Father’s day is the 19th of this month of June. It is the perfect excuse for we girls to take a look at the other side - the men’s designer accessories, specifically; wallets.

Coach, my favorite handbag designer, also creates fine leather wallets for men. Some have logos, some don’t, but all are fairly simple, yet oh, so sophisticated and full of class. If your father is like any man I know, his wallet is old and ratty. He needs a new one! Even if you can’t afford giving a Coach present to your dear old, this might give you ideas.

Pictured here is the Textured Coin Wallet. I like it for its large coin pocket. I also recommend the Textured Leather ID Wallet, the English Bridle Passcase ID Wallet, and the English Bridle Compact ID Wallet.

While you’re giving the thoughtful gift of sprucing up your dad (although, to me it seems self-helping, as well, to make those around you look good) you might want to suggest he forgoe the wallet-in-the-jeans’-pocket.

Our male peers tease us for carrying handbags, while they walk around with a lump in their pants - in the wrong spot.

(Feel free to suggest your favorite name-brand wallets for men, to be posted here.)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Lulu Guinness offers different variations of feminine wallets, referred to as coin purses, on her website. Her designs, such as Lips and high heeled shoes, make us very pleased.

There’s a wallet for every occasion, but I prefer the look of the Card Case; I just love that small coin pocket clutch shape. I feel that its form compliments the lips design very well; it follows the angles of a lip!

There is also the Small Wallet, a Large Wallet, and the adorable kiss-lock Coin Purse.

This second design, also in the form of the attractive card case, is named “Fishnet” for it’s webbed stockings pattern. We love anything shoes as well as handbags!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Coach recently debuted their new “Signature Tie Dye” collection of handbags (reminiscent of their Holiday Patchwork collection). Some colors/styles are not all that attractive, but I kind of favor this Demi in brass/white. It has a bit of a silvery sheen with upscale-looking shimmery white Signature jacquard fabric, also with leather, patent and suede.

On the other end of the scale are the Patchwork bags, with

“calfskin, metallic leather, suede, metallic suede, tie dye signature fabric, Signature fabric, Mini Signature fabric”

They’re a bit of monstrosities, and I can’t imagine them really being “every day” or matching much. Are they even “any day?” I will admit, though, the Coach whore in me is almost drawn to the line. I wouldn’t look down upon anyone who really likes this bag enough to sport it, I’ll say that.

If you do like the Tie Dye, I’ll suggest a wallet. Just as expensive in some cases, but they carry a higher taste. It’s nice in pink and it’s the only item, I personally feel, which is nice in denim. (Many bags are nice in pink.)

So, no, I’m not going to tear this apart with a review, but I will say this about Coach; they know they can appeal to their biggest fans with such bags, which many are priced reasonably, and are exploiting it.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Designer Michael Kors makes standard-style, classic, quality handbags. I was quite pleased when I discovered him, and he is now one of my favorites. (Coach being my 1st favorite.) This bag, the Delancey, with its khaki nylon (sans logo) with croc-embossed leather in striking, various colors, rivals the look of some of my favorite Coach items, again, minus the logo. It also has plentiful pockets, which won me over. (It’s harder to find Coach items with sufficient pockets, but there are adequate options.)

Summary of the Delancey:
- nylon with croc-embossed leather trim and strap.
- Hobo bag
- features nickel hardware and stud detail.
- Wide buckle tab with magnetic closure.
- Inside zip, cell phone and organizer pockets.
- 11″ W x 8″ H x 1-1/2″ D.
- $147.99

Another major plus? Matching accessories! Although far from free, nice accessories are available in a wristlet, a tri-fold wallet, and a key fob.

All of Michael’s other handbad designs are quite fine and suitable for anywhere/anytime/almost any one. They are not risk-taking bags in the forward-motion of designs, but classic is always good. I’ll be sure to feature more soon.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Coach has new items out for Spring. Many items, including handbags, shoes, a wallet, and even a handkerchief have ladybugs on them!

