Alongside burgundy and leopard print, suede totes have proven to be one of the absolute biggest trends of early 2025, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. But suede does not come cheap, and while there are plenty of inexpensive faux options out there, this is a rare trend I think is truly worth investing in and splurging on the real deal. As for which suede handbags are going to give you the best bang for your buck, well, there’s one that continues to pop up in my mind again and again (and again): the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag.
Worth It: This Cult-Favorite Coach Handbag Is the Ideal Suede Tote to Invest In
It truly lives up to the hype
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Published Jan 22, 2025
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Abby Hepworth for PureWow
Abby Hepworth
The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag first came to my attention when supermodel Bella Hadid was spotted with a brown suede version slung over her arm in summer 2024. It was also listed as the number two most searched for item on Lyst’s Index of the Hottest Products for Q3 of 2024, proving it wasn’t just a fad amongst fans of Hadid. At the time, I, as was much of the fashion set, was still clinging for dear life to my series of mini bags and thought the oversize tote, while gorgeous, was ultimately far too large for everyday use. But as I continued to see it over and over on the arms of fashion editors and influencers, I found myself reevaluating the roomy tote. Until, ultimately, I knew I had to test it IRL to see if it truly lived up to the hype.
The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag comes in two sizes, the smaller 28 style which retails for $295 and the larger 39 which runs just under $500. I opted for the larger as it was the one Hadid chose as well. My very first thought upon pulling it out of the shopping bag was that this tote is incredibly lightweight. Seriously, it feels like air, which is a very important quality for a large tote—if it’s already fairly hefty before you put anything in it, that weight is going to become annoying very quickly. The other thing I latched onto was the stunning shape and structure.
This Coach design has the vibes of a slouchy, boho tote, but in reality has a decent amount of structure, such that it sits upright when plopped on my desk. And the singular shoulder strap also straddles an ideal balance between minimalist and sturdy. It’s also wide enough to feel very comfortable on my shoulder without digging in, even when I loaded up my tote with as much as it could fit to truly test the carrying capacity.
The size has a magical Mary Poppins quality—it doesn’t feel that large on your shoulder nor does it look awkwardly large, and yet has room for an immense number of everyday essentials. It more than comfortably fit my 13-inch MacBook Pro work laptop alongside noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses in a rigid case, a 20oz water bottle, a hardcover book and, of course, my phone and wallet.
Coach
One flaw is that it can be challenging to find what I’m looking for with all that room. But that is true of any oversize tote. Real suede is also not a material to be lackadaisical with. If you want the material to age well and remain looking luxe for as long as possible, prepare yourself to treat this tote with care. (Unless you’re going for an Olsen twin Birkin vibe, that is.)
In reality, it took only a few hours for me to fall completely in love with the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder bag. I’d forgotten how nice it was to have a carryall bag that can actually carry it all. And that love has grown with each wear, making me feel confident declaring this bag truly worth the splurge for anyone on the hunt for the perfect suede bag to add to their collection. I’m definitely not complaining about the rush of compliments from random strangers on the subway, either. The shape, color and fabric are utterly timeless, simple without being boring. Who knows? Maybe this will be the one to even make me break my mini handbag obsession entirely.
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