Share Your Story: How Did You Fall in Love with Coach
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A few years ago I walked past the Coach store in the mall and saw a black Ergo Belted leather flap in the window and couldn't stop thinking about it. I was one of those women who would never spend more than 50-$60 on a bag. So I pretty much figured Id never get it. After a while I decided I was going to buy it but when I went back to Coach they were gone(had NO idea about the turnover w/new floorsets and what not) so I figured I'd go on ebay to look, that's when I started researching the brand and was led to this forum and the rest is history. I love the look, quality, even smell of their leathers. I actually had the option to get an LV but they honestly don't appeal to me. I've been buying Coach for 2 years now and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!
My story was *Accidental*..In Nov. 2005 I walked in to my local Outlet(Kittery,Me.) and fell in love with the smell of the store, and of course the gorgeous bags!! Suede was pretty big and that was my 1st Coach bag ever..The Soho Suede Demi Flap in Flint (a beautiful brownish suede)!!
I still have this bag, and will never part with her..Even though I have out grown this certain bag, I couldn't do it!! It resembles my
first encounter with a great handbag maker(Coach)..Now, I don't consider other designers, due to the quality and selection of bags made by Coach!! At this moment, I love the Poppy Line, its just fun and colorful!!
So this is how I fell in love with Coach..
I still have this bag, and will never part with her..Even though I have out grown this certain bag, I couldn't do it!! It resembles my
first encounter with a great handbag maker(Coach)..Now, I don't consider other designers, due to the quality and selection of bags made by Coach!! At this moment, I love the Poppy Line, its just fun and colorful!!
So this is how I fell in love with Coach..
Dawn, i didn't know that you were from Maine! Thats so cool!so am I, lol! Although my closer outlet is the freeport one, lol
I guess I've always seen coach as an affordable luxury designer, and since high school, Ive wanted to get myself a bag! I first saved up and bought a decent condition hobo from craigslist for a very low price, then eventually after I graduated from college, I've slowly started building my collection.
I guess I've always seen coach as an affordable luxury designer, and since high school, Ive wanted to get myself a bag! I first saved up and bought a decent condition hobo from craigslist for a very low price, then eventually after I graduated from college, I've slowly started building my collection.
Yep, I live right over the border in Portsmouth,NH. I like Freeport as well..It is about an hour from me, where as Kittery is 10 mins.
Only started to fall in love with Coach recently after seeing my colleagues carrying their beautiful bags. My first piece of Coach was given to me by my sister. She went to US factory outlet and got me my first wristlet. The second piece of Coach is Kristin hobo (small) which I got it through my sister from HK DFS. I tried to look for a leather wallet but Singapore doesn't carry the full range. What a pity! I will try to get more Coach items from overseas which carry more designs. 
I've shared this story before but I came to love Coach rather late in life and here is my Coachie saga (sorry, it's a rather long story!)
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 dared to buy myself a "genuine leather" purse on sale at Kohls or Penneys.
Once when I was on vacation in Puerto Rico I bought a fake Kate Spade from a street vendor (forgive me, I didn't realize the horror of my purchase!) I liked it for awhile but it quickly fell apart and I went back to occasionally treating myself to a "genuine leather" bags, usually in black or brown.
Seven years ago I won a performance award at work and received a $150 AMEX gift card and I decided to buy "a really good purse" but I was still thinking of "practical, sensible, black bags". I went to Marshall Fields (now Macy's) and bought a large, plain, black microfiber Kate Spade messenger bag. No frills, but I don't regret it - the bag has worn well and I use it often for travel and as a laptop bag. It's a good friend!
Then at the 2008 company Christmas party I got lucky and won a $100 American Express Traveler's Check as a door prize. 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 that I could buy a Coach purse.
Fate intervened when a co-worker asked if "anyone wanted a $100 coupon for a $300 American Express purchase at a retail Coach store?" and I started to dream! I screwed up my courage and went to the boutique store at the mall, clutching my Costco American Express card, my traveler's check prize, and the coupon.
At that time Coach only meant "signature" to me but I firmly made up my mind in advance that I would buy a sensible, black bag that would wear well and be appropriate with everything during every season.
But all was soon lost because the moment I walked into the store I spied a khaki/sand signature parker hippie and fell in love! (Still neutral, but certainly not black!) 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 requirement so I added a practical dog leash leather key fob - that I still use daily - and a bottle of jaquard fabric cleaner. But I didn't buy the hippie just because of the price, I really loved it.
After that I didn't want to go back to mundane "genuine leather bags" and I started scheming for ways to afford more coach purses. I found a small, vintage, black leather crossbody bag at a consingment shop and I started to appreciate Coach leather bags.
