Saint Laurent YSL Niki Review

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The Saint Laurent Niki bag is a purse that embodies Parisian flair and blends superb artistry with day-to-day utility. 

But, with so many styles and sizes, how do you know which is right for you? Whether you’re a rock girl or a French chic, keep reading the YSL Niki Review to determine which size is appropriate.

About YSL Niki 

Anthony Vacarello made the Saint Laurent Niki bag after the famous Lou Lou bag. Although only available for a few seasons, it has already attained cult status. 

As part of the SS18 campaign, the famous supermodel Kate Moss made her first-ever appearance for Saint Laurent with the Niki bag casually draped over her shoulders.

The Saint Laurent Niki bag combines the look of a vintage flap bag with modern design elements and that signature Saint Laurent rock cool.

YSL Niki Sizes

The YSL Niki was initially available in two sizes: medium and large. Later, Saint Laurent launched a smaller variant called the Niki baby in May 2018.

Here’s a quick overview of all YSL Niki sizes.

Size	Dimensions	Shoulder Straps
Niki Baby Bag	21 x 16 x 7.5 cm / 8.2 x 6.2 x 2.9 inches	Shoulder Strap Drop: 57 cm Folded Shoulder Strap Drop: 30 cm
Medium	28 x 20 x 8.5 cm / 11 x 7.8 x 3.3 inches	Shoulder Strap Drop: 53 cm Folded Shoulder Strap Drop: 30 cm
Large	32 x 23 x 9 cm / 12.5 x 9 x 3.5 inches	Shoulder Strap Drop: 52 cm Folded Shoulder Strap Drop: 26 cm
Niki Shopping Medium Bag	33 x 27 x 11.5 cm / 12.9 x 10.6 x 4.5 inches	Shoulder Strap Drop: 47 cm Folded Shoulder Strap Drop: 27 cm
Niki Shopping Large Bag	39 x 31.5 x 12.5 cm / 12.9 x 12.4 x 4.9 inches	Dimensions:Shoulder Strap Drop: 42 cm Folded Shoulder Strap Drop: 24 cm

Saint Laurent Niki Baby Bag – What fits inside

The Niki Baby, the third and smallest of the major bag sizes, was introduced in May 2018.

With enough space for a smartphone, a small wallet, keys and essential cosmetic items, the Niki baby is an excellent evening bag, particularly when worn crossbody or as a clutch. Consider the Body Bag or Niki Chain Wallet if you want something smaller.

Saint Laurent Niki Medium Bag – What fits inside

The Saint Laurent Niki Medium will undoubtedly become your new favorite bag. With a main compartment that can fit a 9.7″ iPad, a water bottle, and a small notepad. It’s sufficient for all of your daily needs.

The additional zippered pocket is designed to keep smaller items from your other belongings, so you can easily find them. Furthermore, the patch pocket is ideal for organizing business cards or receipts. 

You can also use the external pocket to store items that require quick access, such as your keys, smartphone, wallet, and cards.

There’s also no need to be concerned about security because the back pocket has a magnetic closure. The front flap pocket can fit frequently used items like masks, power banks, wipes and sanitizers close at hand.

Saint Laurent Niki Large Bag – What fits inside

The YSL Niki that can fit everything. Well, almost everything, but certainly everything you would usually need on a daily basis. Due to its size, the Large Niki is suitable as a work bag (since it can fit a laptop) or travel bag.

Like the other Nikis, it has many compartments to help you be more organized.

It can fit both a small laptop, an iPad, an agenda or book and a water bottle. In the other compartments you can fit your wallet, cosmetic pouch, keys and phone. It’s basically a very organized alternative to a tote bag.

Again, it’s important to keep the larger Niki’s compartments organized, but if you can fit a big iPad in the back pocket and a small iPad in the front flap pocket, the world is your oyster.

Saint Laurent Niki Shopping Medium Bag

The Niki Shopping Medium Tote is a great one for those who like the design of the Niki but prefer a tote style instead.

The traditional flap bag style is updated with a more boxy tote-like design, but the chevron matelassé stitching and tone leather-coated ‘YSL’ accents remain. The bag can also be worn crossbody which is quite unusual for a tote bag.

What the Niki Shopping Medium lacks in pockets (it has just one compartment with two inside flap pockets), it makes up for in space; the medium-sized shopper is somewhat larger than the large regular Nikki so that it can accommodate everything. 

Saint Laurent Niki Shopping Large Bag

The YSL Large Niki Tote is a great alternative to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull. Because it can fit a laptop, a sweater, a water bottle, a book in addition to the usual: phone, keys and wallet – it makes a great travel bag or even a good beach bag.

The large Niki tote has the same clever chain strap as the other Nikis and can be worn with the straps folded over the shoulder as a large handbag or handled in the hands like a shopper for optimum flexibility.

Saint Laurent Niki Bag: Resale Value

You can buy a Medium Niki flap bag for around $2,000 USD on the pre-loved market – which is less than the current retail value. The resale value is actually not bad, considering that some people might have bought their Niki when the price was close to 2K.

If you want to spend less on an YSL Niki bag, we recommend you look at sites like Fashionphile, Rebag or Vestiaries Collectives.

YSL Niki – Outfits and Inspiration

Materials and Colors

The Niki is primarily constructed of “vintage Leather” which is calfskin, now available in various colors and finishes (ex., stamped patented studded, crocodile, lambskin). 

The Leather on a few of the Niki Baby is wrinkled. The iconic YSL logo on the front flap is likewise wrapped in the same leather as the rest of the bag.

Saint Laurent Niki Prices

Depending on the size, the Niki comes within the standard pricing range.

Style	Price
Niki Baby	$2850, £2,020 , €2,250
Niki Medium	$3150, £2,340 , €2,500
Niki Large	$3450, £2,700, €2,450

Pros of the YSL Niki

• It can be worn for a variety of occasions.
• It has an unique design – can be work quite casually
• All sizes fit a decent amount
• You may double up the straps and use the big Niki as a shoulder bag when it’s full. It seems comfier, particularly with the weight dispersed over both leather pads.
• Price is lower compared to other designer flap bags
• durable leather. The crinkled leather will not show the wear and tear
• more understated than other YSL bags due to the logo being covered in leather (in the same color of the bag)

Cons of the YSL Niki

• Its magnetic fastening might be too strong, making opening it difficult at times.
• The bigger sizes can get quite heavy if you fill them up
• Some prefer fewer compartments that makes it easy to fit bulkier items

Conclusion, YSL Niki Review. Is the Niki Worth Buying?

Saint Laurent Niki is a beautiful flap bag with a sophisticated, vintage aesthetic worth buying. We love the compartments of the flap bags and the fact that all sizes fit quite a lot.

We also like the versatility of how you can wear this bag: on your shoulder with a long strap, on the shoulder with a double strap or cross body.

The price is also quite good considering that it’s a full leather bag (calfskin), especially if we compare it with other designers (like the Chanel 19 bag).

Overall, the YSL Niki is an excellent bag and an YSL staple after being around for so many years.