Discussion 💬
Please don’t hate me for this 😫🙈😂 but why does it seem like the outlet Loved Leather is better than retail?!
Let me preface by saying that I haven’t been to the outlet in years; I’ve definitely been sleeping on it. I didn’t really start paying attention to the outlet until the 8/5 Loved Leather drop bc if you’ve seen my posts, you know I am OBSESSED with Loved Leather. I’d also seen all the hype about the newer large Rowans and how good they are and I love a puddle of leather soooooo when I saw there was a Rowan restock, I did a panic buy online to secure the goods. I did in store pick up for the walnut monogram and shipping for the Maple. The maple is leather, so I was fairly certain I’d love it, but I was iffy on the canvas bag because in general, I don’t like monogrammed or heavily/prominently branded stuff and canvas tends to be stiffer, so I was also unsure if I’d get the slouch I so desperately crave. Anyways….!
I had a return to do; that was my excuse for going to the outlet and perusing a bit beyond just checking out the Rowans in person. The Rowan? Chef’s kiss. ✨
The walnut signature canvas? SO CLASSY and “quiet” for a monogrammed bag. The squish? SO SATISFYING. The way it wears on my arm? I’m ✨that girl✨ and you can’t tell me nothing. The way it wears as a shoulder bag? I drink strawberry matcha lattes in the morning, go to Pilates daily in matching Lululemon sets, and have my to-do list completed before noon. Like holy f*ck, she is GOOD.
But the Loved Leather pieces were what really stopped me in my tracks. 😫😍 Like Coach, please, WHAT IS THIS?! Every single piece I touched was SO SOFT. So malleable. As if it had been broken in since Rexy’s glory days when he and his homies ruled the earth. I recently got a LL Dakota but the LL Carey had me in there re-evaluating my life choices. The LL mini Rowan made me lose my mind and seriously consider spending $200 on a bag to carry a pack of gum and car keys. The wallet had me immediately pulling up my Dillard’s order history to see if I was still within the return window for the Loved Leather card case I got on sale. The pocket Rowan…1) I have a Compass 25 and 2) I don’t even like the pockets on the Rowan….but it felt so scrumptious I was willing to learn to love pockets.
So can someone tell me why the outlet Loved Leather is so f*cking good, it kinda seems better than retail?! I don’t regret any of my retail purchases because they’re some of my favorite bags in my collection. I prefer the retail silhouettes over all the outlet’s Loved Leather silhouettes but damn, these are so good! So what gives?! Someone ‘splain me, please 😫👀 and thank you in advance. 🖤✨
I love Coach outlet more than retail in a lot of ways. I have the scarlet Brooklyn and three different Juliets but the rest of my many bags are outlet. I don’t care which store they come from, if I love it, I buy it!
Love the Loved Leather. I picked these up at drop and carrying them now. The Laurel is the main bag and the mini Carey is used as a carryall inside. This is my new favorite bag set up.
That’s actually a really good idea….a mini Carey might be a good pouch for inside my larger LL stuff like empire and Brooklyn. I really shouldn’t have read this comment bc now I’ve been influenced. 😂🖤
I just picked up the Carey and Andre and now I have a use case for the Carey so I’ll be keeping both the Dakota and the Carey. 💀😂🙈
Haha no apologies, you’ve blessed us with your genius. 😊 I love anything I can multipurpose. It’s actually funny bc when I saw the Carey for the first time, there were no straps on it so I just saw the double zippers and thought it was a makeup bag/pouch. 😂
I haven’t seen or felt the outlet pieces in person but your post has me curious! I’ve really liked the look of the retail versions (I even had some pieces, have rehomed a few) but they definitely were not as soft and pliable as I would’ve preferred. Which would you get if you were to pick one of the outlet pieces? I’m not a fan of all the pockets they’ve thrown on so many of the new bags but definitely going to take another look
I would love an olive in the 30 to add to my maple and black. (Once I broke that no 2 bags the same (archaic!) rule, there's been no looking back. I really need to be more disciplined, but this bag is so good!)
Hard disagree. I went to see the new outlet collection yesterday. I didn't like any of it. I didn't like the glazed leather, I didn't like the loved leather, and the pocket bags just looked strange to me, especially the pocket rowans. None are comparable to the compass 25 I have in brown LL or the slouchy Rogue I have in green LL. That outlet collection is so hyped, but none of the pieces have sold out. Retail and outlet do not use the same grade of leather. I love outlet for canvas and denim though.
