Borough vs. Urbane dilemma

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SuLi

SuLi

O.G.
Nov 1, 2005
8,565
42
#1
Hi everyone! I was hoping I could get some honest opinions and help with my dilemma regarding the mini Borough and Urbane. I went to Coach yesterday to exchange a medium Borough -- I simply don't carry enough on a daily basis to justify keeping it. I went to my local store with the idea of exchanging for a mini Borough since I don't own a crossbody bag. When I got to the store, I spied the Urbane shoulder bag -- not the regular size that is still on the website, but a smaller version for $398 -- and fell in love!

However, my logical/analytical side reared its ugly head. I'm torn between functionality (mini Borough) versus initial gut feeling (Urbane). I was in the store for a long time, trying on both. The Urbane doesn't seem that popular because of the fold-over flap. I worry that it will be annoying getting in and out of it, but I haven't seen another bag quite like it. I also felt a lot of pressure from the SA to get both bags, but I stood my ground and she didn't look too happy when I said I was only interested in leaving with one bag. She also added additional pressure by saying that the Urbane I was looking at was the last one in the store and that they were phasing out the mini Borough in black (a little boring, but it was color I was looking at). So, I ended up exchanging and coming home with the Urbane, but have been debating back and forth since then.

I'm not really sure what to do. I'm really drawn to the Urbane shoulder bag, but think that I will probably get more use out of the mini Borough. Basically, I really should have taken a friend with me because I feel like the SA was really pressuring me -- is it true that they are phasing out a basic color like black for the Borough?

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I would love to hear what you guys think I should do.
 
#2
It really sounds like you have your heart set on the mini borough. I did hear the urbane mini was very low qty left but I would not just pick it bc of that. If you can not stop thinking about the mini b then I would go back and try both on again or if you could I would buy the mini b and take it home and then try to decide. Good luck trying to decide both are great looking bags.
 
#3
So, there's an Urbane in a size that's not on coach.com yet? Interesting! As for your choice, I say go with your gut. Which bag will make you smile when you pick it up on your way out the door every day?
 
#4
I think that you should return the Urbane and pick up the Mini Borough. It sounds to me that the Mini Borough would be more practical for you and I feel like you might be happier with it. But, in the end, I might pick up both from the store, take them home, put your stuff in each, and wear them around your house with your stuff in them to find out which is the best bag for you.

I would not be surprised to find out that Coach is discontinuing the pebbled leather Boroughs in all sizes since it appears the pebbled leather Boroughs might have been a Fall set and Coach appears to be focusing on the smooth glove tanned leather Boroughs for Spring.

Good luck with your decision!
 
#6
SuLi said:
Hi everyone! I was hoping I could get some honest opinions and help with my dilemma regarding the mini Borough and Urbane. I went to Coach yesterday to exchange a medium Borough -- I simply don't carry enough on a daily basis to justify keeping it. I went to my local store with the idea of exchanging for a mini Borough since I don't own a crossbody bag. When I got to the store, I spied the Urbane shoulder bag -- not the regular size that is still on the website, but a smaller version for $398 -- and fell in love!

However, my logical/analytical side reared its ugly head. I'm torn between functionality (mini Borough) versus initial gut feeling (Urbane). I was in the store for a long time, trying on both. The Urbane doesn't seem that popular because of the fold-over flap. I worry that it will be annoying getting in and out of it, but I haven't seen another bag quite like it. I also felt a lot of pressure from the SA to get both bags, but I stood my ground and she didn't look too happy when I said I was only interested in leaving with one bag. She also added additional pressure by saying that the Urbane I was looking at was the last one in the store and that they were phasing out the mini Borough in black (a little boring, but it was color I was looking at). So, I ended up exchanging and coming home with the Urbane, but have been debating back and forth since then.

I'm not really sure what to do. I'm really drawn to the Urbane shoulder bag, but think that I will probably get more use out of the mini Borough. Basically, I really should have taken a friend with me because I feel like the SA was really pressuring me -- is it true that they are phasing out a basic color like black for the Borough?

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I would love to hear what you guys think I should do.
Click to expand...
I can relate all too well to pushy SAs. When I was looking at the Urbane for the first time, the SA was actually very nice, but did mention that it was the last one in the store and I didn't know whether or not to believe her - maybe she was just saying that to pressure me. Either way, sometimes, I think the best strategy with a pushy SA is to leave; then, reflect and order the bag you want online or call Coach.com with the style number if you don't see it on the website. I feel like returning an online purchase to a store or shipping it back - if you change your mind is so much easier than when you buy it in store, then, return it in store.

I say go with your gut and don't hesitate to exchange the Urbane for the Borough if that is the one you have your heart set on.
 
