Still can't get that YSL Lou camera bag out of your head? I know but what you mean…

Those of you who have read my mail service most the Saint Laurent Loulou Toy bag a few months ago, would know that I had my doubts about YSL Lou camera bags for quite some time. While I always liked the overall appearance of the bags, ultimately it was the design flaws – extensively covered by many bloggers – that have put me off buying the Lou.  And this is why, when it came to pulling the trigger between Loulou Toy and the YSL Lou photographic camera bag, I chose Loulou Toy.

Simply every bit information technology ofttimes happens, that was not meant to be the cease of the story. During a recent visit to the Saint Laurent boutique on New Bond Street in London, I spotted the Lou crossbody bag in Pigeon Grey and absolutely fell in love with the colour. That was information technology, really. Even though I knew the mode had its imperfections, I was and so in awe of the stunning shade of gray that I forgot all about them in an instant. And so the YSL camera bag ended up coming home with me. Another completely unintended buy!

Is the YSL camera handbag worth it? In this post, I will be looking at the usual pros and cons of the purchase to requite you an idea whether I found the Lou to be a audio investment. I will also evidence how it compares to Saint Laurent Loulou Toy, as well as Gucci Marmont and the Louis Vuitton New Wave camera bag. I hope you lot detect this post useful.

YSL Lou camera bag

Appearance

The YSL camera bag shown in this review is the quilted version of the Lou. The decorative chevron pattern covers the front end and the back of the bag, while the sides, top and bottom are made of smooth calfskin leather. The Lou is also available in suede, patent and grained leather varieties. Personally, I like the matelassé wait the most because it nicely contrasts with the YSL logo positioned at the center. It likewise creates a much firmer exterior which should prevent the bag from losing its shape over time.

The bag is busy with the iconic YSL symbol, which measures approximately 6.5cm in height and 3cm in width. The one seen in this post has an aged silver finish with a distressed surface. I was specially drawn to this cease considering I felt it complimented the colour of the bag really well and was reasonably unimposing.

Bated from the aged silvery, the hardware of YSL Lou photographic camera bags is also bachelor in apparently silver, bronze gilt and blackness variants. Thus, if the antique look is not your loving cup of tea, yous tin pick something else. Those objecting to whatsoever prominent brand signs might even cull a version where the logo is merely embossed in the leather (i.e. the plain leather version of the Lou). One thing to note is that if y'all become for the metallic logo, it is relatively big when compared to the overall size of the bag then information technology volition surely stand out, especially if the finish is obviously silver or gilt.

The handbag has a rectangular shape with dimensions of 26cm ten 16cm ten 6cm (that is the width, height and depth). In terms of size, it is slightly larger than nigh designer camera bags on the market.  Information technology has a fixed shoulder strap with a drib of approximately 60cm, which can be regulated to further extend or shorten its length. The strap is quite thin, measuring 1.2cm in width, and is attached to the trunk past manner of 2 pocket-sized metal rings. The bag has a standard height zip closure with a double leather pull matching the colour of the exterior. The interior is lined with canvass and there is only 1 internal slip pocket.

One of the well-nigh striking features of the YSL Lou camera bag is the oversized tassel. The tassel measures 14cm in length and is finished with a circular metal grip with the words "Saint Laurent Paris" engraved around it. It is linked to the strap by means of a leather loop and can be slid from one end of the bag to the other, to exist positioned wherever convenient. Dissimilar information technology is the case with the Gucci Soho Disco bag, the tassel is non a permanent feature of the pattern and can exist detached if information technology becomes too much of a nuisance (a skilful choice to have, in my view 😊). [Back to Menu]

Saint Laurent bag in grey hanging on the shoulder

Fit test

If you love petite bags but cannot alive without certain daily essentials, the YSL Lou camera bag may be the ideal selection for you.  For a pocket-size design, it has an exceptionally good chapters, which won me over from the kickoff.

The below photos show a fit test and how the generous inner space of the Lou could be utilised:

As you can run across from the above examples, the bag could contain a Chanel "Egg" hand cream, a small Tangle Tweezer brush, a pocket-sized wallet (12cm x 8cm), 30mil bottle of Hermes Twilly perfumes, mints, a hand sanitizer, a compact face powder, two lip glosses, tissues and iPhone 11. For the purpose of these photos, I deliberately used bulky objects such as a purse and a full-size hand cream, to give you an idea of the ample inner space.

