The Opening Hook
In 1966, a single jacket rewired the way women dressed: Le Smoking, Yves Saint Laurent’s tuxedo, cut with the authority of menswear and the seduction of midnight. It wasn’t merely a look—it was permission. Permission to enter a room first, to keep your hands in your pockets, to choose razor-sharp tailoring over ornament. From that moment, Saint Laurent became less a label than a language: Parisian, pared-back, and quietly scandalous. Today, every precise shoulder and lacquered loafer still carries that original thrill—the sound of silk lining against skin, the click of heel on stone.
Brand Story & Heritage
Saint Laurent was founded in 1961 by designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, after Saint Laurent’s meteoric early career in Paris couture. From the beginning, the house balanced two instincts: immaculate atelier craft and a restless hunger for modern life—music, cinema, the street. In 1962, the first couture collection established a signature that still reads like a thesis: clean lines, confident tailoring, and a sensuality delivered through cut rather than clutter.
Key milestones arrived like lightning. In 1965 came the modern graphic dress; in 1966, Le Smoking made the tuxedo a woman’s weapon; and that same year, Saint Laurent opened Rive Gauche, a boutique that helped legitimize luxury ready-to-wear. In 1977, the house released Opium, a perfume that became a cultural flashpoint. Today, under Anthony Vaccarello (creative director since 2016), Saint Laurent continues to distill Paris into silhouettes—long legs, sharpened waists, glossy black, and a particular shade of nocturne.
Interesting facts: Saint Laurent was the first couture house to launch a luxury ready-to-wear line with Rive Gauche (1966). Yves Saint Laurent was also the first living designer to be honored with a major retrospective at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (1983). And long before “gender-fluid” was a marketing phrase, Saint Laurent made masculine codes—tuxedos, trenches, safari jackets—feel unmistakably feminine through proportion and attitude.
Explore the full Saint Laurent collection at Aumifour for pieces that translate that history into what you can wear tonight.
FAQ: Saint Laurent, Answered Like a Fashion Editor
1) What is Saint Laurent best known for?
Saint Laurent is best known for tailoring with a provocative calm: tuxedo jackets, cigarette trousers, sharp-shouldered outerwear, and evening pieces that flirt without pleading. The house helped redefine women’s wardrobes by translating menswear codes—lapels, suiting wool, crisp shirting—into silhouettes that lengthen the body and tighten the mood. Expect sleek black, saturated jewel tones, and a love of materials that photograph beautifully: fluid silk, buttery leather, compact wool, and precise hardware. Under Anthony Vaccarello, the line often leans leggy and nocturnal—mini dresses, strong shoulders, and impeccable boots—yet the underlying DNA remains classic Paris: disciplined cut, sensual finish.
2) How does Saint Laurent sizing run (especially trousers and skirts)?
Saint Laurent typically uses French sizing, and the fit often runs sleek and fashion-lean rather than relaxed. Trousers are frequently high-waisted with a long rise, designed to cinch the waist and extend the leg line; if you sit between sizes or prefer a less sculpted waist, sizing up can feel more effortless. Skirts vary: tailored pencil and mini styles can be close through the hips, while ruffled or draped designs offer more movement. Always consider fabric behavior—structured wool holds shape, while silk-blends move and skim. If you’re building a capsule, start with a trouser fit you love, then mirror that size across matching tailoring pieces.
3) “Saint Laurent cashmere sweater”: what should I look for in fabric and construction?
If you’re searching “saint laurent cashmere sweater,” focus on three editor-approved signals: fiber quality, knit density, and finishing. The best cashmere feels cloud-soft without looking fuzzy; it drapes cleanly and springs back at cuffs and hem. Look for a tight, even knit (it resists pilling longer) and refined ribbing at the neck and wrists. Saint Laurent sweaters often lean slim and polished—made to layer under a blazer or leather jacket without bulk—so pay attention to shoulder seams and armhole shape for a sharp line. Care matters: fold, don’t hang; air between wears; and dry clean or hand-wash only if the care label permits.
4) Are Saint Laurent pieces worth the investment?
