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Coach fascination: please explain

movie zombie

movie zombie

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2005
Messages
11,879
ok, i check the Coach II thread periodically hoping i'll "get the Coach light"....but i never do. can someone please explain the fascination for Coach? the c's drive me crazy and i'm not keen on the design of the bags.

i've seen other threads re other high end bags and i actually "get" those.....

please educate me.

mz

ps am i alone in not liking Coach?
 
I'm not a Coach lover either. That said, I haven't ever owned one of the bags so maybe I'm really missing out...I'm in the midwest and it seems like 8 out of every 10 professional women I know have at least one Coach bag and carry them constantly. I'm not keen on the styles usually and I think the leather feels nicer on some other brands. Maybe I just haven't been bitten by the Coach bug...
 
I was initially impressed by Coach about 15 yrs ago - their bags were well-made, all-leather, and you could send in any of their bags for refurbishing, and they'd replace worn trim for free. That service made the investment worthwhile, and they'd last for a really long time. That service isn't available anymore, and when they started to change their product line to include fabric and logo-plastered bags, I was really disappointed and didn't buy from them anymore. Now that they have some fairly classic-looking bags again, I bought my first one this past year, after a decade's absence. I appreciate the lighter-weight leather, but I bought it mostly because I love the color. I don't think you can compare them to a high-end designer; they do have some boutique models with higher prices, but their outlets really broaden their customer base to include even young pre-teens. I think of Coach as supplying bags for the working masses, not a high-end designer.
 
I also had a couple of Coach bags years ago when they were all leather. They didn't hold up too well for me and I didn't think they were very well made.
 
As someone who has plenty of LV's I've always kind of wondered too since I see so many mostly on younger women & lots of high school girls.

Last year I was given a Coach Wallet nearly identical to my zippy LV so I thought I'd breakdown and find a matching Coach bag for it. I still haven't found one, but I did get a "summer" bag, wallet, cosmetic case while looking. Honestly on my first pass through the store(outlet) I didn't see anything I liked. Later I went back because I thought of something for a gift for the girl watching my house while we were on vacation, which she loved! So on trip 3 into the store, the same day, I bought the bag I hesitated on and all it's matching stuff because I knew I liked it enough that I'd be sorry later on since there is not an outlet near me and this bag apparently was made for the outlet.

It's the perfect summer bag (tote style, multi color Cs), similar to my LVs in that it's the coated vinyl with leather trim. As for wear? It seems to be holding up, I've used it daily for 5 weeks in this awful humidity. It cleans up easily and the leather is buffalo which has a nice feel to it.

Will I buy another? I dunno.

Summer bag.JPG
 
but it looks so busy! i just don't get the fascination.......maybe they're just to cute for my taste. but those c's drive me crazy!

mz
 
Movie zombie, I don't really understand how you want people to respond to this post. It's pretty clear that you don't like Coach styles, and that's fine. but it seems like you are asking people who like Coach to explain or defend themselves. Obviously, some people like the "c"'s! and Coach has other simpler styles that don't have the "c" pattern.

I like some Coach bags because I just...do! I like some of the designs (not all) and I think the quality is good.
 
june, so, the c's don't bug other people. that helps a bit as it translates to others don't find it busy.

not looking for anyone to defend themself but to describe what it is they like. if they like the c's, so be it. if they like the colors, so be it. if they like the other bags by coach, pictures would help.

perhaps i see so many of them around that they've become rather generic to my eye.

but i'll keep checking in on that other thread to see if a light bulb goes off for me at some point!

Mo-Zo
 
I personally don't understand the fascination of any purse with logos all over -Coach, LV, Gucci, whatever. I think all those companies put out beautiful non monogrammed bags, but I don't care for logos.
 
ah, w/o logos! hadn't looked around enough to see those!

so i just did a search and i "get" the audrey at $398. only logo marking is the bag closure.

yes, it was the the walking logo marketing placement look that i didn't admire. however, the non-logo bags certainly can put a gleam in my eye.

thanks, ladies!

mz
 
movie zombie said:
june, so, the c's don't bug other people. that helps a bit as it translates to others don't find it busy.

not looking for anyone to defend themself but to describe what it is they like. if they like the c's, so be it. if they like the colors, so be it. if they like the other bags by coach, pictures would help.

perhaps i see so many of them around that they've become rather generic to my eye.

but i'll keep checking in on that other thread to see if a light bulb goes off for me at some point!

