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The Fashion Crowd Has Spoken: This Cult Bag Is Having a Major Moment With Gen Z
Coach is one of those brands that's always been quietly present in my wardrobe. My very first piece was a simple leather wallet: black, compact and practical, and to this day, it's still going strong (a small miracle, considering how many times I've dropped it and stuffed it into bags). There's a reason Coach has stuck around whilst so many other labels have come and gone. The brand has always managed to tap into a kind of effortless luxury without ever feeling try-hard. Over the past few years, in particular, the brand has experienced a new lease of life, with cult designs arriving one after the other. Most notably, the instantly recognisable Tabby bag.
Originally inspired by a Coach archive design from the 1970s, the Tabby was reimagined by creative director Stuart Vevers in 2019 to speak directly to a new generation. It still has the signature hardware and confident structure, but now there's something softer and more individual-feeling about it. Whether it's the plush Pillow Tabby (which went TikTok-viral) or the compact Shoulder Bag 20, there's a member of the Tabby family for you, wherever you sit on the spectrum from minimal to playful. Fans of the brand will remember seeing it on everyone from Bella Hadid to Charli XCX, and its cult status has only grown over time.
Coach might've once been a millennial mainstay brand, but Gen Z—and those of us hovering somewhere between the two—are new additions to the fan club. Vevers has spoken about wanting fashion to feel like a safe space, and the Tabby collection taps right into that idea of self-expression; it's no surprise the bag has found an audience in those who value creativity as much as craftspersonship. The design walks that fine line between nostalgia and now: it's structured, but not stiff, elevated, but still wearable. This season's Tabby colour palette ranges from rich neutrals to bold pastels, with shearling textures and croc-effect finishes adding even more personality. I can already picture the Shoulder Bag 26 with a blazer and wide-leg trousers for work, or the Pillow Tabby paired with jeans and a trench on weekends. There's even a wearable crossbody version ideal for hands-free days (which, let's be honest, is most days during the summer).
If you've been keeping things minimal and suddenly feel the urge to reintroduce a little fun into your wardrobe, the Tabby makes a strong case. I've already texted my sister to plan a Saturday browse at our nearest Coach store, and my niece (who's in that peak Pinterest-mood board phase) is coming too. I love the idea of a brand that resonates across generations without sacrificing style. The new Tabby collection has reminded me why I fell for Coach bags in the first place, and how the right one really can do it all.
Below, I've rounded up summer 2025 the Coach Tabby styles I have my eye on. Consider this your shortcut to the most talked-about bags of the season.
Shop My Favourite Coach Tabby Bags:
Humaa is the Junior Branded Content Editor at Who What Wear UK, where she specialises in paid-for and affiliate content across beauty and fashion. She holds a BA Hons in English Literature and has previously held editor positions at British Vogue and Marie Claire US. Before joining Who What Wear UK, she was part of the US Branded Content team, bringing her expertise back home to help grow the UK division. With years of experience testing and reviewing fashion and beauty products, she writes trend-driven and commerce-focused stories. When she's not shopping for work, she's making her way through her Kindle TBR list—spoiler: it's a long one. Follow her on Instagram at @Humaa.Hussain