movie zombie
Super_Ideal_Rock
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Coach fascination: please explain
- Thread starter movie zombie
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I don't care for Coach. but then I don't care for 90% of the purses out there. My sister sent me a link to 3 different purses to pick which one I wanted for my birthday (good quality etienne agnier) and I said, sorry I don't like any. So I started looking at the site, and uh, most of the stuff, well what is the appeal? Is there something wrong with me? I did like a couple bags that were 100+ but I just don't care about purses enough to spend that kind of money on it (rather save it for jewelry 
). I found something for 7.99 I liked so I told her to get that one for me.
I remember one time my sister said "You should spend more money on fashionable clothing because otherwise people will think you're gay"
(I think she used a different term for gay though)
). I found something for 7.99 I liked so I told her to get that one for me.I remember one time my sister said "You should spend more money on fashionable clothing because otherwise people will think you're gay"
(I think she used a different term for gay though)
decodelighted
Super_Ideal_Rock
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I have *never* owned a Coach bag. Just realized that right now! I have bought a Coach *wallet* though & found that it was
a) very heavy
b) bulky
c) got scratched up easily
Its not that I'm immune to name-brands. Own a Gucci (w/black on black subtle logo fabric). A Hogan that no one would ever be able to tell is any kind of designer bag because there aren't any "markers", logos etc & its not one of their more recognizable shapes. Two Anya Hindmarchs. And two Kate Spades.
One one Coach bag ever truly tempted me & it was a Navy Blue patent leather tote. Very UN-Coach-like. I dunno. I just don't dig the aesthetic. Tod's does "saddle" better. Others do "retro" better. I think I've always seen them as a stodgy "business lady" bag that goes with pantyhose, clunky heels and poly-blend skirt suits.
a) very heavy
b) bulky
c) got scratched up easily
Its not that I'm immune to name-brands. Own a Gucci (w/black on black subtle logo fabric). A Hogan that no one would ever be able to tell is any kind of designer bag because there aren't any "markers", logos etc & its not one of their more recognizable shapes. Two Anya Hindmarchs. And two Kate Spades.
One one Coach bag ever truly tempted me & it was a Navy Blue patent leather tote. Very UN-Coach-like. I dunno. I just don't dig the aesthetic. Tod's does "saddle" better. Others do "retro" better. I think I've always seen them as a stodgy "business lady" bag that goes with pantyhose, clunky heels and poly-blend skirt suits.
decodelighted
Super_Ideal_Rock
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decodelighted said:
Me too. I agree with you.
top rolex watches, used rolex watches, top luxury watches.
Elmorton
Ideal_Rock
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I'm surprised nobody posted about the difference in Coach products:
1) Made for the Factory: For the most part, the stuff at the outlet is specifically made for the outlet. Here's where you see at lot of the logo stuff, and where I am in midwest, about 95% of the coach bags I see on women are outlet bags. They're made well, but they're not the same. They may not have as much embellishment, may not have the satin lining, leather or fabric may be thinner, less attention to detail. They might be re-makes of styles that were popular a few years ago. The stuff you see at discount stores (T.J.Maxx, Marshall's) is also a cheaper line, made specifically for discount stores.
2) Poppy line: Coach is HUGE in Japan and China, so this line is the bright colored one that is inspired by these cultures' nods to fashion. In the US, it kinda reads as the "teen" line, because there's a lot of sequins, graffiti styles, more fabric, very few leather pieces. And, it's cheaper than the regular stuff.
3) Regular ol coach: MZ, here's your Audrey bag. This is the stuff that you see in the regular full-price stores. When I buy coach, typically I find the pieces that were once at the full-price stores and the extras have been sent to the outlet - the quality is pretty top-notch. Butter soft leather, thick satin lining, interesting hardware...love it. I've purchased other designers, but I always go back to these. Do I think these bags are worth $400, $600, etc? Uh, no...but I don't think any bag is worth that. I'm happy to buy these on clearance at the outlet for a fraction of the price, even if it means I'm carrying a bag from last season.
4) Vintage and classic pieces: Coach still makes their classic stuff (the "unlined" bags - just leather). I have a couple pieces before Coach was manufactured in China, and one bag from the late 70's - early 80's. This stuff is timeless. I've been using the same leather wallet for almost 15 years.
