Luxury is more than just pricing. Most of the population consider these brands (Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach) to be luxury because, let’s face it, spending $500+ for a handbag is expensive and a splurge. Customer service also plays a part as well. I own everything from Chanel to cheapie Amazon bags. The best customer service I’ve ever gotten was at Coach and Tory Burch.
This is a really interesting topic. A couple years ago there was a drama on TikTok in Singapore where a girl excitedly showed her first luxury bag from the brand called “Charl & Keith”. People spammed her clip saying it’s not a luxury brand (edit: apparently cheaper than Coach). She responded by saying it’s the best her father can get for her with his minimum-wage job and they are very proud of it. It’s her “luxury”. The brand describes itself as a luxury brand on their website so she got a ton of support after it went viral.
Correction: Charles and Keith is way cheaper than coach, saying this purely for the intention of giving more context to people who read your comment and not being misleaded. Coach uses real leather and most of Charles and Keith bags are made from POLYURETHANE aka plastic. The price points are around $100 per bag and coach is ~$400 per bag.
@@XPoPoRocksX Yes ! C&K quality is nothing compared to coach ! C&K backpack's straps are way too thin compared to coach's thick cushioned ones, and my mom once bought a C&K flats that didn't last a day.
Charles and Keith made her into their ambassador. People should not be prideful towards others. I just don't like real leather's industry. Like how animals suffer for the sake of leather. There are vegan leather: cactus, pineapple leather, etc.
I’ve got into Coach recently. Their leather quality is insanely good for their prices. I’m embarrassed to admit I bought (both new and pre-loved) 4 Coach bags in the last 2 months, but I think I now have bags for every occasion and it was
@@katr7969 I just love how I have both easy carryalls and my “night out” bags in great colours and of great quality all from the same brand. They’ve been killing it recently.
In the past 18 months I have accumulated 7 Three boutique, three vintage and one outlet purse ( quality in outlet is not the same). After swearing them off a decade ago. Coach has stepped it up.
I own several Coach bags! One of my recent purchases was a vintage Patricia messenger bag with the most beautiful aged butter feeling leather I’ve ever encountered! Definitely one of my favorites! ❤
I think the conceit that many of these brands have sold people, is the idea that luxury can only be luxury if it is expensive. It's why so-called luxury brands can continue to raise their prices by thousands of dollars and still get people to buy their items. And as we have seen with many of those same brands over the years, luxury prices are no longer assuring you of luxury quality goods. Coach, for example, is a fantastic brand with great quality. But they, I think, understand that you can produce and sell quality items without needing to charge people their annual salary to buy a bag. So they don't. They simply sell a quality item for a reasonable price. And as a result their items are flying out of the stores. I've yet to hear about Coach destroying old stock, which is something I hear the luxury brands doing quite often.
Not only that but they will repair and refurbish their older bags instead of discarding it. Shows respect for the product, the customer and the planet.
Ugh. Yes and no. Coach also sells a ton of super simplified made for outlet trashy goods and plastic sweaters that people buy. But for leather items I agree. It is waaay above LV in terms of durability. Especially leather goods (non-canvas).
There's also an element of exclusivity about so-called luxury items, they're hard to get hold of so they become sought after. Although I do think social media has made some of them feel less exclusive, especially when all the influencers have the new it bag, but in reality, you just don't see them IRL!
It’s also about the origin. French brands are always considered the most luxurious, and then come Italian Brands, maybe after British brands… American brands are harder to reach a luxury status.
I personally am a Coach girl from way back. I never really understood all of the hype with Michael Kors. I was never impressed but that’s just me. I also love Kate Spade.
I also love Coach and have two vintage bags from the 90s that are still in great shape. I recently bought a Tabby and am very happy with it. My other favorite brand is Dooney &Bourk, and wonder why it is seldom mentioned.
Oof. Personally not into Coach, love Kate Spade, and I've walked into Michael Kors a few times, liked some of the bags that I saw but was just never interested in purchasing any of them. 🤔 But I also do not like the look of the brand's logo being plastered all over their bags.
Yeh agreed, I think a lot of influencers would suddenly say Micheal Kors is luxury if they trebled their prices tomorrow and made no changes to the quality.
Totally agree with you Sophie ! I’ve stopped buying high end luxury because of the crazy pricing. Love Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Coach and Kenzo. They are contemporary, chic, fashionable and no need to break the bank !
My Coach Ruby Satchel 25 has better construction than the LV Speedy bags I've seen and it's real leather and not canvas. Also, Coach Rogue 25 and Coach Ruby Satchel are some of my best purchases. I'm a Coach girl through and through. Ill never spend over $1000 for a bag so these are luxury to me.
I love the Ruby Satchel , it’s a gorgeous timeless bag and the leather is gorgeous. A coated canvas bag for thousands of dollars is insane and overpriced !
Coach and Kate Spade are definitely mid-tier, and that's exactly what I want. I want a well-made, tasteful, functional bag that's not covered in logos, so I lean towards Coach and Kate Spade, although, in the last few years, KS has been a bit "young" for me. I definitely prefer KS bags from the early 2000s when the brand was newer and more special. That's when Kate Spade herself was involved. Right now, I'm working on getting the nerve up to pull the trigger on a gorgeous Coach Rae tote and have discovered Louis Vuitton's Neverfull totes, which I'm stalking on ebay (solid leather, no logo at all). Just discovered Mulberry and like what I see!
@@Afrinaturality I'm talking about *perceived* exclusivity not *actual* exclusivity. Before these big conglomerates like LVMH and Kering took over, you had luxury fashion houses that actually offered handcrafted, quality items that were not mass produced that had a dedicated clientele and very few people in mainstream society were even aware of their existence. These days, goods at a lot of these now well-known houses are mass produced and most of them sell trinkets and other relatively inexpensive items that the average person can buy. They're really not exclusive at all anymore. For the most part, anyone can enter one of these stores/hop online and plop down money to buy whatever item they want. It's all perception at this point.
Hi Sophie! I just had a luxury marketing class and the reason Coach remains affordable is because it’s founder’s mission statement was to give people access to high quality goods at affordable prices. I will say that it’s prices have definitely gone up and a card holder that used to be SGD85 is now SGD125 and some bags are more than SGD1000 now!
Tory Burch is a wonderful brand that goes a little unsung and deserves more praise. My favourite of all high end brands is Yves Saint Laurent and Versace, I love the founder's aesthetic and even a lot of this brand's contemporary clothes and bags. His store on Sloane Street has some wonderful sales associates.
Honestly, I prefer St. Laurent to LV. I stopped considering LV after two returns of poor quality pouchette metis’ so I wasn’t going to order a third time. I also had an LV bag shipped in a box way too large and it was slammed around during shipment and the keys disappeared and the strap had a pressure curve. I was able to fix the strap and pick up the keys so I kept that bag. I won’t roll the dice on LV anymore.
I always say Coach said they WILL NOT be left behind! They fell off for a second but there comeback was the strongest ever!! The quality + price can’t be beat! I still have my very 1st Coach bag I got from Macy’s and it’s still gorgeous! I say they are def up there with the norm “luxury”. I mean The Rogue bag itself! Sheeeshhhh!!!
I think asking a rich person this question is ridiculous. Ask a woman that shops from Walmart if Michael Kors is luxury. Of course it is. Ask a woman that cares about quality and coach will be luxury. Rich people don’t understand from normal peoples point of view. Luxury is anything different from the norm for the individual and it comes in many levels.
My mom is wealthy and she believes paying more than $300 for a bag is dumb. Heck, my dad (who also is wealthy) only shops for clothes on discount and will go to a tailor if he has to.
