The Same, But Different?

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#16
I know this is an older thread but I didn't want to open a new topic and figured what I'm about to discuss is relevant to this thread title. I'm very wordy so be forewarned! I want to spill my thoughts and observations and start a discussion with other harsh critics out there... like myself, I admit it.

This one will be an essay... TL;DR people can skip the next couple posts.
(I will split them so it'll be tolerable.)
 
#17
So most are aware that Coach 1941 leather goods are either made in Vietnam or China. However, I quickly noticed a concerning pattern/issue. From my picky yet keen senses, I can confidently say the 1941 items made in Vietnam are of better quality than those made in China. I don't mean to add to the "Made in China" stereotype (mass-produced, poor quality with no attention to detail), but it makes me wonder why Coach wouldn't want consistent quality across their products. I understand it has a lot to do with budget... cutting costs by producing partial inventory in China, while focusing the top-tier 1941 goods to be made outside China, like Vietnam.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 1941 items. It's a personal preference more than anything. Seems the raw materials from the vender, factory conditions and equipment, workmanship/ethics differ... to name a few.
 
#18
1. The SMELL - Right off the bat, after unboxing/unwrapping, you can smell the intoxicating, distinct smell of Coach 1941 glovetanned (smooth) leather on 'Made in Vietnam' products. To me, it reminds me of the leather interior smell of a brand new, European luxury vehicle. The 'Made in China' leather smells different; almost reminds of that harsh, artificial or cheap leather smell you notice when you first walk into a Payless Shoes store (lol, ah the good 'ol days).

2. The FEEL - The interior is where I notice the most notable difference. On MIV (Made in Vietnam) models, the interior almost feels like washed lambskin leather, super buttery. The smell even smells like lambskin to me (though it could be the dye I'm smelling). Take a same model bag made in China and feel the interior, it's much coarser/drier. The Dinkies are a perfect example; some made in Vietnam (more embellished ones), some in China (usually the base model with non-chain strap). Perhaps the paint color has a lot to do with the difference in the finish, but I noticed the leather and paint on MIV is much better quality than MIC.

3. EXTERIOR - I noticed the exterior glovetanned leather of MIV is much softer and pliable than those MIC (again, taking the same model bag). Although I appreciate the structured finish, the MIC bags are quite stiff. MIV leather/bags just mold to your body and "melt" to your touch.

4. CANVAS LINING - This one will be difficult for most people to notice or agree with me because the difference is slight and almost indistinguishable. Basically, MIC is a thinner canvas feel than the MIV canvas. It's almost like the woven cotton is finer and stronger in the MIV linings. I was disappointed when I first got my MIC 1941 bag and felt the canvas lining because it felt cheap (my first 1941 bag was MIV so that became my standard).

5. EDGESTAIN & STITCHING - Basically, the MIC edgestain is a bit sloppy for my taste. It often goes over the edge and onto the leather (somehow it passes QC and makes it to boutiques lol). The same can be said about the stitching. There are loose strings just hanging out... sure, I can cut them, but isn't that their job to finish it off nicely? Sometimes I can pull on them and it comes sliding out. What the heck? I don't let this bother me too much if it's not too visible on the exterior, but when stitching isn't straight (when it's meant to be) or the sewing machine skipped a stitch, I feel a bit disappointed considering the price paid for the product.


I thank you for reading until the end if you're still with me. I'm a writer so I really don't know how to be short and concise. Sorry! I would love to hear your take on the areas addressed, if you have any opinions at all.
 
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#19
csalt said:
1. The SMELL - Right off the bat, after unboxing/unwrapping, you can smell the intoxicating, distinct smell of Coach 1941 glovetanned (smooth) leather on 'Made in Vietnam' products. To me, it reminds me of the leather interior smell of a brand new, European luxury vehicle. The 'Made in China' leather smells different; almost reminds of that harsh, artificial or cheap leather smell you notice when you first walk into a Payless Shoes store (lol, ah the good 'ol days).

2. The FEEL - The interior is where I notice the most notable difference. On MIV (Made in Vietnam) models, the interior almost feels like washed lambskin leather, super buttery. The smell even smells like lambskin to me (though it could be the dye I'm smelling). Take a same model bag made in China and feel the interior, it's much coarser/drier. The Dinkies are a perfect example; some made in Vietnam (more embellished ones), some in China (usually the base model with non-chain strap). Perhaps the paint color has a lot to do with the difference in the finish, but I noticed the leather and paint on MIV is much better quality than MIC.

3. EXTERIOR - I noticed the exterior glovetanned leather of MIV is much softer and pliable than those MIC (again, taking the same model bag). Although I appreciate the structured finish, the MIC bags are quite stiff. MIV leather/bags just mold to your body and "melt" to your touch.

4. CANVAS LINING - This one will be difficult for most people to notice or agree with me because the difference is slight and almost indistinguishable. Basically, MIC is a thinner canvas feel than the MIV canvas. It's almost like the woven cotton is finer and stronger in the MIV linings. I was disappointed when I first got my MIC 1941 bag and felt the canvas lining because it felt cheap (my first 1941 bag was MIV so that became my standard).

5. EDGESTAIN & STITCHING - Basically, the MIC edgestain is a bit sloppy for my taste. It often goes over the edge and onto the leather (somehow it passes QC and makes it to boutiques lol). The same can be said about the stitching. There are loose strings just hanging out... sure, I can cut them, but isn't that their job to finish it off nicely? Sometimes I can pull on them and it comes sliding out. What the heck? I don't let this bother me too much if it's not too visible on the exterior, but when stitching isn't straight (when it's meant to be) or the sewing machine skipped a stitch, I feel a bit disappointed considering the price paid for the product.


