About the Saint Laurent Loulou Bag
First launched in 2017, the Saint Laurent Loulou bag reached immediate star status in the handbag world, becoming one of Saint Laurent’s most sought-after styles. The beautifully quilted bag is named for founder Yves Saint Laurent’s longtime friend and muse, Loulou de la Falaise. For 30 years she was by Saint Laurent’s side, acting as not only a wealth of inspiration but also as a source of comfort and support. In fact, de la Falaise was so important to the designer’s vision that, after her death in 2011 (Saint Laurent passed away in 2008), a headline read: “The second death of Yves Saint Laurent.”
In 2012, the YSL design house changed its official name to Saint Laurent, but they still use the YSL logo for cosmetics and accessories in ready-to-wear collections like shoes and bags, including the Loulou. For this reason, you’ll find the Loulou handbag listed under Saint Laurent as well as YSL.
YSL Loulou Bag Design and Features
YSL Loulou handbags have a soft but boxy shape that’s flexibly structured, allowing you to store all your things inside a stylish bag that still holds it form. Immediately identifiable for its classic quilting, the Loulou comes in a variety of colors, materials and hardware finishes. With four sizes to choose from, this is a bag for every part of your life. YSL Loulou bags include the following features:
- Metal hardware with YSL interlaced monogram
- Envelope-style flap
- Magnetic snap closure
- Leather strap or metal chain strap trimmed with leather
- Y-quilted matelassé overstitching
- Interior zip and flat pockets
- Grosgrain lining
For staying organized, the Loulou Toy bag has a divided main compartment plus a zip pocket and three card slots inside. The small, medium, and large Loulou bags have two main compartments separated by a zip pouch as well as one pocket set in the back compartment (this pocket has a zipper in the medium and large bags; the small bag has a flat pocket).
The YSL Loulou bag sizes include (height x width x depth):
- YSL Loulou Toy Crossbody Bag: 5.5 x 7.8 x 2.9 inches
- YSL Loulou Small Shoulder Bag: 6.6 x 9.8 x 3.5 inches
- YSL Loulou Medium Shoulder Bag: 10.6 x 12.5 x 4.3 inches
- YSL Loulou Large Shoulder Bag: 10.6 x 14.9 x 5.5 inches
The YSL Loulou bags are designed with straps that allow versatility in terms of how you wear them. The Loulou Toy bag can be worn as a crossbody with a 22-inch leather strap, or you can remove the strap and carry it as a clutch. The small, medium and large bags have chain straps that can be doubled up to hold on your arm or extended to drape over your shoulder. In the case of the small Loulou bag, it can be worn as a crossbody with a 22-inch strap drop or doubled up with a 12-inch strap drop. Both the medium and large Loulou bags have a 19-inch shoulder-strap drop and a 10-inch strap drop when worn on your arm.
YSL Loulou Bag Materials and Craftsmanship
YSL Loulou bags are made in Italy by expert craftsmen using the finest materials, including calfskin, lambskin, 100% linen, shearling and patent leather. Finishes can come in suede, metallic leather and printed leather in a range of rich colors – everything from all-matte black to playful animal print. The Loulou Puffer style has a softer shape, reminiscent of your favorite winter puffer jacket.
The signature Y-quilt stitching is a technique called matelassé (French for “quilted” or “cushioned”) that’s meant to mimic traditional hand-stitched quilts from Marseilles, France. In an authentic YSL Loulou, each row of quilting will be exactly the same width. If there are double stitches on the quilting or loose threads, this could be a sign that the bag is inauthentic.
The Loulou’s hardware also comes in a number of finishes, including oxidized nickel, bronze-toned metal and matte-black metal. The signature YSL logo and curb chain strap will be in the same metal finish on the small, medium, and large Loulou bags.
YSL Loulou Bag Prices and Collectibility
Because of its timeless shape and classic lines, in addition to its quality and functionality, the YSL Loulou makes a great investment piece. In early 2021, medium-sized versions of the bag started at a little more than $2,000 on the brand’s website. For a wider array of price points, check out online resellers. Similar examples of the leather medium Loulou bag sold for about $1,400.
A tip for collectors: Keep an eye out for limited-edition Loulou bags that use materials and colors not available from season to season. Some of these include bags with toned metal rope YSL monograms or styles in shearling or metallic leather.