The Tabby gets the attention, but the turnlock is the older story. Bonnie Cashin, whose first Coach collection, Cashin Carry, debuted in 1962, introduced the turnlock in 1964, inspired by the metal toggles that held the roof of her convertible in place. Vogue also credits her with popularizing the idea of carrying two bags to work. I think about that every time I see a bag with a twist clasp, because it is a very practical piece of hardware that happens to look good.

The Turnlock Haversack 27 Suede Shoulder Bag and the Originals Haversack Turnlock Medium Signature Jacquard Shoulder Bag 27 are the closest to that history. They are soft, slightly rounded and easy to open with one hand, which is what you want when you are holding a coffee. The suede one is the quieter choice with camel coats and denim; the jacquard one is for when the rest of your outfit is plain.

The Plaza family is where the shoulder bag gets small and easy. The Plaza Mini Black Leather Shoulder Bag and the Plaza Mini Leather Shoulder Bag are the neat, structured ones, good with tailoring. The Plaza Small Signature Canvas Slim Shoulder Bag is flatter and lighter, and the Plaza Small Crystal Signature Jacquard Shoulder Bag adds a little sparkle for evenings. The Plaza Mini Signature UpcraftedLeather Shoulder Bag 18 is the smallest of the set, a phone and lipstick bag with real personality.

Then the hobo shapes. The Brooklyn Leather Shoulder Bag and the Brooklyn Medium Leather Shoulder Bag 28 slouch in a way I find easy to live with, and Vogue notes that Brooklyn leftover leather scraps are reinvented into Coachtopia Alter/Ego styles, a sub-label Coach launched in 2023 to repurpose surplus materials. The Chelsea Small Leather Shoulder Bag, the Demi Small Signature Jacquard Shoulder Bag and the Demi Signature Jacquard Shoulder Bag round things out as the simple, tucked-under-the-arm options. Check how a hobo sits when it is full: if it drags your shoulder seam down, go one size smaller.

Now the bags for days when you carry more. The Cargo line is the surprise of this group, because it takes the idea of a Coach purse and makes it look like a work tote. The Cargo Small Denim Tote Bag 26, the Mini Cargo Denim Tote Bag and the Mini Denim Cargo Tote 20 are all denim, which means they sit beautifully with white shirts and loose trousers and look a little odd with a dressy coat. The Cargo Small Canvas Tote Bag 26 and the Cargo Mini Canvas Tote Bag 20 are the same idea in canvas, and I would pick the larger of those for a commute.

The Bella pair is more polished. The Bella Small Pebble Leather Tote Bag has a textured, pebbled surface that hides scuffs and looks good with almost anything, and the Bella Small Leather Satchel Bag is the one to carry in the hand or on the forearm when you want to look put together. Both are small, so think of them as an everyday bag rather than a laptop bag. The Plaza Signature Canvas Satchel sits between the two groups: it has the Signature pattern of the shoulder bags, but a boxy shape that stands up on a desk.

For fit, hold each tote the way you will actually carry it. Hand handles are great until you need both hands, so if you are on the train every day, look for a bag that also goes comfortably over the shoulder. Size matters as much as style here: a mini tote is a pretty accessory, but it will not hold much beyond the basics.

What I would skip: the biggest tote if you only ever carry a phone and keys. It will slump, you will keep losing things at the bottom, and a smaller shoulder bag from the first two groups would serve you better. Also skip any light-colored canvas for a rainy commute unless you are happy to see it age.

Here is how I would actually choose. Think about the one thing you carry every day that has to fit, and measure it against the size in the name. A larger Tabby or Brooklyn takes a small book. A Plaza mini takes only the essentials. A Cargo tote takes the rest of your life.

Then think about how you move. If you walk a lot, pick a crossbody chain or a bag that stays tucked under the arm. If you sit at a desk, a tote or satchel makes more sense. Try the bag on in front of a mirror with the coat you wear most, because strap length and coat sleeves make or break the fit.

Finally, look after the leather. Wipe it with a dry cloth, keep it stuffed with tissue when you store it, and do not overload it. Coach also introduced Coach (Re)Loved in 2021, a circular ecosystem for repair, refurbishment, upcycling, recycling and trade-in, so the brand has an answer for when a bag wears out. A good purse should last you for years, and that is the real reason to choose carefully now. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Coach Bags Quietly Became the Leather Goods Everyone Actually Uses and The Mini Purse Survived Its Own Backlash.