This is the Saint Laurent Icare Maxi Shopping Bag, and the word Maxi is quite relevant.
There are a few things that have led me to fall madly in love with this bag, some of which I am less proud of than the next reason. I must start by awkwardly admitting that I really love Hailey Bieber’s style, to the extent where I can say I’m influenced by her.
Did I ever think I, a mom of 2 approaching my 40s, would be sitting in my house thinking about how cool Justin Bieber’s 25-year-old wife looks? No, I can truly say I did not. But here I am. And yes, sometimes I cringe at myself a bit as well, but I’m all about being truthful.
And though I saw Hailey in the campaign for this latest YSL hit bag along with other celebs carrying it in the wild and it did give another mental checkmark toward my love for it, I can also say that while I like the micro bag trend fine and know it has a place, I have always loved a big bag.
I Love Big Bags and I Can Not Lie
From the beginning of my handbag journey, I’ve been drawn to big bags, and much of the reason for this is my bag is an extension of my home. It carries everything that matters to me, it is a safe space for me, it is an extension of my necessities in life when I am out. So though I will carry small bags, my true comfort zone is a big bag, and this latest and highly sought-after bag from Saint Laurent has everyone, starting with me, buzzing.
The Maxi’s Dimensions
I’ll start with talking about the size because that makes this bag what it is. Dimensions are 22.8 X 16.9 X 3.1 inches, so this is a behemoth of a bag. It will carry everything, and then some. The soft quilted lambskin expands as much as you’d like, and while you can wear it wide or with closed sides, I personally love the look of it fully open.
There is a nostalgic feel about this bag, and though it is brand new, many get a vintage vibe from it. The carré-quilted over stitching paired with the equally oversized YSL iconic bronze-toned brass signature make this bag feel like it was pulled from the archives. The interior includes a lambskin removable zipped pouch that attaches to the bag with a metal chain toggle. Aside from that, you’re going to find one large open main compartment, a rather simple bag by design.
Closing Thoughts, Availability, and Price
Our bags are meant to carry things for us, and we bag lovers like to do so with a touch of style. This bag accomplishes the job of carrying pretty much all things you may need, and as much as the aesthetic seems simple, it is rather alluring when you really look at it. I am tall, so though massive, I didn’t think this bag looked ridiculous on me.
Join the likes of Hailey Beiber, Zoe Kravitz, myself, and countless others in obsessing over this bag. This bag quickly became the hottest bag of summer and sold out across majority of online retailers. We have seen some members of our forum able to snag the bag at their local Saint Laurent boutique. Right now, the bag is available for pre-order now at YSL for $4,400.
Looks like a MZ Wallace bag with a giant YSL logo slapped onto it.
It looks like a larger version of the YSL Tribute or the Chanel puffy shopper tote of ten years ago. Funny how quickly these shapes cycle ‘round and we’ve forgotten….
Exactly!
Came to say these exact words…
I thought the same!!
I love everything about this bag: it’s ridiculous size, the soft lambskin leather, and the vintagey 70s style logo.
It’s the same size as the Vuitton neverfull, which is one of their best sellers. People have been totally warped by micro bags.
Same!! It’s a great bag.
I want to crawl into this bag and take a nap
You’d been warm enough 😉
I’ve seen these bag several times in the wild. For me, it looks like YSL knocked off itself (looks fake). Also, like the Chanel 22, it looks like a trash bag. I think that I would like it better if it were way smaller. I’m imagining that it would be cute as a small bag.
I totally agree, smaller it would look good.
Agree 1000%
Actually I don’t mind a big metal logo at all. It’s still not round and kinda antique feeling colour so it’s fine with me.
Think this bag is far better than Louis Vuittons “ Neverfull “ which I see everywhere and don’t feel anything special about it.
Anyway it’s a nice bag and will definitely consider.
I was given a neverfull by one of its cultists, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. YSL is much better quality, too.
The Louis vuitton neverfull has a cult following. You dont know its powers unless you own one. 😀 not to be compared in anyway shape or form to this … seriously struggling to like it from the post. I feel it ll be too heavy though.
Tell me more about the Neverfull. I have been thinking about it for years, but can’t seem to pull the trigger.
If the Neverfull doesn’t quite call to you, may I suggest the Raspail? You’ll have to check the reseller’s as it’s been OOP for a while now, but I have found it to be better for my tote needs than my Neverfull. It meets the size criteria but has a zipper opening and for me, just looks a little more elevated.
