For any one who is traveling for the weekend, you need a weekend tote.
I was looking for a weekend tote that was of a lighter brown leather and sure enough, I saw the last fawn colored MBK Weekend Tote at our local COACH store.
While I was debating between this bag and the cabin bag in leather, I opted for the MBK because it looks more like a weekender bag, while the cabin bag is pretty much a duffel bag in leather.
For those not familiar with COACH, COACH, Inc. is a New York-based luxury fashion company that was founded in 1941 manufacturing small leather goods.
The store was a family-run workshop in Manhattan (34th street) and six leather workers specialized in wallets and billfolds and were all hand created.
But where COACH would have a big change is in 1946 when Miles Cahn and his wife Lillian (owners of a leather handbag manufacturing business) joined the company and would eventually lead to not only men’s accessories but also for women. The Cahn’s would eventually buy the company in 1961.
By 1985, the Cahn’s sold COACH to teh Sara Lee Corporation and was structured under its Hanes Group and more stores would open. But it wasn’t until they hired Reed Krakoff, who worked for Ralph Lauren Corporation and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and wold transform the business from a multi-million dollar company, to a billion dollar company.
As for the MBK Weekend Tote, it’s a simple bag that features one multifunction pocket, zip-top enclosure with fabric lining. Plus a leather tag and a metal tag.
The bag is 22 inches in length, 13 1/2 in height and 9 inches in width (from the side).
Inside is quite roomy to hold shoes, pants and shirts, while the multifunction pocket can hold a bag with toothbrush, facial cleansers, cell phone or whatever. There is an outside pocket near the tags, not for a cell phone or tablet, not even a passport but possibly anything you can fit within two inches of width and three inches in height.
But you also get the authentic COACH logo and serial # below the thick leather patch (note: This is important in a COACH product, make sure the badge inside are not thin and flimsy.
The bottom features five small metallic bottoms. They are not elevated but it does provide some protection at the bottom of the bag, better have some sort of protection, other than none.
The COACH MBK Weekend Tote is a simple bag that emphasizes beauty and space. But for those who want more pockets and more versatility, they may want to look into the COACH Bleecker Day Bag which comes with a strap for shoulder or crossbody wear and multiple pockets.
For those purchasing a COACH bag, it’s always safe to purchase at a COACH store and certain major department stores, but for those who are planning to buy one used on eBay, always look at the stitching and make sure the small brackets have this logo with the COACH wording and the A is always different. Always make sure the engraving is right on each of the metal buckles and not sporting other types of fonts.
As for the leather, always keep in a cool, dry place. Wipe dirt with a damp cloth but also purchase the leather moisturizer from COACH to help condition the leather.
In fact, warm soap water would do the trick, have a microfiber towel handy and in a circular motion, it’s the best way to remove the dirt.
And then of course, add the COACH leather moisturizer (which should not be used on suede, nubue, water buffalo calfskin, fabric).
The MBK Weekend Tote retails at $658.00 and goes on sale at the store for $359.99 or less.
Overall, the COACH MBK Weekend Tote is big, stylish and simple and is the perfect leather weekender to take along with you!