@@Tqtvjustice That’s how I do it with my clothes. I could spend $150 on a nice T-shirt OR I can go to the clearance rack or outlet, find something for $20 that fits on the shoulders, and pay $20 to the tailor to fit it to my body, and bam! Now everybody thinks I have expensive clothes but I really don’t, lol!
@@Tqtvjustice Exactly. I know it might be seen as ‘feminine’ (I’m a guy) to get regular waxing, facials, pedicures, etc., but I’m in my mid-thirties and I am not a very attractive dude, so ‘looking good’ requires a lot of effort on my end. I also work-out every day for an hour. These little things add up! :-)
I have a bag from Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors, and some SLGs from Coach and KS, and I have to admit I'm happy with all of it! The Coach and MK bags are already 10+ years old and they're still in top notch quality. For my country's standards (El Salvador), these brands and some others in the same level you mentioned (Ralph Lauren, DVF) would be considered luxury, since the minimum salary is $360 USD. And very, very few can afford Chanel, Prada, Dior, etc.
I have to say, that coach has consistently produced bags that I think, are just as high quality as luxury brands. I have a thirty year old coach in my collection right now, that is still in rotation. I tend to impulse purchase contemporary bags for occasional use, Kate spade and Michael Kors seem to be trendy and cute. Not bags I’ll keep for thirty years.
I have a polene, a coach and an Aspinal bag and the Aspinall is by far the best quality (the other two are also fantastic). I see luxury as a quality thing not a price thing.
I look at how well the bag is constructed. The materials, hardware, the strap. For me, sometimes it’s the strap that is too thin or weak-looking but the bag itself is really nice. Or the bag and strap are nice but the hardware… not so good. The brands you mentioned, you’re still going to plunk down upwards of $300,$500,$800, or more. It should hold up. It should look good. Buy quality not luxury because luxury does not always mean quality.
I feel as if Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade ruined their luxury status since they positioned themselves in the outlet market. All three of these brands sell sub-par bags at the outlets (especially in North America). The bags that you buy at the outlets do not have the same quality or leather as those in the main stores. This has 'cheapened' the brands in my eyes. It also made them so accessible that every woman has one of these three, which takes away the exclusivity of them.
😝 Coach, MK, and KS were never considered luxury brands. They were/are dependable mid tier brands. I would consider Coach a dependable classic 🇺🇸 brand.
I was recently in Tokyo and Coach is really big there. They also produce special editions for the Japanese market that are much cuter than for the Western market (with floral motifs) . RL is deceptive as they have so many lines. They can be very affordable at the RLL line but they Polo Ralph Lauren can be close to Fendi prices.
I think it’s fair to say MK, Coach, Kate Spade are designer brands not luxury. Luxury denotes high price but not necessarily quality as you’ve shown us in the past with Chanel for example.
You should look at Dooney & Bourke. It's not widely known outside the U.S. A lot of their styles are kind of old fashioned, but their florentine leather collection has some more contemporary styles and the quality is very good.
@darlahays2471 wait it's 9 of them. Most of my purse collection is d and b and it's my little secret. I'm obsessed with them. Once everyone else finds out about them they'll be un affordable 😢
I don’t see luxury as a price I see it more as a feeling. My Coach and Rebecca Minkoff bags make me feel good and sexy and that’s really all that matters!
I buy Coach and Ralph Lauren for their excellent quality, reasonable price and simple style that won't date, also I don't have to disguise them in anyway just in case I was to get mugged for a Chanel etc. With the likes of Chanel its very rare if you get a good quality one and that it lasts with use - your paying vast money for a name only, they're not luxury anymore, I can't be bothered, I'd rather get better quality bags.
I carry everything from Hermes to Madewell. Some of my favorite bags cost $100-$300. I buy bags because I like them and if they’re thousands or only a couple of hundred, what should matter is quality and how YOU want to wear them. You can make a $100 well made leather no-name bag look high end if it’s carried right and if you’re dressed sharply. Just my 2 cents.
Your mom and me need to become besties haha. I love coach and Ralph Lauren. Two of my favorite brands. I love the ready to wear from RL and the gloved-tanned leather from Coach. They are durable. Beautiful. They last. They can take a beating and still look wonderful!
I would call these brands designer but not luxury. Frankly, I would rather have a Coach or Kate Spade bag and then invest the money on a financial product like precious metals or treasury bonds. Handbags are not investments.
You don’t consider these brands luxury because your not paying thousands for an over priced bag that isn’t even worth it. All you’re paying for is a name that isn’t even worth it and the quality isn’t much better.
If it’s over $100 retail it’s “Luxury” imo. It can do the same thing as a potato sack. As long as you like the bag you’re wearing, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I love Kate Spade because the way they have the internal pockets and their $400 price point is about where my mental limit is for spending on a handbag. Good video.
Hi Sophie, I absolutely loved this video - you explained everything so well. Thank you so much for answering this question. As for these mid-tier brands, Kate Spade and Furla are definitely my favourites. I think Furla is a quite underrated - their quality is superb. You look fabulous as always Sophie. ❤️
I’d say most of these are sort of contemporary brands or diffusion brands. You also need to remember Michael Khors and Ralph Lauren have higher more expensive RTW lines too, even CK does (I found out from the cut scenes of devil wears Prada lol)
Yes, thank you! I just posted a comment about it, and I saw your comment 😮 I think most people -- myself included -- aren't aware of it. It also comes down to bad marketing for at least Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren 😅
I cant afford anything more than Coach and i am very grateful because there are people who cant even afford that may be one day i could buy a Lady Dior or Luis vuitton or ysl but for now i love Coach
I have a mix in my collection from designer to contemporary. I will say i am impressed with my strathberry bags. Good price point above contemporary but not to the level of designer luxury and superb quality. Designed in Scotland made in Spain. Goods made in Spain are top notch!
Coach is a great brand! I have two Coach bags, and they're both beautifully made from quality materials. My only problem with the brand is i dont like most of their designs! 🤭 Have a great weekend, Sophie. 💕 xx
Some of these brands are really good, I use a Coach tote as a work bag and it’s held up great. I also got some jeans from Ralph Loren last month, they had them shortened (nice job ) and sent out to me in 5 days. All free of charge
These brands have an accessible range for the main stream but they also have a luxury section that is unattainable such as Ralph Lauren you find it at macys but the luxury Ralph Lauren store is extremely expensive with tshirts costing 500$ and a $1000 legging
Ralph Lauren has no design aesthetic of his own though, it's appropriating WASP fashions. He, himself, has zero sense of style. There is nothing original.
Coach quality surpassing some of the major fashion house leather, even vintage coach sistaon itself throughout time thats great quality. Yes its affordable but according to whom? Also Ralph lauren yes easily accessible but can be procey as well. Some Chanel leather is low quality but youre buying the name. Whatever to each its own
I feel like there are different tiers of quality within brands such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors which I believe is a great strategy for them. They have their lower cost tier that a good majority of people can afford and then they have their luxury tier where you will see their red carpet attire and high society wearing their brands, but it’s not affordable to the majority of people. I like those brands because of this. I agree about MK ready to wear I just wish they wouldn’t put MK on EVERYTHING…I’m not a logo person, though
The line you are referring to is the "MICHAEL Michael Kors" items. There is a higher-end line called "Michael Kors Collection" which is made in Italy, but I seldom see influencers (at least not any that I typically follow) discuss the clothing or bags. I know a few women in NYC where I reside who have Michael Kors Collection bags and apparel, and I've seen some product. It's well-made.
