Product Review: Coach All Leather Classic Basic Bag

Coach handbags are a favorite for many women, but most of the ones you see in department stores are constructed of fabric with the classic Coach design. My favorite, and the only one I would ever own is the Coach Classic Basic Bag. It is made of glove tanned leather and is available in mahogany or black. The Coach Basic Bag has a 44" adjustable shoulder strap which can be detached, allowing the bag to be carried as a clutch, with a shorter wrist strap attached at one side. The handbag features a zip-top closure to secure all contents. As Coach expanded its line to include water resistant signature fabric styles, the Coach Basic Bag disappeared from stores and can now only be purchased from their website.

Coach also offers several other styles of soft glove tanned leather cowhide bags, but the Classic Basic Bag has a rectangular shape with dimensions of 11 inches x 7 inches x 2-1/4 inches so that it easily sits on a table or counter -- I would never let it touch the floor! The size is ideal for carrying most ladies' necessities without being so big that it becomes cumbersome or overly heavy. Inside, there is an open pocket stitched to one side to make necessities easy to retrieve. The bound leather edges provide a finished look that sets it apart from ordinary leather handbags that can be found in department and discount stores. There is no mistaking a Coach Basic Bag for anything less.

The Coach Basic Bag can be worn hanging from one shoulder, or hung from an opposite shoulder, across the body. The original Coach Basic Bag attached the shoulder strap to the handbag with a sewn leather piece. It has been improved to prevent wear on the leather piece, causing the strap to tear, by adding detachable metal rings for convenience and adding the short strap for women who prefer to carry it as a clutch.