Dominic Fike carrying his YSL Y Bag in Los Angeles.

IF YOU’RE THE TYPE of guy who’s still trying to decide whether big bags are back, here’s your answer: yes. But not all big bags are made equal, and recently, we’ve been noticing one capacious design popping up on the shoulders of famous men everywhere.

After a cursory Google image search and some social media sleuthing, we discovered this was the Saint Laurent ‘Y Bag.’ It takes everything you thought you knew about the classic tote, and gives it that quintessential Saint Laurent je ne sais quoi. No surprises, then, that it’s been spotted on the arms of Dominic Fike, the viral TikTok sensation Vinnie Hacker, and K-pop heartthrob Cha Eun-Woo (to name but a few). When these stylish men are lugging it, you know it means one thing: 2024 has found a late entrant into its ‘It Bag’ category.

For starters, it’s all about the subtle branding. Gone is the classic YSL Cassandre logo (you know, that bold, iconic hardware you can’t miss), and in its place is a sleek, sophisticated ‘Y’ right in the centre, formed by leather edging. It’s minimalist. It’s smooth. It’s the kind of logo that says, “I’m carrying Saint Laurent but I don’t need to scream it.” But it’s not just the design that’s piquing our interest. This is the kind of bag that can carry a life. It’s roomy enough to stash everything from your laptop to your packed lunch to your post-workout protein shake.

And if you need proof of its ‘It Bag’ status, the Y Bag’s appeal crosses boundaries. While it’s a staple for style-savvy men, like Fike and Hacker, it’s also been spotted on zeitgeisty ladies like Bella Hadid, Zoe Kravitz, and Charli XCX. Even Angelina Jolie, the reigning queen of Hollywood, has given the Y her stamp of approval. Gender-neutral, versatile, and cool – meaning you won’t need to swipe your partner’s totes any more.

K-Pop star Cha Eun-Woo at Incheon International Airport.

You’ll probably remember that not too long ago, small cross-body bags were all the rage. If you picked a bone with the trend’s practicality (or lack thereof), well, now you can feel avenged. Yet Saint Laurent has always respected roominess. In 2022, it dropped the viral Icare Maxi Shopping Bag, and just like that, the big-bag movement was back on track. If the Icare was the catalyst, the Y Bag is the evolution – the sleek follow-up that balances function with style in a way that’s impossible to ignore.

Just as we near the completion of the year, Saint Laurent has set the stage for this to be a big bag summer, and honestly, we’re here for it. Need a tote for those weekend getaways? Or perhaps something that adds a statement to your workwear wardrobe? If you’ll allow us a pun, Y not?

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