Although this is non shown here, usually I would have a pocketbook organiser within of my Lou. To maximize the infinite, I tend to carry smaller versions of essentials with me, such equally a mini bottle of perfume, a folding comb rather than a brush, and a card holder instead of a wallet. These take up less room, only as well (unfortunately) have a trend to get "lost" inside of bags with no inner structure, like the Lou. And then a purse organiser is much needed to manage the inevitable clutter. I will look into this point some more in the "Cons" section. [Back to Card]

YSL Lou camera bag

Pros of the YSL Lou photographic camera handbag

1 of the biggest pros of the quilted YSL Lou camera handbag is, in my view, its exterior. While the blueprint itself is relatively simple and classic, what sets information technology apart from other camera bags is the lovely leather which has a distinctly smooth, rich and sleeky finish. The leather, accentuated by a padded pattern, instantly catches attention. It is also relatively scratch resistant, which is an additional bonus.  Equally far every bit texture goes, it is one of the nicest finishes I take seen in camera bags. Just by looking at the quilted YSL Lou, it is instantly obvious we are dealing with a high-quality item, which should retain its shape and beautiful appearance for many years to come.

Another feature of the YSL Lou camera handbag, which I find actually bonny, is its size. It is fair to say, it volition appeal to those who dearest to carry many daily essentials but usually struggle to fit them into a small bag. This has always been a personal boxing of mine, every bit at that place are certain items I just cannot function without. YSL Lou'southward dimensions make it a rather spacious "small bag". As you could see in the Fit Test section, above, the bag tin accommodate quite a remarkable number of items. It never ceases to surprise me how much I can really fit inside of my Lou (messy equally it might be, just about that later…!). The combination of a modest size and generous interiors makes it the platonic AM to PM bag. Equally, those who practice not similar the dimensions tin opt for an even smaller version, i.e. the Lou Mini bag, which measures 19cm ten 11cm 10 5cm.

What I also similar about the design is the length of the shoulder strap. It allows to behave the purse cross-body without appearing awkward or too curt, but it also looks good hanging on the shoulder. The drop can be regulated very easily thanks to 7 holes in the strap and a unproblematic buckle. This is not necessarily the case in many other camera bags, notably Gucci Marmont (I will explore this in the Marmont vs the Lou comparison, below). So whether you are tall or curt, there should be plenty length options to choose from without the hassle of having to shorten the strap or punching additional holes in information technology. [Back to Menu]

Saint Laurent bag photographed next to the Queen Victoria statue

Cons of the YSL Lou camera bag

Now for the cons… Admittedly, there are a few and so I will have it in turns.

The first and the most notorious 1 is the bulging attachment. The attachment was the reason why it took me and then long to buy the YSL Lou camera bag. I have read and so many negative comments well-nigh information technology, and how information technology spoiled the look of the Lou, that I saw no indicate investing in the bag. Still, I managed to get it somehow…😊

Is the bulging zipper a problem? Yep and no. It is definitely a flaw of the blueprint which causes the attachment to beetle upwards rather than lie apartment on meridian of the purse. It is also pretty much there from the beginning. At the Saint Laurent boutique, I had a wait at a few Lou bags and all of them seemed to be afflicted past this issue to some extent. Hence, if y'all are thinking of investing in this YSL camera handbag, y'all should enquire yourself if y'all can live with this small imperfection or is information technology a total deal breaker?

To me, the zipper was not a deal breaker. I was so mesmerised by the colour of the bag that the simply thing that could finish me from buying it at that point would be a scratch, a rip, or some other major fault. In fact, information technology looks much worse when the bag is in a resting position or when information technology is viewed from higher up. Once the bag is in use, the zipper is barely noticeable. It is just 1 of those things… you can only see it if you know information technology is in that location.

Prior to purchasing my Lou, I asked the sales assistant for some ideas on how to solve this issue. She suggested keeping the purse filled with some paper to flatten the "hump". I have tried that and kept my bag filled to the brim but, to exist honest, it did not make that much divergence. Then rather than stressing out, I decided to just forget almost it and savour this cute bag. Hump or no hump.

Another downside of the quilted YSL Lou camera handbag, which I find particularly testing, is its shape. As much equally the overall size of the Lou is adept, the pattern is quite deep and relatively narrow (width-wise), and thus not entirely practical. While stuffing pocket-size daily essentials into a deep, dark hole may sound like an easy job, finding anything inside is not equally straightforward. On superlative of that, the bag has only i inner slip pocket and no outer pockets, and then maintaining any kind of structure and lodge is quite a challenge. To put it plainly, y'all accept no choice but to pile items on top of each other which will, inadvertently, create a bit of a mess. It seems similar whoever designed the purse has not idea that aspect through properly.

