For the Love of Bags

I was passing by the Coach store in The Gardens Midvalley yesterday and saw the Coach Madeline Tote in the window. Was I excited? Yes, terribly so! I did not expect this new Coach handbag to arrive here in Malaysia so quickly.

On display were the red, green leather and brown canvas with white leather trim. It looks exactly as it does in the pictures. The Madeline Tote is structured, so it would look as good for work as it would on a weekend. It is large and roomy but not so large as to over power a small frame.

I am about 5′ 2″ and on my shoulder, it comes up to my waist and it doesn’t dwarf me - both very good qualities. Also, the shoulder strap is long enough to hang on the shoulder comfortably but it can also be hand held without looking awkward. The top closes with a detachable zip to give you the option of leaving it open or zipped. I like that. However, the zip does not go all the way across the bag, only in the middle section, leaving gaps at the end. I see it more as a preventive measure than for any form of safety of belongings.

There is the usual mobile phone pocket inside and inner zip pocket. The main compartment is large and looks easily accessible. On the outside, are 2 pockets, the one in front secured with a turn lock and one open one on the back. Both bags did not feel over heavy, which is useful, especially if you have a lot of thing to carry, as I do.

I don’t quite see the function of the scarf/ribbon except as an accessory. Personally, I’d take it off because I feel it makes it look too cliched. But then that would just make the Madeline look like a Hamptons Carryall (another bag I was eyeing).

The Coach Madeline Tote retails at Coach stores in Malaysia for RM2025 for the canvas and RM2175 for the leather. I’ve my heart set on the red. Its gorgeous and just right for Chinese New Year and Valentines Day! LOL

Coach has just launched a new design of totes called the Madeline Tote.

I am so taken in with this one! The 3 I picked out are my favourite designs of all available though I’m favouring the green and the red. I love colourful bags and these look awesome.

Looking at the specifications of the tote, what I’m liking is the fact of a zip-top closure. Too many Coach totes don’t have a zip-top closure which bugs me, and that stops me from buying their totes. They might have taken that into account this time. The scarf bow comes as part of the bag (a customization popularized by Coach) and I suppose you could remove it if you don’t like it. I know I would! So, if you do remove it, you get a scarf and a bag in one - not a bad deal!

It currently retails for US$428 (RM1412) but I can only expect it’ll cost more in our stores here when it arrives. I can’t wait to check it out!

When I was last at my regular hairdressers, I was flipping through a magazine and saw a bag from Coach that really caught my fancy. It was the Coach Ergo Leather small hobo. I own 2 Coach leather bags myself (purchased online before Coach came into Malaysia) and I love them both.

I loved the chocolate colour of the bag and I love hobo shaped bags because they slouch beautifully and don’t get out of shape. In fact, this bag looked so similar to one bright yellow Coach one I presently own that I pondered the merit of even wanting it.

So, 2 weeks ago, I popped in to the Coach boutique at The Gardens at Midvalley to check it out in person. This bag costs about RM1060 or so and looks just as lovely in person. I loved the feel of the leather. Coach’s glove tanned leather is wonderfully soft and supple and smooth to the touch. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that for a designer bag, you can’t get a better deal than a Coach for leather. Most other luxury designer leather bags are upwards of RM3,000.

However, upon sighting the Ergo leather bag, I knew that I could not get it simply because it was too small. I carry a lot of junk around in my bag and just fitting my wallet, mobile phone, makeup pouch and keys alone, would take up all the space there is. I am not one for small bags and I would not pay over a thousand ringgit for that. I might consider it at US$198 though! Anyway, it was with great regret that I replaced the Ergo small hobo on the shelf.

And then, my eye fell on the Coach Ergo Leather Tote.

This one retails at RM1750 for both the leather and signature canvas print versions. I am not sure why, but I was absolutely captivated by it. It sat well on my shoulder and was a good size for me to lug my things around both on a week day and on a weekend. I liked the inside lining which is that of a bright striped print satin-feel cloth which was unexpected coming from a somber looking exterior. I loved that contradiction!

However, I balked because the bag has no zip closure. It is open at the top and only closes with a clasp. I am paranoid about bags without any zip closures despite owning one or two. Most of these bags are held close to the body so it isn’t all that bad. I tried to convince myself that the design wasn’t all that pretty. You have to admit that it looks useful and practical but can hardly be called a “pretty bag”. And yet…. there’s something pulling me towards it…

This one comes in leather in 2 colours here - Black and Tobacco (brown) and the signature canvas print comes in black and dark brown. Considering that its only US$328 (RM1,049.60) the price here is pretty steep. Then again, its imported so I guess there’s that too, unless I can get someone to buy it in the USA for me (doubtful). Sigh… still wondering if I should get it…