Mo-Zo
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I get what you're saying mo zo. I prefer more classic styles as opposed to the c pattern and bright colors as well. I bought a coach bag last year that is leather, but also has some gold hard-ware on it that gives it a somewhat updated, contemporary look. And the logo is understated. I really like it, so I guess that's why I sounded a bit defensive in my post! I would love to see some more classic, but still modern-looking Coach bags. I agree that the company does seem to be reaching out to a younger crowd these days. My daughter is 21 and is very attracted to many of the styles and colors in the collection. But I've seen older women with these bags as well, and they look flattering on them. I guess it just depends on a person's individual style.
 
I just recently bought some Coach bags at an outlet store. They are pretty nice bags but I don't feel they are any nicer than the other 2 brands I'd been buying. Why did I buy them then? Just to try something new.
 
I like some of the styles w/o the "c"s. I have a larger bag I use for school and think it is really cute (chocolate brown pebbled leather with pink lining). I do have a few with the "c"s that were gifts but they are the same color as the background fabric so they blend in. The nice thing about the fabric ones are they are super light but I still prefer the all leather. I also like the styles they have at the outlet. They have fun colors that are inexpensive and perfect for summer/spring. Coach is not my fav. company (I am a B. Mar. girl) but I don't understand why someone would question their popularity. They have a ton of styles so if you aren't a logo girl, you can get one of their leather bags.
 
I'm not a Coach fan but I believe Coach is more affordable in the US. In Australia, it is way over priced.

In the end it's just comes down to personal taste.
I do think people who like Coach usually like LV & Gucci - they like the pattern/logo print designs.
 
After spending ten years of my adult life buying cheap bags from Wal-Mart, I gave in and got a Coach in a color and style I liked, and yes, it has the C's. And it is holding up FAR better than the crap bags I bought before - it's sturdy, the coated leather (and btw, they did tell me when I bought it that I could get it refurbished if anything happened to it, so obviously that service is back) and it's super cute and summery.

If you don't like them, then you don't like them - that's all there is to it.
 
MonkeyPie said:
After spending ten years of my adult life buying cheap bags from Wal-Mart, I gave in and got a Coach in a color and style I liked, and yes, it has the C's. And it is holding up FAR better than the crap bags I bought before - it's sturdy, the coated leather (and btw, they did tell me when I bought it that I could get it refurbished if anything happened to it, so obviously that service is back) and it's super cute and summery.

If you don't like them, then you don't like them - that's all there is to it.
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Re: the bolded part. Are you really surprised that a bag that cost as much as all of the bags you bought before combined, is lasting longer than the "crap bags"? :naughty:

I feel like I could have written all of your posts MZ. I have a friend who buys a LOT of COACH products, wallets, bags, etc, but she only gets the stuff that doesn't have the Cs ALL OVER. I can understand that. I'm a huge fan of Kenneth Cole New York bags because the only logo he usually puts on there is a small metal plate. Or B. Makowsky-small logo. Or Fossil-small logo. Or Tommy Hilfiger, although I can be iffy on those with the rectangular logo dealie.

I just don't like the Cs or the overt logos of any brand really. If I'm going to be advertising for someone's brand, I better damn well get paid for it!!!

And that's why I don't like Coach. Having said that, I would make a concession for the right Coach bag that wasn't covered in Cs.
 
I do admit that my favorite smaller purse is my Coach Carly...but it's off-white leather with brown trim, no logos, and it's nicely made and roomy.

I do have other Coach purses that my mom got me years ago that are emblazoned with the Cs. My mom doesn't see the point of getting designer bags if people don't know they're designer (yes I know how bad that sounds, but unfortunately, and I don't mean to generalize but this is what I've observed, it's endemic with many of the older Asian women I know). So she loves the Louis Vuittons with LVs all over them, Coach with Cs, etc.

I'm at the point where I want my bags to be well made, look nice, and will last. My favorite large bag is my Rebecca Minkoff. Most of my friends have no idea who RM is. I didn't until PS. But it's gorgeous buttery green leather, so roomy, and so well-made. I don't care if people don't know who she is or what the bag is. Same with my Coach bags.