Always love your comments Sophie, cause you are very assertive and not here to trash other brands just cause they're not "Chanel". I own a couple of LV, Chloè, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, all different price points, but all of them of nice quality. Got my last KS from the last sale, 150 pounds for a full lather medium cross-body bag, lovely leather, very happy with the quality :)
I have a collection of like new vintage Coach bags and the leather on them is amazing-better quality then most brands out there today. Their glove tanned leather is also nice but does not compare to the vintage. I think you are spot on for most of what you said today. The only thing I might add is for me higher price should always be associated with better quality otherwise why buy. Thanks for another great video!
I was iffy with Coach for a while. "Miss Shopslot" casually mentioned she throws her fabric logo finished ones in the wash. I picked up one in thrift store. It was so dirty! I pulled the lining outwardly, spayed it all with dish soap and tossed it in the wash! It came out like new! Even the leather trim was fine. I was converted. Now I focus on the leather goods but the quality and design is out standing.
Its all very subjective. To someone with little money who has saved up £250 and bought the bag of their dreams, then yes to them this is luxury, to someone with a bit more to spend who buys a Mulberry then this is luxury. However lovely the Chanels, Diors and Hermes are at the end of the day the corners may well scuff, the leather may get scratched, £2k plus wont stop that. I agree Coach is amazing and the new quilted bag they have is a wonderful buy instead of the Gucci which it looks similar too.
There’s something different about you in the last few videos. I don’t really wanna get into the details but you’re a natural beauty. Everything about you is stunning. You do not need to do anything unnatural, it’s not beneficial for you in anyway, you are literally a natural beauty you don’t need anything. Love you to pieces.
I am a luxury lover but I would put my coach bags in the luxury category and I would not put Gucci in there. In my experience Gucci has been so cheaply made, I’ve had so many items of theirs fall apart. I don’t buy them anymore whatsoever, but for more than just that sole reason. When it comes to longevity, Coach lasts so long just like Hermes. I have a birkin, I also have coach bags that I’ve had since I was 9 and are in perfect condition!
To me luxury is anything I have saved to buy because I like the style and the quality. Cost per wear is also important. I do not want to have a bag I don't use. I love my coach and MK bags. From MK I don't like the monogram stuff. I have a tote, some crossbody bags and a satchel. All look brand new, although some are more than 7 years old. I use them, look after them and there is no scratch, no loss of shape. So to me, this is luxury. I agree that MK have great shoes as well. I love their boots and ballerinas.
YES! YES WE CAN. The crap so many call luxury is just that. Crap! The quality of bags are declining, not to mention the clothes. At this point the only thing that is worth spending on is shoes and travel!😒
As the owner of a few MK bags, the answer is no, they are not even remotely luxury brands. lol I'm happy with them, they were what I wanted, they are not "replacement bags" for anything else. Still not luxury (high or low end). Designer bags, yes. Luxury bags, no.
I just bought a Huge Michael Kors Full Leather Tote bag that is reversible from Neiman Marcus.. It's fabulous. I personally like Michael Kors more than Kate Spade. Plus.. When I think of Kate Spade.. it's just sad because she offed Herself... BLAH... No bueno. Perhaps it's just Me but that has tainted that brand for me personally.
I think a lot of these brands are "premium" and not luxury. IMO, I think premium brands are the sweet spot. Premium brands occur at the axis of quality:price before the line drops substantially. You can find still find low-value items at premium shops, sure, but if you use your discernment, you get great value. I'm sure luxury ready-to-wear is great, but is it greater by a factor of ten than a premium items, to justify the price difference? Unless you just want the brand (which is totally fine) it doesn't make sense. Like the coach example, you can get amazing quality items for $$$ where the actual physical quality of the item is the same, if not better, than the $$$$ alternative. I stick with premium.
I love Coach, and I love how you champion the quality of the brand. Their vintage stuff is just about bullet proof. However, I do think that there is a big difference between the quality of retail Coach and outlet Coach. I have had outlet bag straps shred on me after a week and I've had the best experience with the retail stuff holding up. I don't like to gamble with the outlet stuff anymore.
Coach was the OG luxury their leather is impeccable it patinas so beautifully they offer amazing quality leather, flawless craftsmanship and hella affordable.. just cause they only charge what it’s worth and they don’t make up some random shock number to create some false sense of exclusivity doesn’t mean they aren’t luxury. So luxury means you just pay way more than it’s worth?
I recognize that for some folks, differentiating feels natural. I, myself, just like what I like and that’s what I buy! I own Chanel, Dior, Fendi, LV, Gucci, Prada, etc. to Strathberry, DeMellier, Polene, Staud etc. to Kate Spade, Coach, Longchamp, Dooney & Bourke etc. to a $30 no-name glitter bag that I got for a great deal at a clearance shop (example). I totally agree with your philosophy - if you like it, buy it! ❤
I absolutely love Aspinal of London and Coach. Amazing quality. The leather of my Aspinal of London Large Lottie bag is so much better than a Chanel bag that i saw recently.
I’m a Massive Kate Spade fan (and Ted Baker) for me it really is luxury. I could never afford a YSL, Louis Vuitton bag etc. so they are my treat myself.
Same with me Sophie! I love MK ready-to-wear and footwear. I have several pairs of sandals and sneakers. Only a couple of bags though. I’m a total Coach girl.
Heard some people say that “Coach is the brand for shallow wannabes”. Like, “never date a girl with a Coach bag, unless you drive a Mercedes A-series, which makes you a perfect match for her”. And I would say that it’s the people who say it are shallow. Coach is a good brand for everyday life, where you may not necessarily want to show off. Just as my BOSS tote bag that I wear to work almost every day to carry my laptop. But somehow BOSS is OK in the minds of these people, but Coach is not. I just don’t get it. Some people assign too much hidden meaning to the logos!
I have loved Coach since I purchased my first ever handbag with my own money at 15. I think one downside with these brands is that the second they have outlets or defusion lines that's when people start to assume they aren't as luxury or of quality. But if you took a Coach quality leather bag and stamped it with a Louis Vuitton logo, you best believe people would buy it at 1000s of dollars. I also think the older the brand is, people automatically assume the heritage is what gives the item it's quality and 'luxury'.
I agree, Saint Laurent did a good job of pivoting to higher class of luxury by opting out of coupons. I enjoy their bags and accessories, they’re still not too overpriced. I agree I think Michael Kors ready to wear is more high end than their bags- the bags are too saturated on the market. So like other comments suggested, the “luxury” is a balance between heritage, price, quality, and exclusivity
Luxury doesn’t necessarily mean good quality. We are all aware of the luxury brand quality issues that have been talked about recently. I have many bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Furla which are full leather not canvas. Cost far less than many so called luxury brands and are far better quality. If a garbage bag is sold at a cost of $5,000 does that make it luxury just because of the price?
I agree with the tiers. I been telling people tat if u see them in Ross Dress for Less, they are not “luxury brand” and does not worth the full price on the tag. And look where those brands ranked on that chart 🫤 Now, not being categorised as a luxury brand doesnt means they are not expensive or got bad material/craftsmanship. simply the brand image isnot there with Hermes or Chanel tats all
Luxury has levels. Often tied to money but it can also be a small getaway to a spa (depending who you are). But if you are very rich, does luxury even exist? What is it but the worth you give it?
Those brands I see as expensive but not luxury. I would use my Michael Kors, Kate Spade etc bags daily to work and they got worn down. I wouldn't do that with my lady dior. I see it as the price. Under $100 for a bag, I always do it, $200 - 500 is coach, michael kors its nice but it's not Dior or Valentino etc.
