This Gen Z ‘It’ Bag Has Me Personally Obsessed

Blame fashion’s cyclical nature or blame the algorithm, but as a card-carrying member of Gen Z, I’m obsessed with less expected versions of classic colors — and so are designers, if the latest collections are any indication. Rich browns and burgundies are having a moment. One brand that definitely understands the assignment? Coach. The heritage icon your cool older cousin wore in high school has just dropped the Times Square Tabby shoulder bag with quilting in the chicest hues, including my new obsession: merlot.

I got a chance to try out the collection’s Times Square Tabby for myself, which revives an archival ‘70s design and layers in a touch of ‘90s nostalgia for a bag that’s totally fresh. I'm not usually a bag person — I have one LeSportsac — which is why it’s saying something that I’m bona fide obsessed with the new Tabby and the way it felt authentic to me.

Fit Check

Dinner Party In BK

Since I'm not that much of a go-outer, for a dinner party in Williamsburg I wanted to feel like I made an effort yet unapologetically myself. I’m big on vintage and secondhand finds, so I was keen to see how the Times Square Tabby’s throwback shape would play with my latest haul. I opted for a floral black vintage minidress and layered a boxy cardigan on top for warmth, grounding the look with some chunky Mary Janes (which are actually sooo comfortable) and some crew socks. The rich merlot hue picked up the flowers in my dress without being too matchy-matchy: I didn’t want to feel like I was trying too hard, and this bag understood the assignment.

Lunch With A Friend

I also tried the Times Square Tabby with some black trousers and a knit short-sleeved cardigan to grab lunch with a friend at a little Italian spot in Park Slope. The bag’s muted red tones played off the dusty blue of my top and added a nice touch of understated polish combined with some Euro-chic ballet flats. The quilted leather of the bag lent subtle texture and its luxe gold C hardware was just dressy enough without skewing fussy. After trying on both straps for size I decided to carry the Times Square Tabby with its chunky gold chain, and I think I’d use the smooth leather strap for more casual outfits.

The Vibes Are Immaculate

What I like most about the Times Square Tabby is how it offsets its night appeal with a chill vibe — you could legit carry this bag to work, brunch, and everything in between. Its gold hardware is a solid match with some chunky chain necklaces or an earring stack, and you can dial the vibe up or down by changing out its two shoulder straps. The quilted washed nappa leather is a throwback to Coach bags of the ‘90s, and it has the best broken-in finish. It kind of nods to the Coach fall campaign message in a way: Titled “Unlock Your Courage,” it’s a rally against perfectionism as the enemy of self-expression that encourages people to drop the act so they can show up authentically. Those natural imperfections in the bag’s washed leather aren’t a flaw, for example — they’re actually what makes the bag so one-of-a-kind.

What Fits Inside

Despite the compact size, you can actually fit so much into the Times Square Tabby. It’s the perfect size for going from day to night, because it holds a lot without weighing you down. Inside it has two slim compartments paired with a zippered sleeve so everything stays organized, and I was able to carry my card case, phone, and glasses with room to spare for a claw clip, lip gloss, and mini perfume. My favorite part, though, is a snap pocket on the back of the bag that’s great for keeping my phone handy if I want to snap a pic, yet tucked away so it’s securely stashed when I’m on the subway.

TL;DR — Worth It

When I was trying the Times Square Tabby with different outfits before heading out, I obviously kept thinking about different lewks it could go with in my day-to-day life versus the occasional night out. Although I pretty much work from home, I could totally see myself taking it into the office or even to polish off an athleisure set on travel days. The Times Square Tabby looks luxe without feeling pretentious and the merlot colorway is just the perfect nod to trending hues — plus, the quality is seriously amazing, so you’ll probably have it for decades.