My Bag Collection #38 (SOLD)

Slowly unveiling...

Yes, Introducing my latest bag collection, the STAR of my UK shopping!

The Yves Saint Laurent Mens Besace Flap Bag!

Love the antique brass hardware:-)

How it looks on me:-) Love it!

UK Shopping Adventure - Yves Saint Laurent (SOLD)

The biggest purchase for my UK shopping adventure ready to be unveiled:-) It's been a long way from London to Bangkok and then Bangkok to Singapore. So I have done it again...buying a bag, carrying it all the way cross continents back home. It's dejavu again from all my past holiday trip experiences! I thought I had persuaded myself not to buy bags from holidays as it had been a huge hassle to transport them and especially when you switch so many airports. Yikes. I marvel at my ability to do this so many times.

So presenting my proud new acquisition, the very rare, the very chic Yves Saint Laurent Mens Besace Flap Bag in beige suede! This is a huge size version of the ladies design. Everything else stays the same except for the size. It almost feels like a backpack! The slouchy look makes the bag nonchalant in style, and emits a certain carefree bohemian look. I love the draping effect:-) especially with the 2 front flaps hanging. There is an external back pocket as well as an interior zip compartment and handphone pouch as well. The bag is roomy! I can fit my laptop easily into the bag! The bag also features antique brass hardware, with the interlocking hooks on the shoulder strap as its most interesting feature:-) Beige leather trimmings are all around the suede bag. I am so in LOVE LOVE with this bag!

Comes also in a smaller size in blue coloured suede for men as well. I chose the large size since both costs the same price but beige is definitely a better colour for me. The smaller men's version is not the similar in size as the women's and has longer shoulder straps. So this Besace is definitely made only for men!

I had to go back to the shop 3 times to try it on separate days as I was struggling between the Besace or a gorgeous light grey women's Balenciaga Weekender which I cannot find the colour in Singapore stores. I was pacing up and down Bond Street justifying which one is better or not buying at all since financial downturn is in sight. I was worried. But in the end, I told myself, I only lived once. This is the only piece in London. I checked the Sloane Street YSL store but they do not stock it. And this was not everyday that I find this bag lying around for me to buy, and with approx. 12% VAT back (I was supposed to get UK 114 pounds back but becos I opt for cash, the VAT people charge me another UK 5 pounds for cash refund. Sucks!). So I bite the bullet and went ahead to bring the bag home. Plus I was served with one of the cutest YSL SA with dirty blond hair and super nice, patient and cute. His name is Greg! He got my email address to send me updates on sales and stuff in case I drop by London soon. Hehe. Maybe I should.

So another shopping conquest a success...I love YSL!

(Update, 1 Dec 2008: My credit card bill came last weekend and the final amount in SGD is $2464.94. What a favourable exchange rate! Plus I got back like UK 99 pounds. So this bag literally costs me only SGD $2200. Woohoo!)

Retail price: UK 980 pounds. Where to buy: YSL Boutique at Bond Street, London