Like Cellentani said, I like the Coach bags that are simple and high quality. I HATE their teenybopper styles, and that seems to be ALL of their styles lately. Like Tiffany, I think Coach has diluted their brand a LOT and I really don't approve, lol.
 
Brown.Eyed.Girl said:
I do admit that my favorite smaller purse is my Coach Carly...but it's off-white leather with brown trim, no logos, and it's nicely made and roomy.

I do have other Coach purses that my mom got me years ago that are emblazoned with the Cs. My mom doesn't see the point of getting designer bags if people don't know they're designer (yes I know how bad that sounds, but unfortunately, and I don't mean to generalize but this is what I've observed, it's endemic with many of the older Asian women I know). So she loves the Louis Vuittons with LVs all over them, Coach with Cs, etc.

I'm at the point where I want my bags to be well made, look nice, and will last. My favorite large bag is my Rebecca Minkoff. Most of my friends have no idea who RM is. I didn't until PS. But it's gorgeous buttery green leather, so roomy, and so well-made. I don't care if people don't know who she is or what the bag is. Same with my Coach bags.

Like Cellentani said, I like the Coach bags that are simple and high quality. I HATE their teenybopper styles, and that seems to be ALL of their styles lately. Like Tiffany, I think Coach has diluted their brand a LOT and I really don't approve, lol.
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I totally agree with the bolded remark. Many of the coach bags look childish-- however, I have a few incredible leather Coach bags that are super stylish and very well made.
 
I used no name handbags for years, and then once I had established a career for myself, I began to buy higher quality leather pieces from Coach. I only used Coach bags for a long time, but over the past year I've fallen out of love with the brand for several reasons. I dislike the fact that they are manufactured in certain countries where working conditions are debatable at best, the quality of the bags has decreased significantly, and the designs have become garish and tacky.

I feel that if I'm going to spend that much money on a handbag, I'm going to save a bit longer and buy handbags from companies that make business decisions I am comfortable with, and where the pieces remain consistent in quality and design. Obviously I'll keep the bags I currently have, because it would be dumb to get rid of them after spending so much money on them, but I don't see myself buying any more bags from Coach.
 
herekittykitty said:
I personally don't understand the fascination of any purse with logos all over -Coach, LV, Gucci, whatever. I think all those companies put out beautiful non monogrammed bags, but I don't care for logos.
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This... I don't do logos at all.

Coach makes some lovely leather bags and at their outlet prices, they are sometimes a steal. But the logos--from any brand--not for me.
 
I liked Coach when I was younger, but I think I've outgrown the brand, to be honest.

I'd say that about 80% of the high school girls I see running around my neighborhood are carrying Coach bags. That kidn of ruins the brand for me, as well. They're definitely carried by more teenagers than adults around here.

I also don't particularly enjoy being a walking advertisement, so I don't like the logo designs.
 
To be honest, I think it has little to do with the workmanship and a lot to do with the branding. Coach is seen as an upscale brand for the masses, which is a great place for the brand to be. They want you to feel like you're part of an exclusive club by owning the purse, but the price point isn't so high that the average high school girl can't ask for one for her birthday.

I also think they're smart about the demographic they're targeting. While I don't think they directly market to teens, they do have designs that teens would like. Colorful, logo-centric, cute--the kind of designs that younger women want to show off to their friends and can tote around in college. But they also have more professional leather pieces, which is a great transition for those girls who are graduating from college and preparing for the professional world. I think it's smart if a brand can market it correctly. Victoria's Secret is another company that does a good job--they have their "pink" line for teens, then offer their pricier more mature wares to keep the customer over time.

I have no insight into Coach sales, but I'd be willing to bet that Coach loyalists start defecting in their thirties either go in one of two directions: either to a more upscale logo-centric brand (LV, Gucci) now that they can afford it or away from logo-centric pieces altogether.

I've owned two coach purses myself because I thought they were well-made, but when my second pures wore out quickly, I didn't buy a third.
 
I do own a handful of pieces from Coach, most are conservative black leather (I posted my collection in the show me your coach II thread). Last year, I wanted a lighter purse for the Summer, so I purchased a beige purse with a white C pattern. I do like the color, however, I do not think I will buy another with the C logo pattern because I do find it on the busy side. It is a fun purse though and has served my needs well.

More than likely, I fall into the category of the "working professional" owning Coach. At this point in my life, I cannot justify paying prices of expensive brands like Fendi, Gucci, LV, Chloe, as I am just not that into purses. Being a working professional, I feel Coach meets my needs by providing nice leather handbags at prices I am comfortable with.

