I agree with what others have said that it does depend on your social situation and whether you would feel comfortable wearing it or not. I have purchased a few vintage Coach bags in the last couple of years, all made in the USA, because that's when Coach was Coach, in my opinion, and they are just made so much better. Recycling from your own closet should be commendable in our throwaway society these days. If you like the bag and anyone would dare to say anything, I would tell them that you are doing your part to save the planet!
What are the consequences of using older styles?
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I agree with this.Actually, I wholeheartedly disagree with people who claim that others don't have time for analyzing what you might be wearing. I do it every time I go out. I find it quite fun to figure out what handbags I see in the wild!Some people do that with cars, other do that with jewelry or clothing... I do that with handbags.
In any case, to answer your (somewhat strange) question, it really depends on what social circles you belong to and where you live. Do people close to you care about the latest handbag trends? Do you want to be perceived as "on trend"? Do you care what people think about your handbags (clearly the answer is yes from this post)? This bag looks fine but I can't say it's a head turner.
If you don't wear it, sell it or donate it and then buy something that you will wear often!
You asked about the social implications - not the moral or rational implications. So, my comments are in that vein.
If you are around people who know and very much care about bags, then, to most, your bag will seem dated and out of style. The stitching and the shape aren’t “in” right now. So by unfair transference you may seem dated, frumpy, older, etc.
A very few of those who know and care about bags will applaud you for finding a vintage-y Coach because they will know it has great leather / construction, etc. But they will likely still think it’s a little dated even though that won’t limit their appreciation.
A very small portion of the people who love bags will be envious of your bag because it will be something they either can’t afford or can’t find.
The rest of the world (which is likely 90+% of people) won’t notice or care. As long as the bag is well cared for and conditioned and it compliments your overall outfit, they won’t think twice about it. Heck, they won’t think once about it. Some of them will be busy snarking over your hair, height, color, car, life partner, etc.
So, to me, at the end of the day, it comes down to who you hang around and how much you care about what they think. Since you started the thread, I think it’s safe to assume you do care to some extent (which isn’t an odd thing. Most of us on tPF are that way to some small extent or we’d carry our things in brown paper sacks) So then it’s about figuring out your “audience.”
My own two cents. Unless I’m at work, I tend to do what I want to do. That freedom had come from getting my feelings hurt one time to many by (young or grown up) mean girls and finally deciding mean people aren’t who I want to worry about or be socially imprisoned by. Yes, I am conscious about the image I project and manage it to be in alignment with me. But I don’t ever change me anymore. So, I say wear what makes you happy knowing and learning to not care that there is chatter in the background.
When I see an older style out, I usually think, "Wow, that's old... Hmm, I should do that more." I don't know if that's negative or positive necessarily but I wouldn't make any assumptions about their income, taste, etc. simply for carrying an older bag. To me it just says they either REALLY love that one bag and/or are not really into bags and can't be bothered to care. Either way, I'd say I have a little respect because I don't love the "fast fashion" aspect of society or myself these days.
That being said, for myself I hate wearing visibly older styles and it does make me a bit self-conscious. That's why I've learned to stop buying "it" bags or easily dated styles and go for only timeless designs (eg Chanel med flap, LV Speedy/Alma/Neverfull, many H bags, etc), even though they may not make my heart sing as intensely as an "it" item in the moment. That has worked out for me in the long term.
That being said, for myself I hate wearing visibly older styles and it does make me a bit self-conscious. That's why I've learned to stop buying "it" bags or easily dated styles and go for only timeless designs (eg Chanel med flap, LV Speedy/Alma/Neverfull, many H bags, etc), even though they may not make my heart sing as intensely as an "it" item in the moment. That has worked out for me in the long term.
I took my Large Chloe Bay 3 times to work in the last fortnight (12 years old? Anyone remember?) and went Christmas shopping with a 8 y o Gucci Bamboo Top-handle. I purposely dug out my Bay (use it or lose it) and I really enjoyed carrying it again. The Chloe Bay is lamb and looks like a 1970s bag anyway which fitted the look I was going for, it's heavy but so well organised. The Gucci BTH is just a joy to carry and I don't have to worry about the handle.
In a season that Dior broght the Saddle back from the archives and everyone has a version of a back-pack again there's a whiff of nostalgia in the air anyway so we're both in good company. The way I see it, If others can't recognise a certain bag there's no issue, and if they can, they've reached iconic status.
