have the "contemporary" mid-level bags lost their following?

[floodette]

This is why I largely stopped buying Michael Kors. All his bags look the same season after season. The Hamilton, the Sutton, the JetSet and the Selma. Change the colors, add or subtract some decoration, play with the size and bam, new collection. The name might even change, but the silhouettes are basically the same. Yawn.

i dont know.... the reason i like the bags i have now (largely consist of veneta hobos and balenciaga moto bags in various sizes) are because they are the same years after years. i consider them..... timeless?

 

[happy27]

I think they have, in my country I can hear the sound of crickets in coach stores so it wouldn’t surprise me if they exit the market in the long run, for a couple of hundreds dollars more people can own luxury designers like Lv and Gucci which I’m sure provides so much more wow factor!

It’s a bit like how people were buying Tiffany bracelets but now have moved onto Cartier.

 

[pixiejenna]

I don’t think that handbag fever has gone down so much as moved to different brands. IMO one of the biggest problems with handbags is quality and it’s a cross the board issue from RM to LV. I think that really turns people off when they get a bag and have QC issues and the brand loyalty has pretty much disappeared and people are more open to trying new brands. Add in how much more we shop online then say 5 to 10 years ago to the mix. I think people are more educated than ever before when it comes to what’s available. They see something that they like they aren’t snapping it up right away especially if it’s a contemporary brand. They’re stalking it on line and waiting until they can snatch it at the best price possible, free shipping, and a store easy to return too if not what they totally wanted/expected it to be. Why the heck would I pay full pRice for a coach they send me a coupon once a month. MK always goes on sale and you can use coupon codes on department store websites.

 

[booksandbags]

Let’s talk about MINKOFF.... Sigh....
It’s all about the HUGE loss of quality for me.
For me, there are two RMs. Old school(2007-2013) and New School which is anything after 2013, after her huge price cuts and stopping production on all her original classics (except the MAC—-because the MAC can be mass produced for cheap)
Also, completing your bag collection(for some the number is 20, for others 200... don’t judge).
I first came to TPF because of RM in 2008/2009.
I followed her faithfully till 2013 when she slashed her prices and quality in half.
I remember when getting just 25% off an RM MAM was major! Now first of all she stopped making the “morning after bags” when she slashed the prices.
I know she did it to compete with Kors and to appeal to an even younger crowd. But at what price? I recently saw that she has an F rating on the better business bureau. That’s just crazy to me because I used to shell out 550 minimum for her bags and had acquired ALL the “holy grails” but her new stuff is just terrible.
Atrocious.
HORRIFIC
especially side by side with an old school bag... it’s a completely different designer.
I still rock all
my amazing leather old school MAMs, but now when someone asks what designer it is I say they’re out of production. Which is true.
This new RM makes Fossil look like Chanel. It’s that bad.
And really it’s just become a joke, there is absolutely no reason to buy her even remotely close to full price because in less than a month she will have the bag in the sale section for a quarter of the price.

 

[booksandbags]

I absolutely still love Alexander Wang and his quality has NOT faltered in any way.
I added 2 new Wangs to my collection this past year and they are just as luxe as when I got my Rocco in 2012.

Also...

Coach 1941 is amazing.
The quality is OUTSTANDING.
The leather is super luxe and smells like heaven.
And very addicting. Coach has come a long way with Stuart Vevers.
If you don’t know about the Rogue bag yet you’re missing out. I own 5! Lol but I agree that I would never get a Coach Factory piece. Yuck.
Coach boutique is much much different than Coach factory/outlet.

I also agree that I’d rather get a QUALITY FULL LEATHER bag than another canvas LV. And LV’s leather is not impressive honey. Doesn’t even smell good.
I didn’t even wear my LV in 2017.
The older I get in my bag collecting (early 30s now), the more I want GOOD LEATHER. And not canvas. I don’t even consider my Longchamp LePliage totes as bags because I use them
For work and wouldn’t wear them as a handbag by itself.

 

[dieguteteufelin]

Yeah, I feel similarly. I’m not sure if it’s because I have more disposable income now than 10 years ago, but my focus has gone from “on trend designer” to “a nice, luxe bag which I love”.

The decline in quality has led me to be pretty meh about lines I used to go gaga for: Kate Spade, Coach, MK, Dooney... but I’m also not sure how some of those lines are around when their heydays were up to 15 years ago.

 

[booksandbags]

Coach 1941 is amazing, Coach boutique bags are awesome and Coach is probably the only company that really revamped itself.
RM is pure crap now. Never collected KS or MK because I was never a fan of their leathers.
But Dooney has remained the same I think? The Florentine line is just insane. The leather is so heavenly. Dooney remains consistent and that’s why I think I’m going to collect some more Florentine bags... the quality is superb.
It’s funny because for me as a collector I was all about getting higher and higher end bags and then I noticed the higher you go the quality goes out the window! These luxury brands have lost their mind with overpricing, lack of craftsmanship,and selling canvas like it’s gold. So now I’m going more for QUALITY than the label inside the bag.
MCM’s quality is insanely good and better than any LV. The MCM leather is also delicious and more luxe than LV leather. MCM also stays around the 1k area and doesn’t usually go over that but their quality is legendary. To everyone that is sick of LV, start collecting MCM leather pieces or their Visetos.

 

[Murphy47]

Yeah, I feel similarly. I’m not sure if it’s because I have more disposable income now than 10 years ago, but my focus has gone from “on trend designer” to “a nice, luxe bag which I love”.

The decline in quality has led me to be pretty meh about lines I used to go gaga for: Kate Spade, Coach, MK, Dooney... but I’m also not sure how some of those lines are around when their heydays were up to 15 years ago.

