I, too, have had a rehab pile that looks like this. Then, as I realized I was drowning in these bags, I made a big change in how I buy. I can find bags in my area at church sales, white elephants, garage sales--but I don't buy like I used to. Here's what I ask myself: What will I do with this if I can't get a buyer for it? Will I carry it? For so many bags, the answer to the last question is "no". If that's the case, I don't buy. I see a lot of MFF bags, fabric bags, small bags and I just keep on walking. The last small bag I got that I wouldn't wear had 3 views over 4 months listed for sale on ebay. I finally took it in to Coach and got a credit for the exact amount that I hoped to net if it sold. And I didn't have to pack it, ship it or worry about a buyer wanting a return for no real reason at all. I still have that credit, and I'm sure I'll use it eventually, but it taught me that I don't want to buy or rehab bags that I don't want hanging around for months or more. Also, it's so much more fun rehabbing something for myself. Call me cynical, but it's taken years for me to reach this point and I'm not going back.
Vintage Coach Photos & Chat
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Our discussion was a good reminder for me that my bags are not museum pieces. So today I'm carrying my Bonnie Cashin pocket patch tote to Lowe's to pick up some countersink screw bits.
This bag was well loved by someone previously, but it is one of my favorites because it's the bag on her arm in this photo of her. Just looking at the lining always makes me happy, too.
This bag was well loved by someone previously, but it is one of my favorites because it's the bag on her arm in this photo of her. Just looking at the lining always makes me happy, too.
That is quite spectacular! I only have one bag that's new to me pending rehab that's displaced right now and it doesn't really even need more than conditioning really. I do have quite a few in my collection that need re-rehab though. I'm in the middle of a reorganize that has been mostly successful but I need an IKEA Jonaxel and they're out of stock. Very frustrating!
That is indeed very special! Despite having so many bags including pre creed and metal tags, I don't have any from that pic or any with the stripe lining. I have to keep looking! Also never found a pony express or a musette. Not done collecting yet!
Musette is my all-time favorite bag. At one point I was trying to collect all the colors. I have six of them right now and a Swag bag. I also have a Carrier around somewhere.
I had a Pony Express at one time, but I sold it because it was too small and awkward for me. I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't like carrying it as a regular handbag because it was small and too hard to easily open. I find Musette to be a great size, especially when carrying a small laptop or iPad. A Carrier is a good briefcase size.
This is my Musette collection and my Swag bag. The ones in the front row look bigger because of the perspective, but they are all Musettes.
Wow! Thats a great collection! Do you find them on ebay and other online sites?
I have a stupid amount of crescent bags, couriers, city bags, flight bags, bucket bags, stewardesses, station bags and Willises, all in many colors.
Recently I found a large black ergo in my collection I had no idea I had. I literally don't remember buying it. I was like, what is this??? I dont know if i bought it 1 year ago or 5. Dang, I've always wanted an Ergo. I've been using it all week. I do find it a little heavy on my shoulder though.
I have about 50 right now. When I discovered I'd mistakenly bought a few duplicates, I started a simple inventory system on notecards.
Right now I'm having fun collecting, rehabbing, and using them. (After years of carrying the same black Casey, Casino, then Lunchbox daily, I've become one of those women who swaps out her purses regularly!! EEK!) Sooner or later I'll sell most of them, starting with the dups. Pocket Purse, anyone?
Right now I'm having fun collecting, rehabbing, and using them. (After years of carrying the same black Casey, Casino, then Lunchbox daily, I've become one of those women who swaps out her purses regularly!! EEK!) Sooner or later I'll sell most of them, starting with the dups. Pocket Purse, anyone?
I got the first one on Etsy for super cheap from someone who was a rehabber but just didn't have the time to work on it. (The one on the top left.) It was extremely dry. It almost felt like sandpaper, but it rehabbed amazingly well. I think the rest were all eBay finds. I don't think I paid much more than $125 for any of them. They were all from people who didn't know what they had.
A lot of time they get listed under men's briefcases instead of the women's handbag section on eBay, so if you are searching for one, make sure you look under men's briefcases. My eBay searches tend to always default to the women's handbag section, so you have to change it to men's briefcases. I think I got two of them and my Carrier that way.
I used to be one of those people that bought a new bag every year or two and never even considered changing bags. That all changed when I got into vintage and rehabbing. When I used to work in an office, I'd sometimes come home for lunch and change my bag at lunchtime.I have about 50 right now. When I discovered I'd mistakenly bought a few duplicates, I started a simple inventory system on notecards.
Right now I'm having fun collecting, rehabbing, and using them. (After years of carrying the same black Casey, Casino, then Lunchbox daily, I've become one of those women who swaps out her purses regularly!! EEK!) Sooner or later I'll sell most of them, starting with the dups. Pocket Purse, anyone?
My step-mother gives me so much grief about how many bags I have, but she doesn't understand collecting or vintage Coach at all. It's a fun hobby and it is definitely not hurting anyone. It's also a fun community to be apart of.
Beautiful. I just got a black carrier, and it's also in the rehab pile.
@Belicious Here's an example, though I wouldn't pay $300 for this bag. It's poorly listed in the men's section, but it's a Musette.
Since we're sharing search tips, I use google images. Right click on a good image of the bag I'm searching for, "search image with google lens." It pulls up similar images and that's how I found my blue courier and a logan bag for $100. Not every style similar is Coach, but sometimes I find a huge bargain and bags misidentified by the seller who doesn't know what they have. My favorite find using this method: a Lindsey bag. (Love them, I have several.) Seller was calling it a "Tawanny" bag. (the brand on the magnetic snap). I think I got it for $20.
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I am buried in bags also. I have to keep expanding my shelving. Basically use ikea LAC tables and stack them about 4 high on both sides of my bedroom. I have 17 newer coach style bags, 49 vintage coach bags, 26 wallets-card cases, 6 bag charms, 16 miscellaneous and jewellery items. I am a sucker for colours and turnlock bags if I can find them for less than $100. The only vintage bags I am trying to find are olive, htf purple, lavender, white, hunter green, tangerine, bordeaux, kiwi leaf and jade green in my budget. My mom calls me a coachaholic.
If you can still count them you don't have enough!
