Guide to YSL Cassandra Top-Handle Bag & Review of My Mini Tweed Cassandra

Eyeing a fabulous YSL Cassandra Bag but don’t want to dive deep into research or scroll through countless reviews?

Don’t miss out on this quick guide and my review!

I’ve got the scoop on its sizes, prices, what it can hold, pros, cons, and more—everything you need to know, served up in a breeze.

Design Features of YSL Cassandra

The YSL Cassandra Bag was introduced by Saint Laurent as part of the Fall/Winter collection in 2019. It’s named after the A.M. Cassandre, the brain behind the classic YSL logo.

The bag features a trapezoidal silhouette, with a body that widens at the bottom and narrows towards the top, seamlessly extending to the envelope-style flap and the Y-shaped letters at the top.

• The lines are clean and smooth, giving it a really chic and elevated look.
• The double-stitched edges on the flap bring out a stronger sense of dimension, giving it that extra touch of sophistication.
• At the bottom, there are metal feet that let the bag stand upright.

They also act as a safeguard, protecting the base from wearing out.

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what’s so special about YSL Cassandra Bag

Cassandra sets itself apart with an intricate clasp design. The YSL Logo isn’t just there for looks—it’s a practical, functional lock now, giving the timeless emblem a whole new feel.

At first glance, figuring out how this bag opens might be a bit tricky.

Just gently push the right end of the L-shaped clasp, and the Y on the flap smoothly pops out from the lock. The opening style is pretty clever and unique.

Ways to carry Saint Laurent Cassandra bag

Besides the top handle, the bag also comes with a removable leather shoulder strap that you can adjust. That means you’ve got many ways to carry it.

It can be worn:

• crossbody
• on the shoulder hanging straight down
• tuck on the wrist/lower forearm
• or carrying it by the top handle

And, the handle is padded for both style and comfort, keeping that classy arch shape while being nice to grip.

The flap’s top sides have these grooves—a smart little detail that ensures the shoulder strap sits just right. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the fit more snug when you wear it.

🌟More Versatile Bags Like YSL Cassandra:

• Chanel Coco Handle
• Balenciaga Rodeo
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YSL Cassandra Materials Colors

The Saint Laurent Cassandra is mainly made from Grain de Poudre embossed calfskin, which adds durability and scratch resistance compared to regular calfskin.

This choice of material gives the bag a sturdy and upright structure. If you prefer, there’s also the option of the Croc-embossed leather version or Box leather. (Btw, I have a replica YSL Le 5 à 7 in Croc-embossed leather, it looks amazing!)

Apart from black, there’s a range of classic colors to pick from, including FOG, BLANC VINTAGE, VERT KAKI, DARK BEIGE, and GREYISH BROWN.

Any of these choices would be a great pick—you really can’t go wrong with them.

My top pick is blanc vintage, leaning towards those softer tones. It’s easier to handle and a bit more resistant to stains compared to pure white.

The Cassandra YSL Bag is perfect when you want to look extra polished, especially if you’re wearing a slightly formal suit.

It’s the ultimate accessory for adding a touch of chic professionalism to your daily commute.

YSL Cassandra Sizes & Prices

Now the YSL Cassandra Top Handle only has two sizes: Mini and Medium.

Overall, the Grained Leather option seems to offer the best bang for your buck. Or you can buy it preloved.

🌟Learning Time: Spot Fake YSL Bag Like a Pro: What You Need to Know

Review of my YSL Cassandra bag

My husband gave me this Mini Tweed Cassandra as a New Year’s gift in 2022. He brought it back from Hong Kong. (He forgot the exact price, but he mentioned it was probably under $3k.)

I really love it. It’s a 2021 F/W limited edition. The colorful tweed is just perfect for fall and winter.

It’s a bummer that these popular limited editions sell out fast. If you miss the release, it’s super hard to snag one in stores or online.

Now, it seems like you can’t even get it anymore. I looked around on a few preloved sites, and they’re all sold out.

Wear Tear

I haven’t used this bag a lot, mostly just in the fall and winter, so even after two years, it still looks brand new. The only thing is there are a few scratches on the bottom feet.

What fits inside the YSL Cassandra mini

The interior is leather lining, featuring dual compartments for easy organization of your belongings. There’s also a small inner pocket on the backside.

While this bag isn’t large, it is roomy enough to hold everything I need it to. I can be a smaller purse type of gal if I need to. (Or a HUGE bag type of gal, like when I’m with my ICARE Maxi)

• The basics definitely fit (I would recommend a smaller card wallet), plus I can squeeze in a pair of sunglasses in a cloth case.
• The slip pocket on the back of the purse is tight, but I can get my iPhone 13 Pro to slide in there.

YSL Cassandra Mini does a great job as a small-sized handbag, and the best part is that it’s not heavy. Of course, if you need to carry more stuff, just go for the medium size.

For those planning to get this bag, I recommend not to overstuff the bag. I find that it gets hard to snap the bag close when it is very full.

Pros Cons of Saint Laurent Cassandra bag

Pros

• It’s a classic and elegant design.
• Comes in many neutral colors.
• Can be worn in many ways.
• It’s structured and durable, so it holds up well.
• There’s a convenient back pocket.
• The clasp is easy to use and secure, great for quick access and safety.
• I love that this purse has feet! It’s a nice extra touch to help keep my bag clean.

Cons

• It’s a struggle to fit large phones inside.
• The strap can be tricky to adjust.
• Some might find the interior divider unnecessary for a small bag like this.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the bag looks fantastic, I’m still as obsessed as I was the day I got it.

It’s such a cute take on the classic Cassandra. The tweed adds some casual vibe to the bag, which I love.

As I said, the YSL Cassandra is the ultimate accessory if you wanna look professional, so it would be a great work bag/commute bag.

If you prefer a more casual daily bag, then the Cassandra might not be the perfect bag, unless you can get your hand on the tweed version or some other fun version.

About which size to choose, if you have a larger phone, I would recommend the Medium size.

Read Also:

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