5) Boutique: In a word, yum....but there is no way I'd ever pay $1,500 for a handbag. I love vacations and jewelry more than I love what's in my closet.
So - my point of all this is that you have to separate out what you do and don't like - saying "I don't get Coach" is kinda hard, since they have such completely different lines (like the difference between Michael by Michael Kors or a plain Michael Kors bag - or shoot, Mulberry vs. Mulberry for Target). As a general rule, I'm not a fan of poppy, I'm not a fan of non-leather bags (although I do have a couple), I'm not a fan of the made for the outlet bags, even though I have a couple of those, too. All of these bags are the ones that I see all the time, and I think people do buy them just because of the branding that people have described above. And, we know that as a general rule, PSers care a lot more about quality than branding, and I think I fall into that category - so I get the Coach bashing on this thread.
But I do love Coach and Coach quality in the non-poppy, non-outlet stuff. I just bought a Kate Spade leather bag - I wanted a bright bag with clean lines (sometimes Coach seems to move away from classic styles, and that's when I move away from Coach), and I really like the bag - cost the same as a Coach. But frankly, when it's hanging in my closet next to my Coach bags, there is a visible difference. The leather isn't the same quality - it almost looks plasticy, and it isn't soft. The lining isn't as luxurious. The pockets on the inside are flatter...overall, it just seems a little cheaper.
1) Made for the Factory: For the most part, the stuff at the outlet is specifically made for the outlet. Here's where you see at lot of the logo stuff, and where I am in midwest, about 95% of the coach bags I see on women are outlet bags. They're made well, but they're not the same. They may not have as much embellishment, may not have the satin lining, leather or fabric may be thinner, less attention to detail. They might be re-makes of styles that were popular a few years ago. The stuff you see at discount stores (T.J.Maxx, Marshall's) is also a cheaper line, made specifically for discount stores.
2) Poppy line: Coach is HUGE in Japan and China, so this line is the bright colored one that is inspired by these cultures' nods to fashion. In the US, it kinda reads as the "teen" line, because there's a lot of sequins, graffiti styles, more fabric, very few leather pieces. And, it's cheaper than the regular stuff.
3) Regular ol coach: MZ, here's your Audrey bag. This is the stuff that you see in the regular full-price stores. When I buy coach, typically I find the pieces that were once at the full-price stores and the extras have been sent to the outlet - the quality is pretty top-notch. Butter soft leather, thick satin lining, interesting hardware...love it. I've purchased other designers, but I always go back to these. Do I think these bags are worth $400, $600, etc? Uh, no...but I don't think any bag is worth that. I'm happy to buy these on clearance at the outlet for a fraction of the price, even if it means I'm carrying a bag from last season.
4) Vintage and classic pieces: Coach still makes their classic stuff (the "unlined" bags - just leather). I have a couple pieces before Coach was manufactured in China, and one bag from the late 70's - early 80's. This stuff is timeless. I've been using the same leather wallet for almost 15 years.
5) Boutique: In a word, yum....but there is no way I'd ever pay $1,500 for a handbag. I love vacations and jewelry more than I love what's in my closet.
So - my point of all this is that you have to separate out what you do and don't like - saying "I don't get Coach" is kinda hard, since they have such completely different lines (like the difference between Michael by Michael Kors or a plain Michael Kors bag - or shoot, Mulberry vs. Mulberry for Target). As a general rule, I'm not a fan of poppy, I'm not a fan of non-leather bags (although I do have a couple), I'm not a fan of the made for the outlet bags, even though I have a couple of those, too. All of these bags are the ones that I see all the time, and I think people do buy them just because of the branding that people have described above. And, we know that as a general rule, PSers care a lot more about quality than branding, and I think I fall into that category - so I get the Coach bashing on this thread.
But I do love Coach and Coach quality in the non-poppy, non-outlet stuff. I just bought a Kate Spade leather bag - I wanted a bright bag with clean lines (sometimes Coach seems to move away from classic styles, and that's when I move away from Coach), and I really like the bag - cost the same as a Coach. But frankly, when it's hanging in my closet next to my Coach bags, there is a visible difference. The leather isn't the same quality - it almost looks plasticy, and it isn't soft. The lining isn't as luxurious. The pockets on the inside are flatter...overall, it just seems a little cheaper.
movie zombie
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