YSL Solferino Review. Is This Saint Laurent Bag Truly A Classic? 2024 Guide

About the YSL Solferino bag

Saint Laurent launched the Solferino bag in 2020 and we’re happy to report that the bag is still here a few years later. It was created by Saint Laurent’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello using the brands’ most valuable asset – it’s YSL logo.

Indeed, the Solferino like many other Saint Laurent handbags also features a prominent, gold logo.

With the exception of the logo, the Solferino is quite an understated and simple design. The satchel is smooth, with curvy edges, reminiscent perhaps of vintage, 70’s bags. It’s also structured and rigid which means it will fit less than similar designs that are softer.

If you were curious where the name of the bag comes from, it’s actually from an Italian city named Solferino located in the north of Italy. Aptly named because the Solferino is made in Italy, like most YSL bags.

Sizes & Features

Solferino’s Dimensions

The Solferino comes in two sizes: Small and Medium.

YSL Solferino	Dimensions	Shoulder Strap Length
Small	19 X 13 X 5 CM / 7.4 X 5.1 X 1.9 Inches	39 CM / 15.3 Inches
Medium	23 X 16 X 6 CM / 9 X 6.2 X 2.4 Inches	40 CM / 15.3 Inches

If you’re trying to decide between the small and medium Solferino, you need to think about what you carry on a daily basis. Keep in mind that the small Solferino only fits the essentials, so if you need to carry a wallet for example, the medium would be a better choice.

Main Features

• an adjustable strap
• a press lock closure (you need to press on the L to open the bag)
• 2 interior pockets & 1 card slot
• the majority of Solferino bags are made out of calfskin leather (although there are also options in suede, patent leather and exotic skins)

What fits inside

The Small YSL Solferino

In the Small Saint Laurent Solferino you can fit:

• an iPhone Pro
• a cardholder
• keys without a key pouch

The Medium YSL Solferino

• a cardholder or small wallet
• an iPhone Pro
• keys with a keypouch
• small cosmetic pouch
• small hand sanitizer

As you can see, both of the Solferino sizes are quite small and do not fit a lot. Part of the reason is that the bag is very structured and stiff. However, if you don’t carry a lot on a daily basis, both sizes can work for you.

Pros and Cons of the YSL Solferino

Pros of the Saint Laurent Solferino

• it’s a beautiful, sleek design
• the closure is interesting and unique
• it has an adjustable shoulder strap
• the leather on the Solferino is very supple and buttery soft
• it’s very classic looking, it won’t look dated any time soon

Cons of the Saint Laurent Solferino

• the small is tiny and might not even fit the essentials for some
• it’s harder to transition from day to night compared to other YSL bags because of the leather strap
• the calfskin leather, while beautiful can be very delicate due to its smooth surface
• the price: quite a pricy little bag, even for Saint Laurent

How much does the Solferino Cost?

The YSL Solferino retails for $2,990 USD for the Small size and $3,200 USD for the Medium. These prices are for the standard, calfskin leather Solferinos. The bag is available in other leathers depending on the season – for example you can also buy a ostrich Solferino that retails for $4,700.

Size	Price USD	Price EUR
Small	2,990	2,400
Medium	3,200	2,600

Keep an eye on sales, because Saint Laurent does goes on sale – see our article here. You’re more likely to get a discount from a third party, so do check out the links below.

Read also: Full YSL Price List USD & EUR

Where can I buy the YSL Solferino?

You can get this beauty directly from any Saint Laurent boutique or website. Saint Laurent is luckily also available at luxury retailers such as Nordstrom, Saks, MyTheresa, Luisaviaroma and Farfetch.

Alternatively, you can buy a pre-loved Solferino on Fashionphile (that is guaranteed authentic).

Is it worth buying – YSL Solferino review

The Solferino bag is not an iconic Saint Laurent bag that everyone knows. It’s not as popular as the Loulou or Puffer and it’s not and “it” bag like the ICARE and the 5 a 7. However, we think it’s a great buy precisely because of that. There’s not much that can age badly with this bag – it’s a classic box bag style with an YSL logo.

We really like the contrast of a really sleek and minimalistic bag style with the flashy YSL logo. Of course, if big logos are not your thing, you might not like this bag in the first place. Also, if you’re a maximalist who needs to carry loads of stuff in your bag, you might want to give the Solferino a miss.

This bag is perfect for someone that likes a clean, fuss free bag with a twist.

Solferino outfits and inspiration

Similar bags to the Saint Laurent Solferino

If you’re looking for a designer bag similar to the Solferino, we recommend the following: the Celine Box, Celine Triomphe, Dior Montaigne, this Prada Shoulder bag or the Cartier Double C de Cartier.

Conclusion

While we absolutely love the sleek look of this bag, we recognize it’s not for everyone. We recommend that you take a good look at the pros and cons of this bag and how it fits in your life. If you like this style of bag, check out the other designer alternatives – they all have their unique pros and cons. Also, be sure to look around for a good deal, many retailers offer some form of discount regularly, or, if you want an even bigger discount, check out the second hand market.