Bags are so diverse atm I doubt most know what's what, and besides I'd rather have a great bag from a decade ago than some cheap generic designer-copy from the high street that may look old in a season, we should celebrate our originals.
In a season that Dior broght the Saddle back from the archives and everyone has a version of a back-pack again there's a whiff of nostalgia in the air anyway so we're both in good company. The way I see it, If others can't recognise a certain bag there's no issue, and if they can, they've reached iconic status.
Bags are so diverse atm I doubt most know what's what, and besides I'd rather have a great bag from a decade ago than some cheap generic designer-copy from the high street that may look old in a season, we should celebrate our originals.
Thanks for the chat back... I will say that the responses here do confirm that some people can identify bags by age more than others.. but would a modern day version of that hobo do anymore for styling than this bag does for itself? The answer is probably not..
It's amazing you can even find these unused anymore.. but I agree in terms of Coach.. this bag shows solid craftsman and reflects upon the better times of Coach's brand reputation.. now I might go look for a brown one
It's amazing you can even find these unused anymore.. but I agree in terms of Coach.. this bag shows solid craftsman and reflects upon the better times of Coach's brand reputation.. now I might go look for a brown one
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I was reminded the other day of when Botkier was good and the Trigger I never got. I'd still consider buying an old school Trigger - not the newer ones with the much lower quality leather - an old one in excellent condition. To me, that bag is pretty classic looking - maybe not as much as Chanel flap but plain enough not to look dated.
Just want to add as an aside that I have read comments on the forum saying that the Louis Vuitton Speedy is only for older women, LOL. And I'm like, wait, what? I am older, but even if it makes me look more so, I don't care, LOL.
Some of my most coveted bags are no longer in production. 
IMHO you should wear what you like. If people judge you, that’s on them.
If you truly worry about what others think, then you also have your answer.
The bag looks beautiful though and I wish you all the best with your decision.
IMHO you should wear what you like. If people judge you, that’s on them. If you truly worry about what others think, then you also have your answer.
The bag looks beautiful though and I wish you all the best with your decision.
The only problem with speedy, never, etc, is that everyone has them.. I try to stay within the boundaries of designer to premium designer rather than luxury designer because to me the price points just don't add up..
I get the quality factor and brand reputation but you can probably buy between three and five bags that have good quality designs for the price of those above.. and maybe even more if you look to older collections..
I would rather have a bag with vintage baseball like leather before an lv but that's just my preference.. Coach 1941 was recommended to me in another thread which I'm aware of but never owned one..
You are right that the luxury brands are not always worth the cost. My point here was about people's perception of some bags being dated that others would consider classic. I think your Coach is definitely a classic bag. I have always loved the Speedy so it is worth it to me. But you can certainly find the same quality and durability in less expensive bags. The Coach 1941 collection is a move in the right direction, and some of the bags are beautiful, but I prefer my vintage Coach if I can find them in good condition at a fraction of the price.
None whatsoever imo.. I started my 'çollection' around 10 years ago and always gravitated towards leather bags that are nondescript and inoffensive in style and they have served me well over the years..my oldest bag is almost 9 years old and has long since discontinued but I still regularly carry the bag in my current rotation..carry yours with pride i say..
I started my 'çollection' around 10 years ago and always gravitated towards leather bags that are nondescript and inoffensive in style and they have served me well over the years..my oldest bag is almost 9 years old and has long since discontinued but I still regularly carry the bag in my current rotation..carry yours with pride i say..
I agree with this.
they won’t think twice about it. Heck, they won’t think once about it. Some of them will be busy snarking over your hair, height, color, car, life partner, etc.
this legit made me laugh. so true... so true...
My 2 oldest bags are 30 years old and about 28 years old. I still like them, and I don't use them often but I do use them.None whatsoever imo..
I hate to say, if your social circle judges your bags, you are in the wrong circle! Sorry, of course I may be misunderstanding and you are referring to strangers and 'acquaintances", and I apologize if misinterpreting
Too funny. These days I don't wear my Speedy much because I'm scared it looks too YOUNG (as it's typically an LV starter piece)! Maybe that's a sign it really is timeless.
I usually see women in their 20's carry the bag or women in their 50's+. The ones in their 50's tend to carry really old, well-loved mono ones which I think looks very chic.