Coach Vs Michael Kors: Which Brand Is Better For Handbags?
Michael Kors and Coach are two of the most well-known brands in the fashion industry.
Both offer a wide range of stylish and affordable products, however, the most popular items from these fashion houses are their handbags.
You can easily find these designer bags at most retail stores and online retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales.
While the two brands share some similarities, there are also some critical differences between them.
While both brands have many product offerings, today we’ll be focusing on which of the two affordable luxury brands is best when it comes to handbags.
Coach Vs Michael Kors: Which Brand Has the Best Handbags?
Of the two, Coach is the designer brand that has been in the fashion world the longest. However, since the 80s, Michael Kors has gained a high-status symbol.
Many big-name celebrities are sporting Michael Kors fashion items. Just look at some of their social media profiles, and you’ll see how many love MK bags.
yet despite both being high-end brands, they’re still affordable to the middle class.
This is great since other big fashion labels such as Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent come at a much higher price point.
Both Coach and Michael Kors have unique histories that’ll make you love them even more. So before we dive deep into the differences, we’ll discuss how they became so popular in the first place.
Michael Kors Brand History
Michael Kors’s love for fashion began way before starting his iconic brand. In 1977, he attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. While attending college, he created clothes in his parent’s basement.
After he left college, Kors started working at a fashion boutique in New York City. During this time, he gained the attention of Dawn Mello, a high-end fashion director.
In 1981, Kors sold his first womenswear line to the Bergdorf Goodman Boutique. The line instantly succeeded and received critical acclaim for its elegant designs.
Despite experiencing bankruptcy during the 1990s, the Micahel Kors label continued to grow.
In 1997, Kors was appointed the creative director of a French fashion house called Celine. He was praised for his ready-to-wear collections and stunning MK logo handbags.
In 2003, he decided to leave Celine and focus more on his line. He relaunched his brand in 2002 and left Celine the next year to focus more on his line.
During this time, the Michael Michael Kors line was very popular in many department stores.
Since then, his company has become a global fashion empire. Michael Kors’s products now include accessories, fragrances, and home decor.
There are also over 700 Michael Kors stores worldwide, including Japan, China, and Europe. So, you won’t only find people shopping for this brand in the United States.
Coach Brand History
In 1941, a family-run workshop introduced the Coach brand to New York City. However, the only product the brand created during this time was leather wallets.
To help with creativity, the husband and wife designer duo Miles and Lillian Cahn join the team. In 1946, the pair noticed the high-quality leather in baseball gloves.
Lillian started using the leather goods from these gloves for their items. Thanks to this idea, the brand was able to make high-quality products which in turn helped them reach a wider audience.
In the 1960s, the company shifted its focus to making luxury handbags. Instantly, coach handbags became luxury items due to their quality and unique style.
Today, Coach products include accessories such as sunglasses, jewelry, and more at what is considered an affordable price range for many.
In recent years, Coach has opened outlet stores so you can score even better deals on some of their most popular products.
The company recently changed its corporate name to Tapestry and now includes two new brands under its wing: Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman.
What’s the Difference Between Michael Kors and Coach?
Now that we got the history out of the way. Let’s review the main differences between Coach bags and Michael Kors bags.
Quality and Material
Both brands make great quality handbags in different styles but in terms of consistency of quality, Coach is the better choice.
Coach products remain consistent when it comes to craftsmanship, leather quality, and stitching.
Coach bags are made with the highest quality leather and tools to ensure they will last a long time.
However, if you happen to have an issue with your bag, Coach has their own repair shop where you can have your bag fixed at any time, something Michael Kors doesn’t have.
Coach bags also come in various types of leather, including pebbled, natural, and saffiano leather as well as canvas styles.
Just like Coach, Michael Kors handbags are made of higher quality leather than many other popular brands and the brand offers a one-year repair and/or replacement policy for defects/damages.\
Style
Coach and Michael Kors handbags come in a variety of styles. This includes everyday bags, crossbody bags, shoulder bags, tote bags, and wallets.
The type of style you’re going for will depend on your personal choice. If you’re looking for a timeless handbag, consider Coach. Many of their handbags have a minimalist and elegant style.
On the other hand, Michael Kors bags have more bold and modern designs. The Michael Kors brand stays on top of trends whereas Coash has a more classic look.
You’ll find that many of the Michael Kods handbags are adorned with the famous MK logo. However, the brand does offer styles that aren’t quite so gaudy.
Sustainability
If being eco-conscious is important to you, it’s important to know that Coach has created a line called “Coachtopia” which crafts items from scraps that would otherwise be deemed useless.
Additionally, Coach has made it their goal to work with tanneries that meet the highest level of environmental standards and they’ve also prioritized using more regenerative leather in crafting their products.
These small changes add up to big positive impacts on our environment.
Michael Kors is also doing their part to help the environment.
The brand has committed to reducing greenhouse gases, sourcing from sustainably managed forests, and removing as much plastic packaging as possible, amongst many other things.
Overall Customer Satisfaction
While Michael Kors is edgier, on-trend, and more affordable, it seems as though most people prefer Coach when it comes to quality.
Additionally, with Coach having outlet stores, you can score some of the best styles at incredibly affordable prices.
Best Selling Bags
While both brands are household names, there are a few popular styles that are top sellers over and over again.
Here are the top styles loved by fashionistas all over the world.
The Avril leather zip top satchel comes with an adjustable and detachable crossbody strap, is available in several colors and sizes, and features both a zippered and open pocket on the interior.
It’s a style that blends well with many outfits and works for many occasions and settings such as the office.
The Heather canvas and metallic faux leather shoulder bag is another fan favorite from Michael Kors. With a top flap with dual button closure, it offers security with enough space for all the essentials.
The Rogue color block with tea rose bag is a unique bag that has quickly become a fan favorite for its intricate design.
However, if the bold pink floral design isn’t quite your style, this purse does come in solid, flat options as well.
The Willow tote is a fan favorite and for good reason. Made of a polished pebbled leather, this best seller features a top zipper, turnlock and magnetic snaps closure, protective feet, and provides plenty of room for a laptop.
FAQs
Is Micahel Kors a Luxury Brand?
Yes, Michael Kors is a luxury brand. However, it is a more affordable luxury brand.
Michael Kors clothing items range between $200 – $500. While it may not be Louis vuitton or calvin klein status, it’s still considered a high-end brand.
You can think of the brand as part of the mid-luxury status, such as Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Is Coach considered luxury?
Yes, Coach is considered an accessible luxury brand.
Which Brand Has the Most Affordable Prices in the Handbag Category?
There are more affordable handbags available from Michael Kors than there are from Coach. However, that doesn’t mean that Coach doesn’t have handbags as affordable as Michael Kors.
Currently, the most expensive bag from the Michael Kors collection is approximately $500 while the most expensive new handbags on the Coach website are around $1,100.
However, both brands have handbags starting in the $140 range. Ultimately, it will depend on the type of bag that you are looking for.
Should You Spend the Extra Money on a Coach Bag?
A Coach bag is a great investment, however, Michael Kors and Coach have considerably different styles. Ultimately, the price point and look you are going for should be taken into consideration.
Conclusion
When it comes to Coach vs Michael Kors, both brands make finding an accessible luxury handbag easy.
However, deciding which brand is better will depend on personal preference. If you prefer a classic style and want something that’ll last a long time, Coach is a great option.
If you prefer a trendier, more modern design, Michael Kors is one to consider.
At the end of the day, both brands offer high quality products that are long-lasting and are great options for fashionable, yet affordable luxury products.
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