Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[LunaSilver]

@Narnanz Will be interested in what you think. I didn’t care for the caviar leather.

I have a Navy and a Granite
Carlyle. I used to not like the Italian caviar leather bags, they appeared thin and fragile, now they are growing on me, especially after starting leather craft hobby, I learnt to appreciate the leather and craftsmanship of the Italian Madison collection more. Caviar leather is pebbled calf leather (the pebble effect achieved naturally by tumbling not by printing), calf is much more expensive leather, also the double turned edge is more defined than pipping, harder to make too. I would buy this black one myself if I didn’t have two already.

 

[LunaSilver]

It looks like the Watson’s sophisticated Italian cousin to me!

Never think about that , lol…
Carlyle is bigger, the shape is a little different too. Watson seems stumpier, Carlyle seems taller. ( just go by my memory, I am not home to compare them).

 

[Lake Effect]

Wow! If that is what they are asking for the small Saddle Bag, I wonder what they would charge for something like my large Rusty Saddle Bag! I can't even imagine. edited - I enlarged the pic, it's reverse suede; I didn't see that at first

edited - The post from Paris Girl, re the small Saddle Bag on Coach/Reloved must be hiding lol.

 

[Jacynthe]

I have a Navy and a Granite
Carlyle. I used to not like the Italian caviar leather bags, they appeared thin and fragile, now they are growing on me, especially after starting leather craft hobby, I learnt to appreciate the leather and craftsmanship of the Italian Madison collection more. Caviar leather is pebbled calf leather (the pebble effect achieved naturally by tumbling not by printing), calf is much more expensive leather, also the double turned edge is more defined than pipping, harder to make too. I would buy this black one myself if I didn’t have two already.

Thanks LunaSilver! Very interesting. Is it the same for the wallets?

 

[Lake Effect]

 

[Paris Girl]

I have a Navy and a Granite
Carlyle. I used to not like the Italian caviar leather bags, they appeared thin and fragile, now they are growing on me, especially after starting leather craft hobby, I learnt to appreciate the leather and craftsmanship of the Italian Madison collection more. Caviar leather is pebbled calf leather (the pebble effect achieved naturally by tumbling not by printing), calf is much more expensive leather, also the double turned edge is more defined than pipping, harder to make too. I would buy this black one myself if I didn’t have two already.

I bought a red Gracie and while it was pretty, the leather had a thin, papery feel. Didn’t even feel like leather to me. So I returned it.

 

[LunaSilver]

Thanks LunaSilver! Very interesting. Is it the same for the wallets?

I don’t have any wallet from Madison collection, but from online photos, the leather is the same pebbled calf, the edge finish is fold over.
The red Royalton bag I got is a good demonstration of double turned edges, leather at seam both panels were folded inward then stitched together. No pipping was used.

 

[LunaSilver]

I bought a red Gracie and while it was pretty, the leather had a thin, papery feel. Didn’t even feel like leather to me. So I returned it.

I felt the same way with the first Madison Carlyle bag and sold it. But totally changed my heart, really love the smooth & demise free pebbled calf leather now. FUll grain calf is naturally thin but still quite durable, the Madison line leather is sealed that changed the feel of leather, not everyone will like it.

 

[Coachaddict4020]

I have a Navy and a Granite
Carlyle. I used to not like the Italian caviar leather bags, they appeared thin and fragile, now they are growing on me, especially after starting leather craft hobby, I learnt to appreciate the leather and craftsmanship of the Italian Madison collection more. Caviar leather is pebbled calf leather (the pebble effect achieved naturally by tumbling not by printing), calf is much more expensive leather, also the double turned edge is more defined than pipping, harder to make too. I would buy this black one myself if I didn’t have two already.

Agreed!. The stitching & edges are beautifully done on my Gracie. A lot of my made in USA bags have wonky stitching or a piping notch that didn’t end in the right place. I love those bags regardless, but my Gracie is in another league in terms of how it was assembled. I may not wanna buy more bags from the Madison collection, but I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into that line.

