Tiny Bags with Big Impact
Downsize Your Handbag
The small bag trend is an enduring one that shows no sign of abating. While oversized bags are having something of a renaissance, teeny tiny bags have gained a firm foothold in our wardrobes. The smaller and more impractical the bag, the more iconic it seems to become when it comes to mini bags. But, whether you opt for a teeny tiny micro bag or a slightly larger and more practical one that can hold your essentials, there’s an Hermès bag that will tick all your boxes. Here’s a rundown of the most iconic, rarest and lesser-known Hermès bags that will fill the tiny bag-shaped hole in your heart.
Mini Kelly (& Micro Kelly)
Perhaps the most coveted of all mini bags is the Mini Kelly II, a scaled-down, 19 cm version of the classic Kelly. Its usually held by the handle or on the shoulder using its strap. Vintage editions feature single rings from which you can use a strap, but newer models feature double rings, which makes carrying the bag with straps much more convenient. The handle is a little too small to wear perched on your arm, although some of the vintage Mini Kelly 20s feature a rounded handle big enough to slide an arm through. If that’s not small enough for you, look out for the Micro Kelly, a 15 cm version of the Mini Kelly.
Kelly Pochette
Kelly Pochette carries the DNA of the Kelly bag. It’s a Jean Paul Gaultier interpretation of the Kelly that was first seen on the Autumn/ Winter 2004 runway of his first Hermès collection. The immensely popular bag has the same single flap, sangles and turnlock as the Kelly, and its flat bottom means it can stand up by itself. It’s a cute, trapezoid-shaped clutch with a small handle on the top and no shoulder strap. The Pochette is roomy enough to hold your phone, makeup and money, with a cardholder to insert your credit cards, making it a practical mini bag option. You’ll usually find Kelly Pochette Swift, Doblis Suede or Lizard.
Kelly Cut
Kelly Cut is similar in design to Kelly Pochette, with a top handle, sangles, turnlock and a small pocket for a card. However, the Cut is longer, thinner and sleeker, which makes it more comfortable to carry under your arm. Unlike the Pochette, it doesn’t stand up by itself.
Despite its long, thin appearance, once the bag opens its accordion-like sides open it up more than you might expect, making it a little roomier than it might seem. Most phones can fit comfortably inside. Similar to the Pochette, Kelly Cut doesn’t have a shoulder strap, so it can be a little awkward to carry, and its sangles only add to its fussiness. However, if you’re carrying it for a night out, its chic style more than makes up for any inconvenience.
The discontinued and hard-to-find Kelly Longue looks like a cross between the Cut and Pochette. The Tiny Kelly, similar in style to the Pochette, but just 14cm long, is even more miniature than the Micro Kelly.
Mini Constance
Constance is iconic, and the third member of the Hermès BKC holy trinity. Its distinctive H buckle makes it instantly recognizable as Hermès. and the mini version is perhaps the most coveted. Its shoulder strap is fairly short, so if you wear it cross-body, it sits fairly high. The capacity is pretty good, but its square shape means long wallets and some larger phones might not fit inside.
Other teeny tiny Constance bags include the 14cm Micro Constance and the Constance Compact Wallet, a square wallet with two credit card slots, a zipped change purse, and one interior and one exterior pocket. The Constance Slim Wallet, is a very dinky wallet that can hold little more than cards and coins and can be worn on a belt. An honorable mention goes to Constance Long To Go Wallet, which has a removable strap, allowing it to be used as a shoulder bag, crossbody bag, clutch or wallet. It has four four credit card slots, two pockets, a zipped change purse and an exterior pocket. Find out more about Hermès wallets here.
Micro Birkin
The Micro Birkin (also known as the Tiny Birkin) debuted in 2011 as part of the Candy Collection during Jean Paul Gaultier’s last show for Hermès when the trend for micro bags was just emerging. This versatile 15 cm bag, available in Epsom and Swift, was worn as a wristlet for the show, but can also be worn as a tiny crossbody bag. It was part of the Candy Collection, a series of boldly colored handbags.
Birkin Faubourg
Birkin 25 is typically thought of as the smallest Birkin, but the Birkin Faubourg takes mini a step further. This highly prized Limited Edition bag is the only Birkin to have been made in the mini 20 size. The distinctive bag is modeled after the facade of the Paris flagship store at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, and it is crafted using multiple types of leather. There is a day, night, snowy and midnight version. Find out more about the bag here.
Kelly Doll
Kelly Doll, the teeny tiny anthropomorphic Kelly bag has a legion of dedicated fans. Its adorable turnlock nose, bendable sangle arms, feet, mouth, eyes and eyebrows make it one of the cutest luxury bags on the market. Though its tiny size doesn’t make it the most practical handbag, these are highly sought-after collector’s pieces that seem to increase in value every year. There’s no doubt that taking one of these handbags out for the night would make a bold statement. Find out more about the Kelly Doll here.
