Is Coach any good?

[ProfG]

Saw some Coach jackets on Ebay that caught my eye. Made in China, but not sure that means much these days. Does anyone have experience with Coach? (To be clear, I'm asking about actual Coach, not Coach Outlet, which I know is a step down).

Here's one specific Ebay item, just to give an example:

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[TartuWolf]

They look like pretty typical designer jackets to me.
Would you really expect high quality leather jackets (in TFL sense) from a brand that makes this kind of stuff?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226710321896
1100$ msrp for a lambskin CR made in china - that gives you a good idea what you are dealing with.

 

[Monitor]

It's trash.

 

[LordOfLeather]

I've owned this exact jacket. I wouldn't call it trash. This one wasn't my favorite jacket, but I liked it enough to keep it in my rotation for five years or so before eventually selling it. My biggest criticism is that the leather was pretty one-note. No real highs or lows or development. This isn't necessarily the case for all Coach jackets though.

I've owned quite a few Coach leather jackets over the years and I have some thoughts.

No, the leather does not have the same characteristics as leather we rave about here. But that doesn't mean it's garbage. Some jackets have had genuinely great leather that aged beautifully, others has been just okay. They do specify exactly what animal it is on every jacket though, which is more than most fashion/designer brands do.

While I have yet to encounter a heavyweight Coach jacket, those I've owned have been comfortable, functional and stylish light to mid-weight jackets that 99% of average people in the world admire as high quality. Compared to most leather jackets out there, they are high quality. I have never once encountered so much as a single, stray stitch on a Coach jacket. Meanwhile, I've had significant stitch problems (among many other quality control issues) with Vanson, Schott, Aero, and even Thedi. I'm not saying Coach is better than these brands, just that they are well made with an attention to detail. The thread used is also thicker than that used on heavier motorcycle jackets I own, and I've often wished these other brands we value here used the same thread as Coach.

If you want to hear more of my thoughts on the brand, here's a more critical review of one of their jackets, which also has thoughts about the brand as a whole: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-get-me-banned-from-the-fedora-lounge.123903/

 

[dinhnguyen57]

If I was inclined to buy one, I pay less than $300 for a new one and $100 or less for a used one. That may give you an idea of my overall thought on it's value/quality. A lot of the leather used are lambskin, which is soft and for most buyers, they prefer this over a harder thicker leather. I actually don't mind that as much and often times enjoy wearing softer leathers, as it's a lot more comfortable, but what bothers me most is the cut or pattern. Most jackets are boxy, that is the pit to pit and hem is the same. There is no tapering. This is the "deal killer" for me. If that's your body type, it may work very well for you. I think the more tapered and fitted look is more flattering.

 

[LordOfLeather]

If I was inclined to buy one, I pay less than $300 for a new one and $100 or less for a used one. That may give you an idea of my overall thought on it's value/quality. A lot of the leather used are lambskin, which is soft and for most buyers, they prefer this over a harder thicker leather. I actually don't mind that as much and often times enjoy wearing softer leathers, as it's a lot more comfortable, but what bothers me most is the cut or pattern. Most jackets are boxy, that is the pit to pit and hem is the same. There is no tapering. This is the "deal killer" for me. If that's your body type, it may work very well for you. I think the more tapered and fitted look is more flattering.

These are good points that I agree with. When we speak of quality, I think it’s relative to cost. $300 for a new one is what I paid. And while I also prefer heavier leather in most cases, I find it’s nice to have at least one jacket in my rotation that is lighter weight with a thin lining for those days when all other jackets are too heavy.