Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[DL Harper]

It was new in the 1997 Holiday catalog. Most Sonoma styles came out earlier than that. It wasn't much later that the entire line was retired.

Interesting info - thank you again. Sounds like Coach may not have produced many of them between introduction and retirement.

 

[sallellen]

Hopefully someone can make a vintage bag style recommendation. Although I love the look of the Scooter and so many other small bags, they simply don't work for me. The same with backpack styles. I have now acquired far too many bags and have spent far too much money for bags that have proven to be the wrong style/fit for me....or are just too heavy. I'm not a collector, just someone searching for the "right" thing. I don't change bags frequently and tend to carry the same contents all the time.
Finally, I've narrowed it down to these needs:
A shoulder bag with an adjustable strap, at least one outside pocket, a top zip closure and at least one inside pocket that zips (I could add a bag organizer if other pockets or sections aren't already in the bag). Everything falling to the bottom is a pet peeve. It must hold a wallet, card case, keys, eyeglasses, phone, tissues and such. Admittedly I'm a bit hard on a bag, so a pebbled leather bag is more forgiving, but I could learn to live with a smooth leather bag if it's the right size.
This is a tall order I know, but does anyone have a suggestion or thought? Thank you!!

I like the Coach Brighton. Zip closure, 2 inside pockets, 2 full-width exterior pockets, medium size.

 

[DL Harper]

I like the Coach Brighton. Zip closure, 2 inside pockets, 2 full-width exterior pockets, medium size.

Thank you @sallellen - another really nice bag to consider. It can be so deceiving, as it looks smaller in the photos I found than the measurements indicate.

 

[katev]

Hopefully someone can make a vintage bag style recommendation. Although I love the look of the Scooter and so many other small bags, they simply don't work for me. The same with backpack styles. I have now acquired far too many bags and have spent far too much money for bags that have proven to be the wrong style/fit for me....or are just too heavy. I'm not a collector, just someone searching for the "right" thing. I don't change bags frequently and tend to carry the same contents all the time.
Finally, I've narrowed it down to these needs:
A shoulder bag with an adjustable strap, at least one outside pocket, a top zip closure and at least one inside pocket that zips (I could add a bag organizer if other pockets or sections aren't already in the bag). Everything falling to the bottom is a pet peeve. It must hold a wallet, card case, keys, eyeglasses, phone, tissues and such. Admittedly I'm a bit hard on a bag, so a pebbled leather bag is more forgiving, but I could learn to live with a smooth leather bag if it's the right size.
This is a tall order I know, but does anyone have a suggestion or thought? Thank you!!

How about a top-zip pebbled leather Hudson bag from 1998?

 

[DL Harper]

How about a top-zip pebbled leather Hudson bag from 1998?

View attachment 5436301

Thank you @katev - another great option! It's so nice to have such wonderful authenticators and members here at tPF to share knowledge, suggestions and insight!

 

[sallellen]

Thank you @sallellen - another really nice bag to consider. It can be so deceiving, as it looks smaller in the photos I found than the measurements indicate.

Here’s a comparison pic. Hope it helps.

 

[katpeony]

Hopefully someone can make a vintage bag style recommendation. Although I love the look of the Scooter and so many other small bags, they simply don't work for me. The same with backpack styles. I have now acquired far too many bags and have spent far too much money for bags that have proven to be the wrong style/fit for me....or are just too heavy. I'm not a collector, just someone searching for the "right" thing. I don't change bags frequently and tend to carry the same contents all the time.
Finally, I've narrowed it down to these needs:
A shoulder bag with an adjustable strap, at least one outside pocket, a top zip closure and at least one inside pocket that zips (I could add a bag organizer if other pockets or sections aren't already in the bag). Everything falling to the bottom is a pet peeve. It must hold a wallet, card case, keys, eyeglasses, phone, tissues and such. Admittedly I'm a bit hard on a bag, so a pebbled leather bag is more forgiving, but I could learn to live with a smooth leather bag if it's the right size.
This is a tall order I know, but does anyone have a suggestion or thought? Thank you!!

Fletcher bag 4450 might work for you. It is from the lightweight collection so the leather is thinner to reduce weight.

 

[DL Harper]

Here’s a comparison pic. Hope it helps.

Very helpful - thank you!

 

[DL Harper]

Fletcher bag 4450 might work for you. It is from the lightweight collection so the leather is thinner to reduce weight.

Thank you for this option. I haven't been able to find an online photo or dimensions yet, but I'll continue to look.

 

[katpeony]

Thank you for this option. I haven't been able to find an online photo or dimensions yet, but I'll continue to look.