#7
SuLi said:
Hi everyone! I was hoping I could get some honest opinions and help with my dilemma regarding the mini Borough and Urbane. I went to Coach yesterday to exchange a medium Borough -- I simply don't carry enough on a daily basis to justify keeping it. I went to my local store with the idea of exchanging for a mini Borough since I don't own a crossbody bag. When I got to the store, I spied the Urbane shoulder bag -- not the regular size that is still on the website, but a smaller version for $398 -- and fell in love!

However, my logical/analytical side reared its ugly head. I'm torn between functionality (mini Borough) versus initial gut feeling (Urbane). I was in the store for a long time, trying on both. The Urbane doesn't seem that popular because of the fold-over flap. I worry that it will be annoying getting in and out of it, but I haven't seen another bag quite like it. I also felt a lot of pressure from the SA to get both bags, but I stood my ground and she didn't look too happy when I said I was only interested in leaving with one bag. She also added additional pressure by saying that the Urbane I was looking at was the last one in the store and that they were phasing out the mini Borough in black (a little boring, but it was color I was looking at). So, I ended up exchanging and coming home with the Urbane, but have been debating back and forth since then.

I'm not really sure what to do. I'm really drawn to the Urbane shoulder bag, but think that I will probably get more use out of the mini Borough. Basically, I really should have taken a friend with me because I feel like the SA was really pressuring me -- is it true that they are phasing out a basic color like black for the Borough?
Click to expand...

I really like the styling of the Urbane--but neither of the sizes released so far (that I've seen anyway!) have worked for me. The one you describe sounds perfect though!:p

As far as the Borough, the mini is a tad too small for my tastes and I'm indecisive about the top handles and the mini bag trend in general.

With regard to the pebbled black being phased out, I believe that's true. Coach cycles through styles pretty quickly and that one has been in the store since October. It was also part of the original Borough launch so it makes sense that it is being retired. But, that doesn't mean that they won't release black in a different leather type. I would expect that they will since it's such a basic color.

Okay, back to your decision! I really think you need both bags--but I think that if you could only have one you would probably be best suited by the Borough. The Borough is easy to carry, easy to get in and out of--vs. the Urbane flap.

Any chance you would post a modeling picture with your new Urbane?

Good luck with your decision!
 
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#8
^^ yes I would also love to see some pics of your urbane!!

I have the mini crossbody urbane bag and I love it- I've used it several times for going out and it holds what I need it to - about the size of a wristlet- for going out- money, cards, phone (in front pocket), and a few key makeup items like bronzer and brush, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, lip stain, which for nights out with friends or my bf is perfect.

For everyday use, it would not work for me though bc i carry wayyy to much! so if everyday is what you are looking for a larger size would be better. Getting in and out of the flap hasn't annoyed me, I actually feel like my things are more secure, but again like I said I don't use it everyday.

Im curious to know what this in between size urbane holds. I have wanted a flap bag for a while which is why I went for the urbane over the borough, even though I knew it was smaller, but I also really like the striped mini borough, so I'm going to order that bc I like the colors and style. I've also seen a striped urbane on the spring preview thread so that could make for a difficult decision if there is a striped urbane in this mid size coming! Personally I like the flap style of the urbane better than the borough, but I still do like the borough. I would agree with the others that say go with your gut and if you are still thinking about the borough and can't have both, maybe that is the one to get, but I wouldn't let the thought of it being phased out drive you- you can always call cs and see how many are in the warehouse.
 
#10
ImageUploadedByPurseForum1389617238.188334.jpg

Thanks for the feedback! Here's a quick picture. It's just a smaller version of the regular Urbane on the website. I don't recall ever seeing it on the site, but it's possible I wasn't looking that closely. I'll try to post a modeling and what it holds picture, and provide the number of the bag later.
 
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#12
SuLi said:
View attachment 2461726

Thanks for the feedback! Here's a quick picture. It's just a smaller version of the regular Urbane on the website. I don't recall ever seeing it on the site, but it's possible I wasn't looking that closely. I'll try to post a modeling and what it holds picture, and provide the number of the bag later.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting the picture!

I love the look of this bag in the smaller size!!
 
#14
Love this size. Congratulations on getting it.

FYI, this is the medium size - I contacted JAX. Style no. 28159 - has never been distributed in the US, and currently no plans that it will be. I think it's a huge mistake on their part - as I think they'd have a huge market for it, the large being too big, the small, too small:sad:
 
#15
jan1124 said:
Love this size. Congratulations on getting it.

FYI, this is the medium size - I contacted JAX. Style no. 28159 - has never been distributed in the US, and currently no plans that it will be. I think it's a huge mistake on their part - as I think they'd have a huge market for it, the large being too big, the small, too small:sad:
Click to expand...

That's so interesting! I live in the DC area and bought it at a local store (Tyson's Galleria)....how did it get there if it wasn't distributed in the US?
 
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