Coach Vs Dooney & Bourke: Is One Brand Better Than The Other?

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Dooney and Bourke and Coach are among top American fashion brands, known for their stylish and durable bags, but which brand is right for you? Find out in this Dooney and Bourke vs Coach article.

Coach boutique
©Thananit Suntiviriyanon | Depositphotos.com

Both of these brands offer a stunning range of bags and accessories, all available at affordable prices – making them the perfect option if you are looking for a gorgeous new handbag that won’t break the bank.

Dooney and Bourke and Coach offer leather options, as well as coated canvas bags decorated with the brands’ monograms. As you can see, there are many similarities between these two brands, making it difficult to choose between the two. However, if you look a little closer, you will see that there are significant aspects of each brand that are different, which will make it a little easier to figure out which brand is right for you.

This article is going to look at the history of both brands, the differences between them, and delve into some of their best-selling bags before coming to a conclusion on Dooney and Bourke vs Coach. Keep reading to find the best brand for you.

Dooney and Bourke vs Coach

The history of Dooney and Bourke

Dooney and Bourke is an American fashion and leather goods brand that was founded in 1975 by designer Peter Dooney and entrepreneur Frederic Bourke. The fashion house was founded in Norwalk, Connecticut – a fact that is important in the brand’s heritage and design.

The company began by just selling men’s belts and suspenders, all made by Peter Dooney by hand, before expanding into women’s handbags. The first collection of handbags was made from All Weather leather and featured a smooth leather trim – all elements which have remained in the design of Dooney and Bourke bags to this day.


The brand grew rapidly with their new collection of handbags and by the 1990s, Dooney and Bourke bags were very popular and they opened their first store in New York City. In the 2000s, the leather goods brand began to craft bags from high quality coated canvas, often printed with the D&B monogram or playful patterns, which attracted an audience of young women to the brand.

Dooney and Bourke continued to grow with stores opening all over the United States, and the brand becomes increasingly popular due to their collaborations with the MLB, NFL, and Collegiate schools. This means there is a wide range of Dooney and Bourke pieces that are emblazoned with the names of sports teams or Collages so fans can support their team in style.

To ensure the highest quality, Dooney and Bourke bags continued to be made by European craftsmen, which guarantees that these brands will stand the test of time. Dooney and Bourke bags, accessories, and shoes are now available in D&B stores and department stores all across America, and their official website ships worldwide.

The history of coach

The Coach brand has a rich heritage and long history, since its founding in 1941. The company began as a family-run workshop in Manhattan in which six craftsmen created high-quality leather wallets by hand. Then the brand changed in 1946, when husband and wife duo Miles and Lillian Cahn took over the company and it expanded to become the leather goods producer, we know today.

Miles Cahn was committed to creating high-quality leather goods for the Coach brand and noticed how the leather used to make baseball gloves became stronger and more supple with more wear and use. Cahn replicated this process to create better leather wallets and purses.

It was then his wife, Lillian, that suggested handbags should be added to the brand’s repertoire, instantly becoming a success.


The brand grew further when in 1961, the Cahn’s hired Bonnie Cashin as the head designer, who quickly began to design gorgeous handbags that were an instant hit and are still sold today. Cashin also incorporated vibrant colors into her designs, which proved more popular than the neutral brown shades that were used before.

In 1965, Richard Rose was hired to help market and sell the Coach brand – he was instrumental in making Coach the household name we know it as today.

Coach is now a top American fashion house that offers men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections, beautiful handbags, and accessories, all designed by the incredible creative director, Stuart Vevers. The popularity of Coach has meant that it is now a worldwide brand, with its luxury goods stocked in department stores all over the world, as well as over 896 Coach stores across the world.

Differences between Dooney Vs Bourke and Coach

In order to help you choose which brand is right for you, we need to take a closer look at the differences between Dooney and Bourke and Coach…

1. Price range

Delving into the price range of each of these brands is a great place to start. Dooney and Bourke bags range between $55 and $950 depending on the size of the bag and the material it is made from.

Coach handbags, on the other hand, sell for between $150 and $795, which is a very affordable price range compared to some of the more established luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. As you can see, D&B bags start off a little more affordable but generally speaking, the best-selling bags from both brands’ retail for roughly the same price.

2. Materials

The materials used by each brand may also play an important part in helping you to decide which brand is right for you.

Dooney and Bourke have a wide range of leather bags, including pebbled leather, smooth leather, textured leather, and exotic leather – this exotic leather is calfskin which has been embossed with a crocodile or ostrich print. There are also more affordable nylon and polyvinyl-coated cotton bags, which are often decorated with striking prints or the D&B logo.

Coach is similar in its range of materials, which includes Nappa leather, natural leather, and pebbled leather, as well as coated canvas, plain canvas, and nylon. There is a lot of variety from both brands to suit your budget and your lifestyle.

3. Brand aesthetic

The style and product offerings from each of these brands are very different too.

Dooney and Bourke have more of a classic, timeless style where the emphasis is on function. The silhouettes are simple and practical, while the eye-catching design comes from bright colors or fun prints that decorate the exterior of the bag. Dooney and Bourke also have more limited luxury items on offer, including bags, shoes, small leather goods like wallets, and D&B watches.

Coach purses and bags are often more stylish and trendy, with more focus on the current fashion trends. This means the silhouettes are unique and the Coach logo sits front and center on many bags, in keeping with the current popular logomania trend. Coach also has a wider range of pieces on offer, including men’s and women’s clothing collections, bags, shoes, and accessories – so you are bound to find lots of items you love.