Realistically, if you want to enjoy the Lou without losing your mind, you will need a purse organiser. Information technology will maximise the use of space and add together the much-needed inner compartments. I ended up re-purposing the one from my Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis (review here) considering information technology fits neatly inside of the Lou, and this has fabricated a huge difference. It is then much easier to use the pocketbook with the liner. Honestly, I cannot recommend it plenty! If yous are thinking of buying the YSL Lou camera bag, get an organiser as shortly as you tin to save yourself heaps of unnecessary frustration.

A further aspect of the design, which I do non particularly similar, is the shoulder strap. Earlier, I mentioned that the length of the shoulder strap was a notably good feature merely here I mean its actual appearance. Those of yous who have read my review of Saint Laurent Loulou Toy would know that I was equally unimpressed past the strap of that way too. The YSL Lou photographic camera bag mirrors a lot of the aforementioned bug, in that the shoulder strap is similarly sparse and basic. At that place are no concatenation or substantial metallic elements which could get in more than exiting. The trunk of the camera bag is also larger than that of Loulou Toy and so the contrast between the lovely exterior of the bag and the unimpressive shoulder strap is quite stark. On top of that, the uninspiring strap cannot exist detached to be replaced by something more alluring. If I had the ability to brand some style changes to the camera handbag, I would definitely outset with that aspect. Perhaps Saint Laurent could think of making information technology slightly thicker so it does non look so flimsy?

I final point. I have a dear – detest relationship with the tassel.  I know… it is stylish and adds a prissy visual accent to, what is otherwise, a reasonably evidently design. What is my gripe? The very start fourth dimension I took the purse out – and it was hanging on my shoulder – I had a very foreign feeling that something (or someone?!) was touching the back of my leg as I walked. The slightly creepy sensation turned out to exist the tassel brushing against my thigh. I tried to slide it to the front of the handbag but that was non much joy either. The tassel is relatively large and tends to bounce effectually, which takes some getting used to. If you practice not desire it to be too bothersome, the best way to carry the Lou is every bit a cross-torso pocketbook. That way, yous tin rarely feel information technology and will soon forget information technology is in that location.

Having said all of that, I exercise non recollect that the tassel is a major sticking point. It is not even a drawback but more of an individual preference. Personally, I would rather it was smaller, so it was less noticeable. The expert thing is that those who discover it intolerable tin can simply remove it, as it is easily detachable. Even so, the truth is that the tassel is the signature of the bag and the Lou looks much better with it attached. And then if you can live with information technology, information technology is worth keeping as it enhances the design, even though it tin can become somewhat annoying at times. [Back to Menu]

YSL Lou camera bag

YSL Lou camera bag or Loulou Toy?

In a way, it is quite difficult to do a side-by-side comparison of the quilted YSL Lou photographic camera bag and the Loulou Toy bag because they are quite different. Even though they share some common elements such as the chevron stitching, the decorative YSL metal logo and the thin shoulder strap, this is where the similarities really stop.

The YSL Lou camera bag is more of a statement piece than Loulou Toy. While I would not oft draw photographic camera bags equally specially standing out, the Lou is different in that respect. It may be something to do with its larger dimensions, the shiny matelassé leather, the assuming YSL logo and the oversized tassel that attract attention. Every time I walk past someone who carries the Lou camera bag, I cannot help just think, oh that's a lovely bag!

Saint Laurent Loulou Toy is smaller and far less imposing. As mentioned in the before review, Loulou Toy is a relatively plain bag which compliments an outfit just is otherwise invisible. It is swish – but also quite inconspicuous – so it will not be competing for attention with any other accessories or clothes. The metal logo is visible, just notably smaller than the 1 of the Lou bag, then information technology is less distracting.

Saint Laurent Loulou Toy and the Lou comparison
A side-past-side comparison of the YSL Lou camera bag and Saint Laurent Loulou Toy, showing differences in size, shape and the overall appearance of the bags.

