Sienna Miller is pictured strolling along the beach in the Yves Saint Laurent Becase Flap Bag in Sky Anthracite, $1995 (get it for less in brown here). The shape of this style strikes me as an odd cross between a shoulder bag and a messenger bag. I like the brass hardware (though it reminds me of Chloe's Paraty hardware), and the shade of grey is light enough to work all year round. I only wish that the straps were shorter (they are adjustable to an extent), and further apart or that the bag was just a smidgen wider so that it didn't fall into this awkward in between size category. The way it is now I actually feel like this bag would be best suited for a male fashionista. What do you guys think? Snob or Slob?
Call 310-271-4110 or 212-988-3821 if you're on the East Coast. YSL is also available at Net-a-Porter.com
I own this bag in black, pebbled leather. Although not the most elegant bag, I LOVE the size and practicality of the bag. It is not too large, but large enough to hold diapers, snacks and a bottle (no diaper bags for me!). ON THE OTHER HAND... this bag started getting HOLES in the leather after 5 months of use. This bag is marketed as a casual, everyday bag. "Besace" means beggar's purse. Did they mean that in 5 months it would have holes like a beggar's purse? The good thing is that I did buy it at Neiman Marcus so they did repair the holes. Would I recommend this bag? Yes, for practicality; no, for poor quality. There are bags out there that cost a fraction of this and have more durable leather.
I would like to consider myself a male fashionista and I would never in a million years carry this bag. First, I hate croc embossed anything...to me it screams, "I wish I could have a real croc bag, but I can't afford it, so I'll buy this." Sort of like someone who drives a BMW 318 - just get a nice Honda Accord instead. And secondly, I don't own any YSL bags - their men's bags are afterthoughts, everything is bland and boring.
I too have this bag and I have it in the color shown on Sienna. I use it for a school bag and I absolutely love it. When it is a little more full it looks more sophisticated and not as slouchy.
wow...i was going to do a long drawn out post, but manbag said everything that i was going to say...from ysl's crappy bags for men to the tackyness that is mock croc!
I don't mind the faux-croc..it's like what Givenchy is doing. Yes I rather have leather than faux anything personally, but for someone who can't afford real skin, embossed is not a bad alternative.
I like it. It's slobbish in a snobbish way. My only gripe is the hardwear. I hate gold mixed with grey.
I own this bag in brown and think it's absolutely a snob - I love the slouch and the informality of this bag. It is on of the most comfortable and functional bags I have. I haven't seen any problem with the quality, and I've been using it as an everyday bag and not taking particularly great care of it. Maybe the embossed leather is more durable than the pebbled leather, not sure.
I have this bag in the turquoise croc embossed nubuck and love it as an everyday casual bag. Snob for sure. It's slouchy and I believe it was modeled after Yves Saint Laurent's own messenger bag. As for the croc embossing being tacky and trying to pass as something more expensive, not at all. This is croc embossed NUBUCK. I've never seen crocodile suede or nubuck, have you?
I don´t think that this croc embossed nubuck is `trying´to be like croc or anything else for that matter. Particularly in grey, it is very charming and easy in use; resists dirt actually. I have been satisfied in the quality of YSL bags. Maybe someone just happened to get a Monday version.
i really think it depends on who wears it. but i agree i HATE croc embossed!