Hermès Kelly Cut vs. Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch

Dreaming of a Hermès Kelly Cut, but don’t want to play “the game” at Hermès? Sure, your SA may end up offering you the bag in color and leather you end up requesting. However, that is never really guaranteed. That is also why many H-lovers choose to turn to the resale market right away or attempt to seek alternatives. And talking about the latter: have you seen Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo Long Clutch? A long, rectangular-shaped clutch bag crafted in the brand’s iconic intreciatto, it’s basically Bottega’s version of the Kelly Cut. Not even to mention that everyone in the fashion world seems to be obsessed, with the bag currently sold out across most retailers.  But is the Andiamo Clutch truly a wise investment, or should you stick with Hermès? Keep reading for a full comparison.

History and Design: Hermès Kelly Cut

So, the first thing that stands out when it comes to the Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch is its fascinating history. Introduced on the Hermès’s Spring/Summer 2008 runway, the Kelly Cut pays homage to the House’s legendary Kelly bag, which is distinguished by a trapezoidal silhouette with a chic, singular top handle and the iconic Hermès padlock closure. The Kelly Cut bag retains most of these features, while being set into a sleek, elongated silhouette, designed specifically to complement evening attire. The bag also opens up to a leather-lined interior with a flat pocket.

History and Design: Bottega Veneta Andiamo Long Clutch

The Bottega Veneta Andiamo Long Clutch, on the other hand, has quite a limited history. Released for the Fall/Winter 2023 as part of the brand’s Andiamo collection which made its debut a season earlier, the bag is characterized by an elongated silhouette woven in Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato. The design of the bag is further enhanced with a chic top handle and a magnetic closure with a knot detail at the front which opens up to reveal an organized interior with a separate compartment for bills and six card slots.

Interestingly, a lot of reviewers online have stated that they prefer the opening on the Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo Clutch due to its un-fussy nature with magnets. And truly, the Hermes Kelly Cut can be quite a hassle to get in and out of (you first gotta turn the lock, then undo the straps as they go over the lock and then move the flap to put in your stuff), which is also why a lot of people choose to leave it open. Not so good for the security of your stuff, right?

Size Comparison

A side by side comparison of the two bags further reveals that they are nearly identical in size. In particular, the Hermès Kelly Cut measures 12.25 inches in length and 5.25 inches in height, whereas the Bottega Veneta Andiamo Long Clutch is just slightly smaller, measuring 12.2 inches in length and 5.1 inches in height.

Bag Style	Dimensions (cm)	Dimensions (inches)
Hermès Kelly Cut	31 cm x 13 cm x 2.5 cm	12.25” x 5.25” x 1”
Bottega Veneta Andiamo Long Clutch	31 cm x 13 cm x 3 cm	12.2” x 5.1” x 1.2”

Color Choices

You also won’t be disappointed by the available color choices for both bags. The Hermès Kelly Cut, in particular, can be found in a vast array of shades via the pre-loved market, with the brand continuously releasing new colors each season.

The Bottega Veneta Andiamo Long Clutch also comes in a wide range of hues, ranging from classic black to trendy off-white. However, unlike the Kelly Cut, which is available in both standard leathers and exotic materials, the Andiamo Long Clutch is limited to lambskin. But perhaps Bottega are going to add more materials later, as the design is still very new to the brand.

Pricing

The Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch also stands out for its relatively “affordable” price point, especially when compared to the Hermès Kelly Cut, which currently retails for around $6,500 directly from the brand. In contrast, the Andiamo Clutch costs just $2,950 – a fraction of the Hermès bag’s price. This appealing price point, combined with the current East-West bag trend, has made the Andiamo Clutch a true hit, with the bag currently sold out across most platforms. So, if you have the Andiamo Clutch on your wishlist, you may want to set up back in stock alerts.

Final thoughts

With its classic silhouette and a much more affordable price point, the Bottega Veneta Andiamo Clutch makes for a tempting alternative to the Hermès Kelly Cut. Plus, given that the bag has an array of Bottega’s signature style codes in it, it is unlikely that it will ever fully go out of fashion.

Are you the team Kelly Cut, or the Bottega Andiamo? Let’s chat in the comments below!