I have the MM version in the leather turtle dove color and the GM size Damier ebene – would recommend the leather wholeheartedly. It’s a great bag, lightweight, fits a laptop, great for travel, low maintenance and has a detachable clutch.
It looks like a cheap plastic picotin.
I actually love the look of this bag. Maybe they will come out with a smaller version but I don’t mind this size. I just wish it was not so expensive!
Those of you saying it looks like a cheap plastic bag have obviously not seen or held it in person. The lambskin is wonderful. LOVE mine
It can be lambskin and still have that certain look to people. Great that you love yours but that doesn’t mean that it can’t look some type of way to others. Just saying…
I’m just saying…..if someone saw it and held in person I doubt they would think it looks like plastic…easy to judge an internet picture…..
I actually just saw one yesterday while out shopping. Not appealing to me at all. Especially for the price. I’m sticking with my classic flaps. Can’t go wrong with those 😜
This is exactly how I feel about the LV Neverfull.
I like the bag but I do not like the giant YSL hardware, which makes it look tacky.
Why is the named spelled “ICare” in the title of this blog? I’m pretty sure the bag is named Icare (French for Icarus) rather than ICare (which I read as “I care”).
In Australia ICare is a chain of optometrists!
This looks like a free cheap plastic tote you get with a perfume purchase
$4400 is insane. I would feel like a fool carrying this bag to work, people would ask if I was planning to sleep over at the office. If I took it into a store, all the staff would go on high shoplifter alert.
If it were in a waterproofed fabric or some non-leather material, it would make a good beach bag (which would probably be stolen while I was in the water). Plus no zipped inside pocket? Should have that as well as a removeable pouch.
I just ❤️🙏you comment 😆👍shoplifter alert, etc . You are right to expensive and way to big ☺️.
Ok. How about LV’s Onthego in Monogram? It’s $4,700 Australian dollars here. 🤷♀️
Vuitton all wear much quicker than YSL.
It has a huge inside zipped pocket, actually.
OTOH, our English cocker would probably fit in it, so we could carry her on the Paris metro. That’s about the only plus point I can think of.
Love everything about this bag! The logo, while large, is well executed; the shape is great; the leather looks devine; the handle looks much more comfortable than the scrawny straps of the Neverfull. Wondering what it looks like with it’s sides closed? Industry: Time to bring back big bags!!!!
I’m liking it a lot Megs!! The price, not so much 🙁
I’d buy it in a heartbeat if it was 1/2 this size.
Have a look at the YSL Tribute on Vestiare. It’s a size down and not dissimilar. Was an It bag in the noughties.
I totally love everything about this bag except for the price tag. It seems really expensive for what it actually is. Still love it tho.
Love this bag it’s gorgeous! Great review I may pull the trigger.
This looks like Saint Laurent’s version of the Chanel XXL bag. Looks like they copied that concept and tried to make it their own. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it either. Would work as a diaper/travel bag. But something about that big logo puts me off. The fake versions will also flood the market soon, and it will be hard to tell them apart, due to how ‘easy’ this bag looks. I say ‘easy’ because I don’t want to say cheap.
I love a big bag too. I’ve had my YSL Downtown in the rotation for awhile now. It’s such a great tote! Agreed — the shape of this one is giving me serious vintage YSL vibes, a la the Downtown. What goes around, comes around!
Yea, and the Tribute. The beautiful Downtown. Loved it so much.
I forgot about the Tribute! Yes! Especially the black croco-embossed. What a time for bags!
Rolling my eyes as I type . Trying way too hard .
not too classy .
Looks like something i can get at Target or TJ MAXX “off the runway”
Just bought it and I didn’t know I was going to fall in love till I tried it on. I will probably be using it as a travel tote rather than a shopping tote! The leather is so soft and luxurious.
I have a MBMJ bag from back in the day (I think it’s the original Francesca tote) that is just as massive as this YSL…thingamajig. And the quality on O.G. Marc by Marc Jacobs was stellar.
**also i scored it for very little which makes it VERY appealing. Not sure I’d pay as much for YSL, as pretty as their bags are.
I like the bag but hate the huge logo!
I like this bag though on the fence about the giant size, would be nicer if it was a tiny bit smaller. The price is a bit above my internal limit for YSL..,
Love it, however it is certainly not worth that price tag. That saying, I would love to see in a smaller size for us itty bitty ladies 🙂
Well how much does this bag weigh? It looks heavy. Is there zero structure on the bottom? I don’t mind the logo but since it is so large perhaps a matte gunmetal or black would look nice.
Looks like the Gondola by LUG. LOL
I think its a great travel size bag, but for day to day..I will pass.