My dependable albeit uncool Coach wallet.
So I may lose some friends today and make some serious enemies, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and speak my truth: Coach handbags are not cool. They've gone overboard with the "C"s, they've gone overboard with the rebranding, and in their efforts to become coveted by a younger generation, they have become (insult of insults): Common. I'm sorry, but when everyone and their mother and their grandmother and their kid sister is carrying one of these unimaginative quasi-status symbols, it's time to throw in the towel and say, "Enough."
Now for an ironic twist: I happen to own both a Coach handbag and a Coach wallet. They were gifted to me a couple years back (I think it's been nearly 5 years now), and at the time I thought it was an undeniably generous and thoughtful gift. And guess what? I still use the wallet because the quality is superb and it serves its function well. Some critics have charged that Coach's quality and craftsmanship has gone down (while prices remain high) ever since the American company quietly moved most of their production to China. I'm not sure where my wallet was made, but I abuse that thing daily and it's held up really well. Just look at the above photo, it still looks practically new!
So even though I don't think the wallet is "cool" per se, I'm going to continue to use it until it falls apart. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't think so. Not everything I own is cool, nor should it be. My point is this: Coach is a "nay" in terms of being fashionable, a "nay" for being an overpriced affordable luxury (unless you shop the outlets), but a definite "yay" if you just want a well-made purse or wallet that will last for years.
Coach: Yea or Nay?
I used to carry coach bags--bought my first one in 1977--they were not everywhere then; my last purchase was in early 90's.
I have beeb browsing two sites today: yooks and forzieri and they both have beautiful unique bags
And no, 11 year olds do NOT need handbags...much less any handbag that costs that much. But you'd be surprised at how many pre-teens DO get these purses from their parents.
My other war within myself if that if I spend $500 on a purse, I should have $500 in it at all times, right - well since I dont have that type of disposable income, I will stick with my lesser priced "where'd you get that cute bag" handbags!
As I am not a a recent shopper, I would agree that their past quality was AMAZING, and cannot speak to it now. I will be seeking deals at the new Coach Outlet by my house...only the non-descript leather goods..as I am never one to pass on a sale.
Coach is no longer a fashion symbol, but a status symbol for the preteen, and how depressing is that?
I refuse to pay to advertise to children.
Nice to see another babe in the house
at that time it wasn't on everyones hands especailly pre-teens like it is now....so i was happy and loved it....but now its everywhere so my bag is at rest....i do keep using the wallet frequently though...and like yours it has put up a good beating and still looks good.
I also have a silver bangle from their jewelry line...which i like and use it alot.
I can't speak to the quality from personal experience, and am surprised to hear that your gifted wallet has endured so well, BB. I would've assumed that craftsmanship went out the door with style and massive mass production.
Regardless, all around nay for me. Especially since I only buy bags with silver hardware and those guys are all about the brass.
Women around here also have this strange habit of wearing their sloppy, ill-fitting (often slightly dirty) "comfort" clothes while schlepping around a Coach bag (the real ones). I think I've finally figured out why: they take that "one expensive item will make the whole outfit look good" philosophy to a total extreme, and think that one Coach bag will make their stained gympants and dirty rubber flip-flops look good. Er, I'm sorry, no.
I don't own any kind of "status" bag. Never have. Most of my bags are beautiful, leather, vintage handbags I found at thrift stores.
I also think some contemporary labels like Hobo International make beautiful, unique handbags that you can find at discount stores like TJ Maxx for much lower prices than Coach bags.
there's so much other good stuff out there.
and you all are so right about the children in the stores. i worked with a lady who bought her tweens coach and dooney. why? if you're wearing 300$ bags at 13, where do you go from there?
sad.
Good to know there are others like us out there!
Ciao!
I just want something beautiful whether its from Target or Neiman Marcus or maybe temporarliy from Bagborroworsteal. =)
That said, I give a total nay to the logo bags, esp the big logos. Like any other monogram, it's flashy and tacky. I do have a bag with the small cs, and while I wouldn't purchase it now, it is fairly non descript and I do use it for travel because it is the perfect size to stuff into my carry on.
Where I shop I see preteens with Louis and Chanel, so Coach is the tip of the iceberg.
I sort of liked their all leather bags from last year, but at $798??? I'd rather buy LV, thank you!
I am, however, scouring eBay for a certain vintage Coach bag (classic doctor bag style, no logos) but so far haven't won one! I think it's much cooler to have an item that some people might be able to recognize, not that every single person can identify immediately.
And girls, please put down your real/fake Gucci bags! Even if they spend $900 on the real thing, they all look the same to me? I like the vintage Gucci bags with the wide colored stripe, but with the overflowing Gucci logos everywhere, even the vintage bags are becoming hard to pull off nowadays.
that being said.... coach has been going downhill. they still come out with some really nice classy leather bags but all of those Cs are hideous and they need to stop. i love my leather coach handbags because black leather is classy and i like that you can't tell who made my bags unless you're a true bag lover.
the leather hamptons large carryall was a dream bag that i desperately wanted to own. 800 bucks was a little steep. but the bag was so popular it never made it to the outlets =[ it's okay though. because marc by marc jacobs is my newfound obsession.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v507/specialangel2005/?action=view¤t=wallet001.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v507/specialangel2005/?action=view¤t=wallet002.jpg
I actually dislike most things that have the label on it.. one exception is LV because it's timeless and classic, and the quality is exceptional! I've had one of their bags for almost 6 years now and it's still in perfect conditions and I use it all the time! Good investment.
I can't believe I've found a place where people seem to get it! The whole Coach thing is overrated. As previous posters have commented, everyone in suburbia has a Coach purse. I wonder if people really think these bags are stylish, or if they just want to fit in?
The thing that bothers me about these purses is that they are so hyped up. I'll admit, I've seen Coach purses that I really like, but they were probably somewhere around $500. The bag is not worth $500 to me personally. It seems that everyone is buying the same ugly, small brown Coach purse/wallet because that is all they can afford. That is pretty sad and pathetic.
When I get together with friends, they all brag about each others' purses. Don't get me wrong. I admire fine clothing and good style and will gladly compliment anyone's purse, wallet, shirt if I think it looks good. To me, it doesn't matter if it's a Prada, Chanel, or $20 Target purse. I understand that certain brands represent a certain style and quality, but I'm not going to purchase something for the sole reasont that it has a brand name stamped on it.
People look at me (men included)as if I'm committing a sin when I state my opinion about Coach purses. I can understand that I'm possibly insulting someone about their taste in fashion, so maybe I should keep my opinions to myself.
I'm sure others would disagree about some of the things I wear, but I buy things because I like them for what they are, not for what other people purport them to be. I refuse to conform to the hype.