Okay, so no, you don’t have to buy a different bag. But with luxury prices continuing to skyrocket, many of us have been rethinking our shopping habits. I’ve never been a fan of dupe culture (never have been, never will be), but I’ll always champion hunting down a style you love—even if that means finding something similar from another brand.
Coach is having a moment. While some luxury houses struggle with sales, Coach keeps thriving, and I can’t help but notice how many of their current bags echo the shapes and styles of far more expensive counterparts. And to be clear, these aren’t copies. They’re simply well-designed silhouettes from a brand leaning into heritage and cool-factor at just the right time.
Coach Offers Looks for Less
I’ll always advocate for shopping within your means. Too many people swipe their credit card for bags they can’t afford just to “fit in,” and it’s not worth it. There are so many fabulous brands out there. Don’t put that pressure on yourself.
While browsing Coach’s site recently, I noticed that a few of today’s most popular luxury shapes have strikingly similar (and much more attainable) options at Coach. So, if you’re eyeing one of these silhouettes, don’t overlook them. I know I certainly wouldn’t.
Margaux Magic, Coach Edition
The Row made waves with its Margaux. It became the bag, selling out everywhere, then discontinued (though it now oddly shows up in stock again). Either way, its success was built on a minimalist, logo-free design in exquisite materials.
Enter the Coach Empire Carryall. It was nearly impossible to find when it first launched, echoing the same kind of frenzy. Its rounded, bowling-bag-inspired silhouette channels the spirit of the Margaux without copying it. Plus, Coach offers it in multiple colors and even suede.
Alaïa Energy, Coach Price Point
The Alaïa Le Teckle, named after the founder’s Dachshund, has become one of the chicest nods to 90s bag design. Its elongated body and tubular handles strike the perfect balance between sleek and elegant.
Coach’s answer? The smaller Empire Carryall. It carries that same east-west shape and clean structure and works beautifully in its larger and smaller versions.
Saint Laurent Vibes Without the Saint Laurent Price
You already know I’m a tote girl through and through. I reach for them constantly, whether for work, errands, or to carry the random assortment of things that somehow end up with me daily. The Saint Laurent Y Tote stole my heart when it launched, and I wasn’t the only one.
But Coach has its own version with a similar handle drop and open, roomy body. It’s the kind of bag that works: functional, polished, and far friendlier on the budget.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s a bag for everyone. While someone next to you might be carrying an exotic $60,000 handbag, you can just as easily find a beautifully made leather bag under $600 that sparks the same joy.
As someone who has been a Coach girl since my very first bag, I love seeing the brand continue to innovate with timeless, stylish options that can compete with even the priciest luxury designs.
Love the look of the Gramercy tote!!
Right?! I stopped in my virtual tracks when I saw that one!