Coach Quilted Tabby 26 Review: The Lilac Shoulder Bag Stealing My Heart
There are birthday bags… and then there are birthday bags.
This Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 With Quilting in Soft Purple is very much the latter.
I picked it up as an early birthday gift from my husband, just after we returned from our Japan trip, and I haven’t stopped smiling at it since. It’s plush, pillowy, delicately lilac, and has that quietly luxurious look that feels far more expensive than its price tag.
If you’ve been eyeing the Coach Quilted Tabby 26 and wondering whether the soft purple / lilac shade is a practical choice or just a fleeting trend, this review is for you.
Overview: What Is the Coach Tabby 26 With Quilting?
The Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 With Quilting is a structured shoulder bag inspired by an archival Coach design from the 1970s, updated with ultra-soft quilted nappa leather and a sleek, minimal silhouette.
Key facts:
Official name: Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 With Quilting
Material: Quilted nappa leather (lambskin finish)
Color shown here: Soft Purple (a gentle lilac)
Hardware: Silver-tone with a leather-covered “C” logo
Dimensions: ~26 cm (L) × 14 cm (H) × 8 cm (W)
Strap: Leather-and-chain strap with approx. 54.5 cm drop for shoulder or crossbody wear
Price range: In Australia, it’s typically around the AUD $900–$1,000 mark, depending on retailer and promo.
Think of it as the sweet spot between a classic flap bag silhouette (Chanel-esque in spirit) and a modern, playful, padded shoulder bag. It’s refined enough for dressy dinners but still fun and youthful thanks to that lilac tone.
Design & Features: The Details That Make It Special
The Quilted Nappa Leather
The star of the show is the nappa leather: ultra-soft, pillowy, and incredibly touchable. Coach describes it as plush nappa on their product pages, and in person it feels very much like lambskin—smooth, buttery, and luxurious.
Compared to:
Gucci Marmont lambskin: the Marmont lambskin (especially on the classic small flap) feels slightly more robust and structured. My Gucci Marmont wallet-on-chain has worn beautifully over six years with only fine hairline scratches.
Coach Quilted Tabby 26: this leather feels even softer and more pillowy, which is gorgeous but inevitably more delicate.
This is a bag you’ll want to treat with a little extra care. It’s one you instinctively want to squish like a tiny lilac cushion.
Color: Soft Purple / Lilac
The shade Soft Purple is a muted lilac—neither neon nor pastel baby purple. It’s somewhere in the middle: feminine, romantic, but surprisingly wearable.
Why I love this color:
It behaves almost like a “colorful neutral”: softer than bright pink, easier than bold red.
It works beautifully with denim, white, beige, navy, and even red.
It feels very “now” (lilac has been everywhere in spring collections), yet it’s muted enough to age gracefully.
Coach’s own listings confirm that Soft Purple is an official seasonal colorway for this bag, using the same dimensions and specs as the classic Tabby 26 with quilting.
Hardware & Logo
One of my favourite details is the leather-covered “C” logo on the front flap. Instead of a high-contrast metal logo, Coach covers the C in matching lilac leather, pairing it with silver-tone hardware around it.
This does two things:
Keeps the bag looking soft and tonal, rather than logo-heavy.
Makes the overall vibe more modern and refined; gold on such a delicate pastel could easily look too loud for everyday wear.
Exterior Layout
On the outside you get:
A front flap with a push-lock closure
A back slip pocket with a magnetic closure—perfect for receipts, tickets, or a slim phone
The back pocket is one of those little details that makes life easier; you don’t have to open the whole bag to stash something quickly.
Interior Layout
Open the flap, and you find a surprisingly well-thought-out interior:
Two main compartments
A central zip pocket
An additional front slip section under the flap with magnetic closure
Leather or fabric lining (varies slightly by batch/retailer, but Coach lists leather lining on some soft purple listings)
It’s like a mini organiser built into the bag. Everything has a “home,” which helps the bag keep its shape and prevents that chaotic black-hole effect.
Strap & Ways to Wear
The Tabby 26 with quilting comes with a long chain-and-leather strap you can:
Wear on the shoulder, single for a longer drop
Wear on the shoulder, doubled for a more classic, ladylike look
Wear crossbody (the strap length allows it, especially if you’re average height or taller)
Personally, I feel this silhouette shines most as a shoulder bag or top-handle style (you can shorten or loop the chain to create a faux top handle). Crossbody works, but visually it makes such a refined bag read more casual, and you lose a little of that elegant flap-bag energy.
