Compact Charm Case Comparison

[Goofydes]

I have been waiting for Coach to come out with a wallet somewhere between small and medium. They used to have fantastic ones like the French Purses. Lately though the smalls are too small for everyday use and the medium seem to be dominated by the "tech wallets" which I do not care for. Like probably many people, when I saw the Compact Case online I thought it nothing more than a card case with a flap. The only photo they showed was the front and there was no depth dimension. Imagine my surprise when I for the Eggplant/Saddle turnlock one and realized this was the golden goose. I was so excited that I went ahead and got the red Chinese New Year one too. These 2 "cases" are the same feature wise: 5 card slots (3 on the back and two on the front wall), a zipper coin pocket in the middle, a flap closure and an oddly small pocket on the front under the flap. That pocket is way to small for a card to fit in, but if you fold paper money in fourths it fits in there just fine. The red one is more luxe in my opinion than the other. Coach says that they are both calf leather with the red one being "hand worked" and the colorblock one "polished". The red one seems a lot thicker leather and a gorgeous, true red color. Plus, it says good luck on the inside I have no problem using either as an everyday wallet, but I did take the charms off (they have a little clip on the end of them so you can easily remove them). I don't like dangly things on my wallet and was afraid it was going to catch on things in my bag.

 

[jane]

I have the red one too and I was so impressed and pleasantly surprised. It's a wonderful compact wallet and a gorgeous red color. Love it.

 

[Hivona]

I purchased the blue one. I too like smaller wallets but not a fan of "tech" wallets. I had been using a dark purple patent small zip around that coach released in 2012 I think. It has been the best wallet I've ever had and it's such a workhorse! But I wanted to be able to switch things up sometimes. I found nothing until this wallet came out. I'll be honest I'm not in love with how thick it is. And I could get more in the slimmer patent wallet I had been using. I purchased this at macys and I guess it was on sale or something as I didn't pay full price! The yellow interior is so cheerful!

 

[jan1124]

I have been waiting for Coach to come out with a wallet somewhere between small and medium. They used to have fantastic ones like the French Purses. Lately though the smalls are too small for everyday use and the medium seem to be dominated by the "tech wallets" which I do not care for. Like probably many people, when I saw the Compact Case online I thought it nothing more than a card case with a flap. The only photo they showed was the front and there was no depth dimension. Imagine my surprise when I for the Eggplant/Saddle turnlock one and realized this was the golden goose. I was so excited that I went ahead and got the red Chinese New Year one too. These 2 "cases" are the same feature wise: 5 card slots (3 on the back and two on the front wall), a zipper coin pocket in the middle, a flap closure and an oddly small pocket on the front under the flap. That pocket is way to small for a card to fit in, but if you fold paper money in fourths it fits in there just fine. The red one is more luxe in my opinion than the other. Coach says that they are both calf leather with the red one being "hand worked" and the colorblock one "polished". The red one seems a lot thicker leather and a gorgeous, true red color. Plus, it says good luck on the inside I have no problem using either as an everyday wallet, but I did take the charms off (they have a little clip on the end of them so you can easily remove them). I don't like dangly things on my wallet and was afraid it was going to catch on things in my bag.

Thank you so much for your great comparison pictures, and outstanding review! I love the red, but like the other color block options as well. I'm finding with the larger wallets I'm carrying too many credit cards - so this is a cute (to me anyway!) wallet to sizedown to.

 

[adaorange]

Thanks for the pics! I just ordered the blue one yesterday. I wonder how the thickness compares to the old Madison card cases (that's what I'm currently using). The Madison is similar but it doesn't have the added zipper section....but I love how it carries all my cards (so many these days!)

 

[HesitantShopper]

Nice to see comparisons.. the red one appears larger?(not by much but it's there, at least visually) the front pocket won't hold a singular card? somewhat hoping i could put my debt there....

I ditched my large accordion wallet recently for a pouch and mini skinny(card holder) but wouldn't mind an in between option such as this.. i only have a few frequent 'go-to' cards anyways.

 

[Goofydes]

Nice to see comparisons.. the red one appears larger?(not by much but it's there, at least visually) the front pocket won't hold a singular card? somewhat hoping i could put my debt there....

I ditched my large accordion wallet recently for a pouch and mini skinny(card holder) but wouldn't mind an in between option such as this.. i only have a few frequent 'go-to' cards anyways.

I think the red one appears larger because the leather is thicker. You can tell by feel that the colorblock one is a more pliable leather. Honestly, even though Coach says the colorblock one is calf skin, it might be glove tanned. As far as the pocket on the front, not even the care card will fit in there.

 

[Hivona]

I couldn't find any lighting that showed the true colors. The blue is very close but the yellow is supposed to me more yellow not so orangey. As you can see you cannot put a standard card in that front pocket but it's good for small store cards, the kind you can put on a key chain. I wish the turn lock was a tad bigger too. The purple wallet is my favorite of all time! So it is the comparison for all wallets in my life for now. I wish the blue wallet had a thinner side profile like the purple but I guess the different styles don't allow for that. Overall I like the wallet but don't LUUUV it. However the blue/yellow is beautiful for spring!

 

[adaorange]

very cute! I'm so excited for mine to arrive! Thanks for the pics!

 

[CoachMaven]

I have the Chinese New Year one, and I love it! Great job on the comparison shots!

