Start with how you will carry the bag. Le 5 à 7 is the simplest everyday shoulder choice; Niki adds crossbody wear and compartments; Shopping Saint Laurent is the practical leather tote; Icare gives you a large quilted bag with a removable pouch; and Sac de Jour is the structured top-handle option.
The current U.S. examples in this guide range from $1,600 to $5,500 as of July 19, 2026. That span is wide enough that choosing the right family before choosing color or hardware will save you more time than browsing every seasonal variation.
Saint Laurent or YSL?
They refer to the same house. Saint Laurent is the name used across current retail, while YSL remains common shopping language because the ecommerce site uses ysl.com and the linked-letter logo remains prominent. Saint Laurent calls that logo the Cassandre.
For listings, separate the family name from the size and finish. “Sac de Jour” is the family; Nano and Baby are sizes. “Le 5 à 7” is the family; smooth leather describes one finish. This matters when comparing prices because two listings with similar titles may not be the same size or material.
The quickest way to choose
Choose the bag that solves your most frequent carry problem. The five families below are deliberately different; this is a selector, not an exhaustive catalog.
- Best starting point
- Le 5 à 7
- Why
- Clean shape, adjustable shoulder strap, zipped interior pocket
- Main trade-off
- Tabbed opening rather than a zip
- Best starting point
- Niki Medium
- Why
- Sliding strap, two compartments, large back pocket
- Main trade-off
- Chain hardware and a softer shape
- Best starting point
- Shopping Saint Laurent N/S
- Why
- Supple leather, detachable zipped purse, lowest price here
- Main trade-off
- Open shopper behavior and limited built-in organization
- Best starting point
- Icare Medium or Maxi
- Why
- Soft quilted leather, generous volume, removable pouch
- Main trade-off
- High price and less rigid organization
- Best starting point
- Sac de Jour Baby or Nano
- Why
- Accordion sides, top handles, strap, shape retention
- Main trade-off
- Less casual and less forgiving to overpacking
Current models, prices, and dimensions
These representative prices were checked on U.S. Saint Laurent pages on July 19, 2026. Treat them as dated retail examples, not permanent price promises; different leather, hardware, and regional pages can show different amounts.
- U.S. price
- $2,500
- Dimensions
- 9 x 6.2 x 2.5 in
- Material and carry
- Smooth calfskin; adjustable shoulder strap
- U.S. price
- $3,400
- Dimensions
- —
- Material and carry
- Vintage leather; sliding shoulder/crossbody strap
- U.S. price
- $1,600
- Dimensions
- 12.7 x 13.7 x 4.1 in
- Material and carry
- Supple leather; hand or shoulder tote
- U.S. price
- $4,700
- Dimensions
- 12.2–18.1 x 11 x 2–5.9 in
- Material and carry
- Quilted nappa; multiple carry options
- U.S. price
- $5,500
- Dimensions
- 15–22.8 x 16.9 x 3.1 in
- Material and carry
- Quilted lambskin; toggle closure
- U.S. price
- $2,700
- Dimensions
- 8.7 x 7.1 x 4.1 in
- Material and carry
- Smooth calfskin; top handles and shoulder/crossbody strap
The Shopping tote is the price-led choice, but it does not replace the Sac de Jour: one is a supple shopper and the other keeps a defined shape. Icare costs considerably more and gives you quilted leather, a larger footprint, and a removable pouch rather than the simpler open Shopping tote.
What fits and how each bag carries
Le 5 à 7 is an essentials bag: a large phone, compact wallet or cardholder, keys, sunglasses, and a slim cosmetic item are realistic. Its 2.5-inch depth makes a tablet, bottle, or bulky pouch a poor match.
Niki Medium is easier to organize because it has two compartments and a large back pocket. Its sliding leather-and-chain strap also lets you move between shoulder and crossbody wear, which is useful when commuting or traveling.
Shopping Saint Laurent N/S and Icare Medium are the laptop candidates, but neither should be purchased on exterior width alone. Measure the laptop with its case, then compare height, width, depth, and opening shape with the exact bag. Sac de Jour Baby carries more three-dimensional items than its width suggests, while Nano is the better small crossbody choice.
Access, wear, and care
Access and security
Le 5 à 7 favors quick access, but the top is not zipped. Niki gives small items defined places, though its flap format adds a step at checkout. Shopping behaves like a simple tote, while the maxi Icare uses a toggle closure. Sac de Jour keeps its structure and uses snap tabs around its accordion opening.
Materials and wear
Smooth leather shows scratches more readily than a grained surface, while vintage-finish leather already has a broken-in appearance. Quilted lambskin and nappa feel soft but deserve care around corners and high-friction areas. A structured Sac de Jour should not be forced beyond its intended capacity because overpacking works against the shape you are paying for.
Storage and service
Store the bag in its flannel cover, away from sun, heat, water, and abrasive products. Saint Laurent advises against generic leather-care products. The house offers repair service for eligible purchases from its website, boutiques, and authorized retailers, although not every repair is possible and charges may apply.
Should you buy new or preowned?
Buy new when you want an exact current color or material, the U.S. retail return window, and direct access to after-sales support. Buy preowned when you want a discontinued version or a lower entry price and are prepared to inspect the individual bag rather than rely on the model name.
Preowned Saint Laurent listings span families including Loulou, Sunset, College, Sac de Jour, Niki, and Le 5 à 7. Asking prices can differ sharply even within one family because size, material, year, hardware, seller, and condition are not interchangeable. Compare like with like, and keep asking prices separate from completed-sale prices.
- Why it matters
- Family names often cover several capacities and strap setups
- Why it matters
- These areas reveal wear that a front photo can hide
- Why it matters
- They affect durability, appearance, and comparability
- Why it matters
- Work not shown clearly can affect future servicing
- Why it matters
- Dust bag, box, cards, and pouches vary by listing
- Why it matters
- Auction and final-sale purchases may offer less recourse
The comparisons that matter
Le 5 à 7 vs Niki
Choose Le 5 à 7 if you want a clean under-arm silhouette and do not need crossbody wear. Choose Niki if hands-free flexibility and compartments matter more than a sleek, minimal shape.
Shopping Saint Laurent vs Icare
Choose Shopping for a straightforward leather tote at $1,600. Choose Icare when you want quilted leather, a larger footprint, and a removable pouch—and accept a current entry price of $4,700 for the Medium.
Sac de Jour vs the softer families
Choose Sac de Jour when the bag needs to look composed in an office or dressier setting. Choose Le 5 à 7, Niki, Shopping, or Icare when softer carry, easier expansion, or a more relaxed silhouette is the priority.
Sources
Current model details and U.S. prices were checked on Saint Laurent product pages on July 19, 2026: Le 5 à 7, Niki Medium, Shopping Saint Laurent, Icare Medium, Icare Maxi, Sac de Jour Baby, and Sac de Jour Nano.
Care, repairs, and returns: Saint Laurent U.S. FAQ and U.S. return policy. Historical naming context: Vanity Fair’s 2012 report.