What Fits Inside the Coach Quilted Tabby 26?
Despite its polished, compact look, the Tabby 26 is surprisingly accommodating.
With its approx. 26 × 14 × 8 cm frame, you can comfortably fit:
Full-size smartphone (fits in each main compartment and even in the front or back slip pockets)
Compact wallet or cardholder
Keys (even with a chunky key pouch)
Lipstick or gloss + a small hand cream
Compact mirror or powder
Tissues or a slim cardholder-style hand sanitiser
Slim sunglasses case (soft pouch is better than a hard case)
The structure and internal dividers mean that even when full, it doesn’t bulge awkwardly. It retains that beautiful, boxy-yet-soft silhouette.
If you’re used to micro bags, the Tabby 26 will feel downright generous. If you’re used to giant totes, this is more of a refined day-to-evening bag—perfect for dinners, events, and smart casual days out.
I filmed a full “What’s In My Bag – Coach Quilted Tabby 26” style breakdown on YouTube, so you can see exactly how I pack it.
Pros & Cons of the Coach Quilted Tabby 26 in Soft Purple
Pros
Luxurious leather at a mid-luxury price point
Quilted nappa leather with that pillowy finish gives a very high-end feel without Chanel-level pricing.
Timeless flap silhouette
The design clearly nods to classic flap bags, which are proven to stay in style decade after decade.
Color that acts like a neutral
Soft lilac is playful but surprisingly versatile—beautiful with blues, whites, creams, pastels, and even red.
Beautiful tonal design
Leather-covered C logo and silver hardware keep it sophisticated and not overly “branded”.
Practical interior
Multiple compartments and pockets make it easy to stay organised.
Multiple ways to wear
Shoulder, semi-top-handle, and crossbody give you styling flexibility.
Seasonless spring/summer star
The color sings in warmer months but also looks dreamy against winter creams and greys.
Cons
Delicate leather
That ultra-soft lambskin-style nappa is more prone to scratches and indentations than grained or pebble leather. You need to be a little mindful.
Color-transfer risk
With any light or pastel leather, you’ll want to watch out for dark denim and rough fabrics.
Not a “chuck on the floor” bag
If you’re very rough with bags or prefer carefree, wipe-clean finishes, this may not be your best everyday workhorse.
Trend-adjacent
Quilted pastels are very of-the-moment. I do think this specific design and hue will age well, but if you’re extremely trend-averse, you might prefer a neutral shade.
Styling Notes: How I Wear the Soft Purple Tabby
One of the reasons I fell so hard for this bag is how beautifully it works with my wardrobe.
Color Pairings
With blue
I intentionally wore the same blue dress from the boutique to show just how nicely lilac and blue play together. Think of a lilac flower against a summer sky—that’s the vibe.
With neutrals
White linen dress + lilac bag + nude sandals
Beige trousers + white shirt + soft purple Tabby + gold/silver jewellery mixed
These combos let the bag be the quiet, elegant focal point.
With red or berry
Just like my red Gucci Marmont pairs surprisingly well with purple tones, this lilac Coach works with red accents too. It creates a chic, slightly unexpected color contrast.
Daytime Looks
Skinny or straight-leg jeans, white tee, tailored blazer, soft purple Tabby on the shoulder.
Floral midi dress, espadrilles, Tabby carried on the shoulder with the chain doubled for a more polished look.
Evening Looks
Slip dress in navy, black, or champagne + Tabby worn shoulder or top-handle style.
Tailored jumpsuit + pointed heels + lilac bag for a modern, structured evening look.
How I Like to Wear It
My preferred way:
Chain doubled for a shorter drop
Worn on the shoulder or carried by the chain like a mini top handle
Crossbody is definitely possible, but for me, the bag’s personality really comes alive in more ladylike ways of carrying.
Wear & Durability: Early Impressions
I’ve owned enough lambskin and nappa pieces to know: softness and durability are always a trade-off.
Based on Coach’s specs and my own comparison:
The leather on the Quilted Tabby 26 feels softer and more pillowy than my Gucci Marmont lambskin.
