Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Bag Review: Dark Red Wine Patent Leather

The Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 in Dark Red Wine patent leather wasn’t a purchase I spent months carefully planning.

I saw the color in the Saint Laurent store, fell in love with it, and that was essentially the end of the decision-making process. The deep wine shade, glossy calfskin and bronze-toned YSL logo looked incredibly elegant together.

After owning the bag for three months, I’ve had enough time to see how it works in everyday life, what fits inside and whether the patent leather is as difficult to maintain as people sometimes suggest.

I don’t wear it daily, but I have taken it on several trips, and it remains in pristine condition.

In this Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 review, I’ll share my honest thoughts about the color, capacity, shoulder strap, open-top design, Cassandre closure, and whether I believe the bag is worth its price.

Why Is It Called the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7?

Saint Laurent introduced the original Le 5 à 7 in its Spring 2021 collection. Its name refers to the hours between five and seven—the transition between the working day and evening plans.

That idea is reflected beautifully in the design. The Le 5 à 7 can be carried to work or during the day, but it is polished enough to take directly to dinner or drinks afterward.

It doesn’t look overly formal during the day, yet it still feels luxurious enough for an evening outfit.

That versatility is one reason the design has remained relevant since its release. Although the bag became trendy quickly, I don’t see it as a style that will suddenly look passé in another year or two.

Its simple hobo shape is inspired by classic shoulder bags, while the YSL hardware makes it instantly recognizable.

Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Size and Details

The Le 5 à 7 in Dark Red Wine is made in Italy from patent calfskin and has a soft suede lining. Its official dimensions are:

• 23 × 16 × 6.5 cm
• 9 × 6.3 × 2.5 inches
• 20 cm strap drop

It has an adjustable shoulder strap, bronze-toned metal hardware, one interior zip pocket and Saint Laurent’s Cassandre hook closure.

The Le 5 à 7 is relatively compact, but its long rectangular shape makes the interior more practical than it initially appears. It holds my daily essentials, although it won’t accommodate larger items or a traditional hard sunglasses case.

Why I Chose the Dark Red Wine Patent Leather

The color was the deciding factor for me. I saw the Dark Red Wine patent leather in the store and immediately fell in love with it.

It is a deep, rich burgundy that feels more versatile than a bright red bag. I can wear it with black, cream, gray, navy, brown and plenty of other neutral shades. It adds color to an outfit, but it doesn’t feel loud or difficult to style.

The combination of burgundy patent leather and bronze-toned hardware also gives the bag the old-money luxury look that I love. It feels polished and expensive, but the shape is still simple enough to work with understated outfits.

I also have a Saint Laurent cardholder in the same Dark Red Wine patent leather. It fits inside the bag and creates a beautiful matching set.

How the Dark Red Wine Color Looks in Different Lighting

One of my favorite things about the bag is how the color changes depending on the light.

In natural daylight, the burgundy becomes more noticeable. You can see its red undertones, particularly when the sun reflects off the patent finish. It looks rich and dimensional rather than flat.

Indoors, the color becomes much deeper. In lower light, it can look close to a very dark oxblood or brownish burgundy. The result is sophisticated and easy to wear during the evening.

Although this is patent leather, I don’t think it looks overly shiny. It reflects light, as patent leather should, but the deep color keeps the finish elegant.

To me, the shine enhances the clean lines of the bag and makes the Dark Red Wine shade look even more luxurious.

The YSL Logo and Cassandre Hook Closure

The shiny interlocking YSL logo was another major reason I chose the Le 5 à 7. It gives the otherwise minimal shape a recognizable Saint Laurent finish and creates a beautiful contrast against the dark patent leather.

The YSL logo forms part of the Cassandre hook closure. A narrow leather tab passes over the open top of the bag and hooks behind the metal logo.

Visually, I love this detail. In practical terms, it can be slightly annoying when I want to open or close the bag properly.

The bottom of the “L” is quite sharp, so I am careful when removing and replacing the leather tab because I don’t want to drag the hardware across the patent leather.

However, I don’t need to undo the closure every time I want something. The tab is narrow and only covers the center of the opening.

I keep my lip oil at one side, which allows me to reach in and take it out in seconds. Considering I use lip oil approximately every hour, this makes a significant difference.

Is the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Comfortable to Carry?

The Le 5 à 7 is designed as a shoulder bag, and the strap is quite firm. When the bag is almost empty, the strap can slip off my shoulder relatively easily. It doesn’t always feel as secure as a softer, wider strap would.

However, this improves once the bag is filled. The additional weight helps the strap hang more securely from my shoulder instead of moving around as much.

The structured strap also helps the bag retain its shape. I wouldn’t call it the most practical shoulder bag I own, but I still find it comfortable enough for dinners, shopping, travel and occasions when I only need my essentials.

It is worth considering if you frequently struggle with shoulder bags slipping. The Le 5 à 7 may require occasional adjustment, especially when it isn’t carrying much.

What Fits Inside the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7?

