December 2018 I got a great new job, and celebrated by buying my first Coach bag - a Dreamer 21 in metallic dark berry, with gunmetal hardware.
Memory Lane: What was your first Coach?
- Thread starter VintageViv
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Thank you, I don't think I could ever part with it.Beautiful bag!
Mine was a Carly in the late 90’s I believe. I still have it although I haven’t used it in 15+ years, and will more than likely never use it again. But I’ll never get rid of it because of the memories, and the fact that it was my first “designer” bag.
I got my first Coach shortly after college for my first job — this bag and a matching briefcase! Used them a lot for a few years. Didn’t buy another Coach for like the next 20 years (yes, I am “vintage” like this bag, lol). I have since parted with both. This is a picture of it from a few years ago after I gave it a bath (thanks to good rehab advice from Whateve).
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I used to go to the mall to visit a children's clothing store and always passed the Coach store when I walked through. One day I decided to go in and this is my first Coach bag, the Sophia in smooth black leather. I still have this handbag and it's my favourite to take out for lunch or a day of shopping. The handle drop is perfect. The lining is red and so beautiful every time I unzip my bag.
I think it was a black Zoe signature shoulder bag; probably in 2007 or 2008. 
My first was a black camera bag. I got it when I was 22-23. Not quite sure that's what it was called. It was a tiny little thing that I kept a trusty Day Runner in and God know what else. Unfortunately, my car was broken into and it was stolen. I loved that little bag. I could've sworn mine had silver hardware, but as @Iamminda said, I'm vintage, too, so I could be mistaken. 
Beautiful! I love bags with a striking color for the lining.
I think I got my first Coach bag in 2008, but now I'm not 100% sure. What i am sure about is what bag it was it's the Sabrina in Bone. The smaller version. I pinned for that bag for a super long time and it kept selling out. Finally got my hands on one, but then I got her dirty within months and couldn't handle seeing the damage on it (even though it was barely noticeable to most) and ended up selling it for a similar price to what I bought it because it was so hard to come by. I wonder if I made the right decision. It is probably still one of the most beautiful Coach bags I've had on my radar and owned.
This was my first coach bag. I think I was maybe 18/19 and it was my first "designer" bag. I didn't take super great care of it and the suede patches looked gross after a couple years. I finally parted ways with it when we moved a couple years ago and I sort of regret it (mostly because I'm sentimental).
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My first was this gorgeous lavender nubuck bag:
It was so incredibly soft and the color was amazing. I stopped carrying it though, so gave it to a friend who'd get more use out of it.
It was so incredibly soft and the color was amazing. I stopped carrying it though, so gave it to a friend who'd get more use out of it.
I had a medium sized bag in this patchwork style! I was in school at the time and made a deal with myself of I maintained my 4.0 I would treat myself. I loved this patchwork collection it was such a pretty collaboration of materials.
I always loved the look of beautiful bags but I thought that they were way out of my reach and that I could never have one for my very own. So I always bought "sensible bags" and thought that I was "splurging" if I bought a "genuine leather" purse on sale at Kohls!
Once when I was on vacation in Puerto Rico I bought a fake Kate Spade from a street vendor but it quickly fell apart and I went back to occasionally treating myself to a "genuine leather" bags - usually in black or brown.
Then I got lucky and won a $100 gift card as a door prize at the Company Christmas Party in 2008. I didn't use it right away and when spring came in 2009 I started thinking about getting a "really nice purse" during the Mother's Day sales - but I never dreamed of buying a Coach purse.
Fate intervened when a co-worker asked "Does anyone want a $100 coupon to use for a $300 American Express purchase at the Coach store?" and I started to dream! I screwed up my courage and went to the boutique store at the mall, clutching my American Express card, the $100 gift card door prize, and the coupon.
At that time Coach only meant "signature" to me but I had firmly made up my mind that I would buy a "sensible black bag" that would wear well and be appropriate with everything and every season.
But all was soon lost because the moment I walked into the store I spied a khaki/sand op art signature Parker Hippie and fell in love! I put it on my shoulder and never took it off while I looked at all the other bags. It was $278 so it didn't meet the $300 coupon requirement so I added a key fob and a bottle of signature fabric cleaner. But I didn't buy the Parker Hippie just because of the price, I really loved it and I still wear it occasionally.
After that I discovered the outlet! I went there to do some Christmas shopping and when I stumbled across the Coach store I was in heaven!
My first outlet purchase was a rather ugly MFF horse & carriage khaki/brown satchel for around $100. I thought that I was "really splurging on a fabulous bag" but after I brought it home and set it down next to my Parker Hippie I decided that I didn't care for it much after all. I returned it and did some research and that brought me to TPF where I learned the difference between boutique and outlet bags.
My next major purchase at the outlet was a black FP Delete Madison shoulder bag - after that I became a true Coachie and started to spend way too much money on buying beautiful bags!
I mostly bought black bags but in spring of 2010 I spotted a teal Sydney at the outlet and after that there was no stopping me!
Here is my first Coach bag, the Khaki/Sand Op Art Convertible Parker Hippie 13420 with Rosegold Hardware:
Once when I was on vacation in Puerto Rico I bought a fake Kate Spade from a street vendor but it quickly fell apart and I went back to occasionally treating myself to a "genuine leather" bags - usually in black or brown.
Then I got lucky and won a $100 gift card as a door prize at the Company Christmas Party in 2008. I didn't use it right away and when spring came in 2009 I started thinking about getting a "really nice purse" during the Mother's Day sales - but I never dreamed of buying a Coach purse.
Fate intervened when a co-worker asked "Does anyone want a $100 coupon to use for a $300 American Express purchase at the Coach store?" and I started to dream! I screwed up my courage and went to the boutique store at the mall, clutching my American Express card, the $100 gift card door prize, and the coupon.
At that time Coach only meant "signature" to me but I had firmly made up my mind that I would buy a "sensible black bag" that would wear well and be appropriate with everything and every season.
But all was soon lost because the moment I walked into the store I spied a khaki/sand op art signature Parker Hippie and fell in love! I put it on my shoulder and never took it off while I looked at all the other bags. It was $278 so it didn't meet the $300 coupon requirement so I added a key fob and a bottle of signature fabric cleaner. But I didn't buy the Parker Hippie just because of the price, I really loved it and I still wear it occasionally.
After that I discovered the outlet! I went there to do some Christmas shopping and when I stumbled across the Coach store I was in heaven!
My first outlet purchase was a rather ugly MFF horse & carriage khaki/brown satchel for around $100. I thought that I was "really splurging on a fabulous bag" but after I brought it home and set it down next to my Parker Hippie I decided that I didn't care for it much after all. I returned it and did some research and that brought me to TPF where I learned the difference between boutique and outlet bags.
My next major purchase at the outlet was a black FP Delete Madison shoulder bag - after that I became a true Coachie and started to spend way too much money on buying beautiful bags!
I mostly bought black bags but in spring of 2010 I spotted a teal Sydney at the outlet and after that there was no stopping me!
Here is my first Coach bag, the Khaki/Sand Op Art Convertible Parker Hippie 13420 with Rosegold Hardware:
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I was so excited to buy my first coach bag, it was my Chrismas gift from dh many years ago. It was a tan signature slim duffle with a leather strap and leather corners. I felt so good wearing that bag.