As a person who sells bags on eBay, I can tell you the only bag that sells right now is Dooney. Followed by Brahmin. They are usually gone before I am done with my listings for the day.
Everything else sits for a long time and usually sells for the minimum I have set eventually.
No brand Is free of quality issues, even the old standbys. Vintage is the way many have chosen to go because of quality issues.
The economy is good in many places and most are willing to wait for a good bag to go on sale at a boutique or major department store since sales are so frequent.

 

[booksandbags]

I bought 5 Florentine Dooneys in 2014, and now I am going back to Dooney.
I also want ppl to know that Coach 1941 is totally different than regular Coach. Have you sold any 1941? The prices for Coach’s 1941 on eBay are really good for the sellers not so much for the buyers lol but I think 1941 is reselling well.
I don’t sell at all, usually if I don’t like it I return it (all Rebecca Minkoff that I could return I did), or give it away.
Aside from maybe 4-5 bags I want to add to my collection (2 Dooney large Florentine satchels!) I am going to be shopping in my closet for 2018.
I remember that “chase”
Of always having to have a new bag and I don’t feel that anymore at all. Personally it’s because I have everything I want and new trendy stuff isn’t up my alley and the quality has just gone to the dogs.
Buy classics and you will always have something chic to wear. Plus “they just don’t make bags like they used to”... except Coach 1941 and Dooney! Those brands are kicking ass.

 

[dieguteteufelin]

I’m beginning to feel like I need to give Dooney another look after reading those two posts, lol.

 

[Murphy47]

I bought 5 Florentine Dooneys in 2014, and now I am going back to Dooney.
I also want ppl to know that Coach 1941 is totally different than regular Coach. Have you sold any 1941? The prices for Coach’s 1941 on eBay are really good for the sellers not so much for the buyers lol but I think 1941 is reselling well.
I don’t sell at all, usually if I don’t like it I return it (all Rebecca Minkoff that I could return I did), or give it away.
Aside from maybe 4-5 bags I want to add to my collection (2 Dooney large Florentine satchels!) I am going to be shopping in my closet for 2018.
I remember that “chase”
Of always having to have a new bag and I don’t feel that anymore at all. Personally it’s because I have everything I want and new trendy stuff isn’t up my alley and the quality has just gone to the dogs.
Buy classics and you will always have something chic to wear. Plus “they just don’t make bags like they used to”... except Coach 1941 and Dooney! Those brands are kicking ass.

1941 seems to sell though I haven’t sold any personally.
I haven’t come across any at more than 30 percent off so I have none in my collection.
All the reviews I have read are raves.

 

[booksandbags]

I have only gotten 1941 straight from Coach because on eBay or posh they’re going for almost retail so it’s worth it to me to just go ahead and pay the retail.
It’s really worth it to get a personal Coach SA because I was able to get one of my Rogues for 40% off during the “employee friends and family” event this past fall.
Right now I’m good with 1941, nothing else I want right now....
Except 2 Dooney large Florentine Satchels! Love that’s bag so much and really want it in that size.
I’m attaching some pics of my Coach 1941 bags and some of my Dooney.
Hopefully I can convince a few girls or boys to go Coach 1941 and Dooney!

 

[Murphy47]

I have only gotten 1941 straight from Coach because on eBay or posh they’re going for almost retail so it’s worth it to me to just go ahead and pay the retail.
It’s really worth it to get a personal Coach SA because I was able to get one of my Rogues for 40% off during the “employee friends and family” event this past fall.
Right now I’m good with 1941, nothing else I want right now....
Except 2 Dooney large Florentine Satchels! Love that’s bag so much and really want it in that size.
I’m attaching some pics of my Coach 1941 bags and some of my Dooney.
Hopefully I can convince a few girls or boys to go Coach 1941 and Dooney!

Awesome collection.

 

[booksandbags]

Awesome collection.

Thank you darlin that’s like 1% Of my collection lol.
I did a bag purge in 2008 and gave away all the Coach and Dooney canvas bags and tacky bags etc. everything since then has been meticulously picked. I have 10 Alexander Wangs (such great bags), probably around 60 old school RMs that I will never ever part with because old school RM was the best, and pretty much a “little of everything” lol if it’s good leather.
What I am obsessed with they took out of production which is the Coach 1941 Rogue Satchel. I got 3 of those in the same month last summer... DH wasn’t too happy about that lol. Absolutely love the Coach Rogue Satchel really sad they’re not making it anymore. It reminds me of the Dooney Flo Satchel so I think that’s why I want a few more of those in the large size.

Attached is : coach 1941 Rogue satchels (size 36 in dark denim), oxblood, Black with embellished handles and Floral Swagger —-

 

[Murphy47]

Thank you darlin that’s like 1% Of my collection lol.
I did a bag purge in 2008 and gave away all the Coach and Dooney canvas bags and tacky bags etc. everything since then has been meticulously picked. I have 10 Alexander Wangs (such great bags), probably around 60 old school RMs that I will never ever part with because old school RM was the best, and pretty much a “little of everything” lol if it’s good leather.
What I am obsessed with they took out of production which is the Coach 1941 Rogue Satchel. I got 3 of those in the same month last summer... DH wasn’t too happy about that lol. Absolutely love the Coach Rogue Satchel really sad they’re not making it anymore. It reminds me of the Dooney Flo Satchel so I think that’s why I want a few more of those in the large size.

Attached is : coach 1941 Rogue satchels (size 36 in dark denim), oxblood, Black with embellished handles and Floral Swagger —-

The Rogue Satchel is the one I was hankering after.
The only one left the day I was there had a big scuff down the front. They never got another in. [emoji22]