Best-Selling bags from Dooney and Bourke Vs coach

There are so many beautiful bags from both Dooney and Bourke and Coach, so we have narrowed it down to a few best-sellers to make it easy for you to find your dream bag!

1. Tote bags
Blue and tan Dooney and Bourke Pebble Grain Tote
Get this on Dooney and Bourke
Brown Coach Willow Signature Canvas Tote Bag
Get this on Nordstrom

This Dooney and Bourke Pebble Grain Tote is so timeless and is a must-have in any luxury bag collection. This bag is made from super durable pebbled leather and finished with tan leather trim – this tote comes in a wide range of different colors so you can pick the shade that best suits your personal style.

The exterior is fitted with a handy zip pocket and a gleaming gold D&B logo, while the interior is spacious and features slip pockets, a cell phone pocket, and a zip pocket so it’s easy to stay organized.

The neutral tones of this Coach Willow Signature Canvas Tote Bag ensure this bag is effortlessly versatile. The tote is made from coated canvas, which is very durable, and decorated with the C monogram for a classic Coach look.

The top of the bag secures with a glittering gold C logo turn lock, which allows easy access to the roomy, well-organized interior. The inside of the bag is fitted with a central zipper compartment that splits the bag in two, so everything in the bag is easy to find.

2. Shoulder bags
Dark brown Dooney and Bourke Gretta Large Sac shoulder bag
Get this on Dooney and Bourke
Tan Coach Madison Signature Canvas Shoulder Bag
Get this on Nordstrom

Dooney and Bourke also have a monogrammed canvas, which you can see on this stunning Gretta Large Sac shoulder bag. This handbag would be ideal for everyday use as it is made from a water-repellent coated cotton material and fitted with multiple pockets – so handy.

This signature canvas bag is available in multiple different colorways, each trimmed with rich tan leather, embellished with a gold Dooney and Bourke logo, and then lined with a contrasting red fabric. Get your hands on this beautiful bag for just $308.

We love the cute and compact design of this Coach Madison Signature Canvas Shoulder Bag! This shoulder bag has a classic silhouette, but it is the choice of materials and hardware that really makes this a striking bag.

The body of the bag is made from smooth tan leather, while the top flap is made from the Coach signature coated canvas. The front flap secures with a flower turn lock, which looks so gorgeous, while the gold chain link strap can be worn on the shoulder or across the body – so versatile!

3. Crossbody bags
Black and tan Dooney and Bourke All Weather Leather 2 Duck Bag
Get this on Dooney and Bourke
Black Coach Pillow Leather Crossbody Bag
Get this on Nordstrom

The Dooney and Bourke All Weather Leather 2 Duck Bag is a classic that has stood the test of time with its practical and stylish design. The All Weather leather ensures both a luxurious look and function as the leather can withstand all types of weather without looking damaged – making the bag ideal to use on a daily basis.

The front flap is decorated with the vintage Dooney and Bourke duck logo which has been pulled from the archives for that heritage look. The adjustable strap is also detachable, and the exterior pocket and interior zip pocket ensure plenty of space.

The Coach Pillow Leather Crossbody Bag has quickly become a best-selling expensive handbag because of its sophisticated and sumptuous look. The Coach bag, which is crafted from buttery soft leather, has been padded to create a plush exterior, while the Coach logo decorated the exterior of the bag for a tonal look.

This leather bag is also a beloved Coach style because of its versatility and practicality – with the detachable top handle and crossbody strap, divided interior, and multiple zip pockets. Plus the bag is available in a whole range of different colors – just perfect!

4. Bucket bags
Tan Dooney and Bourke Pebble Grain Drawstring Bucket bag
Get this on Dooney and Bourke
Black Coach Tabby Calf Leather Bucket Bag
Get this on Neiman Marcus

How can you resist the chic and timeless look of this Dooney and Bourke Pebble Grain Drawstring bucket bag?! This Dooney and Bourke bag is made from the beloved pebbled leather which looks stunning and is durable too and then finished with smooth tan leather trim.

A little glam is added with the D and B charms that sit on the exterior of the bag. The strap is detachable, while the feet on the bottom provide a little more structure. Inside the drawstring top, you will find a spacious interior a zipper pocket, a key hook, and a cell phone pocket.

If you are looking for a bag with a little more luxe, then this Coach Tabby Calf Leather Bucket Bag is perfect for you! The bag is made with supple black calfskin which has a beautiful glossy sheen and is then embellished with a gleaming gold C Coach logo.

The bucket bag comes with both a leather strap and a webbing strap so you can pick the option that best suits your look. Plus, the interior is roomy and is fitted with an open pocket to keep your phone safe and easy to find.

conclusion

Overall, both brands offer an incredible range of handbags so whatever brand you go for, you are bound to find a bag you will love forever.

If you want more of a classic, minimalist style and want a bag that will really stand the test of time, the Dooney and Bourke is the brand for you. The attention they put into the craftsmanship and the durable materials ensure all of their bags are timeless.

If you want something a little more trendy with more of a glamorous and luxe look, then Coach is the brand you need in your life. Their bags are so chic and sophisticated, that you will be wearing your new beautiful Coach bag all the time!

We hope you found this article analyzing Dooney and Bourke vs Coach helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.

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