The main attribute which, in my stance, gives Loulou Toy the border over the YSL Lou camera bag is its practicality. Due to its square-ish shape, accessing personal belongings is uncommonly easy. What as well helps is the multitude of internal pockets, so the contents can be well organised. The Lou offers more infinite only its profile, which is deep and narrow, makes finding annihilation within quite a challenge. Especially, if like me, you like to overfill your bags. Before I started using the earlier mentioned organiser, there were a couple of occasions when I literally had to tip the bag over, throwing everything on the floor, to locate my keys. That would never happen with the Loulou Toy bag.

There are another design aspects which brand Loulou Toy the more attractive choice. The fact that the bag has a detachable strap cannot go awry. The fastening organization is likewise marginally better, as there is no nix to fiddle with and, instead, the bag has a clip closure. Further, the bag's top flap makes it more than secure. With the Lou, oft I notice myself keeping information technology open so I can easily remember items such as a paw sanitiser or a face mask, which creates the obvious safety risks. Unfortunately, the bag has no external pockets to pop them in. With Loulou Toy, fifty-fifty if you go out the bag unclipped, it would be very hard for anyone to admission your belongings unnoticed considering the tiptop flap offers actress protection. With nothing top bags, it is a different story.

Overall, with only a small-scale price difference betwixt these ii styles i.due east. £925 for the Lou and £880 for Loulou Toy (prices in the Britain equally of 2020), the deciding factor should exist how each bag is going to exist used. If you value space over organisation and like argument pieces, then the YSL Lou photographic camera bag will be the i for you. Withal, if yous are a applied person with a preference for lower key designs, you may notice Loulou Toy the more appealing option. Alternatively, if you sit somewhere in betwixt, yous may besides settle for both 😉. Each of them is elegant and beautifully made, so you should not go incorrect with either. [Back to Card]

Saint Laurent bag photo outside the Buckingham Palace

YSL Lou camera bag vs Gucci Marmont and Louis Vuitton New Moving ridge

Love camera bags but cannot decide between Gucci Marmont, Louis Vuitton New Wave and the quilted YSL Lou? In that case, you may find the below tips useful. I own all three styles so I volition happily share my thoughts on how they compare and what makes each of them special.

In terms of functionality, Gucci Marmont deserves five stars for its shape and size. The interiors are roomy, and the width makes it is piece of cake to take items out and put them dorsum in. I never struggle to find anything inside, even without a bag organiser (every bit it is the case with the Lou). Considering of this aspect, I tend to utilize the handbag the about.

The Louis Vuitton New Wave handbag is a close 2nd. One of its best features is, in my opinion, the external skid pocket, which is highly usable. The pocket is a fantastic addition and I cannot praise it plenty. The width of the New Wave is comparable to that of the YSL Lou camera pocketbook, simply the design is non as "tall", so accessing belongings is still reasonably easy. Personally, I find the Lou to be the to the lowest degree practical of the iii, fifty-fifty though it is the largest.

Every bit for aesthetics, if yous are looking for a hit but likewise a classic design, the YSL Lou photographic camera bag seems like the nigh obvious choice. The stop is beautiful and the quality of leather is excellent. The oversized tassel gives the Lou an edgy wait, but it can also be removed to transition the handbag into a more demure and elegant piece. In that respect, it is the virtually versatile of the iii.

The Marmont and the New Wave bags are stunning too, just not as sleek as the Lou. With the bold concatenation element and the matching metallic logo affixed to the front, they are more on the trendy, rather than the sophisticated, side. This is further emphasised past the bright and imposing golden hardware (although palladium-toned alternative tin can be plant in the 2020 Gucci Pre-fall collection). If that was not enough, LV New Wave as well suffers from a rather unfortunate, oversized zip pull, which dilutes its refined appearance.

For my part, I experience the most comfortable using my LV New Wave and Gucci Marmont for evenings out or daywear. With the Lou, I would non hesitate to carry it with a suit, because its chic appearance makes it plumbing fixtures even for the smart occasions. Of grade, how you are going to use the handbag is downwardly to individual preference and mode so y'all may feel differently about it 😉.

There is besides the question of the strap. If you are particularly alpine or petite, and are concerned nearly the flexibility of the strap, the YSL Lou camera bag may be a expert option to go for. The length is generous and adjustable past means of a uncomplicated buckle, so adding extra holes should be effortless plenty (although, I would leave this to an expert!). Should you need to regulate the strap of your Gucci Marmont, this is also doable but slightly more awkward. Here, the length is adjusted by a stud fitted into ane of five pre-cut holes, which are rather tight. Moving the stud is a little tricky and, if you demand actress holes, it is definitely a task for a specialist. Still, the length of the strap is quite reasonable and can exist modified.

