Choosing between the two sizes of Goyard's most iconic tote comes down to one honest question: are you buying a bag to move through the city, or a bag to move through your life? The Goyard Saint Louis answers both, but only if you pick the right size. This Goyard Saint Louis size guide is built to settle the PM vs GM debate for good - with real dimensions, honest on-body fit notes, and a clear-eyed comparison to the Artois and Anjou.
The Saint Louis is Goyard's flagship unlined, feather-light tote in the house's signature hand-painted Goyardine canvas. It is discreet, packable and quietly expensive-looking - the antithesis of a loud logo bag. Below, we cover exactly what fits, how each size sits by height, and why the Saint Louis is one of the most value-retentive totes in luxury.
Key takeaways from this guide:
- PM is the everyday city tote; GM is the travel, work and family tote - pick by daily use, not by drama.
- Saint Louis dimensions are trapezoidal, so top width and base width differ - this explains the conflicting numbers you see online.
- The GM comfortably fits a 13-15" laptop and A4; the PM handles everyday essentials plus a tablet.
- Both sizes ship with a detachable inner pouch and weigh almost nothing - among the lightest luxury totes made.
- The Saint Louis, Artois and Anjou overlap in footprint but differ in structure, security and durability.
- Discontinued and special-order colors appreciate; authenticated pre-owned is the smart way to source them.
Goyard Saint Louis PM vs GM: The Short Answer
If you want the verdict before the detail: choose the PM if the bag is mainly for you and your daily essentials, and choose the GM if the bag also has to carry work, travel or family duty. The PM is a neat, elegant handheld-and-shoulder tote. The GM is a genuine workhorse that swallows a laptop, documents and a change of clothes.
Most first-time buyers who use the bag for commuting, errands and dinner reach for the PM. Buyers who want one tote to do everything - office, weekend, airport personal item - lean GM. Neither is "better"; they solve different problems.
The Saint Louis is Goyard's modern lightweight tote: unlined, self-standing when full, and defined by that flat, open silhouette. It is the bag people buy when they want the recognition of true French leather-goods heritage without a visible logo. For a broader look at where it sits in the range, see our overview of the most popular Goyard bags in 2026.
A Quick History of the Saint Louis Tote
The Maison Goyard traces its lineage to 1853, when Goyard succeeded the earlier house of Morel as one of Paris's premier malletiers - trunk and travel-goods makers. The hallmark chevron Goyardine canvas arrived in 1892, its interlocking Y-pattern originally hand-painted, a technique the house still references in its finishing today.
The modern Saint Louis is a reissue of Goyard's classic lightweight shopping tote, named - like much of Goyard's naming - after Paris geography, in this case the Île Saint-Louis. Where earlier totes were purely functional, the modern Saint Louis became an it-bag precisely because it refuses to shout.
Its appeal is simple to explain and hard to replicate: unlined construction, near-weightless canvas, a packable body, and no external hardware branding. It reads as quiet luxury for people who already know. That discretion is also why it cross-shops so cleanly against structured totes from houses like Louis Vuitton, Celine and Bottega Veneta - and why we're often asked to compare it directly to the Neverfull, which we do in our Saint Louis vs Neverfull guide.
Goyard Saint Louis Dimensions: PM vs GM (Full Size Chart)
Before the numbers, one crucial note: the Saint Louis is trapezoidal. It is wider at the top opening than at the base. That single fact explains why you'll find "41cm" and "47cm" quoted for the same PM - one figure is the base, the other the top. We list both so you're never confused again.
| Spec (approx.) | Saint Louis PM | Saint Louis GM |
|---|---|---|
| Top width (opening) | ~47 cm | ~56 cm |
| Base width | ~41 cm | ~47 cm |
| Height | ~27 cm | ~33 cm |
| Depth (base) | ~15 cm | ~18 cm |
| Strap drop | ~18-20 cm | ~19-21 cm |
| Weight | ~0.5 kg | ~0.7 kg |
| Detachable inner pouch | Included | Included |
All measurements are approximate and reflect the standard EU-market Saint Louis. Because the canvas is unlined and flexible, real-world dimensions shift slightly depending on how full the bag is.
