This post features a quick look at a couple of fragrances from Coach, of American handbag fame. They have released at least 37 fragrances to date, but they only started in 2007 or around there, when the eponymous white floral “Coach” first came out.
My two fragrances are from the most recent “Coach the fragrance line” of which there are now six. I have the first two of that line, which came out in 2016, but I’ll mention the others after, perhaps. I got both of my bottles second-hand and they did not have much fragrance in them to start with, but I did put in my own dent into each.
Coach the Fragrance Eau de Parfum
I only have a few sprays left of the EDP, described as a sweet floral scent with notes of raspberry, rose, pear, musk, and suede, offering a light and sweet scent suitable for everyday wear. Here is the proper note breakdown:
- raspberry leaf, pear, pink pepper,
- Turkish rose, gardenia, cyclamen,
- suede, musk, cashmeran, sandalwood
The noses behind this release are Anne Flippo and Juliette Karagueuzoglou. I feel this is the typical mass-market, yummy-smelling fare you can get these days. If you like Jimmy Choo (which also has pear), La Vie Est Belle, Mon Guerlain, Black Opium, etc, this will not disappoint. As for me, I must admit that I find the notes in here more attractive than the actual composition.
This fragrance is a modern rose – very fruity, suitable for daily wear. It has no doubt already become a signature scent for many. The opening is bright and fruity with that delectable pear and raspberry leaf, and then it quickly matures a little with the velvety rose blooming up from the middle. It has a suede-like feel, which is appropriate since Coach is a leather goods company. The dry down is a tad soapy and finishes with a powdery pillow of musk and soft woodiness. It’s OK, but not memorable. Sadly, it is indeed the kind of fragrance that will induce headaches for some. I’m luckily not so prone to that, but I’ve become decent at predicting what might not work for those more sensitive. Overall, this EDP is pleasant, but not at all unique, and not a fragrance I would personally purchase new at retail. I’m glad I got a few sprays for a few hundred yen though.
Coach the Fragrance Eau de Toilette
Now, the EDT is the lighter, fresher cousin featuring predominantly rose notes with a softer citrus lemon replacing the raspberry. It’s less sweet, probably better for hot climates where I will be shortly. (Ugh.) But this is also likely also weaker performance. Here is the note breakdown with this one:
- pear, pink grapefruit, mandarin orange,
- white rose, Bulgarian rose, jasmine sambac,
- musk, oakmoss, white cedar extract, sandalwood
There are different perfumers for this one though, which is odd since this is the EDT version and not a flanker. We have Sonia Constant and Natalie Gracia-Cetto. To me, this is more than just a lighter version of the original. It’s different. There are similarities in the note breakdown, but just as many differences to make it different, I feel.
Usually, I go for the EDP when there is an EDT, since performance tends to be better. There is no need to get both, right? But the EDT this time around is different enough that it is worth getting both if you already have the EDP, assuming you like both, of course.
This fragrance is brighter, lighter, more energetic, and fresher than the EDP. It’s described as a floral-green composition. Yes, it is greener and less sweet. And thankfully still has the pear which I love. Rare as this is for me, I prefer this even more office-friendly EDT version. It is a tangy pear with citrus squeezed on top smothered in white roses, a few jasmine petals stirred in, and some woody musk waiting eagerly at the base. It’s hard not to like. I think if you like Chance by Chanel, you’ll like this. But once again, my friends, nothing wildly interesting or intriguing. It’s an easy grab during warmer months when you don’t want to think too much about what to wear.
The bottle of the EDT version has silver hardwear as opposed to gold, by the way, which is appropriate – it reflects the juice inside well in contrast with the richer juice in the gold EDP bottle. And I must confess – the bottles of these were part of the reason I picked these up, in addition to the deep, deep discounts I found. I love the mini metallic and leather coach tags on the side. I like the Coach brand, especially since they took efforts over recent years to step up their game with better designs and quality, in my opinion. I think I will take these off when I am done (which is soon), and find a way to use them up in jewelry or clothing, you know?
Anyway, I like this fragrance better than the EDP, I think, despite it being more floral and not performing as well. But this is more due to the fact that I feel the EDP is generic, and potentially headache inducing for some. This EDT version does not dip into perfumey, sickly-sweet territory and is indeed appropriate for the spring and summer months that are coming our way.
Now there are actually four more fragrances in this Coach line, with the same type of bottle packaging. I haven’t sniffed them, but if you have one of these and like it, these may appeal to you.
Coach Floral Eau de Parfum
This was Introduced in 2018, and includes pineapple along with rose, jasmine, gardenia, and musk notes, evoking a tropical summer vibe, making it ideal for a summer holiday.
Coach Floral Blush Eau de Parfum
This features goji berry, peony, and white wood base notes. This 2019 release is supposedly feminine yet not overly sweet, so it’s suitable for office wear. It’s a fresh garden floral mix with a hint of tartness from the goji berry. I don’t know of any other fragrance that makes use of goji berry, do you? Perhaps it comes with health benefits.
Coach Wild Rose
This came out in 2022, with red currant, bergamot, rose and Jasmine, and ambroxan, tonka bean and moss. I hear this one is rather like Lancôme’s Tresor Midnight Rose. Probably a tad cheaper, so if you like Lancôme’s version, there you go.
Coach Love Eau de Parfum
In 2023 we got this most recent release to date. This one has strawberry, rose, and cedarwood. It sounds pretty and girly, and likely also artificial-smelling, in my guess. Based on the ingredient list, though, this is something I’d be more confortable blind-buying from Bath and Body Words or The Body Shop, or you know, that kind of body-mist-selling brand.