Formal evening bag suggestions?

[saracate]

Hi all,

My husband is military, and during non-pandemic times I normally have to attend 1-3 formal events per year. I’m looking for a bag that can be worn with a floor length gown, BUT I’m also hoping to get some more casual wear out of it as well, if possible. My day-to-day style is quite casual (think jeans & a tee, or a cute t-shirt dress in the summer) so I’m not sure if there is anything that could be worn with a gown AND a pair of jeans. I also need something that isn’t too small; it would need to comfortable hold my iPhone pro max, an e-cigarette (terrible, I know ) and a set of keys, at the very least.

Saint Laurent and Balenciaga are my favourite designers, but I’m open to other brands as well! Thanks in advance

 

[lill_canele]

What YSL bags do you currently have?

Just so I don’t think of a bag you already have lol

I feel that Balenciaga bags tend to be a little too casual or street-style for formal wear.

Also, do you have a budget?

 

[saracate]

What YSL bags do you currently have?

Just so I don’t think of a bag you already have lol

I feel that Balenciaga bags tend to be a little too casual or street-style for formal wear.

Also, do you have a budget?

I have a medium College (dark smog) and a small Puffer (dark beige). As far as budget, maybe $1500-$3000 CAD? I’m not sure what the conversion to USD would be, but for reference, my small Puffer was $2800 CAD before tax.

 

[lill_canele]

So you could look into the mini Cassandra bag. Potentially it may be a little too similar to your college bag.



I do like the versatility of the top handle and crossbody strap. It also has feet!
And even though it’s a mini it can fit quite a bit!

Here is mine, with my fat wallet lol and keys:

I still have room for my cell phone and a lipstick at least.

The one thing you may need to check in store is the closure. It’s not a magnet, more like a turn switch, which may be a bit annoying to some people.
Also, the crossbody strap is not removable. You may either put it inside the bag or just hold it with the top handle. (I’ve had mine permanently removed, but I don’t suggest that unless you know you really don’t want it haha)

Looking at other YSL bags, I find the Kate line beautiful however they can’t fit much and the leather is very stiff. I bought one once in a size medium, it was quite narrow and I could barely fit my phone, keys and a simple cardholder. And if you over stuff it, not only is it difficult to close but the flap will start to bend to the side….

Hope this helps!

 

[amandaaura]

I think a Saint Laurent Kate, or similar would be great.

 

[saracate]

So you could look into the mini Cassandra bag. Potentially it may be a little too similar to your college bag.

View attachment 5145501View attachment 5145502

I do like the versatility of the top handle and crossbody strap. It also has feet!
And even though it’s a mini it can fit quite a bit!

Here is mine, with my fat wallet lol and keys:
View attachment 5145505View attachment 5145504
I still have room for my cell phone and a lipstick at least.

The one thing you may need to check in store is the closure. It’s not a magnet, more like a turn switch, which may be a bit annoying to some people.
Also, the crossbody strap is not removable. You may either put it inside the bag or just hold it with the top handle. (I’ve had mine permanently removed, but I don’t suggest that unless you know you really don’t want it haha)

Looking at other YSL bags, I find the Kate line beautiful however they can’t fit much and the leather is very stiff. I bought one once in a size medium, it was quite narrow and I could barely fit my phone, keys and a simple cardholder. And if you over stuff it, not only is it difficult to close but the flap will start to bend to the side….

Hope this helps!

This definitely helps! I'm surprised at how much can fit into a mini bag. Plus it's super cute! Thank you for the suggestion

 

[HavPlenty]

I think the Kate would look lovely with a gown as well as a pair of jeans.

 

[SystarSystem]

I third the Kate!

Not sure how you feel about wocs, but I think the becky woc can go from evening bag to casual day bag. Here's a thread for it:

Saint Laurent Becky Chain Wallet

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my new Saint Laurent Becky Chain Wallet! She's in gold sand with silver hardware. I purchased her from Selfridges for $1435 ($1300 + 105 imports + 30 shipping). Here in the US, she's going for $1750 excl. taxes - so I couldn't pass her up! Thanks for letting me...

forum.purseblog.com

Also maybe consider the uptown tote.. the tote can be worn with jeans and then the removable clutch can be used with your formal wear.