 

[americandreaming]

Nice! My Gracie is the only Italy bag I own. I don’t know if I’ll ever add more, they’re too fancy looking for me. The regular styles are much more casual & easy to wear!

I have a Navy and a Granite
Carlyle. I used to not like the Italian caviar leather bags, they appeared thin and fragile, now they are growing on me, especially after starting leather craft hobby, I learnt to appreciate the leather and craftsmanship of the Italian Madison collection more. Caviar leather is pebbled calf leather (the pebble effect achieved naturally by tumbling not by printing), calf is much more expensive leather, also the double turned edge is more defined than pipping, harder to make too. I would buy this black one myself if I didn’t have two already.

I bought a red Gracie and while it was pretty, the leather had a thin, papery feel. Didn’t even feel like leather to me. So I returned it.

Agreed!. The stitching & edges are beautifully done on my Gracie. A lot of my made in USA bags have wonky stitching or a piping notch that didn’t end in the right place. I love those bags regardless, but my Gracie is in another league in terms of how it was assembled. I may not wanna buy more bags from the Madison collection, but I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into that line.

This is all swaying me toward an Italian now... but I'm on a ban! haha x

 

[katev]

Does anyone use a marketing tote or a shopper or buckle bag or another style to carry a laptop to work? Or is it just too heavy for one shoulder to bear?

I should probably add that I walk or stand for at least an hour on my commute. Not the kinda door to door service some may have…

Back when I had a long commute on public transportation I used a Samsonite rolling backpack similar to the one at the link below. I rarely used it as a backpack, I mostly rolled it behind me. It wasn't always convenient but I could use it to fit my laptop, work papers, lunch, umbrella, water bottle, sometimes a change of shoes, etc. I bought it at the Samsonite outlet store in the same mall that has one of our local Coach outlets.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Wheeled-Backpack-Black-bordeaux/dp/B00102NVK8?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

However, if you prefer a bag that you can carry then you might take a look at a solid-colored navy or black Vera Bradley bag like the one at the link below; not all VB bags are quilted paisley! They are well-made and lighter-weight fabric bags.

Vera Tote Bag

This large microfiber tote bag has many pockets (inside and out) for maximum organization. There's even a hidden pocket for phone or keys.

verabradley.com

Once I wanted to buy a Coach Baby Bag as a Baby Shower gift for a relative but I was disappointed in the baby bags that I found at the Coach Outlet. So I did some research here on TPF and I got some advice from young mothers. Then I went to the retail VB store and I found a much nicer (IMO) and more functional baby bag and it was a very popular gift!

So, you might find some kind of VB tote or other bag that would work for your laptop. Good luck!

 

[Nataluccia3]

Back when I had a long commute on public transportation I used a Samsonite rolling backpack similar to the one at the link below. I rarely used it as a backpack, I mostly rolled it behind me. It wasn't always convenient but I could use it to fit my laptop, work papers, lunch, umbrella, water bottle, sometimes a change of shoes, etc. I bought it at the Samsonite outlet store in the same mall that has one of our local Coach outlets.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Wheeled-Backpack-Black-bordeaux/dp/B00102NVK8?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

However, if you prefer a bag that you can carry then you might take a look at a solid-colored navy or black Vera Bradley bag like the one at the link below; not all VB bags are quilted paisley! They are well-made and lighter-weight fabric bags.

Vera Tote Bag

This large microfiber tote bag has many pockets (inside and out) for maximum organization. There's even a hidden pocket for phone or keys.

verabradley.com

Once I wanted to buy a Coach Baby Bag as a Baby Shower gift for a relative but I was disappointed in the baby bags that I found at the Coach Outlet. So I did some research here on TPF and I got some advice from young mothers. Then I went to the retail VB store and I found a much nicer (IMO) and more functional baby bag and it was a very popular gift!

