I admit it, I am a total Coach convert. After buying the Coach Mira bag (review here) and falling in love with that, I could not help but peruse their website and realise my bank account was about to have another little kick. If you’re tempted to do the same, I hope this in-depth review will be helpful! (Leave me a comment or a DM on Instagram, if you have any questions – there you will also find more styling ideas with this bag!)
I have been wanting a red bag for a while now, but how to choose? There are so many shades, I want it to be a statement bag that is still somewhat functional for daily wear and I am not quite ready to fork over high end designer money for it, yet I want something high quality. Then I saw the cutest mini version of the Tabby in red. I tried to reason with myself to wait a little longer before buying it, but then it went on sale and I simply could not let it get sold out.
First impressions of the Quality of the Coach Tabby 20
I have only had this bag for a couple of months so I feel I cannot truly speak to the longevity of the bag, but the quality does feel impeccable. The leather has, by far, the best feeling of any in my contemporary designer range (dare I say even better than some of the bags I have paid thousands for?!). It is pebbled, yet feels soft and chewy, without being too frail. I am obsessed with all of hardware, it has a fantastic feel to it and I love that it has Coach engraved on it – an extra detail I would not expect at this price point. The bags feels nice and structured without being too stiff and the inner zipper is very smooth. The bag is lined with suede that also feels quite nice. I am impressed with the finishing of this bag, as the stitching and glazing all seems perfect. I have the leather covered C buckle, so I am curious to see how that wears.
Functionality of the Coach Tabby 20
Now, this is a true mini bag. You will fit the essentials, but nothing more (see below for a “what fits” picture). It is a darling size and looks so cute, but it is not for you if you for example tend to carry a bulky wallet. However, I love the way this looks in my outfits and the strong colour works so well with this size. I have worn this a lot for running errands already, it is very comfortable to wear cross body. It does have the shorter strap as well, which I would under no circumstance use as a shoulder strap. Even if I can physically get it on my shoulder it neither looks good, nor feels comfortable at all. I suppose an extender could help you wear this as a shoulder bag. As with my Coach Mira bag, I so appreciate being able to remove either of the straps – options are always a plus in my book!
It does have a fair few pockets: one on the back, one on the front of the bag, one at the front of the inside of the bag and a zippered compartment in the middle. Personally, I find it all a bit unnecessary as they are too small to carry much anyways. The back pocket might fit receipts or something, but not a phone (as I usually use those back pockets for). Even a card holder will bend it out of shape and probably not be a good thing long term. The same goes for the pocket at the front, I see it more as a pretty design detail, because I have a feeling the bag would not do well with having these used for much other than a train ticket or perhaps an oyster card. I can fit my phone in the inner front pocket, but again, it stretches the bag in an unsightly way. And the zippered compartment is something I often like on bags to keep small receipts, a tampon or something in. But in this bag, it is placed in the middle, meaning you are more limited in what can fit in the bag on either side (narrow things, mostly). So my critique would really be that one of these “receipts” pockets would be enough and I would prefer the zippered compartment to either be on one side or eliminated. So not the most space saving layout for the bag. But I still love it, so I can get over that.
What Fits in the Coach Tabby 20 Bag?
As mentioned, this is a mini bag. I can typically fit my essentials, which include my phone, card holder, lip balm or lipstick and a key holder. I also put in a little lip liner in the middle compartment. And as mentioned, a travel card or receipts / tickets should also easily fit in. But I generally try not to stuff my handbags and that middle compartment means you cannot fit very bulky things in here. There is a tiny bit of room left, but I just don’t have anything that size/shape, so this is about all I get into my bag. If you have a slim key holder or something more downsized, you could get a powder compact in the bag as well. I wanted to show that set up as well, so I just put my car key fob in as a representation for a much smaller key setup. Hopefully that is helpful to visualize what you can fit in this bag!
First alternative
Second alternative
Mod Shots
It can be difficult to visualize how a bag will look on you, only seeing product pictures of it online, so here is what this looks like on me! This is obviously such a popular bag that you will have no trouble finding lots of different body types, sizes and heights, but I figured I would add my picture to the mix, so you can see the size of it. It is so cute and tiny! For reference, I am 160cm / 5’3.
It also comes in other colours and finishes, I love the look of that metallic one.
Final thoughts – Is This Bag Worth It?
If you find that the space constraints work for enough of your life to make this a bag you will actually carry, then yes. This bag is beautiful quality at a reasonable price and I would absolutely think this worth it at full price as well. I will for sure report back when I have worn this for a longer time (I tend to do an update after a year or so), but I think and hope this will be staying in my wardrobe for many many years to come.
Do you have the Coach Tabby, and if so, what do you think about this bag? x
FTC disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate through the rewardstyle program, which means I may make a small commission off a purchase made through these links, at no extra cost to you of course. But I am not sponsored by any of these brands and have paid for all of the items myself.