I'm American, through and through, and I do not feel that Michael Kors or Coach are "Luxury," they are designers, yes, but definitely not luxury. Also there are two tiers of Michael Kors. There's MK, and there's Michael Kors. MK is the cheaper alternative. And I agree that Michael Kors ready to wear is excellent. Coach quality is fantastic, they have very nice leather.
For my own collection, I consider Chanel & LV the top, then Fendi, then Gucci, bottega, YSL, & Valextra, then Jimmy Choo, then contemporary brands ( yuzefi, danse Lenten, dries van noten, aspinal of london longchamp,etc.) I think it depends on the person and their collection. I just organized my collection, and by far, Chanel and Fendi dominate 🤷🏼♀️.
Thanks for sharing Sophie and Happy Saturday everyone. I totally agree with you. I personally am into Coach but also love YSL. Love Ralph Lauren too. I am interested in Fendi and Dior. But I am more likely to get Aspinal of London and Mulberry. Best wishes.
I looked at the Michael Kors bags and I thought that the leather and the hardware looked cheap. However, I know that Michael Kors has a really loyal following. For me, Kate Spade and Coach are not luxury but are good enough and are good quality. Longchamp and Furla also have loyal followings.
I agree on Coach, especially in the states, the brand doesn’t have the respect it deserves. I would rank them higher than Coach. I like Coach for taking to stadiums, outdoors, places where it may need to be placed on the ground. It’s under appreciated and can take a beating. Their leather is very high quality but the designs seem like they’ve not been updated in a long time. My Coach Cassie has been used roughly for years and still looks new. Sadly, I’m turning to lower priced brands when out in public for safety reasons and my favorite luxury bags are only used if im staying in the suburbs.
Ive been taking my Coach bag to football matches for years and it still looks new. Its perfect for the job. I save my other bags, mostly Chloe, YSL and LV for other occassions.
Great topic, Sophie. Seems like people are taking it personally 🤷🏽♀️ Luxury” isn’t exclusive to clothing brands. Is Mercedes a luxury car brand? Is a business class seat? Maybe for some. BTW, MK Collection is not the same stuff they sell at Macy’s. Luxury can be class, not always quality, but availability and resource. Restaurants, vacations, box seats, and homes . It’s not personal, it’s perspective.
Old Coach is excellent. Ralph Lauren clothing is excellent and has several line under the brand. It’s the same with purses. There are some for $200 and others for $20000. Ralph is an Old Money brand. Coincidence that all these are American Brands?
The only problem I continually have with Coach bags are the Detachable straps. Well, and the dog chain as well. On the Jes Crossbody, Cassie 19, Mini Darcie & Shay Crossbody .... every single one of them had the strap come off while I was wearing it multiple times. Just out of no where. I'm a gal who loves high street - I recommend to people Dooney & Bourke, MK & Kate Spade now. I would probably recommend a Coach Tote because they are well made and beautiful bags - I just consistently have problems with their strap clasps. But I do agree with this video too and agree for people to just buy what they like and what they'll use ❤
I have 4 Michael Kors handbags not the “MK” version it’s funny now that I’ve heard they are not “in” any more, I’ve started wearing them. Same thing happened with coach and I wore it without a care. I tend to go for classic styles that mimic a high end look because I rather not spend on high ends items.
When talking about luxury, I find myself also considering the purchase experience. How attentive to detail is the SA? Do they keep you abreast of items you may be interested in that fit your personal style goals? etc. This criteria elevates Coach over my Kate Spade and Ted Baker experiences.
I agree with your thoughts. There's luxury from a personal perspective, where anything you like, enjoy, etc. is luxury, and there is luxury from the reality of the market. It's not merely price point and quality, but design, marketing and heritage. (Note: I use "marketing" as a catch-all term for advertising; presentation in-store and online; brevity of sales locations; and customer service.) Ralph Lauren clothing is well-designed, particularly their RTW, and marketed as such. IMO, the confusion about whether or not they're luxury stems from their diffusion lines. Michael Kors sells accessories that are largely "dupes" of higher end brands' products. His clothing is great, but his bags and watches would be considered knock offs if they had a name like "Steve Madden" on it instead. Kate Spade and Coach aren't trying to be aspirational, IMO. They sell quality items that are cute but do not posture themselves as anything luxurious. Like you said with YSL, Kate Spade and Coach push discount codes. I regularly receive emails from both brands advertising discounts. Kate Spade seems to always have a sale going, based on my Instagram ads. Love the video, Sophie! Your editorial content is always fun and thoughtful
I absolutely love Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and Aspinall! Excellent quality and durability of their products. Also, nice discreet branding/logos. The so-called high end brands are actually marketed at less well-off people who want to look rich and fashionable to other people.
Thank you Sophie, I like that term contemporary luxury, because many of these do have excellent quality and history. Another two you may want to look at are Dooney and Bourke and another company Brahmin. Both US. Excellent quality and price. These bags will last forever. 🙏
Luxury is more than just pricing. Most of the population consider these brands (Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach) to be luxury because, let’s face it, spending $500+ for a handbag is expensive and a splurge. Customer service also plays a part as well. I own everything from Chanel to cheapie Amazon bags. The best customer service I’ve ever gotten was at Coach and Tory Burch.
This is a really interesting topic. A couple years ago there was a drama on TikTok in Singapore where a girl excitedly showed her first luxury bag from the brand called “Charl & Keith”. People spammed her clip saying it’s not a luxury brand (edit: apparently cheaper than Coach). She responded by saying it’s the best her father can get for her with his minimum-wage job and they are very proud of it. It’s her “luxury”. The brand describes itself as a luxury brand on their website so she got a ton of support after it went viral.
Correction: Charles and Keith is way cheaper than coach, saying this purely for the intention of giving more context to people who read your comment and not being misleaded. Coach uses real leather and most of Charles and Keith bags are made from POLYURETHANE aka plastic. The price points are around $100 per bag and coach is ~$400 per bag.
@XPoPoRocksX OK but ck is super cute so whateves
@@XPoPoRocksX Yes ! C&K quality is nothing compared to coach ! C&K backpack's straps are way too thin compared to coach's thick cushioned ones, and my mom once bought a C&K flats that didn't last a day.
Charles and Keith made her into their ambassador. People should not be prideful towards others. I just don't like real leather's industry. Like how animals suffer for the sake of leather. There are vegan leather: cactus, pineapple leather, etc.
I love Charles and Keith brand, it looks so cute. And they don't sacrifice animals for the sake of luxury.
I’ve got into Coach recently. Their leather quality is insanely good for their prices. I’m embarrassed to admit I bought (both new and pre-loved) 4 Coach bags in the last 2 months, but I think I now have bags for every occasion and it was
@@katr7969 I just love how I have both easy carryalls and my “night out” bags in great colours and of great quality all from the same brand. They’ve been killing it recently.
In the past 5months I got myself, 2 coach bags, 3 wristlets and 1 card holder 😂 In love with their quality.
In the past 18 months I have accumulated 7 Three boutique, three vintage and one outlet purse ( quality in outlet is not the same). After swearing them off a decade ago. Coach has stepped it up.
I own several Coach bags! One of my recent purchases was a vintage Patricia messenger bag with the most beautiful aged butter feeling leather I’ve ever encountered! Definitely one of my favorites! ❤
Ive been loving Coach for the past couple of years. Their leather is so nice!
I think the conceit that many of these brands have sold people, is the idea that luxury can only be luxury if it is expensive. It's why so-called luxury brands can continue to raise their prices by thousands of dollars and still get people to buy their items. And as we have seen with many of those same brands over the years, luxury prices are no longer assuring you of luxury quality goods. Coach, for example, is a fantastic brand with great quality. But they, I think, understand that you can produce and sell quality items without needing to charge people their annual salary to buy a bag. So they don't. They simply sell a quality item for a reasonable price. And as a result their items are flying out of the stores. I've yet to hear about Coach destroying old stock, which is something I hear the luxury brands doing quite often.
