Pros
- Beautiful design with a laidback look
- Can be worn in two ways
- Not as common as other YSL bags
Cons
- Magnetic fastening too strong
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The YSL Niki has been a staple of the Saint Laurent handbag collection since its launch in 2018 with a campaign headlined by Kate Moss. Known for its slouchy silhouette, crinkled vintage leather and understated leather-covered YSL initials, it offers a more relaxed take on the classic luxury flap bag. In this review, we take a closer look at the Niki’s design, practicality, sizes, materials and price to help you decide whether it is the right bag for you.
Design
The Saint Laurent Niki is a beautiful flap bag with a cool, laidback vintage vibe, a result of the distressed aged leather of the bag. It was launched as part of Saint Laurent’s Spring 2018 campaign with Kate Moss. The front of the flap is decorated with leather-covered YSL initials, which blend in really nicely with the rest of the bag.
Practicality and Functionality
The Niki comes with either a sliding chain strap (Mini version) or a sliding leather-and-chain strap (Baby and Medium), which can be doubled for shoulder carry or extended to wear the bag crossbody. This makes it easy to switch between a smarter shoulder-bag look and a more practical hands-free option.
The flap closes with a magnetic snap. It keeps the bag secure, although the magnet is quite strong and can make the bag slightly awkward to open, which remains our main criticism of the design.
Inside, the Niki is divided into two main compartments, with additional pockets for organising smaller items. There is also a large flat pocket on the back. The Mini is best suited to essentials, while the Baby and Medium offer more useful everyday storage.
YSL Niki Sizes and Dimensions
Since its 2018 release, the Niki lineup has changed. The classic YSL Niki is currently available in three sizes: Mini, Baby and Medium. The Large, which formed part of the earlier collection, is no longer listed by Saint Laurent.
| Style | Dimensions | Shoulder Strap Drop | Folded Strap Drop |
| Niki Mini | 18 x 12.5 x 5 cm / 7.1 x 4.9 x 2 inches | 55 cm (21.7 inches) | 30 cm (11.8 inches) |
| Niki Baby | 21 x 16 x 7.5 cm / 8.3 x 6.3 x 3 inches | 57 cm (22.4 inches) | 30 cm (11.8 inches) |
| Niki Medium | 28 x 20 x 8.5 cm (11 x 7.9 x 3.3 inches) | 50 cm (19.7 inches) | 28 cm (11 inches) |
The Mini is a compact option for your phone, cardholder and a few small essentials. The Baby provides a useful middle ground, while the Medium is the most spacious classic Niki and the better choice if you plan to use it as an everyday carry.
YSL Niki Colorways and Materials
The Niki remains best known for its soft vintage calf leather, which gives it the crinkled, slightly worn-in finish that defines the bag. Chevron-quilted topstitching and the leather-covered Cassandre help create its distinctive tonal look.
Alongside vintage leather, Saint Laurent offers selected Niki styles in seasonal materials such as suede, raffia and grained lambskin. Colours and finishes change from season to season, but black remains the most recognisable and widely available version.
YSL Niki Price
The price of the YSL Niki varies according to size and material. The current prices for the classic Niki in vintage leather are:
| Size | Price* |
| Niki Mini | $2,150 / £1,635 / €1,800 |
| Niki Baby | $3,100 / £2,305 / €2,600 |
| Niki Medium | $3,400 / £2,545 / €2,800 |
YSL Niki Bag Price History*
The Medium Niki was priced at $2,290 in August 2019 and now retails for $3,400. 48% increase over seven years.
*Price history shown for the Medium size. Last updated August 2026.
Where to Buy the YSL Niki Bag
If you’re looking to get your hands on the YSL Niki, here are the listings across various retailers where it is currently in stock:
Other Bags in the YSL Niki Collection
Since the original Niki launched in 2018, Saint Laurent has expanded the collection beyond the classic flap bag. The current women’s range also includes the Niki Shopping and Niki Tripouch.
YSL Niki Shopping
The Niki Shopping reworks the signature vintage leather, chevron topstitching and leather-covered Cassandre into a roomier east-west tote. It is available in Mini, Small and Medium sizes, making it the more practical option for anyone who likes the Niki’s relaxed look but needs additional storage.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Niki Mini Shopping | 19 x 16 x 7 cm (7.5 x 6.3 x 2.8 inches) | $2,150 / £1,635 / €1,800 |
| Niki Small Shopping | 25 x 19 x 10 cm (9.8 x 7.5 x 3.9 inches) | $2,700 / £2,000 / €2,200 |
| Niki Medium Shopping | 33 x 27 x 14 cm (13 x 10.6 x 5.5 inches) | $3,700 / £2,815 / €3,100 |
YSL Niki Tripouch
The Niki Tripouch takes the collection’s signature crinkled vintage leather and chevron quilting and gives them a boxier, almost satchel-like silhouette. From the side, its three slim, gusseted compartments create a distinctive accordion-style profile. The front compartment is covered by a flap and finished with the metal Cassandre, while a sliding chain strap with a leather shoulder section allows the bag to be worn over the shoulder or crossbody. It measures 28 × 13.5 × 20.5 cm (11 × 5.3 × 8.1 inches) and currently retails for $3,700 / £2,815 / €3,100.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the YSL Niki is an amazing bag. It is practical, versatile and spacious, while its slouchy shape and distressed leather give it a more laidback look than many other Saint Laurent bags.
Having remained a staple of the Saint Laurent collection since its launch in 2018, the Niki has proven that it has real staying power. For that reason, we believe it is a solid investment for anyone looking for a distinctive Saint Laurent bag that can be used and enjoyed for years to come.