It is therefore more delicate and more likely to show marks or indentations if mishandled (for example, if the chain is stored pressed tightly against the leather for a long time).
How I plan to care for it:
Store it stuffed and upright in its dust bag.
Keep the chain wrapped or tucked, so it doesn’t leave dents in the leather.
Avoid wearing it with brand-new dark denim or rough fabrics pressed directly against it.
Keep it away from heavy rain; a few sprinkles are fine, but I wouldn’t risk a downpour.
Is it the most carefree, throw-around bag? No.
Is it unreasonably fragile? Also no—just a typical reality of soft nappa leather.
If you’ve successfully lived with lambskin or other smooth leathers before, you’ll be absolutely fine with this, as long as you’re a little mindful.
Alternatives to Consider
If you love the Coach Tabby 26 with Quilting but are still deciding, here are a few alternatives:
1. Coach Tabby 26 in Polished Pebble Leather
Same general size and silhouette, but in pebble leather instead of quilted nappa.
More durable and scratch-resistant.
Less pillowy, more structured and casual.
Best if: you want an everyday workhorse and don’t want to baby your bags.
Shop Tabby 26: https://go.shopmy.us/p-32299229
2. Coach Tabby 20 With Quilting
Smaller, more compact size.
Adorable for evenings or minimalists, but the back pocket is tighter and less practical for phones.
Best if: you love the look but carry very little and prioritise cuteness over capacity.
Shop Tabby 20: https://go.shopmy.us/p-32342305
3. Coach Pillow Tabby 26
Even more cushioned and “puffy”.
Slightly more casual vibe; very trendy, very Instagram.
Best if: you want a super-fun, ultra-pillow look and don’t mind leaning into trendiness.
Shop Pillow Tabby: https://go.shopmy.us/p-32842134
4. Chanel Classic Flap / Gucci Marmont
Not direct competitors in price, but worth mentioning since:
The silhouette of the Tabby 26 clearly nods to these classic flap designs.
If you love the Chanel look but don’t want the Chanel price (or drama), the Quilted Tabby 26 gives you that timeless shape in a more accessible way.
Best if: you love the aesthetic but prefer to keep investment-level pricing for only a handful of pieces.
Shop Chanel Classic Flap: https://dub.sh/3NnyNEP
Is the Coach Quilted Tabby 26 in Soft Purple Worth It?
For me, absolutely yes.
Here’s who I think this bag is ideal for:
You love color, but you want something that still feels elegant and versatile.
You prefer a mid-luxury price point with a genuinely luxurious look and feel.
You already have your black / beige basics covered and want a special piece that makes outfits feel fresh.
You enjoy structured flap silhouettes that will still look chic ten years from now.
Who might want to skip it:
You want one bag to do absolutely everything and don’t want to think about scratches or color transfer at all.
You live in very rainy climate and need something ultra-practical and water-resistant.
You prefer super-minimal designs with no quilting or logo at all.
For me, the combination of:
The soft lilac shade
The pillowy nappa
The classic flap shape
And the sentimental value of it being a birthday gift from my husband
…makes this a piece I can genuinely see myself keeping for many, many years.
Alicja’s Final Thoughts
This Coach Quilted Tabby 26 in Soft Purple is not the most expensive bag in my collection, but it is one of the happiest. There’s something about the color, the pillowy quilting, and the way it tucks under the shoulder that makes it feel both special and comforting.
It reminds me that luxury doesn’t always have to be black, serious, or “sensible.” Sometimes luxury is a lilac shoulder bag that makes you smile every time you walk past it.
If you’re considering this bag and your heart keeps coming back to the soft purple shade—trust your heart. It might be a “color” bag, but in practice, it behaves like a pastel neutral and will work far harder in your wardrobe than you expect.
Shop this bag/look:
Watch the Full Video Review
If you’d like to see:
The live unboxing
Different color options I tried in store (white, buff, mossy green, hay, grey-blue, Tabby 20 vs 26)
How it looks on the body and how much it can hold
…make yourself a coffee (or champagne), and watch the full Coach Quilted Tabby 26 in Soft Purple video on my YouTube channel.
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think of this lilac beauty—would you choose soft purple, or would you go for one of the classic shades?
Written for AlicjaGriffiths.com — Luxury Handbag Reviews & Style Insights.
