Lily & Bean Hettie Mini Bag Review: Best Hermes Kelly Dupe?
Today we’re talking all about the Lily & Bean Hettie Mini Bag in this unsponsored review. All opinions are my own (this bag was a birthday gift from my husband, not from the brand) and this post may contain affiliate links. I’ve now carried it for five years, so this is also a look at how a mini Kelly dupe holds up once the newness wears off.
Short answer: yes, I’d still recommend it. Five years in, my Hettie Mini is still stiff, structured and in great condition, and it’s the perfect mini bag to carry in the evenings.
What I love: the clean Kelly-style shape, the leather, the two straps it comes with, and how well it has kept its structure.
What to know: it is small (phone, card holder, keys and a lipstick is about it), it is made to order and ships from the UK, and it is currently $265 at US checkout).
My hunt for a little black bag: Lily and Bean Hettie Mini Bag Review
I had been eying this classic gorgeous little number from Lily & Bean for a few years before it was mine. When I first saw someone link to it online I had no idea it was an Hermes Kelly dupe (could not have told you any Hermes styles at that point).
I’m drawn to the clean lines and the elegant structure of this bag…..and now I know why 🙂
It was on my Christmas wishlist and Ben surprised me with it for my birthday five years ago.
Lily & Bean Brand Details: Is Lily and Bean Legit?
Founded in the UK in 2016, Lily and Bean specializes in high-quality personalized bags. From handbags to luggage (and lots of storage pouches in between). You’ll see a lot of totes with initials and a lot of travel essentials.
If you’re wondering whether Lily & Bean is legit, yes. It is a real company that designs and personalizes its pieces in a studio in Hampshire, England, and ships worldwide. I can only speak to our order, but my bag arrived in its dust bag with both straps, and five years later I’m still carrying it.
The Hettie Mini Bag Details:
Let’s get into the details of the Hettie Mini Bag and what the ordering experience is like.
A quick note on the name: Lily & Bean now lists this bag as the “Hettie Bag” on their site, but it is the same mini size (the description still calls it the Mini Hettie).
The bag arrives in a Lily and Bean dust bag with both straps (the solid black leather and the patterned woven strap).
Material
The Hettie Mini is made from full leather with metal hardware. It has metal feet so the leather doesn’t touch the surface when you set it down.
Design
The design of this bag is classic, timeless, and chic. It is a structured bag that holds its shape with very clean lines for an elegant look.
The Hermes Kelly bag is an icon for a reason and you get a lot of that same style in this bag at a much lower price point.
Size: What can you fit?
I can fit the essentials in my bag for an evening out or running errands:
- card holder (or small wallet)
- iPhone (my 15 Pro fits)
- chapstick/lipstick
- keys
Versatility
I love how versatile this bag is! You can easily wear it to more formal events but you can also throw it over jeans and a tee shirt for running errands. Depending on what color you pick, this is a bag you can carry daily, year-round (as long as you don’t actually have to take that much with you).
How it has held up after 5 years
Quality note: I’ve had this bag for five years now and it is still in great condition. I don’t use it as an everyday bag, which I’m sure helps, but it is still stiff and structured and it’s the perfect mini bag to carry in the evenings.
Hettie Mini Bag vs Hermes Mini Kelly: Is It a Good Mini Kelly Dupe?
Okay, let’s talk about the Hettie Mini vs the iconic Hermes Kelly Mini.
The Lily & Bean Hettie Mini is a fun, classic, budget-friendly (relatively) alternative to the iconic Hermes Mini Kelly. I am not here to convince you that you won’t be able to tell the difference between the two. For one, the Hettie s a look-alike and not a counterfeit. It does not have the Hermes brand name stamped on the hardware. This bag is not trying to fool people into thinking you own an Hermes bag.
This is a very similar bag in size, style and construction. If you love the style of the Kelly and not the price tag, the Hettie Mini is fantastic.
Let’s look at some specifics:
Materials:
Both bags are constructed with high-quality leather (although no one is trying to claim that the £185 bag is the same quality as the five-figure one).
The hardware on the two bags is different. On the Hettie Mini you don’t see the same Hermes lock.
Sizing comparison:
The Hettie Mini measures W 19cm x H 12.5cm x D 6cm
The Mini Kelly is about W 20cm x H 12cm x D 6cm so the two are nearly identical in size.
Craftsmanship:
Nothing is going to beat the perfect construction of the Hermes Mini Kelly but the Hettie Mini is a well-made bag from quality materials.
