There are certain purchases in life that make you question who you were before you owned them, and for me, the Hermès Kelly Pochette is one of those pieces. I knew she would be beautiful, chic, and the kind of understated flex that only Hermès manages to execute without looking like it’s trying too hard.

What I didn’t expect was just how quickly and effortlessly she would slide into my everyday wardrobe, as she had always been there, quietly judging every bag I loved before her. If you’ve been debating this little slice of Hermès heaven, settle in, because I have feelings. A lot of them.

HOW DID I GET THIS ITEM

Hermès has a reputation for being as elusive as a limited-edition Birkin in hot pink, and my journey to the Pochette was no exception. A couple of years ago, I shared the borderline-unbelievable story of strolling into the Hermès store in Paris and boarding the Eurostar a few hours later as the proud owner of a Mini Kelly. And while I wish it were that simple, the real story is far less Cinderella and far more “determined woman haunting the flagship like a chic ghost.” I went in multiple times a day, gently (and then… less gently) requesting an appointment, only to finally secure the coveted leather appointment through the concierge at my hotel, proof that Paris magic sometimes comes in the form of someone else making calls on your behalf.

I naïvely assumed that this would unlock the golden pathway to future bags at my local London store, but Hermès had other ideas. My real in-road ended up coming through a friend who had been playing the Hermès game far longer and was finally reaping the rewards of quota-bag season. I started tagging along to their appointments, building relationships, and collecting sales assistant numbers like they were rare Pokémon cards. There was even a moment where I was convinced I’d been placed on an invisible blacklist after turning down the first bag I was offered, but thankfully, the universe, and my SA, gave me a second chance.

Now, I’m three bags deep with my preferred sales assistant, and every offer has aligned with the wish list I originally presented. Yes, I fully understand that this entire method of shopping borders on delusional fantasy, but honestly? I adore the process. The chase, the relationships, the slow burn of luxury retail romance, it’s all part of the Hermès experience, and at this point, I’m too emotionally invested to pretend otherwise.

THE SPECIFICATION

Let’s start with the leather, because Swift is one of those materials that fashion people either worship like it’s a sacred textile or avoid entirely out of fear it will melt if you breathe on it wrong. In reality, Swift leather is soft, supple, and has a luxurious, slouchy quality that lends itself beautifully to the Pochette silhouette.

In Gold, it becomes something even more special. The shade is a warm caramel dream that somehow looks refined and neutral while simultaneously whispering, “Yes, I am that girl.” It’s the kind of colour that works with crisp white shirts, chunky knits, floaty dresses, and every tone of denim ever created. Gold is like Hermès’ greatest hits album, and Swift leather is the perfect platform for displaying it.

WHY THE POCHETTE

What I love about the Pochette is that it’s one of the rare Hermès bags that feels like a hybrid between casual and elevated, without committing fully to either. It’s structured enough to hold its shape and maintain the iconic Kelly lines, but soft enough to feel relaxed and wearable. It doesn’t scream “formal occasion only,” which is frankly a blessing, because I can barely coordinate my grocery shop, let alone my social calendar. The Pochette slots right in, day or night, dressed up or down, and I appreciate a bag that can vibe with my current personality, which changes hourly, depending on caffeine levels and sleep quality.

HOW I WEAR THIS ITEM

One thing I adore about this bag is how it transforms depending on how you wear it. Under the arm, it becomes this effortlessly chic clutch moment, the kind of styling choice that suggests you casually frequent art galleries and sip wine at lunch. Carried in the hand, it leans more classic, almost Old Money adjacent. And placed on a table? Well, prepare for someone to gasp, because the Pochette has that effect. There’s a confidence to the way she sits—structured enough to show off, soft enough not to brag.

COST PER WEAR

Now let’s talk cost per wear, because if you’re anything like me, you justify luxury purchases through robust, almost mathematical reasoning (despite having no interest in actual maths). The Kelly Pochette, especially in Gold and especially in Swift, is one of the strongest performers in the Hermès lineup when it comes to value retention. It’s desirable, hard to get, and sits in that sweet spot of “collectors adore it” and “real people actually use it.”

It’s also the kind of piece that will age gracefully, provided you show it even an ounce of care. Swift leather does mark more easily than other Hermès leathers, but it also buffs out beautifully, softens with time, and develops this lived-in charm that feels personal and intimate rather than imperfect. Patina is character, not damage, and that’s the hill I’m willing to die on. I am actually looking forward to when this item begins to look more loved than its box-fresh appearance.

POCHETTE VS MINI KELLY

Now, as someone who owns and loves the Mini Kelly, I must confess that my current loyalty lies wholeheartedly with the Pochette. The Mini Kelly is stunning, iconic, adorable, painfully chic, and absolutely impossible to open with one hand. She’s structured, sharp, and very much the polished, formal little sister who always looks perfect in photos.

But the Pochette? She’s the cooler one. She’s the relaxed fashion girl who throws on sunglasses and walks out the door with an enviable dose of confidence. I love the slouchy, less formal appearance of the Pochette, and I especially love that I can tuck it under my arm with that effortless model-off-duty energy that says, “I’m fashionable, but I didn’t agonise over this.”

It also carries noticeably more, something that matters deeply to me, especially now that I no longer leave the house with the minimalism of a person who was once child-free.

The Pochette is simply more usable. It’s more comfortable, more flexible, and more forgiving. The Mini Kelly is a treasure; the Pochette is a companion. And at this moment in my life, the companion wins.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

The Hermès Kelly Pochette in Gold Swift leather is a bag that exceeded every expectation I had, and trust me, they were high. It is chic without being rigid, luxurious without being flashy, and practical without being dull. It’s a paradox of perfection: slouchy yet structured, petite yet roomy, elegant yet easygoing. For those who want an Hermès bag that feels special but wearable, iconic but not overly formal, the Pochette might just be your soulmate. It certainly became mine.

If you’re debating this purchase, consider this your sign, from one handbag lover to another, that the Pochette is worth it. She’s the kind of piece you’ll reach for far more often than you anticipate, and the kind of bag that makes every outfit look just a little bit more intentional. Gold Swift may not be the safest choice, but since when has “safe” ever created great fashion stories?

And trust me, you’ll want this one in your story.