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Sorry, wrong code. It was 4150 For Fletcher. here is mine for reference. under the big flap, there is an open slip pocket and it is a top zipper closure. Inside bag, there is a smaller zip pocket. On outside, on back, is another open slip pocket. Dimensions are roughly 10” x 7” x 4.5”. If you want the thicker leather, it is Patricia 9951, but I don’t believe it has the outside slip pocket. It only has the inside slip pocket.

 

[katev]

OMG, I've found an image of my beloved vintage Coach Bonnie Cashin bag! I have always heard it called the "Small Shopper" but I'm not sure that's the correct name so I will keep searching, but I am so excited to find it here! Apparently it is style number "501"!

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Look at the price!!!!!$15

I know, but I'm sure that $15 was worth a lot more back then!

Approximately $75 in today dollars.

Have you seen what the vintage bags from the 1990s are going for right now on the Coach website?? They're priced at over $500.00 for bags that originally retailed for only $125.00! Your bag in the 1990s would have easily been priced for at least $125.00, and now most certainly be priced at, I'm guesstimating at $695.00, just because of the size, rareness and the kisslock front pocket! It's not like they can find hundreds of these like they can the Willis or Legacy Zips for instance. They'd do well to find even one of these! That's a beautiful and very rare bag you have there! In my book, it's priceless, and it's in unbelievable condition too! I challenge anyone to find another one, and if so, please post it here! Wow! I've never seen that bag before!

I just love what what these vintage catalogs are pulling up out of the woodwork from people all over. This is great fun! lol!

Would you be so kind as to show me what the inside of this bag looks like? I presume it's unlined in the suede? I'd love to see the creed patch as well. Does it have any feet on the bottom? I'd sure appreciate it when you have time. Thank you!

Editing to say, if it's not allowed to post bags in the vintage catalogs section perhaps you can make a post and tag me? Or PM me in the private messages. I think this bag deserves it's own post! lol! I'm in love, can you tell? lol!

My pleasure! It has the colorful striped lining that Bonnie Cashin used for some of her early designs that is sometimes called "Mexican Striped Lining" and it does have 4 metal feet on the bottom. It doesn't have a creed patch, it only has the simple metal "Coach" tag characteristic of the early pre-creed bags, see the pictures below.

I have also posted below an image of Bonnie Cashin's original sketch of this bag which is included in the Bonnie Cashin Archive at the UCLA Digital Library. Bonnie called it an "Attachette" on her sketch but I don't know what name Coach gave it when they released it so long ago. https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz0002bk1c

I love this little bag but it is quite a small bag. Thank you for your kind comments about the condition but it didn't look quite this good when I found it 10 years ago at a thrift store for only $2. My apologies because I've posted this link many times before but it shows the before and after rehab rehab photos. It was an easy rehab except I had to have one repair done by a cobbler. https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...y-can-still-be-beautiful-rehab-reveal.742282/

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OMG! It's even better than anything I imagined! I just love that lining! I didn't even know Coach used linings that far back and assumed they were all the suede backs of the cowhides. Unbelievable! Thank you so much for sharing. That is some real eye candy for me! lol! Two dollars?? You stole that bag! lol! You sure did a great job refurbishing it! I never have any great success with the British tan color trying to fix them up. It's not an easy color to clean and refurbish because it shows water stains too easily. Anyhow, thanks for sharing those photos. That is definitely a keeper and someone would sure have to give me a lot of mula to part with that bag! lol! For me it would be absolutely priceless! It's just beautiful! Thanks again!

Thanks so much! I call her "Bonnie" and she is a special bag to me!

I've also had some disappointments when attempting to rehab British Tan bags, they can be very challenging. If you can find a BT bag that you likely cheaply then it isn't too big of a risk if the rehab isn't as successful as you'd like - but the safest thing is to only tackle light bags that aren't in bad shape - and when will I ever learn that lesson myself?!

@Birdie13 and @bags_to_die_for I really enjoyed our discussion earlier this month about the Cashin Small Shopper bag on the Vintage Coach Catalogs, but later I realized that the Catalog thread wasn't the appropriate place for a lengthy discussion about one bag - because it is a Reference thread. So I asked to have our posts moved to this Vintage Coach Photos & Chat thread and Administrator @Swanky has kindly reposted them here. See the quotes above if you are looking for a post.

 

[DL Harper]

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IMPORTANT READ-ME Please post authenticity questions related to COACH in this thread. No PMs please. For further information, please refer to the first post on page 1 of this thread. Please follow the following requests: Before you submit a request for authentication, please search this...

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Sorry, wrong code. It was 4150 For Fletcher. here is mine for reference. under the big flap, there is an open slip pocket and it is a top zipper closure. Inside bag, there is a smaller zip pocket. On outside, on back, is another open slip pocket. Dimensions are roughly 10” x 7” x 4.5”. If you want the thicker leather, it is Patricia 9951, but I don’t believe it has the outside slip pocket. It only has the inside slip pocket.