They can be—when you buy the Saint Laurent items that behave like wardrobe architecture. Tailoring is where the house earns its reputation: structured shoulders, clean lapels, and a waist placement that makes even a simple look feel intentional. Leather goods and footwear are also frequent “cost per wear” winners because the materials age with character rather than fatigue, especially when cared for properly. The smartest investment strategy is to buy what Saint Laurent does uniquely well—tuxedo-inspired tailoring, high-waisted trousers, sharp boots, night-out silhouettes—then wear them on repeat. To shop with focus, browse the curated Saint Laurent collection at Aumifour and build from one hero piece outward.
5) “Saint Laurent skirt red”: how do I choose the right shade and silhouette?
When people search “saint laurent skirt red,” they’re usually after one of two moods: lacquer-red impact or deep wine seduction. For maximum versatility, choose a darker, blue-based red (think garnet) that pairs effortlessly with black, camel, and denim. For drama, go brighter and keep the styling strict—black tailoring, a sheer tight, a sharp heel. Silhouette matters as much as color: a clean mini feels modern and electric; a longer, fluid skirt reads cinematic and Parisian. If the skirt is silk or silk-blend, it will catch light as you walk—movement becomes part of the color. For options across seasons, revisit the Saint Laurent collection at Aumifour.
6) “Saint Laurent skirt zibra red”: what does that mean, and how do I style it?
The query “saint laurent skirt zibra red” is almost certainly referring to a zebra (often misspelled) motif rendered in red tones—an animal print with Saint Laurent’s particular restraint. The key to wearing it like an insider is to treat it as texture, not costume. Keep everything else sharply edited: a black turtleneck, a crisp white shirt, or a slim blazer with a defined shoulder. Let the skirt do the talking, and echo the print’s contrast through accessories—black patent, a minimal belt, clean gold jewelry. If the fabric is silk or a silk-blend, lean into the movement: walk-fast, hands-in-pockets, hair undone. Saint Laurent animal prints are strongest when the styling is calm.
7) How do I care for Saint Laurent silk and silk-blend skirts?
Silk rewards gentleness. For Saint Laurent skirts in silk or silk-blend, avoid heavy perfume application directly on the fabric, and let the garment air out after wear before returning it to the closet. Store on a padded hanger or fold with acid-free tissue to protect ruffles and prevent hard creases. Most luxury silk pieces are safest with professional dry cleaning; if a care label allows spot cleaning, use cool water and a mild detergent, testing inside seams first. Steam lightly rather than press hard—silk likes vapor, not force. And when traveling, roll silk items loosely rather than folding sharply, so the fabric arrives with its natural fluidity intact.
8) How do Saint Laurent loafers fit, and how should I look after the leather?
Saint Laurent loafers typically fit close and refined—designed to look sleek rather than roomy—so the right size should feel snug at first without pinching. If you’re between sizes, consider whether you’ll wear them with socks; loafers worn barefoot often benefit from a precise fit, while socks may push you up half a size. For care, treat the leather like skin: wipe dust after wear, condition occasionally, and rotate shoes to let them rest and dry naturally. Use shoe trees to maintain shape, especially in soft leather. Protect from rain with a suitable leather protector, and avoid direct heat when drying. Great loafers should grow glossier, not tired.
Styling & Care Guide (How Editors Wear Saint Laurent)
Fashion editors rarely “style” Saint Laurent—they compose it. Start with one strict piece (a tuxedo jacket, high-waisted trouser, or razor mini) and keep everything else quiet: a fine knit, a clean tank, a sharp loafer. The most Saint Laurent silhouette is vertical: long leg, defined waist, controlled shoulder. Try monochrome black with one interruption—camel, wine, or a flash of hardware. For care, respect the materials: brush wool tailoring after wear, steam rather than over-press, and store structured pieces on proper hangers to preserve the shoulder line. For investment buys, prioritize high-wear icons: tailoring, leather footwear, and an evening skirt that makes a plain top look deliberate. Build your rotation from the curated Saint Laurent collection at Aumifour.
The Close
Saint Laurent has always been about confidence expressed through cut: the clean severity of tailoring, the liquid promise of silk, the unapologetic gleam of leather. Aumifour is where that legacy becomes wearable—carefully selected pieces, presented with the respect a great house deserves. When you shop, authenticity isn’t a hope; it’s a guarantee, backed by rigorous standards so you can focus on what matters: fit, fabric, and the feeling you get when a garment lands exactly right on the body. Ready to make room in your wardrobe for something iconic? Discover the complete Saint Laurent collection at Aumifour and choose your forever piece.