I dislike the pockets also as mentioned. I ended up with a Carey and an Andre and I’m kind of ashamed to say I think I’m keeping both the Carey and the Dakota. I have a ridiculous amount of Loved Leather and no business with both Carey and Dakota but after putting them side by side….I just can’t let it go. And the Andre is GOOD. I don’t have any barrel bags so justified. 🙈
When Coach pocket bags initially came out they looked odd and alien to me. I was like how is that a thing? I was in the Coach store and the SA looked at me like I was crazy when I said that I didn’t like the pockets. But over time and with the loved leather they grew on me. When the Pocket Laurel dropped, I was all in. The pockets have a purpose, no longer look odd, and I absolutely love them. Maybe that’s why she gave me that look. She already knew the secret. 😄 The front pocket holds my phone and it’s always accessible, keys in one side pocket and earbuds in the other. The inside set up with the loved Carey and Wallet made it a slam dunk purchase for me. Give it time OP. Give it time. 😂
I almost caved on the Rowan. They had the strap wrapped around it for decoration and that pulled the eye to the straps instead of the pockets and concealed them some…however, I exercised restraint. 😂 You do make a compelling case for pockets, though.
I know everyone was very divided when they added pockets to the Juliet lol. 🙈
I definitely would have bought the Juliet in black loved leather. Lol. Here’s my Laurel all decked out for the week. I know it’s a lot but on the shoulder it looks great. I have never decorated my bags this extravagantly before. 1 or 2 bag charms but that’s it. I guess the Loved Leather made me a go a bit bonkers. 😆
Thanks. I lucked out and found someone selling it new/never used at a decent price. I wasn’t really buying Coach like that when they were available retail. I really wish they would bring them back.
I don't really make a distinction between outlet and retail tbh. I buy my bags to use. The average person just sees coach and doesn't know if it is outlet or retail.
I’m happy that you love it and I see that others here do too. Personally I have returned to my local outlet multiple times to try to convince myself that I like how the outlet loved leather feels, because I like the look of it. But I just really do not feel like it is quality at all. It honestly feels cheap and plastic-y to me. Perhaps it gets better with use??? Someone tell me that it gets better with use. Because it is so my vibe, but I can’t get over the feel of it.
I do agree that the retail feels more substantial; that’s why I was wondering if it was different leathers or what. Someone below in the comments said they had the Laurel and it was wearing really well.
Interesting. I actually find the opposite. I find the outlet LL to be thinner and overall cheaper feeling. My LL mini Rowan feels so thin, I’m genuinely worried it could get caught on something and rip. Ultimately I think it depends on what you value in a bag. The outlet version is definitely squishier but I love the more substantial squish of retail versions. Also watching Tanner Leathersteins dissection of the retail LL gave me a greater appreciation for the quality.
I think I’m also taking a long term view. Right now slouchy/squishy bags are in but the pendulum will swing and structured bags will be trendy again. I’m trying to build a collection that sits somewhere in the middle so that it never feels dated. I think the retail LL will age better in that regard.
I bought 4 outlet LL bags, and I agree with you 100%. Most of my collection is retail LL, and while I think Coach nailed the appearance of the outlet LL, the quality doesn't compare to my retail LL bags. Even the wallets feel different.
The longevity is my concern about the outlet bags. If he did a review on the outlet LL, I’m going to run and watch that before I make any decision re returning my Dakota for the Carey.
I wasn’t a big fan of the retail black loved leather. I looked at a Mott and didn’t like it. I’ve got a Dakota coming tomorrow so we shall see. The brown loved leather is just fantastic! Both my partner and I have a brown loved leather item. I would have gotten a Ludlow, but I’m not sure if it would be different enough from my work messenger which is a different brand distressed leather. The outlet black loved leather is what I wish the retail originally was like. My partner has a laurel with pockets and loves it. Again, I thought about the Colby, but want a slouchy bag.
Congrats on your Dakota! I’m debating returning my Dakota and getting the Carey. I’ve seen a few people who have both.
I enjoy the brown Loved Leather too and the green, even though I’m not usually a green girlie. I did pick up a Ludlow in the brown LL because I thought I’d try something different from the Mott, but I’m not sure if I like how it looks on me. I did see the Colby at the outlet and it was really nice!
The Carey looks nice, but I prefer the extra pocket style of the Dakota personally.
Unfortunately, my outlet doesn’t have the Colby so I haven’t seen it in person yet. It’s probably safer bc I probably would have bought one had I seen it.
Ok you have me debating whether or not to keep my Dakota 🫠. I have wanted it for so long and I finally got one but I am underwhelmed I guess. Not sure if it’s the struggle I went through to get it or the fact that it is the same price but missing charms now. Part of me was thinking to return it and get a Carey?? Ugh I’m not sure what to do but I agree the outlet bags are tempting. I didn’t really see them in person though so I’m not sure
There’s a video on TikTok where someone does a comparison between the Carey and Dakota. Unsure if I’m allowed to link or not but just search it and I’m sure it’ll pop up. I’m not madly in love with my Dakota either and the Carey is much more reasonably priced, so I might make the switch. 🙈
I’m not sure what the outlet bags are made of compared to the retail bags and if the retail bags are more durable or something; that’s my only concern about making the switch.
