living up to the hype

The Pony Express... not just because it’s a collectible vintage style made long ago in New York City, not just because it’s constructed of beautiful glove-tanned leather & has a super cute name... I love this bag.

The Pony Express Pouch is convenient, allowing me to carry a decent amount within its body-hugging profile. And, with a shorter strap, it sits comfortably at a higher spot on me when worn crossbody.

I think this one is a lovely example of a bag that shows it has lived. Its worn-in leather has developed a warm patina that comes from a life outside of a closet & carried more than just on occasion. I imagine a vintage bag’s life prior to me & find it particularly sweet thinking we’re more like a part of their story.

My BOTD: Coach vintage Pony Express Pouch: Style #9670, 11” x 8” x 2”.

refurbishing vintage Coach leather

Vintage Coach leather is awesome. Coach has described it as “a completely natural, unaltered, rugged leather that has been especially tanned to render it soft and supple to the touch”, “never seems to wear out and actually improves with age.”

While Coach also said the aging process “cannot be reversed so there is no way to restore a Coach bag to its original appearance after it has been worn”, a bit of care can breathe new life back into much-loved bags.

rediscovering & refashioning

In recent months, I’ve seen some great reviews of the Coach Dinky 24 so imagine my delight as I realized I already have something similar in my collection....

My BOTD: vintage Coach Convertible Clutch, Style #9635. This burgundy one was made in New York City. At 11” x 7” x 2.5”, it’s close in size & look to the Dinky 24. I’ve refashioned this classic piece with a metal chain/leather strap from a newer Coach 1941 Tea Rose Dinky giving me the option to wear it 3 ways: crossbody or as a shoulder bag with either a shorter doubled or longer single strap.

How exciting is it to rediscover an item in your own closet & simply restyle it to make it feel like something current & new again to you?!

This bag also dresses up wonderfully with a new Outlet novelty strap. Stay tuned for that future look!

winter greens

I love the color green so I was pretty excited to have come across this vintage Coach pre-creed Chunky Shoulder Bag (predecessor to the Courier Pouch). Decades old, I can hardly believe how rich its soft, time-worn leather still is.

To maintain (& with today’s forecasted rain), I applied Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP this morning.

To add structure & organization, I use a felt insert/organizer purchased through Amazon.

My BOTD: Coach pre-creed Chunky Shoulder Bag: Style #8920, 9.5” x 9.5” x 5”.

If you like the look, Coach has introduced several modern versions of the Courier Bag in recent seasons that stay quite true to this iconic silhouette.

Coincidentally with the green theme, the spot I was in to grab this photo had a creek with the most amazing sea-glass color today. If I hadn’t seen it, I couldn’t have imagined it.

[Revised to include what I believe is the correct bag name.]

fresh & ladylike

I’ve been carrying my Coach Gramercy Top Handle bag these past several days. I love its sophistication, structure & hardworking textured leather. 

For a bit of freshness, I’ve added a Tea Rose bag charm. 

I’m seeing Coach’s Parker Top Handle bags currently available at COACH as reminiscent of this lovely style. 

My BOTD: Coach Gramercy Top Handle: Style #7002, 9.25” x 7.5” x 3.75”.