Not only that but they will repair and refurbish their older bags instead of discarding it. Shows respect for the product, the customer and the planet.
Ugh. Yes and no. Coach also sells a ton of super simplified made for outlet trashy goods and plastic sweaters that people buy. But for leather items I agree. It is waaay above LV in terms of durability. Especially leather goods (non-canvas).
There's also an element of exclusivity about so-called luxury items, they're hard to get hold of so they become sought after. Although I do think social media has made some of them feel less exclusive, especially when all the influencers have the new it bag, but in reality, you just don't see them IRL!
I just bought a Coachtopia bag which is there reloved bag section of their website.
@snowglass3969 totally agree!
It’s also about the origin. French brands are always considered the most luxurious, and then come Italian Brands, maybe after British brands… American brands are harder to reach a luxury status.
That's a really good point!
I tend to like American brands the most, not that it matters it is all global, but Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Coach, all American.
I know for coach, they may have started being made in America but no longer is Coach made in America. It’s unfortunate.
@@idaranwa4370still very well made
French are not historically luxurious, that was English leather. It's still rarer.
I personally am a Coach girl from way back. I never really understood all of the hype with Michael Kors. I was never impressed but that’s just me. I also love Kate Spade.
Both Kate spade and MK have horrible hardware on their bags.
I love dooney and Bourke
I also love Coach and have two vintage bags from the 90s that are still in great shape. I recently bought a Tabby and am very happy with it. My other favorite brand is Dooney &Bourk, and wonder why it is seldom mentioned.
Oof. Personally not into Coach, love Kate Spade, and I've walked into Michael Kors a few times, liked some of the bags that I saw but was just never interested in purchasing any of them. 🤔 But I also do not like the look of the brand's logo being plastered all over their bags.
They do indeed and it's what put me off buying either!
@@bunchielove6893
Just because bags are SUPER EXPENSIVE does that mean they’re luxury 🤔
..... or quality
Wish all these influencers who think are so special would realize about it. Doesn’t mean great taste either😅
Yeh agreed, I think a lot of influencers would suddenly say Micheal Kors is luxury if they trebled their prices tomorrow and made no changes to the quality.
Exactly.
Chanel is a prime example. Prices sky rocketed and the quality and service are just not there.
Totally agree with you Sophie ! I’ve stopped buying high end luxury because of the crazy pricing. Love Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Coach and Kenzo. They are contemporary, chic, fashionable and no need to break the bank !
My Coach Ruby Satchel 25 has better construction than the LV Speedy bags I've seen and it's real leather and not canvas. Also, Coach Rogue 25 and Coach Ruby Satchel are some of my best purchases. I'm a Coach girl through and through. Ill never spend over $1000 for a bag so these are luxury to me.
buy a Gucci bag and you might change your mind. I loveeeee my gucci bag collection and Gucci canvas.
I love the Ruby Satchel , it’s a gorgeous timeless bag and the leather is gorgeous. A coated canvas bag for thousands of dollars is insane and overpriced !
Coach and Kate Spade are definitely mid-tier, and that's exactly what I want. I want a well-made, tasteful, functional bag that's not covered in logos, so I lean towards Coach and Kate Spade, although, in the last few years, KS has been a bit "young" for me. I definitely prefer KS bags from the early 2000s when the brand was newer and more special. That's when Kate Spade herself was involved. Right now, I'm working on getting the nerve up to pull the trigger on a gorgeous Coach Rae tote and have discovered Louis Vuitton's Neverfull totes, which I'm stalking on ebay (solid leather, no logo at all). Just discovered Mulberry and like what I see!
And Coccinelle. Italian leather and made in Italy
That Coach Rae bag has my eye as well. Its so well crafted and unique.
Good morning from California, Sophie! Whether or not it’s luxury, if I love it I’m buying it!
Hello my friend from a dark and dreary London!! I agree, I say in this video that we should all buy what we love! 🥰 Hugs to you xx❤️
Yes, buying what we love is key😊💕
I think the issue is that luxury has become synonymous with perceived exclusivity. Great video as always, Sophie!
Luxury has always been synonymous with perceived exclusivity. Inaccessibility to the masses is the whole point.
@@Afrinaturality I'm talking about *perceived* exclusivity not *actual* exclusivity. Before these big conglomerates like LVMH and Kering took over, you had luxury fashion houses that actually offered handcrafted, quality items that were not mass produced that had a dedicated clientele and very few people in mainstream society were even aware of their existence. These days, goods at a lot of these now well-known houses are mass produced and most of them sell trinkets and other relatively inexpensive items that the average person can buy. They're really not exclusive at all anymore. For the most part, anyone can enter one of these stores/hop online and plop down money to buy whatever item they want. It's all perception at this point.
My mom passed away five years ago and she LOVED everything Ralph Lauren. It made me so happy to hear you say your mom also loves Ralph Lauren. 💕
Hi Sophie! I just had a luxury marketing class and the reason Coach remains affordable is because it’s founder’s mission statement was to give people access to high quality goods at affordable prices. I will say that it’s prices have definitely gone up and a card holder that used to be SGD85 is now SGD125 and some bags are more than SGD1000 now!
I really enjoy Coach and Kate Spade. I have a couple of Kate Spade bags and I love them!
Tory Burch is a wonderful brand that goes a little unsung and deserves more praise. My favourite of all high end brands is Yves Saint Laurent and Versace, I love the founder's aesthetic and even a lot of this brand's contemporary clothes and bags. His store on Sloane Street has some wonderful sales associates.
Honestly, I prefer St. Laurent to LV. I stopped considering LV after two returns of poor quality pouchette metis’ so I wasn’t going to order a third time. I also had an LV bag shipped in a box way too large and it was slammed around during shipment and the keys disappeared and the strap had a pressure curve. I was able to fix the strap and pick up the keys so I kept that bag. I won’t roll the dice on LV anymore.
I always say Coach said they WILL NOT be left behind! They fell off for a second but there comeback was the strongest ever!! The quality + price can’t be beat! I still have my very 1st Coach bag I got from Macy’s and it’s still gorgeous! I say they are def up there with the norm “luxury”. I mean The Rogue bag itself! Sheeeshhhh!!!
I think asking a rich person this question is ridiculous. Ask a woman that shops from Walmart if Michael Kors is luxury. Of course it is. Ask a woman that cares about quality and coach will be luxury. Rich people don’t understand from normal peoples point of view. Luxury is anything different from the norm for the individual and it comes in many levels.
My mom is wealthy and she believes paying more than $300 for a bag is dumb. Heck, my dad (who also is wealthy) only shops for clothes on discount and will go to a tailor if he has to.
@@SophisticatedDogCat good point! Those are the wealthiest types because they are actually saving the money and not spending it!
@@Tqtvjustice That’s how I do it with my clothes. I could spend $150 on a nice T-shirt OR I can go to the clearance rack or outlet, find something for $20 that fits on the shoulders, and pay $20 to the tailor to fit it to my body, and bam! Now everybody thinks I have expensive clothes but I really don’t, lol!
@@SophisticatedDogCat because you have sense!! Smart!! And lots of times It’s not necessarily what you wear, It’s how you wear it.
