight (empty)

~1.0 kg

Varies by leather

Hardware

Palladium or gold-plated

Turnlock, sangle attachments, feet

The Kelly 28 is the everyday Kelly — large enough for daily essentials, small enough for evening, and produced in higher quantities than the 25 or the 32. It's the most balanced Kelly size, and often the first Kelly a collector acquires.

Unlike the more architectural Kelly 25, the 28 in retourné form softens noticeably with use, which is part of its charm. But that softness works against you in storage: without a properly sized pillow, a Kelly 28 will lose its shape faster than a Birkin will. This guide covers the specific storage discipline the 28 needs.

The Fabrinique storage system for the Kelly 28

The Fabrinique storage system for the Kelly 28 rests on three principles: precise fit, appropriate weight, and breathable materials.

Precise fit means the pillow occupies the full interior cavity without compressing or over-stretching the leather. For the Kelly 28, the pillow measures approximately 26 × 8 × 20 cm — narrower than any Birkin pillow and shaped for the Kelly's taller, more architectural interior.

Appropriate weight means the pillow settles into the base of the bag under gravity, keeping the base square and pressing gently outward against the front and back panels. Too light, and the pillow shifts; too heavy, and the base can bow.

Breathable materials — a cotton cover over a hypoallergenic fiber core — allow moisture to escape rather than trapping it against the leather. Never use plastic-filled pillows, and never wrap the pillow itself in plastic.

Care cadence at a glance

Daily use

Empty and wipe

The 28 fits more than the 25 — which means more residue accumulates in the corners. Empty completely at day's end.

Weekly

Loosen the front straps overnight

Front strap tension builds up over a week of use. Loosening the straps overnight lets the flap sit at its natural angle and prevents permanent compression.

Monthly

Shape check with pillow in

Insert the pillow and step back — the front, back, and sides should be square to the base. Any bowing means the pillow is undersized or the bag needs a longer rest cycle.

Quarterly

Full rest

Even actively rotated Kellys need one week per quarter fully at rest with pillow in and no use.

Annually

Professional service

The Kelly 28's turnlock and front strap stitching wear predictably; annual inspection prevents small issues from becoming expensive repairs.

The Fabrinique pillow for the Kelly 28

Sized to the exact interior of the Kelly 28 — precise enough to fill the cavity without stretching, weighted to hold shape through daily rotation or long-term storage.

Find the Kelly 28 pillow

Frequently asked questions about the Kelly 28

What size pillow do I need for a Kelly 28?

The Kelly 28 interior is approximately 27 × 9 × 21 cm. A pillow measuring 26 × 8 × 20 cm fills the cavity precisely — narrower than any Birkin pillow and shaped to match the Kelly's taller silhouette.

Kelly 28 or Birkin 30 — which should I choose?

Both are the 'first Hermès' for many collectors. The Birkin 30 is more casual, more capacious, and easier to open (single flap vs. Kelly's double straps). The Kelly 28 is more formal, more architectural, and works better for evening. Neither is objectively better — they're different bags. Many collectors own both.

Is retourné or sellier better for daily use?

Retourné (softer edges, more relaxed shape) is more practical for daily use — it's easier to open and close, and small impacts are less visible. Sellier (rigid, sharp edges) is more formal and shows every mark, so it's better suited to occasional or evening use.

Can I wear the Kelly 28 cross-body?

Yes — the detachable shoulder strap converts the Kelly 28 to a cross-body bag. This is the most youthful styling and reduces stress on the top handle. Most collectors wear the 28 by top handle in professional settings and cross-body casually.