Then in December 2009 I discovered the outlet!!! It's only 16 miles away from my home but I hadn't gone to the outlet mall very often. I decided to go there to do some Christmas shopping and when I stumbled across the Coach store I was in heaven!
My first outlet purchase was a MFF horse & carriage khaki/brown satchel for $116. I thought that I was "really splurging on a fabulous bag" but after I brought it home and set it next to my Parker hippie I decided that I didn't care for it all that much after all, and that I would probably tire of it pretty quickly. I returned it and did some research and that brought me to TPF! (I learned the difference between MFF and FP delete bags and a whole lot more, thanks guys!)
My next major purchase was a black Madison shoulder bag - the older style - and after that I became a true Coachie and I now spend way too much time and money trying to score beautiful FP bags! And I've discovered coach fobs, and jewelry, and apparel, too!
I mostly bought black bags but in March 2010 I bought my first colorful purse - a teal Sydney - now there is no stopping me! I even own 2 Poppys! (both black - but I am getting more adventurous every day!) I won my second performance award at work last year a ($350 Amex card!) and I spent part of it on a peach Kristin hobo and matching wallet! Since then I have even gone metallic and bought a copper Zoe that was a lucky find at the outlet. I have also indulged my fancy for impractical, pretty little special occassion bags and I own 2 straw bags!
My husband soon discovered that buying a Coach gift card was an easy and much appreciated gift. I recently bought a black patent KPS, a leopard and patent Kristin clutch, and some Poppy jewelry with his Christmas gift card and right now I have a birthday gift card tucked away in my wallet! (What to do, what to do!?)
Thanks for asking and for listening to my Coachie story!
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 dared to buy myself a "genuine leather" purse on sale at Kohls or Penneys.
Once when I was on vacation in Puerto Rico I bought a fake Kate Spade from a street vendor (forgive me, I didn't realize the horror of my purchase!) I liked it for awhile but it quickly fell apart and I went back to occasionally treating myself to a "genuine leather" bags, usually in black or brown.
Seven years ago I won a performance award at work and received a $150 AMEX gift card and I decided to buy "a really good purse" but I was still thinking of "practical, sensible, black bags". I went to Marshall Fields (now Macy's) and bought a large, plain, black microfiber Kate Spade messenger bag. No frills, but I don't regret it - the bag has worn well and I use it often for travel and as a laptop bag. It's a good friend!
Then at the 2008 company Christmas party I got lucky and won a $100 American Express Traveler's Check as a door prize. 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 that I could buy a Coach purse.
Fate intervened when a co-worker asked if "anyone wanted a $100 coupon for a $300 American Express purchase at a retail Coach store?" and I started to dream! I screwed up my courage and went to the boutique store at the mall, clutching my Costco American Express card, my traveler's check prize, and the coupon.
At that time Coach only meant "signature" to me but I firmly made up my mind in advance that I would buy a sensible, black bag that would wear well and be appropriate with everything during every season.
But all was soon lost because the moment I walked into the store I spied a khaki/sand signature parker hippie and fell in love! (Still neutral, but certainly not black!) 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 requirement so I added a practical dog leash leather key fob - that I still use daily - and a bottle of jaquard fabric cleaner. But I didn't buy the hippie just because of the price, I really loved it.
After that I didn't want to go back to mundane "genuine leather bags" and I started scheming for ways to afford more coach purses. I found a small, vintage, black leather crossbody bag at a consingment shop and I started to appreciate Coach leather bags.
Then in December 2009 I discovered the outlet!!! It's only 16 miles away from my home but I hadn't gone to the outlet mall very often. I decided to go there to do some Christmas shopping and when I stumbled across the Coach store I was in heaven!
My first outlet purchase was a MFF horse & carriage khaki/brown satchel for $116. I thought that I was "really splurging on a fabulous bag" but after I brought it home and set it next to my Parker hippie I decided that I didn't care for it all that much after all, and that I would probably tire of it pretty quickly. I returned it and did some research and that brought me to TPF! (I learned the difference between MFF and FP delete bags and a whole lot more, thanks guys!)
My next major purchase was a black Madison shoulder bag - the older style - and after that I became a true Coachie and I now spend way too much time and money trying to score beautiful FP bags! And I've discovered coach fobs, and jewelry, and apparel, too!
I mostly bought black bags but in March 2010 I bought my first colorful purse - a teal Sydney - now there is no stopping me! I even own 2 Poppys! (both black - but I am getting more adventurous every day!) I won my second performance award at work last year a ($350 Amex card!) and I spent part of it on a peach Kristin hobo and matching wallet! Since then I have even gone metallic and bought a copper Zoe that was a lucky find at the outlet. I have also indulged my fancy for impractical, pretty little special occassion bags and I own 2 straw bags!
