Think you’ve seen the last of returning Y2K It-bags? Think again, and this just might be the mother of all archival revivals, so hold on to your nostalgia-loving hats.
Yes, you read that right; 25 years after it was first released, the (Yves) Saint Laurent Mombasa is returning for the Spring 2026 season, and we’ve got the details.
The Birth of the Mombasa Bag
Created by Tom Ford, the YSL Mombasa made its debut at a pivotal point in fashion history, marking a significant milestone for the brand as a whole. The bag helped to define Ford’s rebrand for YSL, revitalizing the brand by adding his signature glamour and sex appeal. The brand’s intrigue and covetability were back, and the Mombasa played a big part in that.
Defined by its horn-handled slouchy silhouette, the Mombasa differed from other It-bags of the era as it was initially devoid of garish embellishments and over-the-top details. Instead, the buttery leather, curved hobo-shaped bag featured monochrome paneled stitching, but stood out thanks to its distinct horn and metal handle.
Each season, YSL would revitalize the Mombasa. While the original iteration was devoid of ultra-loud embellishments, later versions featured crystal YSL branding, ruffles, metallics, and more—it was the early 2000s, after all.
The Mombasa even helped YSL sell a whopping $90 million worth of accessories, according to a 2002 NYT piece by Cathy Horyn.
The Modern Mombasa: Then vs. Now
As the Mombasa celebrates its 25th anniversary, the timing couldn’t be more fitting for Saint Laurent to usher the iconic bag back into the spotlight. While it’s undeniably a throwback to the early aughts, its clean lines and minimalist sensibility feel as relevant as ever.
Available starting today online and in Saint Laurent boutiques, the new Saint Laurent Mombasa is now available in two sizes: medium and large. While the modern revival features the same rounded silhouette, it features a leather-wrapped handle, which is the one significant difference.
The medium ($4,300) is an ideal size for day-to-night wear, while the large ($5,600) nails the big bag trend. Mini bag lovers can opt for the smaller $3,450 version, which evokes the mini moon bag trend that has reigned over the last few seasons. Novelty iterations include aged leather and leopard pony hair with a buffalo horn handle reminiscent of the original design.
Discover more in the gallery below and shop now via Saint Laurent.
Yesssss!!!!
Now this is a bag I am very happy to see come back. I used my Mombasa to death and donated it to a charity shop a couple of years ago.
I will most eagerly buy another one. the vintage leather version has my name all over it.
Doesn’t the horn handle hurt your shoulders?
The horn itself is fairly smooth on the base. However, you do need to take a couple of minutes when you first get the bag to adjust the sides so that it lays well and doesn’t slip.
So superior to the crap YSL has been churning these past few years. This is a beauty!
The YSL Mombasa bag was my first big girl purchase. I remember I paid around $600 for it. Inflation is no joke!!
Meh. I’m not feeling it.
I am so happy to see this! I loved my Mombasa bag and have kept it in perfect condition boxed in my closet. I honestly forgot about it until I saw this email. I don’t part with any of my bags and over the years have realized that everything comes back around.
I LOVED my red Mombasa (and almost everything Tom Ford made for YSL at that time) but I could not carry it comfortably and it ended up sitting in a dust bag. I sold it. Then BV Sardine came out and Mombasa gained popularity in second hand market and now revival pushed it way up there. Beautiful bag especially in then buffalo leather with natural distress, and now it is still relevant. So sorry I can’t use it but glad because the price tag is huge compared to in 2000s
That distressed leather in this style is TDF!
FINALLY!!!
Well i just sold my old Mombasa bag — no wonder I go much more for it than I expected.
Just sold my OG one, bought for $200, for $1400…never liked it cause it squeaked when I carried it.
(Got it at the boutique on sale on Valentine’s Day in like 2006)
Glad I still have mine from 25 yrs ago!! Paid $500 for the small in a cream color!!!
I had one of the originals and boy it is horrible to carry around. Can’t put it on your shoulder with the horn. I got to admit it was a cool bag. I sold it years agao.
I still have this bag, it was uncomfortable because I put too much stuff in it.