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Good Morning,
I’ve had my Saint Laurent Toy LouLou bag for 2 years now and wanted to do a proper review with it being my first ever designer handbag. I know it can be daunting to enter the designer handbag world and it can be difficult to decide which brand / style / design to go for. Hopefully my review will help if you are in this position or considering any of the Saint Laurent LouLou bags as your next designer purchase.
Consideration
I thought long and hard about this bag before eventually purchasing which I believe is important. Impulsive purchases on this scale could easily be regretted and I’m glad I took my time before deciding to opt for this little lady. I thought about how I would wear it day to day or style up for an occasion. I bought similar styles from the high street to see if it would be something worth investing in. It’s all very well liking and lusting after a particular piece however if it’s not something that you can wear regularly then it’s perhaps not the best option.
Avoid Trends
The LouLou style of bags are a classic for Saint Laurent. They are not a seasonal or trend piece, they are a firm and iconic staple in the main collection and feature year after year. This makes them a great buy as they won’t go out of style or feel dated after a short period of time. They come in a few different sizes and materials including leather, suede and a patent finish. They have a classic colour palette too with black, neutral and red with gold, silver or black hardware in some cases.
I’d highly recommend avoiding trending bags as a first designer purchase. The Bottega Veneta pouch, Louis Vuitton Multi-Pochette and Jacquemus Chiquito are a few examples which I don’t believe will have longevity. They are often highly desirable and it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to get them but if you want a bag that will serve a purpose in the long term and act as a timeless piece in your wardrobe, it’s better to opt for a classic or item from the main collection.
Wearability
The thing I like most about this bag is the ability to wear casually or formally. It can easily liven up a simple jeans and white tee combo or it can add a touch of luxury to a little black dress for an occasion or event. It can be worn cross body with the strap or as a clutch which makes it really easy to reach for regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing. Other options in this price point may only be suitable for casual or formal occasions rather than both which makes the LouLou stand out from the pack. Larger bags may not be as versatile or wearable day to day and this is something to take into account.
Durability
The chevron quilted design of the toy LouLou is a real benefit. The leather isn’t as soft and fragile as you may expect and as a bag that can be worn day to day and in a cross body style, it has certainly faired better than I anticipated. I’m not precious with material possessions, I appreciate and value them but I’m not going to be upset if they get scratched or damaged as I’d much rather enjoy, wear and use them than have them live on a shelf, collecting dust and never seeing the light of day. I keep the original tissue and padding inside when it’s not in use and store in the dust bag to protect it as I do with all my bags but I don’t expect it would have worn any more had I not stored in this manner. Overall the LouLou is very durable and despite regular use, mines remains looking as good as new.
Internal Compartments
For a small bag you don’t expect internal compartments aside from maybe a back pocket however the toy LouLou has a built in divider which gives two equally sized areas as well as a zipped pocket and 3 card slots which is a real bonus. There is adequate space for day to day essentials including purse or cards added to slots, keys, phone etc. It’s good to have things organised so that you don’t have to take everything out to find the thing you’re looking for. At quick glance you can easily identify where things are which also helps in reducing the risk of damage / scratches from pulling things in and out.
Price Point
I’ve spent a lot of time lusting over other bags in the same price point however I don’t feel they compare to the LouLou. The price has increased significantly since I first ever looked at it and I expect it will continue on that trajectory due to the bag being an iconic piece for the brand. I was really lucky to pick mine up in the sale and it’s worth keeping a close eye if you are looking to score your first designer handbag. I believe the bag is worth the full retail price which is currently between £945-£1035 depending on the retailer. The quality and craftsmanship is exquisite and the bag holds it’s shape really well. The versatility drives up the wearability which in turn reduces the cost per wear. If you buy a bag that costs £600 but only wear it a few times compared to a bag that costs £1000 which you wear constantly, the value for money is in the higher priced option.
Overall I’m still really happy with this purchase and I’m glad I choose this as my first designer handbag. It’s a really elegant and classic style which will age with me and remain a timeless piece in my collection.
p.s I’ve linked some affordable dupes below:
xo!
