For 2012, Coach has released the Willis range of bags that pay homage to the original Musette, available in 3 different styles, one of which comes in 2 sizes. And my personal favourite has got to be the New Willis (shown above), stunning in vachetta leather with silver-tone hardware. Priced at USD298, the 25.4 cm by 24 cm shoulder bag is great for work or play, something you can carry either over the shoulder, or across the body.

If the one in vachetta leather is too high maintenance for you, you’ll be glad that it also comes in British Tan and a gorgeous dark blue, as well as Vermillion.

My only suggestion? To keep it as clean (and as old-school) as possible, I’ll remove the logotype hardware tag altogether.

Such a beauty, isn’t she?

Image: Coach

YOU SHOULD SEE: Coach + Hugo Guinness Limited Edition Collection

Thankfully, it is not the case as far as the Coach + Hugo Guinness collection is concerned, a celebration of the whimsy as seen through his eyes as he draws inspiration from the city that Coach calls home, New York City. Featuring hand carved linoleum prints that are then imprinted into all manner of totes and SLGs, the imagery is uniquely NYC, from coffee cups to sunglasses and boxing gloves to handcuffs.

The reversible totes are casual and fun, featuring a coffee cup on one and a boxer on another, fabric on the printed side, leather on the other. Retailing for SGD875 a pop, they won’t break your bank either, just the perfect bag for lugging around the laptop and all those work files. Or gym gear, it’s your choice really.

Other pieces in the limited edition collection that is now available for sale at Coach Paragon in Singapore include zip wallets in two sizes (SGD315 and SGD525 each), a sunglasses case (SGD315) as well as a key fob that’s priced at SGD145.

And as far as I’m concerned, I’m really keen on this tech case, which features a trio of zip compartments and the linoleum print of handcuffs at the side. Priced at SGD360, it is the perfect amalgamation of function and whimsy.

Images: Coach

No oversized logos, no mad colour combinations, just something that’s meant to be complementary to your outfit as opposed to fighting with you for attention.

A limited edition release, the 19.5 cm by 12.5 cm leather bag comes in 4 colours, including White, Vermillion (both shown above), as well as Tan and Black. And as far as the price point is concerned, USD298 will get you the polished leather sling bag matched with gold-tone hardware. In other words, this is as affordable and chic as it gets.

Images: Coach

YOU SHOULD SEE: Coach Classics Leather Field Bag

Here are the final 7. Sorted alphabetically, of course.

01. Burberry Small Leather Document Holder
However you look at it, you can’t really fault the handsome leather folio that is the Burberry Small Leather Document Holder. 37 cm wide by 28.5 cm in height, the slim (and I do mean thin) folio is detailed with an oversized zip pull and also sports two flap pockets on the front. You may not be able to lug a laptop around in it, but it will fit the iPad or the 11″ Air just fine. The worst bit about it though? Picking from one of the 3 gorgeous colours it comes in.

SGD775 | Available now at Burberry boutiques island wide

02. Céline Luggage Phantom
Much has been said about the new line of bags from the woman-who-can-do-no-wrong (no, not he-who-must-not-be-named). Phoebe Philo is guaranteed another hit with the Luggage Phantom totes, the largest ones sporting a base that’s almost squarish and definitely too big for any woman to tote around without looking like she is lugging her kitchen sink. In other words, the boys will love it.

SGD3900 | Available soon at the Céline boutique at Ngee Ann City

03. Coach Bleecker Legacy Canvas Weekender
Totally unexpected, but absolutely deserving. May I present one of the best workhorses of the F/W11 season, the Coach Bleecker Legacy Canvas Weekender that’s large and roomy. Ruggedly handsome and available in a wide variety of colours, the canvas bag (which comes with loads of pockets and slots on the inside, by the way), is topped with longer leather handles you can comfortably tote over the shoulder.

USD398 | This bag won’t be available in Singapore. Try checking out Coach boutiques overseas

04. Givenchy Rottweiler Backpack
The boldest statement you can make this season is to get the  Givenchy Rottweiler Backpack, which also happens to be Riccardo Tisci’s animal of the season for F/W11 mens. Sure, you can get the tees, or even the pullover that every other person will be wearing as well, or get the backpack. Large, with another pair of roomy pockets at each side, it is one of those pieces you’ll use over and over again, long after the tees fade or become out of shape. You can put yourself on the wait list here where it will sell for SGD3300 in Singapore, or pre-order it online.

EUR1650 | Pre-order it online via Luisaviaroma

05. Louis Vuitton Cuir Indra Portfolio
Quite possibly the single, most beautiful bag to come out from Louis Vuitton this season, the Cuir Indra Portfolio is absolutely breathtaking. Named after an Indian demi-god and made with calf leather that’s embossed to look like elephant hide, the oversized clasp in gold-tone hardware seals the deal for me, the only detail that’s needed for this sophisticated (and might I add please, stunning) portfolio.

TBC | Available soon at Louis Vuitton boutiques island wide

06. Mulberry Rockley Satchel
First, the bad news. The Mulberry Rockley Satchel will not be available in Singapore. Now for the good.  You can head online and get it for GBP775. Made of smooth leather, the 38 cm by 31 cm satchel is great for both work or play. Use it during the weekdays for the necessary work files and the laptop, use it during the weekends if you’re heading overseas for a quick jaunt. Either way, it works. Also comes in Chocolate, besides the one in Gunmetal shown here.

