Yves Saint Laurent is known for creating timeless designs that transcend trends. This bag does just that, but it draws on modern shapes and textures to do so. The messenger style of this bag is ultra-contemporary, as is the cracked metallic gold leather of the exterior, but you can still find the Yves Saint Laurent tradition in the details.
The lustrous sheen of the metallic gold is broken up by the edgy cracked design of the Italian leather, and the goldtone hardware creates a few bits of glimmer on the bag, without being loud or distracting. This is about as tasteful and understated as metallic leather gets. But it’s still heavy on style, making it a great choice for women who want to jump on the metallic bandwagon, but still want a little bit of subtle elegance.
The luxury of the Besace is balanced by the utility of some of the bag’s practical details. The back, for example, features a rear file pocket with pin closure, and the 23.5″ shoulder strap is adjustable to make it comfortable at many lengths. The 11.5″ x 11″ x 4″ size makes it generously proportioned for an everyday bag, but isn’t as bulky as some messengers.
The exterior flap is suede-lined, and closes with loop-through straps that look amazing, but might be slightly awkward if you want to get into the bag right away. With the average woman sporting a handbag that weighs upwards of five pounds, this bag seems like a lightweight at just 2 pounds. That’s great if you’re like me, and carry around so much stuff that you don’t really want your bag itself to weight you down.
I love the allover seam detailing, the D-ring accents, and the lack of obvious logos. In case anyone wonders, though, YSL is embroidered at the bottom! The side features a great patch pocket with pin closure, perfect for easy access to your cell phone or PDA. The Yves Saint Laurent Besace has all the practical features of a great day-to-day bag mixed with designer details for the cultivated connoisseur.
More Features of the Cracked Gold Besace by Yves Saint Laurent
- canvas-lined interior
- inside zip and patch pockets
