The Saint Laurent Loulou in black nappa: chevron quilting, gold-tone monogram, zero apologies.
Plump quilting, a big gold monogram and a name with real Paris history. The Loulou is the bag that looks expensive from across the MRT platform, and here is everything you need to know before you choose one.
Some bags whisper. The Saint Laurent Loulou bag says hello, warmly, in a slightly husky voice. It is soft, padded and stitched in deep chevrons, with the house monogram sitting proudly on the flap like it paid for the seat. In this guide we cover where it came from, which size suits your life, leather versus suede versus Puffer, how to wear it in Singapore and how to keep it looking plush in our humidity.
A bag with a muse in its name
The medium Loulou on its chain strap, here in a very confident red.
Saint Laurent introduced the Loulou in 2017. It took the soft, quilted flap bag and gave it a little more swagger: deeper padding, sharper chevrons and a chain strap made for real life.
The name is a tribute to Loulou de la Falaise, the jewellery designer who was a close friend and longtime muse of Yves Saint Laurent. She was famous for mixing pieces with wit and nerve, which is not a bad brief for a handbag.
The details that make it a Loulou
The quilting. Saint Laurent calls it matelassé: rows of stitched chevrons that meet in a "Y" shape at the centre of the flap. Run a finger over it and you may find yourself stroking it on the bus home.
The monogram. The interlocking YSL logo, drawn by the graphic artist Cassandre, sits right where the chevrons meet. It is metal, it is bold and it does the talking.
The strap. Most shoulder versions hang from a chain strap, so you can wear the bag on the shoulder or across the body depending on how many bubble teas you plan to carry.
Chevron quilting meets the monogram at the centre of the flap.
Toy, Small, Medium or Large? Pick your Loulou
The Toy: small in size, big in monogram.
Toy. The smallest of the classic sizes. Phone, cards, lipstick, done. Perfect for dinner, a gallery opening or anyone who has finally made peace with a digital wallet.
Small. The sweet spot for most of us: it fits the daily essentials plus sunglasses and a compact umbrella for those 4pm downpours, and works on the shoulder or cross-body.
Medium and Large. These are the workhorses. The Medium swallows a day's worth of clutter; the Large carries even more of your life. You will also spot Mini versions in the family, for those who like their Loulou extra compact.
A quick rule of thumb: if you mostly travel by Grab and carry very little, go Toy or Small. If you go straight from the office to dinner with everything in one bag, the Medium earns its keep.
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Leather, suede or Puffer?
Smooth leather. The classic. Calfskin and soft nappa keep the chevrons crisp and handle daily life well. Black with gold hardware is the safest bet, but deep wine and warm beige feel just as grown-up.
Suede. Warmer, softer and wonderfully tactile, especially in caramel and mossy green. It is lovely, but treat it like a cat: it does not enjoy getting wet.
Puffer. The Loulou Puffer swaps neat chevrons for bigger, pillowy quilting. It is more relaxed and a touch more playful, and it looks fantastic with denim.
The Puffer: like the Loulou went to the gym and came back fluffier.
The family has grown beyond the flap, too. The Camera Loulou is a zip-top shape with the same chevron quilting, made for days when you want your hands free and your phone within reach.
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How to wear it
The Loulou is surprisingly easy to dress up or down. Here are four ways we would carry the Saint Laurent Loulou around the island.
To the office
A black Medium or Large on the shoulder with tailored trousers and a crisp shirt. It survives the air-con meeting marathon and still looks polished at 7pm.
Weekend brunch
A suede Camera Loulou worn cross-body with a linen dress and sandals. Hands free for kopi and pastries in Tiong Bahru.
After dark
A Mini or Toy in wine leather with a slip dress and a little gold jewellery. Small bag, big entrance.
On the move
A black Camera Loulou across the body for airport days. Passport, phone and boarding pass, all zipped and close.
Keeping it plush in Singapore
Soft quilting likes a little care and a lot of breathing room.
Padded leather is a joy, but it needs a little care to stay plump and dry in our climate.
- Humidity: store the bag in its dust bag in a well-ventilated cupboard, not a sealed plastic box, and add a sachet of silica gel.
- Rain: if a sudden downpour catches you, blot the leather gently with a soft dry cloth and let it air-dry away from direct heat. Keep suede away from rain entirely.
- Shape: stuff it lightly with tissue when it is off duty so the quilting keeps its puff, and do not hang it by the chain for long periods.
- Hardware: wipe the monogram with a dry, soft cloth and keep perfume and hand cream away from the metal.
Saint Laurent Loulou bag FAQs
What is the difference between the Loulou and the Loulou Puffer?
The classic Loulou has neat chevron quilting with a structured flap. The Puffer has larger, softer quilted panels for a slouchier, pillowy look. Both carry the YSL monogram.
Which Loulou size is best for everyday use?
For most people the Small is the everyday hero: it holds the essentials and can be worn on the shoulder or cross-body. Choose the Medium if you carry a lot of extras.
What affects the price of a Saint Laurent Loulou?
Size, material (smooth leather, suede or Puffer leather), hardware finish and the specific season all play a part. See current prices in Singapore dollars on our Saint Laurent bags page; they include GST for delivery in Singapore.
Is the Loulou good for Singapore weather?
Yes, with a little care. Smooth leather copes best with daily life here, while suede is better saved for dry days. Store it with ventilation and silica gel to keep humidity at bay.
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Shop Saint Laurent at Modish
Browse the full Saint Laurent bags edit for every Loulou size and colour, or explore everything from the designer on our Saint Laurent page.
Prices are in Singapore dollars and include GST for delivery in Singapore, delivery takes an estimated 7 to 14 days, and Singapore delivery is free on orders from S$100. Every piece is new and 100% authentic, or your money back.
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