Here is a side by side of the two bags:
👉 See the Hettie Mini colors here
How to Rock the Lily and Bean Hettie Mini Bag
You can really wear this bag with just about any outfit for any occasion. I find myself wearing it a little bit less than I thought because I picked the black color and I don’t reach for a black bag during the summer. That said, here are a few ideas on how to wear your Hettie Bag:
- running errands in jeans and a striped tee
- lunch with girlfriends with a blazer
- evening gala with a gorgeous floor-length dress
- date night in your favorite pair of heels.
Styling note: a silk scarf tied on the handle is an easy way to add a little touch of color to the black.
outfit details: Shein blouse // The Drop Blazer // Striped Shein sweater dress // Ferragamo Flats
Other bags from Lily & Bean
Lily & Bean specializes in monogrammed bags at every size. Here are a few of their classic styles (I haven’t ordered anything from them besides this Hettie Mini).
*For almost all of these you can find more colors on their website as separate listings and lots of monogram options
- Suede Shopper (stunning in the brown color)
- Jumbo Canvas Tote (love the monogram options)
- Beaded Tote (also comes in a gorgeous clutch)
Where to buy the Hettie Mini Bag from Lily & Bean:
Right now I can only find the Hettie Mini new on the Lily & Bean website, where it is listed as the Hettie Bag. You can find a few available on resale sites like Mercari and Poshmark.
Ordering Details: Shipping Lily & Bean to the US
Here are a few things to keep in mind when ordering:
- Price: The Hettie Mini is currently £185, which comes to [USD PRICE] when you switch the site to United States.
- Color: There are several different colors for this bag. They are listed as separate listings on the site (as of now) so you have to click around and see your options. Right now I see black, tan, mocha, glacier blue, khaki, blush pink, and a cream and tan. I love my black one although I think a tan would be a little bit more versatile. If I were going to order a second, I would get a statement red that would be perfect for the holidays (or just about anything else), although I don’t see a red in the current lineup.
- Straps: The bag comes with two straps; there is the patterned cloth strap and the leather strap I am wearing in these photos.
- Initials: You can personalize your bag with initials but I prefer the look of the bag without initials. Keep in mind that Lily & Bean does not accept returns on personalized items unless they arrive faulty or damaged, and returns have to go back within 14 days of receipt.
- Shipping and customs: This is the part that has changed the most since I first wrote this review. Lily & Bean now ships internationally with duties and taxes included in the price you see at checkout, so there are no extra charges when the bag is delivered. That matters more than it used to, because the US no longer waives import fees on packages under $800. Standard international shipping is free on orders over about £150, which the Hettie qualifies for.
- Timing: The bag is made to order and dispatched within two weeks, and then shipping takes between 2 and 7 days (maybe a little bit longer if ordered during the holiday season).
- Discount: Lily & Bean offers 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for their emails.
Conclusion: Is the Lily & Bean Hettie Mini worth it?
The Lily & Bean Hettie Mini bag is a darling, classic, and versatile option. If you’re looking to get the timeless look of a Kelly mini without the price tag, this is a good quality option, and mine has five years of evenings out to show for it.
If I were ordering again I would still start with this black color BUT I’d be really tempted to order a bright fun color.
If this one has been sitting in your cart, the duties-included shipping makes it a much easier order from the US than it was when I first wrote this review.
outfit details: Frame Denim // The Drop Blazer // Shein Blouse // Mansur Gavriel Slingback Pumps
Lily & Bean FAQs
Yes. Lily & Bean is a UK company founded in February 2016 (its largest shareholder is Jenna Tyrwhitt-Drake with a 51% stake). My Hettie Mini has been in my closet for five years and is still in great condition.
Yes, they ship to the US. Duties and taxes are included in the price at checkout, so you should not be charged again at delivery. Standard international shipping is free on orders over about £150.
Yes. Mine carries my iPhone 15 Pro along with a card holder, keys and a lipstick. I have not tried it with a larger Pro Max size phone.
Yes, the crossbody strap is adjustable and detachable, and the bag comes with two of them.
The Hettie Mini closes with a metal clasp on the front flap. It is easy to open and close quickly.
Yes, you can take the strap off and carry the Hettie Mini by the handle as a clutch, which makes it a versatile accessory for day-to-night transitions. If you are going to store the strap inside the bag when you transition you won’t be able to fit much more in the bag (fair warning).
Personalized items cannot be returned unless they are faulty or damaged, and returns need to be sent back within 14 days of receipt. If you are unsure, order without initials.
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