Coach emerges (or resurges) as one of the most favourable fashion brands, and Tabby—specifically the Pillow Tabby—is indubitably the marker of the revival. Stunning us with the coveted Brooklyn, spotted on fashion A-listers like Bella Hadid, or the Empire Carryall that sold out instantly as soon as they hit the shelves, the New York-based fashion powerhouse is on its hot streak. The real feather in its cap lies in the capability to balance between the heritage and innovation, connecting with the Gen-Z cohort while retaining the existing clientele. They are your favourite daily accessories and at the same time, Megan Thee Stallion’s “plus one” at the Met Gala.
Among all the offerings, the Tabby bags have amassed popularity since the first launch for Fall 2019. Inspired by archival designs from the 1970s, the Tabby features a flap adorned with a “C” clasp. While the design rides the coattails of the rise of vintage as a cultural force, the Tabby family is also flaunting Coach’s tour de force, the immaculate craftsmanship in leathermaking. And the whimsical bag charms? Cherry on the cake.
Sending the social media abuzz, the Tabby has become the new cult classic, but how relevant are they for a wardrobe made for a daily 9-to-6, or out of the tinted filter of a fashion influencer? I was eager to put the Tabby, specifically the latest addition, Chain Tabby and the viral Quilted Tabby, to test.
The Commute Companion: Coach Chain Tabby
Earlier this year at the Coach’s Fall 2025 show, I spotted a new Tabby silhouette decorating the front row—seen on Itzy’s Yuna and Thai actor Nanon, just to name a few. The Chain Tabby comes in a slouchier shape, somewhere in between the rectilinear Tabby Shoulder Bag and the hobo Brooklyn. Available in three sizes, the new member is proportionally larger and roomier than its Tabby predecessors.
It’s common for metropolitan dwellers toting a capacious bag for its practicality, an omnipresent accessory even, for those who travel and commute across the city regularly, but a large bag has its limitations—despite touting varied textures or colours, they are often minimally designed, a lack of nuance to many. The Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag 35, however, stood out with its well-loved Tabby exterior, drawing inspiration from the 1970s Courier Bag, designed by the legendary Bonnie Cashin. Yet, the commodious bag fits a laptop along with all the daily essentials without looking awkwardly bulky.
My biggest concern when it comes to oversized bags is the struggle of keeping them on my shoulder—we’ve all been there. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and for those who are always on the go, an overall hassle. Tried and tested, the Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag 35 stayed without slipping off throughout the day, well-seated on my thick knitted vest, denim top, and even a leather jacket.
Equipped with three straps of different lengths—both leather and sturdy metal chain—that are detachable, the bag can be carried in multiple ways. The Chain Tabby 35 is available in two practical colours, Honey Brown, and Black. While the roasted-almond-looking shade adds warmth to a look, the black, accented with gold hardware, is a classic selection that would go with a neutrals-dominated wardrobe for most white collars. For workplace-appropriate or daily commute sake, a supple leather in black is not only versatile in styling, but also a timeless investment that can last through seasons.
The Day-to-Night: Coach Quilted Tabby
The viral squishy Pillow Tabby has proven that the appeal of Tabbies lies in their textured variations, and the Quilted Tabby is a 2025 answer to that. Unlike the Chain Tabby’s drapey soft grain leather, the Quilted Tabby parades a cushion-like design and a boxy soft-shell structure. Despite Coach being renowned for its leathermaking, the denim Quilted Tabby has gained huge traction online recently, yet another instant sell-out. Some would call it the Beyonce effect, or the comeback of the early aughts fashion, but it is undoubtedly a massive year for denim. Then again, when was denim ever really out? Given its durable nature, the denim Quilted Tabby is a piece that transcends seasons—years, even, making it an evergreen.
It doesn’t take a denimhead to appreciate this Quilted Tabby. While the general consensus for styling is that black goes with everything, the potential of a denim bag should not be overlooked. The origin of denim adds a rugged, casual and laid-back tone to an ensemble—like comfort food—it is matchmade in heaven for a short getaway or a downtown rendezvous. The light-wash denim bag as a crossbody or over the shoulder, works with virtually everything; paired either with a velvet waistcoat, a romantic frilly skirt decorated with lace trimmings or even the Canadian tuxedo and cowboy boots.
Its compact size, too, makes it convenient to carry around, be it running errands or a girls’ night out. An all-rounder in a city girl’s wardrobe rotation, if you ask me. That said, the bag is by no means small in capacity. The bag holds all my essentials, including a wallet, a card holder, a cushion compact, and a power bank, without being cumbersome. For someone who would opt for a bigger bag for functionality’s sake, it’s safe to say that the Quilted Tabby has shifted my perspective on trotting around the city with a smaller bag.
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