Few brands have nailed the sweet spot between affordable and luxury in the way Coach has. What started in 1941 as a family-owned and operated leather goods business has evolved into a global fashion powerhouse, and in 2025, there’s no better time to be a fan of the brand.
What’s incredibly exciting about the Coach of today is that it feels reminiscent of the Coach of yesteryear, allowing an entirely new generation of fans to experience the Coach many of us knew and loved in the early aughts.
Like many handbag lovers, the first handbag I ever received was a Coach shoulder bag that my older brother gifted me for Christmas when I was in 7th grade. It’s a memory I hold to tightly, and it was the bag that started it all for me. While I owned Coach wristlets before, it wasn’t until that Coach bag that my love for collecting handbags began.
One bag would go on to start an entire journey, leading me eventually to the career I have today, and all these years later, Coach is a brand that I still love.
As we get closer to Christmas, and the memories of holidays past flood my mind, I can’t help but remember that Christmas, the year my 22-year-old brother (ten years my senior) purchased me my first Coach bag. In the spirit of nostalgia, today I’m unpacking the 3 bags I’d ask for this year if I were getting my first handbag.
Coach Soft Tabby
The Coach Tabby has truly become an icon not only for the brand but also for an entire generation. Helping to single-handedly garner an entirely new subset of consumers, and leading the Coach renaissance, the Tabby line is refreshed season after season in new shapes, sizes, fabrications and colors.
While the design elements of the Tabby feel fresh and modern, at the core, the Tabby pays homage to the Coach brand DNA, helping to bridge the gap between the Coach of then and the Coach of now. I’d opt for the Coach Tabby Soft, which offers the perfect mix of soft slouch and sleek style. Plus, its size can easily transition from day to night, which is ideal for a first bag.
Coach Brooklyn Bag
Of course, the Coach Brooklyn Bag deserves a spot on this list because it is 1000% worth its viral hype. Equal parts fashion and function, it’s perfect for the first-time bag buyer who is looking for an everyday bag, and the 28 size is ideal without being too large or cumbersome.
The silhouette of the Brooklyn is clean and minimalist yet still represents the classic Coach aesthetic. I’d opt for the burgundy, which serves as both a pop of color and a neutral, pairing well with a wide range of colors.
Coach Swinger Bag
For the classic LBB—little black bag—there’s no other answer than the Coach Swinger bag. Launched in 2020, the Coach Swinger bag revives the iconic 2000s silhouette, which started it all for many of us. The Swinger bag is truly the perfect little bag—sitting comfortably over the shoulder, it’s the companion every bag lover needs in their rotation.
While the Swinger feels modern and fresh, upon closer inspection, it seamlessly marries the iconic New York legacy of the Coach brand with contemporary appeal. The new version features the distinctive Coach turnlock and a zip-top closure, plus an added shoulder strap for cross-body wear, allowing you to get the most out of your first bag.
Which would you buy your younger self or the newbie in your life?
The Swinger is a great bag for small carries. It could be great in a slightly larger format as well!
The Brooklyn is a good bag for multiple items plus it is great looking.
I have the vintage coach swinger and I love it!!