I thank you for reading until the end if you're still with me. I'm a writer so I really don't know how to be short and concise. Sorry! I would love to hear your take on the areas addressed, if you have any opinions at all.
Click to expand...
I'm still new to Coach and found your posts absolutely fascinating- i came from mulberry where quality deteriorated as goods were no longer made in England and will now be checking out.and.comparing all my coach items!!
 
#20
csalt said:
1. The SMELL - Right off the bat, after unboxing/unwrapping, you can smell the intoxicating, distinct smell of Coach 1941 glovetanned (smooth) leather on 'Made in Vietnam' products. To me, it reminds me of the leather interior smell of a brand new, European luxury vehicle. The 'Made in China' leather smells different; almost reminds of that harsh, artificial or cheap leather smell you notice when you first walk into a Payless Shoes store (lol, ah the good 'ol days).

2. The FEEL - The interior is where I notice the most notable difference. On MIV (Made in Vietnam) models, the interior almost feels like washed lambskin leather, super buttery. The smell even smells like lambskin to me (though it could be the dye I'm smelling). Take a same model bag made in China and feel the interior, it's much coarser/drier. The Dinkies are a perfect example; some made in Vietnam (more embellished ones), some in China (usually the base model with non-chain strap). Perhaps the paint color has a lot to do with the difference in the finish, but I noticed the leather and paint on MIV is much better quality than MIC.

3. EXTERIOR - I noticed the exterior glovetanned leather of MIV is much softer and pliable than those MIC (again, taking the same model bag). Although I appreciate the structured finish, the MIC bags are quite stiff. MIV leather/bags just mold to your body and "melt" to your touch.

4. CANVAS LINING - This one will be difficult for most people to notice or agree with me because the difference is slight and almost indistinguishable. Basically, MIC is a thinner canvas feel than the MIV canvas. It's almost like the woven cotton is finer and stronger in the MIV linings. I was disappointed when I first got my MIC 1941 bag and felt the canvas lining because it felt cheap (my first 1941 bag was MIV so that became my standard).

5. EDGESTAIN & STITCHING - Basically, the MIC edgestain is a bit sloppy for my taste. It often goes over the edge and onto the leather (somehow it passes QC and makes it to boutiques lol). The same can be said about the stitching. There are loose strings just hanging out... sure, I can cut them, but isn't that their job to finish it off nicely? Sometimes I can pull on them and it comes sliding out. What the heck? I don't let this bother me too much if it's not too visible on the exterior, but when stitching isn't straight (when it's meant to be) or the sewing machine skipped a stitch, I feel a bit disappointed considering the price paid for the product.


I thank you for reading until the end if you're still with me. I'm a writer so I really don't know how to be short and concise. Sorry! I would love to hear your take on the areas addressed, if you have any opinions at all.
Click to expand...
Interesting. After reading your post, I went to check my all 1941 items. This explained the question that I had long time ago: why my tea rose dinky has the interior leather that feel so dried and not as soft as the other 1941 bag. Guess what, This is the only made in China 1941item that I own. I have 1 badlands 1 rivets saddle 23 made in Turkey they have the same yellow smooth leather interior that feels much more buttery than the dinky. Other than that I have 3 rogues all made in Vietnam, I do see tiny difference on the canvas as well. there is a few canvas in dinky kisslock pocket, they feel less cotton like material.
Generally speaking, coach bag from 1st generation or 1st batch always comes with the best quality. No matter where it's made. I recently recieved a quilted doubleswagger Made in China, the quality and material are top notch.
China now is no longer considered as cheap manufactory site any more. Labor cost, government fee, factory cost are definitely way more expensive than Vietnam. If the bag is made under same budget, Made in China will ultimately come with poorer material & quality control.
 
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#23
I'm glad the discussion is going and we're sharing info. Thanks for contributing everyone! I think the knowledge is so helpful and also important (to me, at least).

I remember seeing a third country of origin and thought, "Was it India?" but knew that wasn't it. Thanks @vivianyan for chiming in about Turkey! I hope it's not a sign of a downward slope to declining quality with more (or eventually all) 1941 products being made in China. But I'm glad to hear your new Double Swagger is fine quality, that's reassuring. Then again, that is a top-tier design so it better be (no less than perfect)!

One of my favorite brands with superb, dream leather (from back in the "golden years" of TPF/leather bags) eventually got bought out, brand became about 'quantity over quality' so materials and design went downhill fast. Lost MANY fans quickly in the process too. I check ebay for those bags out of nostalgia, but they're worth nothing and hardly anyone remembers/cares anymore.

I know that's not a thing of concern with Coach as a brand (seems sales are only going up and it can afford a high profile designer to be the head as creative director unlike the small brand I mentioned above).


I wish corporate businesses wouldn't focus so much on sales and competition, but I realize that's the game. For this reason I respect European nations that value artisans. I understand this is a different time and things need to move quickly for today's society (hence the introduction of sub-season releases, wtf is up with that!) I miss the days of only S/S and A/W in the fashion world!
 
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#24
vivianyan said:
China now is no longer considered as cheap manufactory site any more. Labor cost, government fee, factory cost are definitely way more expensive than Vietnam. If the bag is made under same budget, Made in China will ultimately come with poorer material & quality control.
Click to expand...

This makes sense logically. Interesting thought I didn't fully consider! Thanks for the clarification!
 
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