@@Tqtvjustice Exactly. I know it might be seen as ‘feminine’ (I’m a guy) to get regular waxing, facials, pedicures, etc., but I’m in my mid-thirties and I am not a very attractive dude, so ‘looking good’ requires a lot of effort on my end. I also work-out every day for an hour. These little things add up! :-)
I have a bag from Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors, and some SLGs from Coach and KS, and I have to admit I'm happy with all of it! The Coach and MK bags are already 10+ years old and they're still in top notch quality. For my country's standards (El Salvador), these brands and some others in the same level you mentioned (Ralph Lauren, DVF) would be considered luxury, since the minimum salary is $360 USD. And very, very few can afford Chanel, Prada, Dior, etc.
Same here in Brazil
Same in Mexico. Also it makes me nervous to go out with a bag so expensive 😢
Same in Guatemala
I have to say, that coach has consistently produced bags that I think, are just as high quality as luxury brands. I have a thirty year old coach in my collection right now, that is still in rotation. I tend to impulse purchase contemporary bags for occasional use, Kate spade and Michael Kors seem to be trendy and cute. Not bags I’ll keep for thirty years.
Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs I think are nice gifts for like teenage girls, they are cute
I have a polene, a coach and an Aspinal bag and the Aspinall is by far the best quality (the other two are also fantastic). I see luxury as a quality thing not a price thing.
I look at how well the bag is constructed. The materials, hardware, the strap. For me, sometimes it’s the strap that is too thin or weak-looking but the bag itself is really nice. Or the bag and strap are nice but the hardware… not so good. The brands you mentioned, you’re still going to plunk down upwards of $300,$500,$800, or more. It should hold up. It should look good. Buy quality not luxury because luxury does not always mean quality.
It does mean exceptional quality. It is what is branded as luxury vs. what true luxury is.
I feel as if Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade ruined their luxury status since they positioned themselves in the outlet market. All three of these brands sell sub-par bags at the outlets (especially in North America). The bags that you buy at the outlets do not have the same quality or leather as those in the main stores. This has 'cheapened' the brands in my eyes. It also made them so accessible that every woman has one of these three, which takes away the exclusivity of them.
😝 Coach, MK, and KS were never considered luxury brands. They were/are dependable mid tier brands. I would consider Coach a dependable classic 🇺🇸 brand.
I happen to love your dated bag, I would wear it all the time. I don't follow trends, I wear want I like.
I was recently in Tokyo and Coach is really big there. They also produce special editions for the Japanese market that are much cuter than for the Western market (with floral motifs) . RL is deceptive as they have so many lines. They can be very affordable at the RLL line but they Polo Ralph Lauren can be close to Fendi prices.
I think it’s fair to say MK, Coach, Kate Spade are designer brands not luxury. Luxury denotes high price but not necessarily quality as you’ve shown us in the past with Chanel for example.
I agree
You should look at Dooney & Bourke. It's not widely known outside the U.S. A lot of their styles are kind of old fashioned, but their florentine leather collection has some more contemporary styles and the quality is very good.
I love Dooney and Bourke! I have several of them in several styles, they have never let me down. I don't know why other people don't know about them.
@darlahays2471 I don't want them to know. I want my pretty nice priced bags to myself 😊 I have like 6 of them. 😊
@darlahays2471 wait it's 9 of them. Most of my purse collection is d and b and it's my little secret. I'm obsessed with them. Once everyone else finds out about them they'll be un affordable 😢
@@serene1765 I'll be quiet🤫 I don't want anyone else to know our secret. I think I have 7 or 8 but there's always room for more.
@@serene1765 I don't think they'll ever inflate their price too much. High quality at an affordable price is part of their branding.
It's all relative to income,to some Zara is luxury if you are normally a Primark shopper
This. Kate Spade is massive luxury for me..though I have found a lot of bargains on Vinted 😂
Luxury to me is something I want but don't need.
I love Coach and MK too. All my Coach bags get so many compliments 🌸
I love Chloe and the row . Very good leather
I don’t see luxury as a price I see it more as a feeling. My Coach and Rebecca Minkoff bags make me feel good and sexy and that’s really all that matters!
I love a good COACH. THE QUALITY is brilliant! I was typing this before you said the line before this!
I buy Coach and Ralph Lauren for their excellent quality, reasonable price and simple style that won't date, also I don't have to disguise them in anyway just in case I was to get mugged for a Chanel etc. With the likes of Chanel its very rare if you get a good quality one and that it lasts with use - your paying vast money for a name only, they're not luxury anymore, I can't be bothered, I'd rather get better quality bags.
I carry everything from Hermes to Madewell. Some of my favorite bags cost $100-$300. I buy bags because I like them and if they’re thousands or only a couple of hundred, what should matter is quality and how YOU want to wear them. You can make a $100 well made leather no-name bag look high end if it’s carried right and if you’re dressed sharply. Just my 2 cents.
Your mom and me need to become besties haha. I love coach and Ralph Lauren. Two of my favorite brands. I love the ready to wear from RL and the gloved-tanned leather from Coach. They are durable. Beautiful. They last. They can take a beating and still look wonderful!
I would call these brands designer but not luxury. Frankly, I would rather have a Coach or Kate Spade bag and then invest the money on a financial product like precious metals or treasury bonds. Handbags are not investments.
my coach bags are so well made whereas both my Gucci and LV have so many quality issues. to me, good quality and timeless style are luxury. period.
You don’t consider these brands luxury because your not paying thousands for an over priced bag that isn’t even worth it. All you’re paying for is a name that isn’t even worth it and the quality isn’t much better.
If it’s over $100 retail it’s “Luxury” imo. It can do the same thing as a potato sack.
As long as you like the bag you’re wearing, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I love Kate Spade because the way they have the internal pockets and their $400 price point is about where my mental limit is for spending on a handbag. Good video.
Hi Sophie, I absolutely loved this video - you explained everything so well. Thank you so much for answering this question. As for these mid-tier brands, Kate Spade and Furla are definitely my favourites. I think Furla is a quite underrated - their quality is superb. You look fabulous as always Sophie. ❤️
I’d say most of these are sort of contemporary brands or diffusion brands. You also need to remember Michael Khors and Ralph Lauren have higher more expensive RTW lines too, even CK does (I found out from the cut scenes of devil wears Prada lol)
Yes, thank you! I just posted a comment about it, and I saw your comment 😮 I think most people -- myself included -- aren't aware of it. It also comes down to bad marketing for at least Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren 😅
customer segmentation is common, not luxury e.g. supermarket own brand
I cant afford anything more than Coach and i am very grateful because there are people who cant even afford that may be one day i could buy a Lady Dior or Luis vuitton or ysl but for now i love Coach
I have a mix in my collection from designer to contemporary. I will say i am impressed with my strathberry bags. Good price point above contemporary but not to the level of designer luxury and superb quality. Designed in Scotland made in Spain. Goods made in Spain are top notch!
@kimbelford9932: agreed! I adore my Strathberry bags! They’re stunning! ❤👜❤
Coach is a great brand! I have two Coach bags, and they're both beautifully made from quality materials. My only problem with the brand is i dont like most of their designs! 🤭 Have a great weekend, Sophie. 💕 xx
Kate Spade fan here! And all my bags I bought pre-loved. Thank you for putting in a good word for the brand!❤
Some of these brands are really good, I use a Coach tote as a work bag and it’s held up great. I also got some jeans from Ralph Loren last month, they had them shortened (nice job ) and sent out to me in 5 days. All free of charge
These brands have an accessible range for the main stream but they also have a luxury section that is unattainable such as Ralph Lauren you find it at macys but the luxury Ralph Lauren store is extremely expensive with tshirts costing 500$ and a $1000 legging
Ralph Lauren has no design aesthetic of his own though, it's appropriating WASP fashions. He, himself, has zero sense of style. There is nothing original.