The strap drop of roughly 18-21cm is the number to pay attention to. It's enough to sling the bag over a shoulder - even over a light coat - but not a generous crossbody-style drop. Taller wearers and those layering winter coats will find shoulder carry easier with the GM's fractionally longer straps.
Both sizes include a matching detachable inner pouch, which clips inside the tote and doubles as a small clutch. It's the only interior organisation the bag offers, so factor it into how you'll keep essentials from sinking to the bottom.
What Actually Fits Inside Each Size
Numbers only tell half the story. Here's what each size genuinely carries in daily life.
The PM is an everyday-essentials tote. Phone, a full-size wallet, sunglasses, keys, a compact makeup pouch and a tablet or small e-reader all fit with room to spare. You can wedge a slim A5 notebook in comfortably. It is not designed to be a laptop bag, though a very slim tablet or 11" device slides in.
The GM is a genuine work-and-travel bag. It swallows a 13-15" laptop, A4 documents or a magazine flat, a water bottle, a packable jacket, and still leaves room for gym or beach kit. It's a favourite as a discreet nappy bag and works as a cabin personal item under the seat.
| Item | Saint Louis PM | Saint Louis GM |
|---|---|---|
| Phone + full wallet | Yes, easily | Yes, easily |
| Sunglasses case | Yes | Yes |
| Tablet / e-reader | Yes | Yes |
| 13" laptop | Tight / no | Yes |
| 15" laptop | No | Yes |
| A4 documents / folder | No (A5 only) | Yes |
| Water bottle | Yes (upright) | Yes |
| Packable jacket | Snug | Yes |
| Gym / beach kit | No | Yes |
A practical framing: the PM is roughly a mid-teens-litre capacity in real use, and the GM comfortably more. If you regularly carry a laptop or shuttle documents, the choice makes itself.
On-Body Fit by Height
How a tote reads on your frame matters as much as what it holds. The Saint Louis has a broad, flat silhouette, so proportion is real.
Petite frames (under ~160 cm)
The PM is the safer choice for petite wearers. It sits neatly at the hip and hand-carries elegantly without dwarfing a smaller frame. The GM can overwhelm - its ~56cm top width spans a lot of visual space and the height reaches toward the mid-thigh when hand-carried.
Average frames (~160-175 cm)
Both sizes work. If the bag is for everyday and evening, the PM flatters. If it's your do-everything tote, the GM is entirely wearable and still looks intentional rather than oversized.
Taller frames (175 cm+)
Taller wearers can carry the GM as a signature everyday bag, and even the PM can read slightly small in the hand - some prefer the GM for balance. The GM's marginally longer strap drop also makes shoulder carry over a coat more comfortable.
If you're genuinely torn, ask what the bag replaces. Replacing a small handbag? PM. Replacing a work bag or weekender? GM. This same PM-vs-larger logic runs through our Louis Vuitton Alma size guide if you like seeing the framework applied across houses.
Saint Louis vs Artois vs Anjou: Which Goyard Tote?
The Saint Louis isn't Goyard's only tote, and the differences are meaningful. The Artois and Anjou occupy similar footprints but solve different problems.
| Saint Louis | Artois | Anjou | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Open, unlined, soft | Zip-top, structured, lined | Reversible, semi-structured, bonded |
| Closure | Snap tab | Full zip | Snap tab |
| Weight | Lightest | Heaviest of the three | Medium |
| Security | Low (open top) | High (zipped) | Low-medium |
| Durability | Good; corner wear over time | Very good; more protective | Excellent; bonded, more rigid |
| Sizes | PM, GM | PM, GM (and mini variants) | Mini, PM, GM |
| Best for | Lightness, packability | Commuting, security | Durability, two looks |
Choose the Saint Louis if you value featherlight weight and a bag that packs flat for travel. Choose the Artois if you commute, ride public transport, or simply want the reassurance of a zip. Choose the Anjou if you want a hardier, two-tone reversible tote that keeps its shape.