GBP775 | Available online at Mulberry

07. Prada Saffiano Luggage Bag
It’s made of Saffiano leather, it’s sky blue, it’s roomy. Seriously, what more can you ask for? Hot off the runway and one of the key pieces from their new travel collection, the Prada Saffiano Luggage Bag sports zips that go round the bag for immediate gratification. Sure, it’s on the pricey side, but think of it this way. You will never look at any other travel carry-on bag the same way again once you own this baby.

SGD4330 | Available soon at Prada boutiques island wide

Images: Burberry, Céline, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton & Mulberry

Besides the Coach Classics Madison Small Leather Tote (GBP325) which I think is totally adorable especially in Camel, I also like the Classics Leather Field Bag, the larger satchel-like leather bag that retails for GBP475. Fuss-free and simple, the elegantly sized bag measures 36 cm across, just right for a day out at work or play without being too clunky. The one in Navy Blue (shown above) also somehow goes better with the gold-tone hardware, which sorta seals it for me as the one to get. In other words, it is my personal pick from the collection.

What’s yours?

Image: Net-A-Porter

So what do you do? You hope and pray, of course, hoping that some brand will see the plight we’re in and come to our rescue. And with Coach’s upcoming F/W11 collection, there is actually some light at the end of the tunnel. One of the bags that I fell in love with during the recent press presentation is the Coach Bleecker Legacy Canvas Weekender, a rugged workhorse that’s guaranteed to please.

Priced at just USD398 apiece (around SGD500 or so after conversion), the weekender sports a thick canvas body that’s generously trimmed with leather, from the base (which comes with metallic feet, by the way) to the sides and the top, along with a pair of handles.

It is lightweight and roomy, with multitudes of slot pockets (I counted 4) on the inside, as well as a deep zip pocket. And that’s not all. Hidden at the top right hand corner of the bag, there’s another slot that is sized perfectly for the mobile phone, which just means easier access for you whenever the phone rings.

As far as negatives go, I only have one. The dangling charms are distracting, and if I had a choice I would simply remove them. Which I did with mine, by the way. The end result? Cleaner and less cluttered, and you are left with a bag that’s great as a carry-on or a gym duffle, and almost anything else in-between.

Available in colours like Black, Grey, Olive and Wheat (click here to see them all in their full glory), they will be launched online on 29 June 2011, and in Singapore a couple of months later.

Images: Coach

YOU SHOULD SEE: Coach Thornton Mini Multifunction Small Zip

And speaking of other things I want in my collection, I wouldn’t mind these either. The Coach Hudson Washed Leather Braided Key Ring comes in two different colours that exude that nautical vibe, and at USD38 each won’t cause a dent in your wallet either. If you’re in the States, lucky you, they can be ordered online. If you’re in Singapore, you’ve just got to keep those fingers crossed that they will be brought to our shores for sale.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Images: Coach

YOU SHOULD SEE: Coach Chelsea Dowel Flap

Classically styled with just the right touch of embellishments, it is not hard to love this shoulder bag, considering the fact that it is well-proportioned with all the prerequisite bells and whistles. Able to wear it 2 ways, check. Partial chain-link shoulder strap with pretty bow leather details at the side, check. Contrast trim stitching that adds that sophisticated touch, check. Covered flap to keep everything snug and safe, check.

In other words, whether you pick the ones in Tan or Grey, you’ve got a winner on your hands. Available in Singapore from July 2011, here’s another quick update for fans of Coach. They will be opening a new boutique at VivoCity in the next few months, as well as a huge flagship in the heart of Orchard Road come 2012. I know where it’ll be, I’m just not saying anything else just yet.

Images: Coach

With that said, I was pleasantly impressed when I received the images from the upcoming Spring-Summer 2011 Mens Coach collection, which attempts to shed its fuddy-duddy image altogether with pieces that are bolder, in colours that are much younger, and generally more fashion-forward.

First up we’ve got the Coach Langton collection, made up of grained leather pieces that reminded me of Louis Vuitton’s Taiga. Available in a variety of bright cheerful colours as well as the usual sedate shades, prices range from USD58 for the card case (in Brown) to USD158 for the slim billfold (in Blue). I actually like the zip envelope (in Black) myself, and that will retail for USD118.

Here’s the Coach Python collection for men, a slighter bigger collection with more pieces including the banker’s envelope and travel journal. With prices ranging from USD228 for the travel photo frame to USD428 for the banker’s envelope, I’m guessing they are probably made up of real exotic python skins.

A third collection which consists of pieces made up of canvas (the Coach Sheldon Canvas collection) is nautical-inspired, which I think will work for those into outdoor activities and don’t want to end up ruining their more pricey leather pieces. And with prices starting from USD68 apiece, it isn’t too expensive either.

So, what do you think boys?

Images: Coach

Available in 2 different sizes, the Coach Madison Sophia Satchel comes in a variety of colours, Black, Purple and Grey with some subtle differences in hardware. Other features I enjoyed about this particular bag included having the additional removable shoulder strap, proper zip closure on the top and of course, a variety of multi-function pockets and slots on the inside.

Measuring 36 cm across for the smaller one, and 43 cm across for the larger size, they are now available in Singapore for purchase, at SGD1129 and SGD1355 respectively.

And while it does remind one of an Italian brand that does many bags and SLGs in pleated leather, there is no comparison when it comes to the prices. And fittingly too, as what you can afford at the end of the day really depends on your budget. In other words, a wider range of options which is always a good thing.

Images: Coach