After thinking about this I realized that luxury car brands like Mercedes, BMW, Lexus all seem to off an "entry" level car for their brands. This I feel is similar to Tiffany offering silver jewelry, or Coach offering affordable products.
 
omieluv said:
More than likely, I fall into the category of the "working professional" owning Coach. At this point in my life, I cannot justify paying prices of expensive brands like Fendi, Gucci, LV, Chloe, as I am just not that into purses. Being a working professional, I feel Coach meets my needs by providing nice leather handbags at prices I am comfortable with.
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Omie, I agree completely.

I own several Coach bags and wallets, and I like them all. They've all held up very well for me. (Admittedly, though, I'm not very hard on bags.) I own some that are leather, some that are patchwork, and (GASP!) some with the dreaded "signature Cs." :eek:

Some of the LV/Gucci/Chloe/Fendi/etc. bags are nice, but I just can't justify spending THAT much money on a bag. I mean, it's a bag, yanno??? :sick:

For me to buy a bag, it has to have three characteristics: (1) I have to like the style; (2) it has to be well-made; and (3) the price has to be reasonable. Coach meets all three of these requirements and, as far as I'm concerned, they're one of the very few brands that do.
 
Some of the LV/Gucci/Chloe/Fendi/etc. bags are nice, but I just can't justify spending THAT much money on a bag. I mean, it's a bag, yanno??? :sick:
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I personally own Fendi and Louis Vuitton bags, and while I would hands down agree with you that most of the branded bags are ridiculously expensive, others are very reasonable, and in some cases, aren't that different in price from Coach. For instance, My Fendi was purchased from Saks during a sale, and it did not cost more than a normally priced Coach bag. Depending on when you're shopping, you can find amazing deals.

My Louis Vuitton was expensive, yes, but when you think about, the cost isn't all that great when you consider the things you nickel and dime as you go (a shirt here, some shoes there, ect). Rather than spending my hard earned money on little things, I choose to save it and spend it on a larger thing that I happen to enjoy.

If spending money on bags isn't your thing, that's absolutely fine :)) Personally, I love my bags.
 
I own a bunch of Coach bags (and shoes), and they've all been great for me. I'm currently using an all-leather black bag that I've been carrying almost exclusively for the past 8 months, and I'm EXTREMELY hard on bags. It shows almost no wear and I'm surprised that I've had zero problems with the handles and stitching considering that my bag usually weighs around 15 pounds, give or take a pound here and there depending on the day. My mom commented on it the other day, actually, and said "I'm amazed that this bag still looks like the day you bought it, because I know how you treat it" (and she was with me when I bought it).

Of the 11 Coach bags I own, 8 are all-leather. I love them because I don't have to worry about how durable they'll be or how much wear they'll show. All of them (except for the off-white leather one, which shows a little more wear than the others due to the color) look just as good as they did when I bought them off the shelf.

As for the shoes, I've got sneakers, ballet flats, and heels that are all Coach. The sneakers are the C's in different color combos of fabric and suede (black/black, chocolate brown/khaki, white/khaki)...I've been wearing them for 1-2 years, depending on the pair, and they've held up extremely well. I just bought a new pair of black/black because after 2 years of wearing them at least 4 days/week, my old black/black's looked like they had seen better days. I have flats that are all-leather, and some that are fabric with C's (gray/silver, and black/black). Even though they have the C pattern, you can't tell because it's pretty subtle unless you stare at them or they're at eye-level. They've all held up well thus far.

So for me, I'm paying for the peace of mind that my bags and shoes are going to be durable and withstand whatever rigors I put them through on a daily basis. I work in law enforcement and it's important that I always have my "tools," for lack of a better term, on me at all times, and more often than not you'll find them in my purse (which is why my bag is always so heavy). I like not having to worry about the quality or workmanship of my bags, or worry that the handles are going to break off due to the weight. I also like that when I go out at night, or go to court, or to see an attorney, my bags are classy and professional. For me, I've found that Coach fulfills all of my needs and looks good while doing it!
 
I think they make some well made bags and I own one I found for $70 at TJ Maxx but it doesn't say coach anywhere on the outside, it's just a beautiful well made purse. I totally hate anything with logos and think people who carry them are suckers. Even more incomprehensible are the fakes.