 

[momtok]

I couldn't find any lighting that showed the true colors. The blue is very close but the yellow is supposed to me more yellow not so orangey. As you can see you cannot put a standard card in that front pocket but it's good for small store cards, the kind you can put on a key chain. I wish the turn lock was a tad bigger too. The purple wallet is my favorite of all time! So it is the comparison for all wallets in my life for now. I wish the blue wallet had a thinner side profile like the purple but I guess the different styles don't allow for that. Overall I like the wallet but don't LUUUV it. However the blue/yellow is beautiful for spring!

A question ...

(As a sidenote, I already ordered the red CNY one earlier this week, SA handling the timing so that I can get PCE on it ..... but this question "might" be more relevant for the turnlock ones, if the turnlock one is indeed a little smaller? ... Actually, an answer on either of the wallets would probably be close enough.)

From what I can tell, there are slots for five cards (of credit card size), yes?
So first, put a card in each one of those five slots.
Now, my question is, can you also put, say, two more cards in each of the two gusseted pockets, and still close the wallet without straining it? So I mean five cards in the slots, then two more "sitting loose" in each of the two gusseted pockets.

My concern is the space that the leather folds ... ie. the leather "gussets" take up when the wallet closes. Sometimes, the leather folds take up so much room ("thickness"), that if you put a couple cards in those pockets too, the wallet can't handle it.

(Hope that makes sense.)

 

[Goofydes]

A question ...

(As a sidenote, I already ordered the red CNY one earlier this week, SA handling the timing so that I can get PCE on it ..... but this question "might" be more relevant for the turnlock ones, if the turnlock one is indeed a little smaller? ... Actually, an answer on either of the wallets would probably be close enough.)

From what I can tell, there are slots for five cards (of credit card size), yes?
So first, put a card in each one of those five slots.
Now, my question is, can you also put, say, two more cards in each of the two gusseted pockets, and still close the wallet without straining it? So I mean five cards in the slots, then two more "sitting loose" in each of the two gusseted pockets.

My concern is the space that the leather folds ... ie. the leather "gussets" take up when the wallet closes. Sometimes, the leather folds take up so much room ("thickness"), that if you put a couple cards in those pockets too, the wallet can't handle it.

(Hope that makes sense.)

The pockets have enough room to hold 2 cards each. I don't usually carry that many, but for science I put 2 cards in each slot and another 2 cards in the gusset folds (for a total of 4 in the folds). That totaled 14 cards in there, plus I had change in the zipper pocket. The flap seems to cinch up the wallet, but you can tell it was "stuffed" and slightly heavier and thicker. The cards were also hard to get out with 2 in each pocket. I am trying to cut down what I carry so in my wallet I have: my license, 2 debit cards, 2 insurance cards, and a Costco card. Anything else that I don't consider a "daily necessity" I just keep in my key pouch (this includes gift cards and coupons).

 

[HesitantShopper]

I think the red one appears larger because the leather is thicker. You can tell by feel that the colorblock one is a more pliable leather. Honestly, even though Coach says the colorblock one is calf skin, it might be glove tanned. As far as the pocket on the front, not even the care card will fit in there.

I see, i have not seen either in person. Not even a care card? that is disappointing, what the heck is the spot for then?

 

[HesitantShopper]

I couldn't find any lighting that showed the true colors. The blue is very close but the yellow is supposed to me more yellow not so orangey. As you can see you cannot put a standard card in that front pocket but it's good for small store cards, the kind you can put on a key chain. I wish the turn lock was a tad bigger too. The purple wallet is my favorite of all time! So it is the comparison for all wallets in my life for now. I wish the blue wallet had a thinner side profile like the purple but I guess the different styles don't allow for that. Overall I like the wallet but don't LUUUV it. However the blue/yellow is beautiful for spring!

Thanks for the detailed pictures. Annoying that front one won't take a proper sized card.. sorta hoping my ever constantly used debit would go there.

Blue is super pretty.

 

[momtok]

The pockets have enough room to hold 2 cards each. I don't usually carry that many, but for science I put 2 cards in each slot and another 2 cards in the gusset folds (for a total of 4 in the folds). That totaled 14 cards in there, plus I had change in the zipper pocket. The flap seems to cinch up the wallet, but you can tell it was "stuffed" and slightly heavier and thicker. The cards were also hard to get out with 2 in each pocket. I am trying to cut down what I carry so in my wallet I have: my license, 2 debit cards, 2 insurance cards, and a Costco card. Anything else that I don't consider a "daily necessity" I just keep in my key pouch (this includes gift cards and coupons).

Thank you, that helps.

Well, I do not have 14 plastic cards, but between other small papers I carry, a few small pictures, and "thin cardboard cards" (that are the shape of credit cards, but are made of thin cardboard as opposed to plastic), I have the equivalent thickness of 12 plastic cards. (Yes, I actually measured, so don't worry, I sat here looking silly too. )

Equivalent of 12 credit cards thickness ... and 14 is tight .... it does indeed sound like it would work. I thought possibly, based on other things I've read, but this seems to further suggest so.

I'm *really* tempted to get a turnlock one as well, as long as I have that PCE staring at me. This is not helping with temptation. Maybe I should just get myself to the boutique and check in person. Sigh.

Thanks.