by Emese Tuza

Created on: March 16, 2009

Coach - so instantly recognizable and coveted by many has lost its luster for me lately. After some soul searching on this topic, I eventually voted for the "disagree" side.

I have been a fan of Coach, its purses, scarves, accessories, gloves, even coats, for over 20 years. As a fresh immigrant to this country, I was given my first Coach purse by a wonderful well-established immigrant. I received the purse from her and it was immediate love - I adored its rich leather, its color, the elegant brass closure, and the fact that it had a registration number, making it unique and exclusive. Over the years, I was able to afford many beautiful pieces of my own, ever adding to my collection and excitedly looking forward to every new season to see what new styles and fabrics it may bring.

Then about five years ago, Coach and I "broke up". I had a few bad experiences with repairs, formerly unheard of shoddy construction and other quality issues. I was also not excited about the unpleasant experience of seeing my purses copied and cheaply imitated all over the place. Though it is often said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, I would never personally carry a purse that is fake. I see the fakes everywhere, and they are not even well-made fakes, merely uglies. As a woman in my 40's, I am not likely to be drawn to the same handbags as teenage girls, and yet that seems to be happening. Coach, my friends, have become a teenage fad.

In addition to fakies and fads, I am not crazy about the new wild patterns and colors Coach comes out with every season. I am accustomed to paying high prices for a good quality leather purse, but I refuse to pay several hundred dollars for a handbag made of fabric or straw. The whites get dirty incredibly fast and the darker colors get unattractive shine and wear in the fabric. The straw ones are ridiculously expensive for something that can only be carried between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

I still carry the old faithful purses I already own, and I smile at my reflection when I leave the house in my Coach combat gear. No less than 10-15 pieces of Coach are carried by me at all times, including my key chain lovies, my makeup bag, business card holder, wallet, company badge holder, scarf, sunglasses, and so on. You cannot call me someone who didn't at least try to love Coach, but our relationship is of the past. I have moved on, but as you always remember your first love, you also will always remember the first expensive purse you fell in love with.

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