@@seabreeze4559 i don’t know details about WASP fashion. but i do know the Ralph Lauren is king of quite luxury style.
@@seabreeze4559I don’t think you understand Ralph Lauren or know the history of the brand to make that statement.
I own Ralph Lauren items. He's void of anything original. @@rockyhrndz
King? A guy with a fake name to sound whiter? LOL @@H.Mark.
Coach quality surpassing some of the major fashion house leather, even vintage coach sistaon itself throughout time thats great quality. Yes its affordable but according to whom? Also Ralph lauren yes easily accessible but can be procey as well. Some Chanel leather is low quality but youre buying the name. Whatever to each its own
I feel like there are different tiers of quality within brands such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors which I believe is a great strategy for them. They have their lower cost tier that a good majority of people can afford and then they have their luxury tier where you will see their red carpet attire and high society wearing their brands, but it’s not affordable to the majority of people. I like those brands because of this. I agree about MK ready to wear I just wish they wouldn’t put MK on EVERYTHING…I’m not a logo person, though
I agree. Donna Karen has her expensive line and then the more affordable DKNY line.
The line you are referring to is the "MICHAEL Michael Kors" items. There is a higher-end line called "Michael Kors Collection" which is made in Italy, but I seldom see influencers (at least not any that I typically follow) discuss the clothing or bags. I know a few women in NYC where I reside who have Michael Kors Collection bags and apparel, and I've seen some product. It's well-made.
Coach also has two levels of quality - their regular Coach and the Coach Oulet.
Always love your comments Sophie, cause you are very assertive and not here to trash other brands just cause they're not "Chanel". I own a couple of LV, Chloè, Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade, all different price points, but all of them of nice quality. Got my last KS from the last sale, 150 pounds for a full lather medium cross-body bag, lovely leather, very happy with the quality :)
They are ALL luxury. Plain and simple. 🖤👜
I have a collection of like new vintage Coach bags and the leather on them is amazing-better quality then most brands out there today. Their glove tanned leather is also nice but does not compare to the vintage. I think you are spot on for most of what you said today. The only thing I might add is for me higher price should always be associated with better quality otherwise why buy. Thanks for another great video!
I was iffy with Coach for a while. "Miss Shopslot" casually mentioned she throws her fabric logo finished ones in the wash. I picked up one in thrift store. It was so dirty! I pulled the lining outwardly, spayed it all with dish soap and tossed it in the wash! It came out like new! Even the leather trim was fine. I was converted. Now I focus on the leather goods but the quality and design is out standing.
Its all very subjective. To someone with little money who has saved up £250 and bought the bag of their dreams, then yes to them this is luxury, to someone with a bit more to spend who buys a Mulberry then this is luxury. However lovely the Chanels, Diors and Hermes are at the end of the day the corners may well scuff, the leather may get scratched, £2k plus wont stop that. I agree Coach is amazing and the new quilted bag they have is a wonderful buy instead of the Gucci which it looks similar too.
There’s something different about you in the last few videos. I don’t really wanna get into the details but you’re a natural beauty. Everything about you is stunning. You do not need to do anything unnatural, it’s not beneficial for you in anyway, you are literally a natural beauty you don’t need anything. Love you to pieces.
My Mk tote bag from 2015 is still in pristine condition , I bought them for uni and never regretted it .
I am a luxury lover but I would put my coach bags in the luxury category and I would not put Gucci in there. In my experience Gucci has been so cheaply made, I’ve had so many items of theirs fall apart. I don’t buy them anymore whatsoever, but for more than just that sole reason. When it comes to longevity, Coach lasts so long just like Hermes. I have a birkin, I also have coach bags that I’ve had since I was 9 and are in perfect condition!
To me luxury is anything I have saved to buy because I like the style and the quality. Cost per wear is also important. I do not want to have a bag I don't use. I love my coach and MK bags. From MK I don't like the monogram stuff. I have a tote, some crossbody bags and a satchel. All look brand new, although some are more than 7 years old. I use them, look after them and there is no scratch, no loss of shape. So to me, this is luxury. I agree that MK have great shoes as well. I love their boots and ballerinas.
Yay always happy when Sophie mentions Coach xx
As a American I love supporting these brands and love them I own a lot of LV and Chanel but Ralph Lauren will always have my heart
You can find luxury brands on sale in France during the solds and sample sales.
YES! YES WE CAN. The crap so many call luxury is just that. Crap! The quality of bags are declining, not to mention the clothes. At this point the only thing that is worth spending on is shoes and travel!😒
As the owner of a few MK bags, the answer is no, they are not even remotely luxury brands. lol I'm happy with them, they were what I wanted, they are not "replacement bags" for anything else. Still not luxury (high or low end). Designer bags, yes. Luxury bags, no.
I think luxury means different things to different people. We all have different budgets so that would effect how something is viewed
Coach is what started my obsession! Such great quality and beautiful styles : )
I just bought a Huge Michael Kors Full Leather Tote bag that is reversible from Neiman Marcus.. It's fabulous. I personally like Michael Kors more than Kate Spade. Plus.. When I think of Kate Spade.. it's just sad because she offed Herself... BLAH... No bueno. Perhaps it's just Me but that has tainted that brand for me personally.
I think a lot of these brands are "premium" and not luxury. IMO, I think premium brands are the sweet spot. Premium brands occur at the axis of quality:price before the line drops substantially. You can find still find low-value items at premium shops, sure, but if you use your discernment, you get great value. I'm sure luxury ready-to-wear is great, but is it greater by a factor of ten than a premium items, to justify the price difference? Unless you just want the brand (which is totally fine) it doesn't make sense.
Like the coach example, you can get amazing quality items for $$$ where the actual physical quality of the item is the same, if not better, than the $$$$ alternative. I stick with premium.
I love Coach, and I love how you champion the quality of the brand. Their vintage stuff is just about bullet proof.
However, I do think that there is a big difference between the quality of retail Coach and outlet Coach. I have had outlet bag straps shred on me after a week and I've had the best experience with the retail stuff holding up. I don't like to gamble with the outlet stuff anymore.
Coach was the OG luxury their leather is impeccable it patinas so beautifully they offer amazing quality leather, flawless craftsmanship and hella affordable.. just cause they only charge what it’s worth and they don’t make up some random shock number to create some false sense of exclusivity doesn’t mean they aren’t luxury. So luxury means you just pay way more than it’s worth?
I recognize that for some folks, differentiating feels natural. I, myself, just like what I like and that’s what I buy! I own Chanel, Dior, Fendi, LV, Gucci, Prada, etc. to Strathberry, DeMellier, Polene, Staud etc. to Kate Spade, Coach, Longchamp, Dooney & Bourke etc. to a $30 no-name glitter bag that I got for a great deal at a clearance shop (example). I totally agree with your philosophy - if you like it, buy it! ❤
I absolutely love Aspinal of London and Coach. Amazing quality. The leather of my Aspinal of London Large Lottie bag is so much better than a Chanel bag that i saw recently.
I’m a Massive Kate Spade fan (and Ted Baker) for me it really is luxury. I could never afford a YSL, Louis Vuitton bag etc. so they are my treat myself.
Same with me Sophie! I love MK ready-to-wear and footwear. I have several pairs of sandals and sneakers. Only a couple of bags though. I’m a total Coach girl.