 

[saracate]

I third the Kate!

Not sure how you feel about wocs, but I think the becky woc can go from evening bag to casual day bag. Here's a thread for it:

Saint Laurent Becky Chain Wallet

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my new Saint Laurent Becky Chain Wallet! She's in gold sand with silver hardware. I purchased her from Selfridges for $1435 ($1300 + 105 imports + 30 shipping). Here in the US, she's going for $1750 excl. taxes - so I couldn't pass her up! Thanks for letting me...

forum.purseblog.com

Also maybe consider the uptown tote.. the tote can be worn with jeans and then the removable clutch can be used with your formal wear.
View attachment 5147064View attachment 5147065

These are great suggestions! I had NO idea the Uptown came with a removable clutch! I’ll check all of these out.

 

[saracate]

I love the Sunset bag, but is it too casual for a formal event?

 

[DS2006]

I love the Sunset bag, but is it too casual for a formal event?

I think there are some that look more dressy than others. I think this one would be fine:

SUNSET MEDIUM IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL US

Discover the SUNSET MEDIUM IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER from the Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

Similar Kate:

KATE MEDIUM TASSEL IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL.com

Discover BLACK KATE MEDIUM TASSEL IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER from Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

My personal favorite (but I plan to get it in medium):

ENVELOPE SMALL IN QUILTED GRAIN DE POUDRE EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL US

Discover the ENVELOPE SMALL IN QUILTED GRAIN DE POUDRE EMBOSSED LEATHER from the Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

I am very casual most of the time, too, and there is no purse that I have for semi-formal wear that I could use casually.

 

[saracate]

I think there are some that look more dressy than others. I think this one would be fine:

SUNSET MEDIUM IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL US

Discover the SUNSET MEDIUM IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER from the Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

Similar Kate:

KATE MEDIUM TASSEL IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL.com

Discover BLACK KATE MEDIUM TASSEL IN CROCODILE-EMBOSSED LEATHER from Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

My personal favorite (but I plan to get it in medium):

ENVELOPE SMALL IN QUILTED GRAIN DE POUDRE EMBOSSED LEATHER | Saint Laurent | YSL US

Discover the ENVELOPE SMALL IN QUILTED GRAIN DE POUDRE EMBOSSED LEATHER from the Saint Laurent online store.

www.ysl.com

I am very casual most of the time, too, and there is no purse that I have for semi-formal wear that I could use casually.

Fantastic suggestions, thank you! That croc is beautiful!

 

[blackcherry88]

I think you can try considering the Kate 99 in quilted lambskin, it comes with two different removable straps (one long and one short chain) so it can easily transform between a day bag and a night bag

KATE 99 in quilted lambskin | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover BLACK KATE 99 in quilted lambskin from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

If not I think the newer bags like the Le Pave, Le Maillon, or even the Le 61 might work if you can hunt down one in black

LE PAVÉ satchel in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover NOIR LE PAVÉ satchel in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

LE MAILLON satchel in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover ROUGE EROS LE MAILLON satchel in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

LE 61 Medium saddle bag in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover SAFFRON LE 61 Medium saddle bag in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

 

[saracate]

I think you can try considering the Kate 99 in quilted lambskin, it comes with two different removable straps (one long and one short chain) so it can easily transform between a day bag and a night bag

KATE 99 in quilted lambskin | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover BLACK KATE 99 in quilted lambskin from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

If not I think the newer bags like the Le Pave, Le Maillon, or even the Le 61 might work if you can hunt down one in black

LE PAVÉ satchel in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover NOIR LE PAVÉ satchel in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

LE MAILLON satchel in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover ROUGE EROS LE MAILLON satchel in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

LE 61 Medium saddle bag in smooth leather | Saint Laurent __locale_country__ | YSL.com

Discover SAFFRON LE 61 Medium saddle bag in smooth leather from Saint Laurent __locale_country__ online store.

www.ysl.com

Amazing, thank you for the suggestions! I wish the website showed the two different straps on the Kate 99. I'll look it up on Youtube!