Kelly Classique To Go Wallet
This versatile wallet has a removable shoulder strap so it could be worn as a mini bag, too. It has four credit card slots and a zipped pocket for coins.
Mini Lindy
Lindy isn’t always the most popular Hermès bag model, but the debut of the Mini Lindy in Autumn/ Winter 2019 breathed new life into the design. This immensely popular handbag isn’t a quota bag, but it’s very difficult to walk into an Hermès store and pluck one of these off the shelf.
Mini Lindy has double zips that come together in a turnlock at the center of the bag. The wide opening provides easy access to all your belongings inside. The fastening is a little bit fiddly but very secure. However, if you zip up the bag without using the sangles, you can access your belongings much more quickly. Of all Hermès mini bags, the Mini Lindy has the largest capacity. It can comfortably fit a phone, sunglasses, makeup and money inside.
Its long shoulder strap allows it to be worn crossbody, tending to sit at around waist level of taller people. Its boxy shape and feet make it easy to put it down without worrying about damaging the leather. Mini Lindy typically comes in delicate Swift or sturdier Taurillon Clemence.
Mini Bolide
Mini Bolide may seem a little roomier than a lot of smaller bags, but it's fairly flat, narrowing towards the zip, which makes it beautifully chic but minimizes its capacity. You’ll be able to pack your phone, keys, wallet and a few other essentials.
Mini Bolide’s handle is too short to be worn on your arm, but you can hold it by the handles, or wear it as a shoulder bag. The strap is fairly narrow and short, so those with a slightly larger frame may find it sits a little high when they wear it crossbody. However, it’s common for people with a larger frame, or those wearing bulkier, winter clothes to attach a Twilly to the strap to further lengthen it.
One of the perks of bolide is that its feet enable it to stand up by itself.
Mini Mini Bolide is a rare, teeny tiny version of the Bolide. It’s certainly not big enough for a phone but makes an adorable accessory when all you need are some keys, cash and lipstick.
Roulis Mini
Roulis Mini may not be as well-known as its lookalike older sister, Constance, but, since it debuted in 2011, its popularity has grown year on year. The Mini Roulis has three compartments inside, including one thin pocket in the center to hold documents. Its adjustable strap means it can easily be worn as either a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag.
Though it might not have the icon status of the Constance, Hermès lovers will appreciate its enduring style and flawless craftsmanship.
Mini Plume
Mini Plume is a good alternative to the Mini Bolide, and is carried in the same way - either in your hand or as a shoulder bag. It has a similar shape but is boxier, which makes it slightly bulkier, but with substantially more capacity. Additionally, Plume’s handles fold down, whereas Bolide’s are fixed, which gives it slightly more versatility.
Verrou Mini
Verrou Chaine Mini and Verrou Mini Strap are tiny, boxy bags with an off-center bolt closure, two internal pockets and a cardholder. Like most of Hermès’ most memorable designs, this one is inspired by equestrianism, with the fastening resembling that of a box stall. The bag was designed by one of Hermès most legendary creative leads of the fashion house, Robert Dumas, (he also designed the Kelly bag), and remains just as fresh-looking and stylish today.
Cinhetic To Go
This dainty little bag is discreet and stylish. Its most identifiable feature is the shapely ‘H’ turnlock. The clean lines of the Cinhetic are simultaneously functional and feminine. This tiny bag is expertly crafted, with two credit card slots and one zipped pocket, making it big enough for your phone, cards and cash. Its removable strap makes it versatile enough to wear as a clutch or shoulder bag. Go even smaller with the Cinhetic Mini Wallet. Its practicality is somewhat limited as this square pouch is barely big enough to hold a few cards and coins, but what it lacks in practicality, it more than makes up for in cuteness.
Clic 16 Wallet
Clic 16 is another wallet that doubles as a shoulder bag, with a removable leather strap. This simple, square bag has four credit card slots and two pockets.
Medor Clutch
This sexy and sleek clutch bag is punctuated by a punky Collier de Chien closure, which makes it a fun bag to vamp up an evening outfit.
Clou Medor Clutch
This lesser-known bag is a masterclass in Hermès artisanship. Its gently sloping pyramid shape is subtle yet striking. It can be held as a clutch or as a shoulder bag, thanks to its detachable strap.
Jige Mini
The Jige is a simple clutch, which was originally a wedding gift from Émile Hermès’ son-in-law, Jean Guerrand, to his daughter-in-law. The clutch was named after his initials, JG. It’s regarded by the fashion house as a symbol of the union of love. The simple leather envelope comes in various sizes including the Mini, which features a strap.
Pliplat
Pliplat is another understated clutch, with a handle on the flap which you can slide your hand through.
