Saint Laurent’s Classic Loulou Bag Gets a New Look
Saint Laurent has long been a symbol of effortless chic and its classic Loulou bag stands as a testament to its design prowess. Released in 2017 and named after Loulou de la Falaise, who was one of Yves Saint Laurent’s most influential muses, the bag has since gone on to become one of the brand’s most emblematic styles, instantly recognizable by its puffy exterior and the iconic YSL logo decorating the flap. However, it seems like the time has come to give the old classic an update. That’s right, 7 years after its debut, Saint Laurent decided to redesign the Loulou. For better or worse, you decide later. But for now, let’s dive into the details of this transformation.
Old vs. New Saint Laurent Loulou Bag: Design Differences
When Saint Laurent first released the Loulou bag in 2017, it instantly captivated fashion lovers with its design. The bag combined the brand’s signature chevron-quilted stitching with the then-trendy puffer leather, creating a timeless, yet very modern aesthetic.
Balancing a modern edge and timeless appeal, the Saint Laurent Loulou Bag also featured the iconic YSL monogram hardware prominently displayed on the flap closure, as well as a versatile strap that allowed it to be worn in an array of ways. Another highlight: a thoughtfully organized interior with multiple compartments. I mean, was there really a need to change anything?
Well, as mentioned earlier, one of the highlights of the Saint Laurent Loulou bag was its puffy exterior. A feature that ended up becoming a trend in itself, this is now associated with a lot of bags from the late 2010s and early 2020s. And I personally think this is where the problem was – the Loulou bag suddenly became too trendy, while initially it was meant to be timeless.
So, the newly updated Saint Laurent Loulou bag moves away from the overly trendy “puffer” look in favor of a more timeless, elongated silhouette. The design is further enhanced with a removable leather pouch and a pocket mirror, while a sliding chain strap allows it to be worn in a variety of ways, including as a crossbody.
Sizes
The original Loulou bag was available in 4 sizes: Toy, Small, Medium and Large. The new Loulou, too, comes in an array of sizes, incl. the new Mini Loulou bag, which is set to replace the Toy and become the smallest size in the range. Find the full comparison of old and new Loulou bag sizes below.
| Saint Laurent Loulou sizes | Old Bag dimensions (cm) | New Bag Dimensions (cm) |
| Toy | 20 x 14 x 7 cm | n/a |
| New Mini | n/a | 20 x 12 x 5 cm |
| Small | 25 x 17 x 9 cm | 24 x 14 x 6 cm |
| Medium | 32 x 27 x 11 cm | 29 x 17 x 8 cm |
| Large | 38 x 27 x 14 cm | 32 x 22 x 10 cm |
Materials and Prices
As per time of writing this post, the new Loulou bag is available on ysl.com and comes in lambskin leather and aged-gold hardware. The new Mini Loulou bag is currently priced at $1,900 plus tax, whereas the larger Small and Medium Loulou bags share the price tags of $2,600 and $2,900 respectively. The largest size in the lineup – Large Loulou, comes priced at the round $3,000 plus tax.
Final thoughts
What are your thoughts on the newly redesigned Saint Laurent Loulou? I think I like it! However, I haven’t seen this bag in real life yet. So, perhaps my opinion is going to change later. But that being said, by enhancing the design of its Loulou bag, Saint Laurent demonstrates that even the most celebrated pieces should continuously evolve!
Preview the new Saint Laurent Loulou Bag here.