Ladybug Appliqué Boxy Tote

Straw tote with leather detail palm leaves and ladybugs (front, back and side)

Matching wallet! Novelty Mini Wallet (calfskin)

Soho Optic Signature Sm Tote w/ Appliqué

The optic fabric with a multi-tonal, silver-hued, cross-logo pattern is the ultimate luxe look for Coach. (This item does not flow seamlessly, but looks very good.) This bag comes only in green/silver (with khaki). It also has a rhinestone ladybug. Could be cute or detracting. A similar style, sans buggy, comes only in pale yellow/silver. It’s quite fetching.

Both of these new bags come with a cell phone and multi-function pocket. Most Coach items do not, so that is a bonus luxury. (An accessible cell phone and tidy personal items are a must.)

Matching wallet! Soho Optic Signature Compact Clutch

The bold and shiny Optic pattern is rather striking against the khaki in this wallet size. Best in pink and green, also in yellow.

BONUS!

Palm Neckerchief

Classy! Silk/cotton scarf with ladybug/palm print against a khaki mini Signature background. (You can wear it around your neck or your bag!)

Ladybug Key fob

And why not shoes? Yes, Coach 0ffers quite a few pairs of new ladybug shoes.

Green Optic Signature pattern on a criss-cross mule sandal 2 1/2″ heel.

NOTE: ALL of the items - minus the key ring - listed in this entry are LIMITED EDITION.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I do not have a shoe fetish. I have a shoe obsession. I do have a handbag fetish. We won’t go into details on the distinction. Coach is my favorite handbag designer. The signature pattern is the most appealing to my eyes and the quality is above all else.

I’ve been examining the Coach patterns lately, and I feel like an expert. I started with wallets and am branching out to know more and more about the handbags.

A. Quality - authenticity and even deeper

The Signature Coach pattern has C’s in a butterfly shape. Two wide right-side up and facing each other C’s above two upright C’s also rotate across the whole jacquard fabric.

Look at how beautiful something as simple as this key fob looks.

Spot a Fake from Authentic:

Coach Signature pattern should never be slanted, it should always align perfectly along the edges, with each C exactly lining up to the others in comparison to the edges of the item. On eBay you will find some auction items do not do this, do not bid.

Some Coach items also have a continuance from flap to main area that flows perfectly. The Coach wallets do not necessarily do this. Some bags do.

I’ve noticed that the handbag fabrics differ from bag to bag, they do from bags on eBay and in stores (that appear authentic) and the Signature Flap bag depicted on Coach.com. This detracts from quality for me. For some, the uniqueness adds. It would pay to purchase the more perfect looking bag, even if it is more expensive (directly from examining bags at a Coach store) or takes longer to find. Shop around at Coach stores and department stores.

B. Distinction - Signature vs. Mini Signature (vs. Signature Mini)

Signature Coach pattern is large. Mini Signature is smaller. Signature Mini is a large logo print on a smaller size product.

Note that the Signature pattern is more noticeably Coach. (You want that, don’t you?) I prefer it, but on larger items, the mini signature does the trick nicely and looks subtle and quality enough to still be noticeably high-design.

C. Further eBay Tips: (How to Buy Authentic on eBay)

1. You may quickly come to know more about the items you are bidding on than the sellers. The sellers do not always name their bags/wallets correctly. Compare the items on Coach.com to know what you are looking for and always go by the pictures. Make sure - and only bid if - the picture matches the exact item you will receive.

2. Before you purchase anywhere, know exactly what is your dream bag. Perhaps, like me, it is the Signature Small Pocket Satchel, which does not exist. Perhaps you love a bag, but want it in grass or turquoise, but it is not available. These are expensive investments, have the patience to wait for your perfect match. Your checkbook will thank you. (Thank your checkbook?)

3. Fakes Exist ALL authentic designer auctions should state authenticity. If you are duped into bidding or buying something fake, eBay is on your side.

5.4 VeRO Program. eBay’s Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program works to ensure that listed items do not infringe upon the copyright, trademark or other rights of third parties.

These bids are NOT binding. But before you get into this, please be careful. You can also bring your product to a Coach store for verification! If it is not authentic, request a refund from the seller.

Update: If you want to retract your bid, eBay will try to fight you, you must prove that the item description is not accurate.

Popularity: 3% [?]