YSL Uptown Pouch Clutch Review – One Year Later

I did a review of this clutch after I had owned it for a couple of months and I have gotten a few questions to do an updated review on how it has held up and what I think about it now. That’s what we’re doing today!

First off, when I bought this clutch in the spring of 2019 (gosh, that feels like an eternity ago!), it was only available in a few colors. It might even have been only two or three. I very impulsively bought it without reading any reviews (I couldn’t find any), and hoped for the best. Now I’m gonna share the verdict with you! Oh, and I have the black one in the shiny box leather and gold hardware. So lush.

Why do I love it?

The Price
I really do still love this clutch. First of all, we have to talk about the price is, because it is uh-mazing. Yes, I am aware we are talking about designer prices which are always a bit hard to justify. But in the realm of ridiculously priced leather goods, this one is a lot less eye watering. This retails for € 345 / £305 / $475. Before coming across the YSL Uptown Pouch, I had wanted a designer clutch that I could carry to the few-and-far-between special events in my life, but they could not compare. They were priced much higher, some were around the same price but in faux leather, and some were more like a casual wristlet.

This pouch gives you the look of something much more expensive. It looks like those designer clutches which go for 3x the price. It has the envelope style, it’s real leather and it looks dressy and upscale (hello big YSL logo on the front). And it doesn’t look like it’s just a wristlet that was the least expensive thing in the store you bought because you wanted something with their logo. I’m not judging, I’m literally talking about myself.

The Functionality
Alright, so far you will be forgiven for thinking the price the only reason I bought and love it. But you would be wrong. I love this clutch a lot for the functionality and versatility of it. I have realized exactly how boring my life is after seeing how rarely I wear this for a fancy event (fact: it’s more rare than an eclipse). On some level I must have known I would not get an invitation to the Met Gala this year either because always knew I didn’t want to spring for a super expensive clutch I would almost never wear.

However, I have worn this a lot. Turns out, you don’t need a fancy event to wear a fancy bag! I wear this running errands, coffee dates, date-dates, as a catch-all in my work bag… I have so many ways to use it I now struggle to know what I did without a bag like this!
I add a chain under the flap (I’ll link a video down below so you can see how I do that if it’s not self explanatory) to wear it on the shoulder so I can be hands free. Click here for a link to the chain.

The Style
I can’t not mention the style of this. It has everything a basic chick with a love for designer fashion wants. The shiny leather screams understated (but expensive) luxury. The shape and the clean lines make this piece super classic and timeless. And of course: the YSL logo. I had been looking at getting a shoulder bag with the logo in the front and honestly feel I get the same look with this clutch (but with a lot less space obviously!).

Despite the brand dropping the Yves from their official name, the hardware logo has remained the same, classic YSL. Therefore I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that this is not going to look outdated anytime soon.

The Quality
I really don’t have a lot to say about the wear and tear on this. Although I have taken well care of it, and it hasn’t been worn to death, it has held up perfectly. No scratches, no corner wear, no issues with the glazing and only a couple of minor hair line scratches on the logo. The leather has softened up a little bit as well, but is still just as perfect. I have sprayed this with collonil carbon pro leather spray to avoid water spots (I have definitely worn this clutch in the rain), and clean it with collonil carbon gold leather cream (it also moisturizes the leather so it won’t dry out). Remember to always test leather care products on a small area first.

What’s the usage of such a tiny, tiny pouch?

I think it’s important to touch on the size of this clutch. It is flat. Completely, ran-over-with-a-paver, thinner-than-a-pancake, could-run-it-through-your-printer, flat. So consider that before buying this pouch. I have found that mine has softened a bit with use (I am not sure if the same can be said for the other leather / finishes) and I can fit my essentials OK. But even a folded wallet will struggle to fit in this clutch. I avoid wide items at all costs.

In the video I have posted below, I show you how I fit all the things in. Essentially, I put my phone, my card holder, my key holder (a bit modified) and a lip product into this and that’s it. If you can’t get to a store to test whether your items will fit, I really recommend seeing a few videos of it. The fact that it is totally flat really kills the space. I don’t stuff mine too much because I don’t want to stretch or misshape it. If it’s over filled the magnetic closure can give in as well.

But again, it’s just enough space for my absolute essentials so I can put this into a larger bag if I’m at work or need more. I don’t tend to take this clutch for going shopping because the chain isn’t fastened to the actual bag. I had one comment saying she took hers to a shoe repair place and had them add D-rings to the pouch so the strap is totally secure. If you’re not worried about resale value, that seems like a pretty great idea!

This may not be for you if…

… you’ll never use it. Duh. Sorry to be so obvious, but what I mean by that is that you should evaluate if it has a place in your life over just being a great value designer piece. You have to really just take this for what it is, and it is a tiny clutch. If you know that your essentials will never fit into it, you may only use it for an event where you take your phone and credit card. If I could wave a magic wand, I would make it a tiny bit larger but what can you do..

I want to emphasize that even if you just want a designer clutch for special occasions, this is still not a bad one. Especially considering the price. If you are going to have one tiny clutch for a rare special event every now and again – why not make it one that isn’t as big of a hit to the wallet?

Also, think through whether you will want this clutch in the box leather. I have found it to be less fragile than I feared it would be, but I still take extra care of it to avoid scratches. When putting it into my work bag, for example, I usually have it in its dust bag so the other items in my bag won’t scratch it.

Which one do you choose?

So, all that being said. This little pouch/clutch has become so popular over the past year! Where I struggled to find reviews of it last spring, I now see them everywhere on Youtube and Instagram. So it’s safe to say it’s rather popular.

I actually still want one more of these. At least. I am torn between the gorgeous red or a neutral beige. I think the lighter colored would make this a perfect special occasion along the lines of summery weddings and even for dinner dates when travelling (it won’t take up much extra room in your luggage!). I will probably try either the pebbled or the mock croc leather to see how that compares. I have heard it’s a bit stiffer which gives you more durability and having to baby it less. But then it may be an even tighter fit for your items.

Find links to the chain, the items I use and the bag below. Let me know if you will be adding one of these to your bag collection!

DICLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post, I paid for all the items myself. Some links may be affiliate links.