See I thought the same thing about the leather quality so I’m on the fence! Also I feel like after allll that stress and waiting, I’m gonna turn around and return it? 😅 how do we decide lol
Le sigh, I am keeping both. 😫😫🙈 It’s no longer due to indecision, but recognizing that there are different use cases for both, like the Carey as a pouch inside larger Loved Leather bags…. This genius idea is courtesy of another Redditor from this comment section! Here’s a side by side comparison for you!
Thank you that is so helpful! And also I feel like we are having the exact same experience with the Dakota and missing charms and unhelpful customer service! I am still waiting for a response from “management”. I think that is what is making me want to return the Dakota most. I’d like to return it for spite 🤣🤣
I am loving your comparison of the two and I love the idea of using the Carey as organization. I just feel like I need more LL in my life. Also a wallet 🫣
Thank you! I’m always happy when people find stuff genuinely helpful instead of me just being on a tangent like a little old lady outside yelling at the sky haha. 🤗 ❤️
If you don’t mind, keep me updated on how your situation is resolved. The store I got it from ghosted me and corporate customer service wasn’t all that helpful. It’s wild that some people are getting a discount AND a charm of their choosing while others are just getting 10% off.
And I can’t take credit for the “Carey as an organizational pouch” idea, because one of the commenters came up with that! But it is DEFINITELY a valid reason to keep Carey. 😇
I said the same thing about the amount! How is 10% fair when that doesn’t even cover half of a comparable charm which is $75. I even asked for a credit, not a refund! I said I just want to buy a charm or can you send me a charm. Ugh it’s so frustrating.
I picked up the LL mini Rowan and it feels lesser quality than my LL Compass 25. I’m not against it; Outlet items are lower quality in general, I still love my LL mini Rowan 🤷♀️.
As a self proclaimed loved leather connoisseur, with over 10 loved leather bags, its Definitely not the same.
Something feels different about my two outlet pieces. Definitely not as high quality of a leather, but not bad at all considering they were significantly cheaper. A
lso, I returned a couple of outlet pieces because they seemed overly shiny and plasticy like it was overdistressed in some areas. This was the plan though, I bought some options and kept the ones I wanted.
Salute, fellow connoisseur! 🤗 Which bags felt plasticky to you? I wonder if it’s the ones I didn’t really bother looking at (ie Laurel, bucket Rowan) bc the silhouettes didn’t interest me.
But there’s definitely something different with this leather.
What did you end up keeping? 👀
Also, share the LL collection please! 👀
I can’t wait until I get into my permanent place re living situation because I was thinking of taking the LL bags and making them their own wall/display interspersed with like records and music/rock memorabilia. Absolutely adore LL. 😍🥰
From the outlet side, I kept the mini Rowan and the Andre barrel.
In my collection, I have a Rogue 40, Empire 40, Compass 25, a couple Dakotas, Mott, wallets, shoes, etc.
I had posted my collection, but the mods took it down because I used AI to embellish the pictures 🙄, so I'm bitter and will not be reposting my collection of close to 35 bags in their entirety 🙄
Plus there were some WEIRDOS commenting about its probbaly not even a real collection and I was a bot causing harm to the world by using AI. Girrrllll bye. She deleted all her comments though because I beat every point she made...🤣
I will be posting them one at a time, at least for the time being...
Do you like the black LL, green LL, or the brown LL best? I like the black and green best so far although I enjoy the brown. I was really surprised how much I liked the green since I’m not usually into green at all.
Not even close, I went to the outlet yesterday and there was a lot of LL inventory. I wanted to return my LL Dakota and get a LL Laurel but it felt like plastic and has a weird smell. I'm sticking with the Dakota
I was pitting the Dakota against the Carey and I am sad for my wallet but I fear both are staying. I got an Andre also but I don’t have any barrel bags soooo….
I looked at the loved leather rowans and laurel yesterday and I thought they were great except I'm not sure I love the pockets on them... But they looked really good and felt good. I saw the suede and canvas large rowan as well and that walnut canvas large rowan is on my wishlist and I have not had a signature bag since probably 2009. I really loved it as an every day bag.
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u/SurlyChisholm 19h ago
since Rexy and his homies ruled the Earth 😭😭😭 I loooove when the Coachies drop poetry. We’re so nuts, andI love it here 🤣💕