I've been carrying around a purse for the last 40 years and I have yet to carry around a Coach handbag. I just haven't seen the appeal. Why would I want to carry around a purse that has "C's" all over it? I know you can get Coach handbags that do not have the "C's" but then how would anyone know it's a Coach? I just don't find them that particularly attractive with or without the alphabet splattering.

I decided to try to figure out what the attraction is.

• It appears that carrying a Coach handbag is a sign of sophistication. I personally haven't witnessed anyone that carries one being any more sophisticated than anyone else.
• It appears that they are made with quality fabrics, leather, and hardware. Well, there are other purses or handbags that are as well that are much more attractive. Brahmin's Toasted Almond collection comes to mind. I wrote a hub about Brahmin purses.

The thing is, with so many imitations and replicas, can anyone really tell who is walking around with a really Coach purse and who isn't? I decided to research how you can tell the difference between an authentic Coach handbag and a replica.

If you're intent on buying a Coach handbag, then you at least ought to get what you pay for. You need to know how to tell an authentic Coach purse from a replica or knock-off.

There are few specific features of the Coach purses that allows you to distinguish them from the replicas.

• Watch for sloppy stitching or crooked patterns. Authentic Coach purses are always well stitched and patterns generally starts from the middle of the purse.
• Familiarize yourself with the feel of the finish an authentic Coach purse. Imitations do not have this same feel to the finish.
• Coach purses are made from quality leather. Replicas are generally made of fabric or cheaper low quality leather.
• Check out the zipper. Coach always uses best quality zippers and always pay attention to its even very small details. A cheap zipper is a dead give-away.