We make luxury accessible for all. We are proud to offer only the finest certified vintage and second-hand fashion accessories from the world's most exclusive fashion houses. All products meet our strict standard of excellence.
We are proud to offer only the finest certified vintage and second-hand fashion accessories from the world's most exclusive fashion houses. All products meet our strict standard of excellence | About us
An elegant choice for dinner dates or a night at the theatre, this vintage Saint Laurent Arabesque elevates evening ensembles. The black embossed leather, gold‑tone hardware and secure flap closure keep essentials chicly stored, while the single shoulder strap offers effortless carry from cocktail hour to late-night taxis.
Please note that the majority of our items are vintage and therefore have tales to tell unless stated otherwise. Therefore, please look at pictures, descriptions and measurements provided as they give you the best idea of the story this item has to tell.
* Please note that when you buy a vintage product, the dimensions may vary slightly from a new one depending on previous care and storage.
Q: What typically fits inside the Saint Laurent Vintage Arabesque Bag? A: With approximate measurements of 27 × 22 × 6 cm, it comfortably carries daily essentials: a large smartphone, compact wallet or cardholder, keys, slim sunglasses in a soft case, earbuds and a small cosmetics pouch. An A5 diary/notebook fits; an iPad mini or similar compact e‑reader typically fits without a bulky case. A 500 ml bottle or 11‑inch tablet is usually too tall/wide and may distort the flap. If you’d like, we can perform a tailored fit check for this exact piece.
Q: Will it fit a tablet or A4 documents? A: A4 documents (29.7 × 21 cm) do not lie flat given the 27 cm width. Compact tablets (e.g., iPad mini/Kindle) generally fit; standard 10–11‑inch tablets are typically a squeeze due to the height and slim 6 cm depth. Share your device’s dimensions and we’ll verify the fit for this item.
Q: Is the strap adjustable and can I wear it crossbody? A: The single flat shoulder strap is adjustable with an approximate drop of 42 cm. It’s designed primarily for shoulder carry; on most wearers it sits too high for a true crossbody fit.
Q: How secure is the closure and what is the interior like? A: It features a flap top with a snap‑button closure for quick, secure access. Interior layouts on vintage YSL can vary by year; please refer to our photos for the exact configuration of this piece. For commuting or travel, we suggest keeping the bag upright and placing valuables in a small zip pouch inside for added security.
Q: What does “Arabesque” leather mean and is the embossing durable? A: “Arabesque” refers to the decorative, embossed pattern pressed into the leather. Embossed leather is designed to be hard‑wearing and the texture can help disguise light surface marks. As with all leather, avoid abrasion and overfilling to preserve the silhouette and pattern.
Q: How should I care for the black leather and gold‑tone hardware? A: Keep the bag away from heavy moisture and oils; if lightly damp, blot (don’t rub) with a soft cloth and allow to air‑dry away from heat. Dust with a clean, dry cloth; condition smooth leather sparingly with a high‑quality neutral product after testing on a discreet area. Store upright, lightly stuffed, in a breathable dust bag, and pad the strap/hardware to minimise impressions and hairline scratches. Avoid harsh cleaners or alcohol‑based wipes.
Q: Where are the brand markings and serial/date codes on vintage YSL? A: Look for an interior heat‑stamp (Yves Saint Laurent/Saint Laurent Paris) with “Made in Italy” and a discreet serial/date code—commonly on or behind a small interior leather tab or inside a pocket. Many vintage YSL pieces feature a 12‑digit number separated by a dot; newer formats use three letters + six digits, a dot, then four digits. Placement and exact format can vary by model and era—ask us for close‑ups of this item’s markings if you’d like.
Q: Is this model still in production? A: No—this is a vintage, discontinued style. The pre‑loved market is the best way to find Arabesque‑embossed pieces like this one.
Q: What accessories are included and how do you authenticate? A: This listing states no accessories. Every item at A Retro Tale undergoes rigorous multi‑point authentication by our in‑house experts, assessing materials, stitching, stamps/serial codes and hardware. We stand behind the authenticity of every piece we sell.
Q: Where is this piece made? A: It is labelled Made in Italy.
SHIPPING
All orders are insured and trackable. Once your shipment has been issued, a link to our Track & Trace service will be provided where you can track your shipment and check delivery status online.
A Retro Tale is registered for UK VAT. All prices on the website include shipping, customs, and VAT for deliveries to the UK.
These charges are typically collected by the shipping carrier at the time of delivery and are not included in the product price.
We offer secure shipping via DHL and UPS with the following delivery time:
Outside Europe: 3-6 business days.
RETURNS
A Retro Tale offers 14 days return policy upon receipt of your order.
In order to request a return, please email [email protected] with your order number and state ”return request” in your email. From there, our Customer Support will confirm that your return request has been approved and further instructions will be provided by email.
Please note that the return shipping fee is covered by the returnee and all return shippings to A Retro Tale must be traceable. Thus, please retain your receipt of shipping and tracking number until your return has been completed and you have received your refund.
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED
A Retro Tale specialises in vintage and pre-owned goods from the world's most loved fashion houses. We guarantee that all of our products are 100 percent authentic. Every item sold on our site undergoes a rigorous authentication process, in which our experts delve deep into the heritage of a brand via its craftsmanship techniques. This requires a rigorous and methodical process.
For us, authentication is about more than expertise; it offers a fascinating insight into the history of fashion and the craftsmanship involved in production.
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Please allow up to 10 business days for your return to be completed from the return shipping date as shipping time might vary depending on shipping country and shipping provider.
/ Saint Laurent
/ Bags
/ Shoulder bags
454 £
• Black leather with an embossed arabesque pattern
• Gold-tone hardware
• Single flat shoulder strap
• Black patterned fabric lining
• Flap top with a snap-button closure
• Vintage
The authenticity of this bag has been checked and verified by our experts who have over 10 years of experience in vintage and luxury bags. We also use a well established 3rd party authentication tool to verify our bags.
