YSL vs Gucci – Who wins the battle of the brands?

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YSL vs Gucci – two amazing high end brands, but which one is actually better?

When it comes to luxury fashion brands, YSL and Gucci are two of the most iconic and recognizable names in the industry. Both brands have a strong presence in the USA market and are known for their high-quality products, innovative designs, and rich history. In this article, we will explore the brand style and aesthetics of YSL and Gucci, take a closer look at their respective bag collections, compare their prices and resale values, and ultimately decide which brand is better.

History of YSL

Saint Laurent (YSL) was founded by French fashion designer Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent in 1961. The brand quickly became known for its modern and innovative designs, such as the iconic Le Smoking suit for women, which revolutionized the way women dressed in the 1960s.

YSL continued to innovate throughout the decades, with iconic collections like the Mondrian dresses in the 1960s, and the grunge-inspired collection in the 1990s.

In the 21st century, YSL has remained a staple in the fashion industry, with a focus on modern, edgy designs that push boundaries.

Under the creative direction of Anthony Vaccarello since 2016, the brand has continued to innovate while staying true to its roots. YSL’s bags, in particular, have become highly sought after, with styles like the Kate, Loulou, and Niki bags becoming instant classics.

History of Gucci

Guccio Gucci founded Gucci in Florence, Italy in 1921. Initially, the brand focused on leather goods, such as handbags and luggage, and became known for its high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Gucci expanded into other areas, including clothing, accessories, and jewelry. The brand became a symbol of luxury and sophistication, with celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy wearing Gucci designs.

In the 21st century, Gucci has undergone a revival under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, who took over in 2015. Michele has brought a bold, eclectic, and often whimsical aesthetic to the brand, with designs that blend old and new, high and low, and masculine and feminine.

Gucci’s bags, in particular, have become highly coveted, with styles like the Dionysus, the Marmont, and the Jackie becoming modern classics.

Differences between YSL and Gucci

While both YSL and Gucci are luxury fashion brands known for their high-quality products and innovative designs, there are some key differences between the two brands.

One of the main differences between YSL and Gucci is their aesthetic. YSL is known for its modern, edgy designs that push boundaries, while Gucci is known for its bold, eclectic, and often whimsical aesthetic. YSL’s bags tend to be more structured and minimalist, while Gucci’s bags are often adorned with embroidery, embellishments, and prints.

When it comes to the USA market, both YSL and Gucci have a strong presence. However, they differ in their popularity among different age groups and demographics.

YSL tends to be more popular among women who value classic, timeless styles. The brand’s bags are often seen as investment pieces that can be worn for years to come.

Gucci, on the other hand, has a wider appeal and is popular among younger generations who appreciate the brand’s bold and innovative designs. The brand’s bags are often seen as statement pieces that can add a pop of color and personality to any outfit.   

Brand Style and Aesthetics: YSL vs Gucci

YSL and Gucci have distinct brand styles and aesthetics. YSL is known for its sleek, minimalist designs with a rock and roll edge. The brand’s bags are often structured and feature clean lines, with hardware and embellishments kept to a minimum.

YSL’s bags come in a variety of colors and materials, including leather, suede, and patent leather. The brand’s most popular bags include the Kate, the Loulou, and the Niki.

On the other hand, Gucci is known for its bold, eclectic, and often whimsical aesthetic. The brand’s bags feature playful prints, embroidery, and embellishments, and often have a vintage-inspired feel. Gucci’s bags come in a variety of colors and materials, including leather, canvas, and suede. The brand’s most popular bags include the Dionysus, the Marmont, and the Jackie.

Outfits & Inspiration: YSL vs Gucci

Most Popular YSL Bags

YSL has several popular bags, but the Kate, the Loulou, and the Niki are among the most coveted.

The Kate is a classic shoulder bag with a chain strap and the brand’s signature YSL logo. It comes in several sizes and materials, including leather and suede.

The Loulou is a soft, quilted shoulder bag with a chain strap and the brand’s signature YSL logo. It comes in several sizes and colors, including black, red, and beige.

The Niki is a slouchy, oversized shoulder bag with a chain strap and a vintage-inspired logo. It comes in several sizes and colors, including black, gray, and pink.

Most Popular Gucci Bags

Gucci also has several popular bags, but the Dionysus, Marmont, and the Jackie are among the most sought after.

The Dionysus is a structured shoulder bag with a sliding chain strap and the brand’s signature tiger head closure. It comes in several sizes and materials, including leather, canvas, and suede.

The Marmont is a soft, quilted shoulder bag with a chain strap and the brand’s signature GG logo. It comes in several sizes and colors, including black, red, and pink.

The Jackie is a classic hobo bag with a single strap and the brand’s signature horsebit hardware. It comes in several sizes and materials, including leather and canvas.

Prices: YSL vs Gucci

Both YSL and Gucci are luxury fashion brands, so their bags come with a high price tag.

Their prices tend to be quite similar. Both Saint Laurent and Gucci have the majority of their bags priced at the $2,500 – $3,500 range.

They also have quite a few entry level bags that are priced around $1,500 USD. For Gucci that would be GG Marmont Half Moon bag as well as a number of smaller bags, especially in their GG canvas.

You can also buy a few entry level bags at Saint Laurent, including their toy lines like the mini Lou or some tote bags and the Rive Gauche line.

Gucci tends to release more special, limited edition bags usually adorned with crystals or made out of exotic skins that are very expensive (some over $30,000 USD!). Gucci also tends to have cheaper entry level bags compared to YSL, probably due to the fact that they’re made out of canvas instead of leather.

To conclude, both brands have the majority of their bags at around the same level. With $3,000 USD budget you can choose between plenty of Gucci or Saint Laurent bags. However, Gucci is an outlier at both ends, with very affordable bags under $1,500 USD and with extremely expensive bags that costs over $20,000 USD.

See also: ‘YSL’ Saint Laurent Price List: Reference in USD/EUR. How much does an YSL bag cost in 2023?

Resale Value: YSL vs Gucci

Both YSL and Gucci bags are known to hold their value well, even after they have been used. However, Gucci tends to have a slightly higher resale value than YSL. This is likely due to the brand’s popularity and high demand among fashion enthusiasts and collectors.

Sites like Rebag and Fashionphile, which specialize in the resale of luxury goods, often have a larger selection of Gucci bags and accessories.

Keep in mind that bags from brands like Gucci or Saint Laurent are not investment pieces in the financial sense. Unless you bought a very sought after, rare bag, it’s unlikely that you’re going to make a profit from selling your bag (as you would with an Hermes Birkin for example).

However, most classic looking Gucci and YSL bags will be able to fetch around 70 – 80% of the price you’ve paid, provided that you’ve kept the bags in great condition.

Which Brand is Better: YSL vs Gucci?

In terms of overall quality, it is difficult to determine which brand is better, as both YSL and Gucci offer high-quality products that are crafted from premium materials. YSL bags are known for their sleek, minimalist designs with a rock and roll edge, while Gucci bags are known for their bold, eclectic, and often whimsical aesthetic. Ultimately, the choice between YSL and Gucci will depend on personal preference and individual style.

In conclusion, YSL and Gucci are two of the most recognizable luxury fashion brands in the world. Both brands offer high-quality products that differ in their design aesthetics. In terms of pricing, they are very similar, however Gucci does offer some very high-end, expensive bags. Saint Laurent tends to use more beautiful, soft leather for their bags whereas Gucci often uses their iconic GG canvas,

Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of YSL or the bold creativity of Gucci, there is no denying that both brands offer some of the most coveted bags in the fashion world.