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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Coach: Expensive Leather Stuff That I Want But Won't Buy



Coach is one of those brands who market themselves based on "heritage", which I guess has some validity, since the company has been around since the '40s. That position also fits with a more recent trend in consumer behavior, according to a HighBeam Business report:

"Shoppers changed their handbag buying habits during the early 1990s. Consumer purchasing shifted toward the most basic, functional accessories. Rather than purchasing a handbag to match each outfit, which was the pattern during the first three-quarters of the twentieth century, shoppers began purchasing a single handbag versatile enough to match many outfits. This pattern reflected a more value-oriented consumer, as well as an aging population seeking comfort and casualness."

I'm too lazy to be anything but a one-purse lady, so that quote is on the money as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, about Coach: I know people who condemn the brand as stodgy, but some of the current designs appeal to me. I certainly prefer Coach's tendency toward understatement to "high end" atrocities like this $3,000+ Louis Vuitton bag:



That is monogrammed mink. Have you ever seen anything so tacky in your life? Or maybe it's over-the-top enough to be fabulous... Hmm. Well, I prefer blank leather. Although Coach does have a watercolor/floral camo print that I love:



And I quite like the mauve-and-camel handbag that I opened with. Of course, vintage selections are more appealing, simply by virtue of being old, even if they're beat up.




I'm being facetious. But word on the street is that the quality of Coach merchandise has declined over the past few decades, which is a pity. More worryingly to me, their report on sustainability seems negated by this legal disclaimer about "forward-looking statements". But I'm not a lawyer. To be honest, I don't know what to think. Judging aesthetics is easier, because it's wholly subjective.




I love that shape, but even a low heel will make my feet hurt, so I'd be more likely to wear "Sherlock" or "Florence".



// left // right //

Not sure how to feel about those jackets, or this crewneck:



I definitely hate the matching bag. But this pastel coat is unequivocally beautiful:



As for purses, the product that Coach is truly famous for, I like this one:



Despite the fact that I actually own two relatively new Coach purses, I still find myself preferring the older ones, even when they're wrecked:




This weird kisslock pocket looks like a mouth and it's great:

Coach honey leather tote with outer kisslock clap purse


I'll send you off with a strange tidbit from Flickr:

Coach Purse Cake

14 comments :

  1. That purple hadbag just below the pink coat is so pretty :-)

    The mouth clasp/pocket is genuinely hilarious - makes the bag look so cute and curmudgeonly!

    There are no words for that mink Louis Vuitton thing. I think, at some point, there is a designer in there who is actually just trolling everyone now :-D

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    1. Aha, yes, "curmudgeonly" is the perfect word! I wanna snuggle him.

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    2. I agree 100% with Syl. Especially re: trolling designers. Ugh fashion.

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  2. I have never been a high-end or even one-purse kind of gal, but I do appreciate the craftsmanship of those products (not the mink, let's not even go there) I love that peach coat so much!

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    Replies
    1. I have numerous purses that I like, but it's so much WORK to switch out my stuff =P

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  3. I am a magpie for pretty things, (that first purse is unnngh!) but I'm basically lazy and carry the same Baggo canvas purse everywhere. One day I'll be stunned when the bottom drops out of it. I have a small but lovely vintage purse collection (mostly Feragamo) and most of them were picked up at estate sales and thrift shops. Even the beat up ones can be restored. A bottle of neatsfoot oil can do wonders. So if you find yourself staring down that beat up bag with lust wondering if it could be done - do eeet! Patina has character!

    Yes, let's judge aesthetics!

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    1. OoOoh, I would be interested to see a post on your bag collection! That sounds lovely! I've carried a couple purses to death, but never had the bottom actually drop out, haha =P

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    2. I suppose when something has seen Better Days the bottom drops out. I might do a post, eventually, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be hugely impressive. I tried to think, what do I have an impressive collection of? Wool. I have fktons of wool. Which doesn't sound at all interesting, but don't get me started.

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    3. I actually am kind of intrigued by that. I assume it's wool for felting?

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  4. I've never been big into Coach bags, and I generally avoid going in the store because every bag is way out of my price range. However, some of the styles you presented, like the watercolor one, are very pretty and sensible. That mink one is rightly hideous, though.
    I'm also a one purse kind of gal. I'm actually on the hunt for a tooled leather satchel. I'd like to think that my purses reincarnate like Doctor Who, but let's be real, they just get shoved into my closet instead. D=

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    1. Oh yeah, I should have noted that both of mine were presents! I guess it's not a big deal but I don't want to give the impression that I'm popping in there and dropping $300 on the regular.

      You should post Etsy picks that are along the lines of what you're looking for!

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  5. Oh man, I love a good vintage coach bag. I don't really like the leather used now so I probably will never buy a new one but I've found quite a few older ones at the thrift store and garage sale. (ugh, I loathe the monogramed and logo-ed out ones, it feels tacky. I really, really hate the LVs because of that, there's not even a desgin elament to their bags aside from how much they can push it in your face that it's "omgexpensiveasshit!" bag.). Coach usually has really lovely, simple overcoats, I've been thinking about saving up for one of their trenchcoats to replace my old navy one. And hey, have we seen your coach bags on the blog? If not, you should totally do an outfit with one, I'm courious to know which ones you have!

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    Replies
    1. Basically I agree with everything you said. Re: my purses, I just started using one of them again because writing this post reminded me that they've been neglected--I'll try to include it soon!

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