My husband soon discovered that buying a Coach gift card was an easy and much appreciated gift. I recently bought a black patent KPS, a leopard and patent Kristin clutch, and some Poppy jewelry with his Christmas gift card and right now I have a birthday gift card tucked away in my wallet! (What to do, what to do!?)
Thanks for asking and for listening to my Coachie story!
I found about about Coach when I had graduated from college; one of my co-workers had a briefcase (I think it was a Willis bag?). I just thought it was so sophisticated. I went to the Coach store in Philadelphia and looked at bag, but ultimately my husband picked it out (Legacy Zip) for my birthday. At the time it was $200; so much money!!!
My second Coach was from an outlet. It was the large leather backpack. I bought it and had them gift wrap it, and gave it to myself for Christmas. The funny thing was that we were in the process of relocating from PA to WI. So somehow I moved the bag still wrapped to WI. Not sure how I had the willpower!
Then we had kids, and could no longer afford big purchases like that. So my next bag did not come until 10 years late. Do not remember what it was.
I have sold the backpack, but still have the Legacy Zip. It reminds me of how sweet it was of my husband to pick out, despite knowing nothing about purses.
So I have been a fan now for 13 years! I don't like the poppy line; I prefer leather to cloth bags. Waiting patiently for new legacy leather bags.
My second Coach was from an outlet. It was the large leather backpack. I bought it and had them gift wrap it, and gave it to myself for Christmas. The funny thing was that we were in the process of relocating from PA to WI. So somehow I moved the bag still wrapped to WI. Not sure how I had the willpower!
Then we had kids, and could no longer afford big purchases like that. So my next bag did not come until 10 years late. Do not remember what it was.
I have sold the backpack, but still have the Legacy Zip. It reminds me of how sweet it was of my husband to pick out, despite knowing nothing about purses.
So I have been a fan now for 13 years! I don't like the poppy line; I prefer leather to cloth bags. Waiting patiently for new legacy leather bags.
Bought D&B @ Macy's for many years - One day forced (if you believe that) my self to look at Coach, and It was all down hill from there, now when I go into Macy's not even interested in D&B. Now don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with D&B, I am just into Coach right now.
I was vacationing in Los Angeles back in Jan 2009, and came across the Coach Store on Rodeo Drive. Took one look at a little op-art swing-pack in plum (I think it's Penelope), and it was love at first sight. I was hooked from then on lol......
Here is a pic of my first little treasure:
Here is a pic of my first little treasure:
Attachments
I kept hearing girls on my parenting forum mentioning Coach bags- I had no idea what they were. Eventually I looked them up online and saw some styles I liked. The closest boutique is a few hours away but one day while I was in that mall I went in and fell in love with the quality,the styles and the smell of the leather. I am new to Coach. Got my first one in 2009. I havent strayed from black bags yet lol. I am trying to be brave.
I have a black jaquard Collette, a black soho flap, a black poppy boho and a black small kirstin hobo and black siggy swing back. I live on the edge dont I??
I have a black jaquard Collette, a black soho flap, a black poppy boho and a black small kirstin hobo and black siggy swing back. I live on the edge dont I??
Hi..TPF newbie here. I'm a small farmtown Indiana girl with seven siblings. To say we couldn't afford something like Coach or designer bags is an understatement. I was invited to one of those fake purse parties in my 30's and thought the Kate Spades looked so adorable (I was SO CLUELESS). I found myself not really enjoying them and in hindsight, realize just how OBVIOUSly fake they looked. Then I found a Coach at a thrift shop. Instant love affair with vintage coach has ensued. Thanks to research and TPF, my love has only deepened. I find myself drawn to those older styles of gorgeous solid leather, more so than the newer signature styles, tho' they are beautiful. And, I still can't really afford a new Coach, but I'm saving up!! . I still have LOTS to learn since my love affair is so new. But even though I"m in my 40's now...it's better late than never!!
I got my first Coach this past Christmas. I've always liked leather bags, but I normally carried Fossil brand. Around Christmas time I was looking for a new bag, and started noticing how much the leather Fossil bags had gone up in price. I thought surely Coach couldn't be much more (maybe even cheaper!) if I hit an outlet store. So my bf and I went to our closest outlet, and I found myself a black leather Ashley (small size) for less than a lot of the Fossil bags I'd been eyeing! I also picked up a cute little leather wristlet in the same style for cheap.
I've been hooked ever since!
I've been hooked ever since!
I fell in love with coach when I got a foleys(now macys)charge card and saw this small drawstring bag that could be worn as a little backpack. I loved the smell of it. Back then coach bags were not lined. I would buy other bags, but coach was my first love. over the past 6 months I have gotten rid of all other brands and only use coach.
Just to clarify, the poppy line has amazingly-beautiful-stunning rich leather bags! Like my all-leather poppy hobo!