For the Love of Bags

Coach’s Ergo is probably one of the most classic of Coach’s designs. Now, Coach has come up with a NEW Ergo design. They are now on Coach’s site but will be only going on sale on Friday.

Here are some designs.

So, what do you think?

I had the opportunity to play with the Cole Haan Genevieve collection recently. They had the Triangle Tote on the left and the Hobo on the right.

The weave is really interesting because it is woven into a 3D effect - thicker strips on the outside getting thinner as it approaches the middle. It is very well done and it looks like a woven basket. The color I saw was Marigold (as per the Hobo) which is a bright yellow and very Spring 2008.

Although I loved the shape of the Small Triangle, I decided not to get it in the end, because it does not have a zip closure. It closes with a lobster clasp and tends to gape at the top. You’d have to hold it very close to your body to keep your items safe and I felt that defeated the purpose of carrying a handbag.

The Hobo is nice but quite conventional and quite large. The weave makes it an interesting bag but otherwise it is quite normal. The leather weave felt a bit stiff, but I’d expect that it’ll soften with use.

Nice bags. Too bad I could not find a use for either. Next!

Ah! In my search for a Bottega Veneta woven bag lookalike, I came across the Cole Haan Genevieve Collection.

I like the leather on Cole Haan bags. They are of excellent quality and very soft and supple. Very nice for an everyday bag that will take some abuse.

I’m partial towards the Genevieve Small Triangle Tote (First in the picture) (US$395). Its got a nice shape and size. I can only imagine one problem with it - there is no zip. True, there is a clasp, but still, I’m wary about bags without zips.

For a zippered bag, the Genevieve Hobo (2nd in picture)(US$425) would be a better choice. It reminds me a little of the Coach Ergo Hobo though.

I guess I’ll have to check out Cole Haan’s stores here in Malaysia and see how the Genevieve Collection feels. But from previous experience with Cole Haan, prices here are marked up quite high compared to the US prices - pity really. I think they are pretty under-rated and definitely worth a look.