On sizing, the three overlap closely. An Artois PM and Anjou PM sit roughly in Saint Louis PM territory; the GM footprints likewise align. The practical differences are structure and weight, not radically different capacity. If security is your priority, the zipped Artois earns its place; if weight and packability win, the Saint Louis is unbeatable.
Why the Saint Louis Holds Its Value
Goyard's commercial model is unusually disciplined, and that discipline is exactly why the Saint Louis retains value. There are no official discounts, distribution is tightly controlled, and popular colors and special orders sit on waitlists. Hand-finishing and limited availability create genuine scarcity.
Colour drives the resale story. Classics - black, navy and Bordeaux - stay liquid and re-sell reliably. Discontinued shades and special-order combinations can appreciate meaningfully, because the only way to get them is the secondary market.
When assessing condition, the things that matter on a Saint Louis are specific: canvas wear and softening at the corners, patina and cracking on the leather trim and straps, cleanliness of the interior, and - importantly - whether the detachable inner pouch is present. A missing pouch or heavily worn corners should be reflected in price.
Because Goyard is one of the most convincingly counterfeited houses, verification is non-negotiable. Learn what separates a real Saint Louis from a superfake in our detailed Goyard authentication guide - it covers the chevron pattern, stitching, stamping and hardware in depth. For a sense of where prices land across colors and sizes, our Goyard price guide is a useful companion.
Buying a Saint Louis Pre-Owned (The Smart Route)
For most buyers, authenticated pre-owned is the most sensible way to buy a Saint Louis - especially in a discontinued color or a size that's currently hard to source new. It sidesteps waitlists and often puts otherwise-unavailable shades within reach.
The risk with pre-owned isn't the bag; it's the seller. Goyard's canvas is heavily faked, and grey-market listings rarely come with meaningful verification. Buying from a vetted specialist removes that risk entirely.
At Collector's Cage, every piece is individually authenticated and sold as a one-of-one listing, with new arrivals added weekly. Each Saint Louis is backed by our Authenticity Guarantee, so you buy with the same confidence you would in a boutique - and you can shop a discontinued color without gambling on an unverified source.
Before you commit to any pre-owned Saint Louis, inspect four things: the chevron pattern alignment across seams, the condition of the leather trim and straps, the cleanliness and integrity of the unlined interior, and the presence of the original detachable pouch. A vetted, authenticated bag with all of these accounted for will always beat a cheaper grey-market listing that leaves you guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Goyard Saint Louis PM or GM better for everyday use?
For most people, the PM is the better everyday bag - it's neat, elegant and holds daily essentials plus a tablet without looking oversized. Choose the GM instead if "everyday" includes carrying a laptop, documents or family gear, in which case its extra capacity earns its keep.
What are the exact dimensions of the Goyard Saint Louis PM and GM?
Approximate figures: the PM is ~47cm at the top opening (~41cm base) × 27cm high × 15cm deep, and the GM is ~56cm top (~47cm base) × 33cm high × 18cm deep. Because the tote is trapezoidal and unlined, measurements vary slightly with how full the bag is - which is why online figures differ.
Can you wear the Saint Louis GM on your shoulder?
Yes. With a strap drop of roughly 19-21cm, the GM sits on the shoulder and can be worn over a light coat. It's a comfortable shoulder tote for average and taller frames; petite wearers may prefer hand-carry or the PM for better proportion.
Does a 13-inch or 15-inch laptop fit in the Saint Louis?
The GM comfortably fits both a 13" and 15" laptop, along with A4 documents. The PM is not designed as a laptop bag - a slim tablet or 11" device fits, but a standard laptop is too large.
How is the Saint Louis different from the Artois and Anjou?
The Saint Louis is open-top, unlined and the lightest of the three. The Artois adds a full zip and a structured, more protective body, making it better for commuting and security. The Anjou is reversible and bonded, so it's more rigid, more durable and gives you two looks in one bag.
Is it safe to buy a discontinued Saint Louis color pre-owned?
Yes - provided you buy from a specialist that authenticates every piece. Discontinued and special-order colors are often only available pre-owned, and they can appreciate. Buying through an authenticated seller with an authenticity guarantee, like Collector's Cage, removes the counterfeit risk that comes with grey-market listings.