Oh, thanks for the clarification & dimensions. I'll check it out.

 

[Yrelle]

Hopefully someone can make a vintage bag style recommendation. Although I love the look of the Scooter and so many other small bags, they simply don't work for me. The same with backpack styles. I have now acquired far too many bags and have spent far too much money for bags that have proven to be the wrong style/fit for me....or are just too heavy. I'm not a collector, just someone searching for the "right" thing. I don't change bags frequently and tend to carry the same contents all the time.
Finally, I've narrowed it down to these needs:
A shoulder bag with an adjustable strap, at least one outside pocket, a top zip closure and at least one inside pocket that zips (I could add a bag organizer if other pockets or sections aren't already in the bag). Everything falling to the bottom is a pet peeve. It must hold a wallet, card case, keys, eyeglasses, phone, tissues and such. Admittedly I'm a bit hard on a bag, so a pebbled leather bag is more forgiving, but I could learn to live with a smooth leather bag if it's the right size.
This is a tall order I know, but does anyone have a suggestion or thought? Thank you!!

I don’t know what this is but it’s zipped, pebbled and has an outside pocket. Looks like one of whateve’s suggestions. If you are willing to rehab, it is cheap and ships free.

Vintage coach womens black leather L over the shoulder bag | eBay

<p>Vintage coach womens black leather L over the shoulder bag. </p><p>Leather is scuffed and liner needs a good cleaning</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[Tilis]

Hopefully someone can make a vintage bag style recommendation. Although I love the look of the Scooter and so many other small bags, they simply don't work for me. The same with backpack styles. I have now acquired far too many bags and have spent far too much money for bags that have proven to be the wrong style/fit for me....or are just too heavy. I'm not a collector, just someone searching for the "right" thing. I don't change bags frequently and tend to carry the same contents all the time.
Finally, I've narrowed it down to these needs:
A shoulder bag with an adjustable strap, at least one outside pocket, a top zip closure and at least one inside pocket that zips (I could add a bag organizer if other pockets or sections aren't already in the bag). Everything falling to the bottom is a pet peeve. It must hold a wallet, card case, keys, eyeglasses, phone, tissues and such. Admittedly I'm a bit hard on a bag, so a pebbled leather bag is more forgiving, but I could learn to live with a smooth leather bag if it's the right size.
This is a tall order I know, but does anyone have a suggestion or thought? Thank you!!

I'm in the same boat as you and I have found that the ruler at my desk is a poor tool to judge the size-suitability of a purse. In addition, I have found that the outside dimensions are not really indicative of the useful inside dimensions. My little (and I mean little ) Wendie has arrived and she will not hold my sunglasses, so she is relegated to evening going-out status. I will keep her, because she is in fabulous shape and cute as button, but I would not call her useful. I find the size of my Metropolis bags just fine for everything that I have to carry, but I would like to have that flap with turnlock bag in anything but black and brown. But those bags are hard to find and if they are found, they cost more than I'm willing to spend. I will keep my eyes peeled for that elusive bag, but not really expecting to find it . I think that perhaps the colored bags of the '80's and '90's were produced/sold in lower numbers than the blacks and browns and hence the aftermarket is also diminished. Here is my Wendie with small stomach. I might be able to get some tissues in there, but that would be it .

 

[DL Harper]

I'm in the same boat as you and I have found that the ruler at my desk is a poor tool to judge the size-suitability of a purse. In addition, I have found that the outside dimensions are not really indicative of the useful inside dimensions. My little (and I mean little ) Wendie has arrived and she will not hold my sunglasses, so she is relegated to evening going-out status. I will keep her, because she is in fabulous shape and cute as button, but I would not call her useful. I find the size of my Metropolis bags just fine for everything that I have to carry, but I would like to have that flap with turnlock bag in anything but black and brown. But those bags are hard to find and if they are found, they cost more than I'm willing to spend. I will keep my eyes peeled for that elusive bag, but not really expecting to find it . I think that perhaps the colored bags of the '80's and '90's were produced/sold in lower numbers than the blacks and browns and hence the aftermarket is also diminished. Here is my Wendie with small stomach. I might be able to get some tissues in there, but that would be it .View attachment 5437575View attachment 5437576View attachment 5437577

Ditto the ruler issue. Exterior dimensions do not always equate enough usable inside space, particularly when no two people seem to measure the same way, nor did Coach apparently. I'd love to find just the right bag in a true navy ("blavy" too close in color to my many black bags) or even a beautiful red shade like your bag. I'm not confident that I have enough rehab skills for a red bag and I don't think I can spend the money for a perfect or pristine red bag.
Thanks for sharing photos. It always helps to see a style in use.