So, you might find some kind of VB tote or other bag that would work for your laptop. Good luck!

I didn’t realize they aren’t all paisley!
I used to use a Baggalini tote for grad school and carried that bag everywhere. Then when I was teaching, I carried my laptop and books in a briefcase bag, kind of like an oversized Willis (with the dowel on top and lobster claws for the thinner strap, what is that bag called??). I found it to be quite heavy and the thinner strap wasn’t very comfortable, even with the adjustable leather sheath. Maybe a metropolitan style would be more comfortable with the wider strap?

I could just continue with my waterproof canvas backpack. It’s amazingly comfortable and great for random rainfall… just not the prettiest bag I own

 

[Nataluccia3]

Back when I had a long commute on public transportation I used a Samsonite rolling backpack similar to the one at the link below. I rarely used it as a backpack, I mostly rolled it behind me. It wasn't always convenient but I could use it to fit my laptop, work papers, lunch, umbrella, water bottle, sometimes a change of shoes, etc. I bought it at the Samsonite outlet store in the same mall that has one of our local Coach outlets.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Wheeled-Backpack-Black-bordeaux/dp/B00102NVK8?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

However, if you prefer a bag that you can carry then you might take a look at a solid-colored navy or black Vera Bradley bag like the one at the link below; not all VB bags are quilted paisley! They are well-made and lighter-weight fabric bags.

Vera Tote Bag

This large microfiber tote bag has many pockets (inside and out) for maximum organization. There's even a hidden pocket for phone or keys.

verabradley.com

Once I wanted to buy a Coach Baby Bag as a Baby Shower gift for a relative but I was disappointed in the baby bags that I found at the Coach Outlet. So I did some research here on TPF and I got some advice from young mothers. Then I went to the retail VB store and I found a much nicer (IMO) and more functional baby bag and it was a very popular gift!

So, you might find some kind of VB tote or other bag that would work for your laptop. Good luck!

I didn’t realize they aren’t all paisley!
I used to use a Baggalini tote for grad school and carried that bag everywhere. Then when I was teaching, I carried my laptop and books in a briefcase bag, kind of like an oversized Willis (with the dowel on top and lobster claws for the thinner strap, what is that bag called??). I found it to be quite heavy and the thinner strap wasn’t very comfortable, even with the adjustable leather sheath. Maybe a metropolitan style would be more comfortable with the wider strap?

I could just continue with my waterproof canvas backpack. It’s amazingly comfortable and great for random rainfall… just not the prettiest bag I own

I could also get one like what I used to carry and swap out the strap with a guitar strap. Hmmmm. Does anyone find that after market straps scratch up the D-rings?? That’s why I’ve never gone that route

 

[whateve]

This is all swaying me toward an Italian now... but I'm on a ban! haha x

The granite color for Italian bags is amazing. It has almost a two-tone effect. That's what I really loved about it.

 

[Lake Effect]

Does anyone use a marketing tote or a shopper or buckle bag or another style to carry a laptop to work? Or is it just too heavy for one shoulder to bear?

I should probably add that I walk or stand for at least an hour on my commute. Not the kinda door to door service some may have…

Maybe a metropolitan style would be more comfortable with the wider strap?

I could just continue with my waterproof canvas backpack. It’s amazingly comfortable and great for random rainfall… just not the prettiest bag I own

Are you talking a full size lap top or a smaller one? Even with carrying short distances, I did not find any of my vintage Coach bags the right match for a full size lap to hand/shoulder carry. I had a Bleeker Brief and that was way too heavy and I have a Metropolitan that I felt the weight of just the laptop/cord was too much for the handle/strap attachments.
I now have a smaller size lap top for work but it can stay at home for the most part. When I need to take it somewhere, I have a generic rolling nylon office bag or my large Travel Tote from around 1990. It's a beast I just put it in a padded cover.

tPF wasn't including quotes in my post last night. That was weird.