Coach Handbags Guide: From Chelsea to Brooklyn, Iconic Styles and History

Coach, founded in 1941 as a small family-run leather-goods workshop, has become a household name in handbags. The brand's legacy began when Lillian and Miles Cahn joined in 1946, and in 1962, Bonnie Cashin became the first creative director, introducing signature turn-lock hardware and the concept of carrying two bags. Inspired by the patina of baseball mitts, early designs featured soft glove-tanned leathers. Reed Krakoff revamped the brand in 1996 with a minimalist aesthetic; his Bleecker Street Haversack now sells for over $2,500 secondhand. Stuart Vevers took over in 2013, adding ready-to-wear. In 2023, Coach launched Coachtopia, a sub-label using surplus materials. Key bag styles include the minimalist Chelsea, the roomy Brooklyn (a bestseller, with Coach ranking No. 8 on Lyst's 2026 hottest brands index), the customizable Tabby (inspired by a 1970s design), the practical Empire Carryall, the versatile Lana, the bucket-style Bleecker, and the compact Plaza. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Zendaya, Charli XCX, and Jennifer Lopez are fans. Scraps from Brooklyn and Tabby production are repurposed into Coachtopia Alter/Ego styles.