Heard some people say that “Coach is the brand for shallow wannabes”. Like, “never date a girl with a Coach bag, unless you drive a Mercedes A-series, which makes you a perfect match for her”. And I would say that it’s the people who say it are shallow. Coach is a good brand for everyday life, where you may not necessarily want to show off. Just as my BOSS tote bag that I wear to work almost every day to carry my laptop. But somehow BOSS is OK in the minds of these people, but Coach is not. I just don’t get it. Some people assign too much hidden meaning to the logos!
I have loved Coach since I purchased my first ever handbag with my own money at 15. I think one downside with these brands is that the second they have outlets or defusion lines that's when people start to assume they aren't as luxury or of quality. But if you took a Coach quality leather bag and stamped it with a Louis Vuitton logo, you best believe people would buy it at 1000s of dollars. I also think the older the brand is, people automatically assume the heritage is what gives the item it's quality and 'luxury'.
I agree, Saint Laurent did a good job of pivoting to higher class of luxury by opting out of coupons. I enjoy their bags and accessories, they’re still not too overpriced. I agree I think Michael Kors ready to wear is more high end than their bags- the bags are too saturated on the market. So like other comments suggested, the “luxury” is a balance between heritage, price, quality, and exclusivity
Luxury doesn’t necessarily mean good quality. We are all aware of the luxury brand quality issues that have been talked about recently. I have many bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Furla which are full leather not canvas. Cost far less than many so called luxury brands and are far better quality. If a garbage bag is sold at a cost of $5,000 does that make it luxury just because of the price?
I agree with the tiers. I been telling people tat if u see them in Ross Dress for Less, they are not “luxury brand” and does not worth the full price on the tag. And look where those brands ranked on that chart 🫤
Now, not being categorised as a luxury brand doesnt means they are not expensive or got bad material/craftsmanship. simply the brand image isnot there with Hermes or Chanel tats all
Bottom line if you like something buy it you deserve it who cares if is high or low high end name brand is how I am in life!😊
Luxury has levels. Often tied to money but it can also be a small getaway to a spa (depending who you are). But if you are very rich, does luxury even exist? What is it but the worth you give it?
Those brands I see as expensive but not luxury. I would use my Michael Kors, Kate Spade etc bags daily to work and they got worn down. I wouldn't do that with my lady dior. I see it as the price. Under $100 for a bag, I always do it, $200 - 500 is coach, michael kors its nice but it's not Dior or Valentino etc.
Luxury has to do with quality as well. Prices for even "luxury" is hard to justify now.
I'm American, through and through, and I do not feel that Michael Kors or Coach are "Luxury," they are designers, yes, but definitely not luxury. Also there are two tiers of Michael Kors. There's MK, and there's Michael Kors. MK is the cheaper alternative. And I agree that Michael Kors ready to wear is excellent. Coach quality is fantastic, they have very nice leather.
My kate spade and marc Jacobs bags have outlived my louis.
For my own collection, I consider Chanel & LV the top, then Fendi, then Gucci, bottega, YSL, & Valextra, then Jimmy Choo, then contemporary brands ( yuzefi, danse Lenten, dries van noten, aspinal of london longchamp,etc.) I think it depends on the person and their collection. I just organized my collection, and by far, Chanel and Fendi dominate 🤷🏼♀️.
Thanks for sharing Sophie and Happy Saturday everyone. I totally agree with you. I personally am into Coach but also love YSL. Love Ralph Lauren too. I am interested in Fendi and Dior. But I am more likely to get Aspinal of London and Mulberry. Best wishes.
I looked at the Michael Kors bags and I thought that the leather and the hardware looked cheap. However, I know that Michael Kors has a really loyal following.
For me, Kate Spade and Coach are not luxury but are good enough and are good quality. Longchamp and Furla also have loyal followings.
I agree on Coach, especially in the states, the brand doesn’t have the respect it deserves. I would rank them higher than Coach. I like Coach for taking to stadiums, outdoors, places where it may need to be placed on the ground. It’s under appreciated and can take a beating. Their leather is very high quality but the designs seem like they’ve not been updated in a long time. My Coach Cassie has been used roughly for years and still looks new. Sadly, I’m turning to lower priced brands when out in public for safety reasons and my favorite luxury bags are only used if im staying in the suburbs.
Ive been taking my Coach bag to football matches for years and it still looks new. Its perfect for the job. I save my other bags, mostly Chloe, YSL and LV for other occassions.
Great topic, Sophie. Seems like people are taking it personally 🤷🏽♀️ Luxury” isn’t exclusive to clothing brands. Is Mercedes a luxury car brand? Is a business class seat? Maybe for some. BTW, MK Collection is not the same stuff they sell at Macy’s. Luxury can be class, not always quality, but availability and resource. Restaurants, vacations, box seats, and homes . It’s not personal, it’s perspective.
Old Coach is excellent. Ralph Lauren clothing is excellent and has several line under the brand. It’s the same with purses. There are some for $200 and others for $20000. Ralph is an Old Money brand. Coincidence that all these are American Brands?
The only problem I continually have with Coach bags are the Detachable straps. Well, and the dog chain as well. On the Jes Crossbody, Cassie 19, Mini Darcie & Shay Crossbody .... every single one of them had the strap come off while I was wearing it multiple times. Just out of no where. I'm a gal who loves high street - I recommend to people Dooney & Bourke, MK & Kate Spade now. I would probably recommend a Coach Tote because they are well made and beautiful bags - I just consistently have problems with their strap clasps. But I do agree with this video too and agree for people to just buy what they like and what they'll use ❤
I have 4 Michael Kors handbags not the “MK” version it’s funny now that I’ve heard they are not “in” any more, I’ve started wearing them. Same thing happened with coach and I wore it without a care. I tend to go for classic styles that mimic a high end look because I rather not spend on high ends items.
When talking about luxury, I find myself also considering the purchase experience. How attentive to detail is the SA? Do they keep you abreast of items you may be interested in that fit your personal style goals? etc. This criteria elevates Coach over my Kate Spade and Ted Baker experiences.
❤ You are so level headed, Sophie. Great video.
I agree with your thoughts. There's luxury from a personal perspective, where anything you like, enjoy, etc. is luxury, and there is luxury from the reality of the market. It's not merely price point and quality, but design, marketing and heritage. (Note: I use "marketing" as a catch-all term for advertising; presentation in-store and online; brevity of sales locations; and customer service.)
Ralph Lauren clothing is well-designed, particularly their RTW, and marketed as such. IMO, the confusion about whether or not they're luxury stems from their diffusion lines. Michael Kors sells accessories that are largely "dupes" of higher end brands' products. His clothing is great, but his bags and watches would be considered knock offs if they had a name like "Steve Madden" on it instead. Kate Spade and Coach aren't trying to be aspirational, IMO. They sell quality items that are cute but do not posture themselves as anything luxurious. Like you said with YSL, Kate Spade and Coach push discount codes. I regularly receive emails from both brands advertising discounts. Kate Spade seems to always have a sale going, based on my Instagram ads.
Love the video, Sophie! Your editorial content is always fun and thoughtful
I been to Singapore and bought a Motherhouse leather bag. The quality of the leather is superb.
Just bought a Coach crossbody bag. It’s perfect for me. I have LV’s as well but this bag was on sale at Christmas and I don’t feel I need to baby it.
I absolutely love Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and Aspinall! Excellent quality and durability of their products. Also, nice discreet branding/logos. The so-called high end brands are actually marketed at less well-off people who want to look rich and fashionable to other people.
Thank you Sophie, I like that term contemporary luxury, because many of these do have excellent quality and history. Another two you may want to look at are Dooney and Bourke and another company Brahmin. Both US. Excellent quality and price. These bags will last forever. 🙏
How about Carolina Herrera handbags? I don’t see them getting a lot of traction online but They are very well crafted.