The strap of the Louis Vuitton New Moving ridge purse is the shortest of the three, and also fixed-length. As such, a taller person might find it tight when carried cross-body. In fact, I am v'v" and the length feels just virtually right, but it is notably shorter than the strap of the Marmont or the Lou. Naturally, the bag can nonetheless be carried on the shoulder and looks really nice presented that way. Still, if you are alpine, thinking about getting the New Wave and like to carry your bags cantankerous-body, the strap should be something to accept into account as information technology might be a factor affecting the condolement of its use .

The final point is longevity. Looking at the leather stop of each piece, my impression is that the Louis Vuitton New Wave pocketbook will hold its shape and original status the longest. The quilted calf leather has a matte texture, is quite sturdy and seemingly scratch resistant. I have been using my New Moving ridge quite a lot during the summer and it looks every bit expert as new. The YSL Lou photographic camera bag is a close runner upwardly. Although the quilted calfskin leather is much softer and has a glossy appearance, it is not especially malleable. I do non wait information technology to develop many creases as a sign of continuous use. Gucci Marmont has the softest leather of the three and is amazingly supple. However, this makes it prone to wrinkles and marks, every bit it is quite squashy. Every bit such, of the three bags it is the least probable to maintain that fresh-out-of-the-box look for long.

Arguably, the issue of potential longevity of each pattern is reflected in the toll. Louis Vuitton New Wave is the nigh expensive of the three. At the fourth dimension of posting of this review, the New Wave bag will set yous back £1,370 in the Britain. The expert news is that it is possible to go them at a 20% disbelieve at the Heathrow Aerodrome, which brings the price downwards quite substantially. In fact, I have seen them in the Louis Vuitton Concluding 5 boutique a number of times.

By comparison, Gucci Marmont and the quilted YSL Lou camera handbag price £970 and £925 respectively (once more, UK prices equally of 2020). Nonetheless, if yous are looking for a bargain, there are ordinarily plenty of Marmont numberless at the Gucci Heathrow Airport store where, again, yous tin can save 20% off the original price. Unfortunately, I have not come beyond any places (online or else) where you tin pick upwardly a discounted, new YSL Lou, but I volition update you if I spot them somewhere.

If you lot would like to read more about the Gucci Marmont camera bag or the Louis Vuitton New Wave purse, I have reviewed them in particular on my blog and you tin find the posts by clicking here (for Gucci Marmont) and here (for Louis Vuitton New Wave). [Back to Menu]

Saint Laurent bag photo in a park

Practiced investment?

Honestly, when I bought the YSL Lou camera bag I had so many preconceptions almost the fashion that I did not await to like it at all. All the same, the bag has really grown on me and turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.

Looking at it objectively, the quilted YSL Lou camera purse is a beautiful, modern, and elegant design. The quality of finish is superb and there is no doubt that nosotros are dealing with a loftier-end accompaniment that volition terminal a long time. The selection of hardware makes it particularly appealing as information technology allows to pick a colour that fits individual gustatory modality. The Lou is likewise reasonably priced for a luxury handbag, although by no means cheap. What certainly makes it a good investment is its versatility, and more precisely, the fact that it can smoothly transition from a daytime into an evening bag. If you are thinking of a starter, all-round pinnacle-tier bag, the YSL Lou camera bag ticks a lot of boxes. Information technology is no surprise that it has become one of the most popular Saint Laurent purse designs out there.

Admittedly, there are some issues, but most can be overlooked or managed. You tend to forget well-nigh the bulging zipper once y'all commencement using the bag. In reality, no one has ever pointed information technology out to me or asked me nigh it. The awkward shape issue can also be addressed with a practiced purse organiser, so it is not so irritating anymore. At that place is not much that can be done about the strap, just peradventure Saint Laurent volition increase its visual appeal in the future.

Is YSL Lou my favourite camera bag? Hmmm… I think my principal get-to camera bag is still Gucci Marmont. However, I have noticed as the fourth dimension moves on, I take been gravitating towards the YSL Lou photographic camera bag more than and more. Perchance in the time ahead it will even replace the Marmont equally my preferred camera handbag of option… anything is possible! Overall verdict: A perfect luxury starter bag. [Dorsum to Menu]

YSL LOU CAMERA Handbag
Buy From: LUISAVIAROMA.COM
Toll: $1,290 / £1,00