The bag looks slim, but I can fit all the essentials I normally carry:

• Saint Laurent cardholder
• iPhone 16 Plus
• Small pack of wipes
• One car key with a keyring
• Two or three lip products
• AirPods in their case
• Sunglasses in a soft pouch

My iPhone 16 Plus fits, which is important because it is a relatively large phone. The sunglasses also fit comfortably in a soft pouch, but a bulky hard case would take up too much room.

Once everything is inside, the items are quite tightly packed, but the bag doesn’t feel impossible to use. I can still reach individual items without emptying the entire bag.

There is also one zip pocket inside. I can use it for my cardholder or another small valuable when I want additional security. A passport may fit in the pocket, although I would check the fit before relying on it while traveling.

Is the Open Top Secure?

The open top is one of the main practical disadvantages of the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7. The central leather tab provides some protection, but it doesn’t close the bag completely.

Technically, that creates a safety concern, particularly in crowded areas. However, when I carry all of my usual items, the bag is fairly full. My belongings sit closely together rather than moving loosely around the interior, so it would be difficult for someone to casually reach inside, grab my cardholder and remove it without me noticing.

The interior zip pocket offers a safer place for cards or cash. When traveling or walking through a particularly crowded area, I would keep my most important valuables there.

Despite the open design, I appreciate how easy it is to reach my phone or lip products. The bag balances accessibility and security reasonably well, although anyone who wants a fully zipped handbag may find it too exposed.

Scratches, Color Transfer and Patent Leather Durability

I’ve owned my Le 5 à 7 for three months, and the patent leather remains in pristine condition. I don’t use the bag every day, but I have taken it on trips, and it has handled travel well so far.

My main long-term concerns are scratches and color transfer. Patent leather can show surface damage, and transferred dye can be difficult to remove once it penetrates the glossy coating.

The Dark Red Wine shade is relatively forgiving compared with cream or pale patent leather, but I still avoid leaving it pressed against other leather, dark fabric or printed materials for extended periods.

I am careful when using the Cassandre closure because the pointed hardware could scratch the leather if dragged across it.

At the same time, I don’t plan to baby the bag. I believe things are meant to be used and people are meant to be loved. I fully expect it to develop small scratches and signs of wear over time, and I am fine with that.

Those marks will become part of the bag’s character and the memories attached to it.

How I Store My Patent Leather Le 5 à 7

When I’m not using the bag, I keep it inside its original Saint Laurent dust bag. The fabric protects the patent leather from dust, accidental scratches and prolonged exposure to light while still allowing airflow.

I don’t store it sealed inside its original box for long periods. A tightly enclosed environment can trap humidity, particularly if the storage area is already damp, which increases the risk of mold or deterioration.

A breathable dust bag in a dry, ventilated wardrobe is the better long-term option.

I also avoid plastic storage bags because they can trap moisture and potentially stick to coated leather. The bag should be kept away from direct sunlight, strong heat and contact with other materials that could transfer color.

For cleaning, I use a soft, dry cloth and avoid experimenting with random leather products. Patent leather has a coated finish, so I would only use a cleaner specifically approved for patent calfskin.

Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Elegant and timeless shoulder-bag shape
• Dark Red Wine color works beautifully with neutrals
• Patent leather looks glossy but not excessively shiny
• Fits a large phone and everyday essentials
• Easy to access from the sides without undoing the closure
• Interior zip pocket for smaller valuables
• Distinctive YSL hardware
• Works for both daytime and evening outfits

Cons

• The open top is less secure than a zipper
• The strap can slip when the bag is lightly filled
• Cassandre hook closure can be annoying
• Pointed hardware could scratch the patent leather
• Limited space for bulky items
• Patent leather requires care around color transfer

Is the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Worth the Price?

For me, the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 is worth the price. It combines a timeless silhouette, beautiful materials and instantly recognizable hardware in a bag I can wear during both the day and evening.

I especially think this version is worth considering if you want something more distinctive than a black designer bag. Dark Red Wine still functions almost like a neutral, but it brings more depth and personality to an outfit.

The Le 5 à 7 has been popular since its Spring 2021 debut, yet its design doesn’t depend on a short-lived trend. The slim shoulder shape has a clear 1990s influence, but it is simple enough to remain relevant as trends change.

To me, it has the polished, old-money luxury feel of a bag that can stay in a wardrobe for years. It may develop scratches and visible wear, but that doesn’t make it less valuable to me. I bought it to use, not merely to keep perfectly preserved inside a wardrobe.

Who Should Buy the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7?

The Le 5 à 7 is a good choice for someone who wants a compact luxury shoulder bag that can transition easily from work or daytime plans to dinner and drinks.

It works best if you carry a phone, cardholder, keys, sunglasses and a few small personal items. It is less suitable if you need room for a water bottle, large wallet, cosmetic bag or hard sunglasses case.

I would also reconsider it if you strongly prefer zipped bags, worry constantly about scratching patent leather or need a strap that never slips.

For someone who loves a slim, elegant shoulder bag and is prepared to accept a few practical compromises, the Le 5 à 7 is beautiful.

Three months after buying mine, I am still completely in love with the Dark Red Wine color, and I would choose the same version again.