ETA- I forgot, coach is my favorite maker of shoes. They are so nicely made! I have several pairs but of course none display the logo motif.
 
DearBuddha said:
Some of the LV/Gucci/Chloe/Fendi/etc. bags are nice, but I just can't justify spending THAT much money on a bag. I mean, it's a bag, yanno??? :sick:
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I personally own Fendi and Louis Vuitton bags, and while I would hands down agree with you that most of the branded bags are ridiculously expensive, others are very reasonable, and in some cases, aren't that different in price from Coach. For instance, My Fendi was purchased from Saks during a sale, and it did not cost more than a normally priced Coach bag. Depending on when you're shopping, you can find amazing deals.

My Louis Vuitton was expensive, yes, but when you think about, the cost isn't all that great when you consider the things you nickel and dime as you go (a shirt here, some shoes there, ect). Rather than spending my hard earned money on little things, I choose to save it and spend it on a larger thing that I happen to enjoy.

If spending money on bags isn't your thing, that's absolutely fine :)) Personally, I love my bags.
Click to expand...

DB, I hear what you're saying, and I totally understand. If high-end designer bags are your thing, more power to you! Please don't think I have a problem with people who choose to spend that kind of money on a bag . . . that's not the case at all. It's just that the OP asked why Coach is so popular, and I was simply explaining why I prefer Coach over some of the other brands. I really love my Coach bags, and I don't think I'd be any happier with a Gucci/LV/whatever than I am with my Coach! :))
 
star sparkle said:
I own a bunch of Coach bags (and shoes), and they've all been great for me. I'm currently using an all-leather black bag that I've been carrying almost exclusively for the past 8 months, and I'm EXTREMELY hard on bags. It shows almost no wear and I'm surprised that I've had zero problems with the handles and stitching considering that my bag usually weighs around 15 pounds, give or take a pound here and there depending on the day. My mom commented on it the other day, actually, and said "I'm amazed that this bag still looks like the day you bought it, because I know how you treat it" (and she was with me when I bought it).

Of the 11 Coach bags I own, 8 are all-leather. I love them because I don't have to worry about how durable they'll be or how much wear they'll show. All of them (except for the off-white leather one, which shows a little more wear than the others due to the color) look just as good as they did when I bought them off the shelf.

As for the shoes, I've got sneakers, ballet flats, and heels that are all Coach. The sneakers are the C's in different color combos of fabric and suede (black/black, chocolate brown/khaki, white/khaki)...I've been wearing them for 1-2 years, depending on the pair, and they've held up extremely well. I just bought a new pair of black/black because after 2 years of wearing them at least 4 days/week, my old black/black's looked like they had seen better days. I have flats that are all-leather, and some that are fabric with C's (gray/silver, and black/black). Even though they have the C pattern, you can't tell because it's pretty subtle unless you stare at them or they're at eye-level. They've all held up well thus far.

So for me, I'm paying for the peace of mind that my bags and shoes are going to be durable and withstand whatever rigors I put them through on a daily basis. I work in law enforcement and it's important that I always have my "tools," for lack of a better term, on me at all times, and more often than not you'll find them in my purse (which is why my bag is always so heavy). I like not having to worry about the quality or workmanship of my bags, or worry that the handles are going to break off due to the weight. I also like that when I go out at night, or go to court, or to see an attorney, my bags are classy and professional. For me, I've found that Coach fulfills all of my needs and looks good while doing it!
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OMG! SS, your post totally gave me the mental image of Brenda on "The Closer"! Works in law enforcement . . . big bag that's always very full . . . it's you, isn't it?!?! LOL! :lol:
 
I bought my coach bag at the outlet in 2007 for (I think) about $130. I have beat the HELL out of this bag!

I bought it for the following reasons:

1) Price - I can't afford to spend a lot on something that will get thrown on the floor and shoved in my backpack.

2) Color - My favorite color is royal blue and this bag goes SO well with most of my clothes!

3) Size & length of strap

It does have Cs on it, I think it is one of the 'optical' bags. They are not my favorite part of the bag, but I don't mind them. I am from Chicago and I have been conditioned to like bold letter Cs. :bigsmile:

I expect I'll carry this bag for a few more years at least. I'm a casual, jeans wearing gal and it fits my lifestyle very well.
 
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