The Look for Less #5: Coach Kisslock Frame Bag
- Bree's Lifestyle
- Apr 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
At the time of this post, the bags are SOLD OUT. Coach's Kisslock Frame Bags made their debut late Winter 2025 and immediately sold out. Currently, there's a waiting list for the next drop, but coming in at $695 retail, affordable retailers are fast and furiously filling the gap for those who cannot wait and those not willing or able to shell out nearly $700 for the hottest bag of the Spring 2025 season.
At first glance, the bags instantly give "vintage", reminiscent of small leather coin purses that were popular as late as the 1970's before modern plastic or velcro wallets made them feel old-fashioned. Metallic Kisslock bags were modernized around the turn of the century, popular with flappers in the 1920s. Somewhere during the 70's they went from being palm-sized, just large enough to hold coins, to being tall enough to hold a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. I recall being a kid and one of my Aunts had a black leather cigarette case in tow whenever she came to our house.
By the time the mid-80's rolled around, all things with the kisslock feature was giving "granny" vibes. In the age of MJ, Prince, Springsteen, Madonna, and punk-rock, you wouldn't be caught dead whipping out a kisslock coin purse without feeling like a relic of the past.
Well, as they say - everything in fashion eventually comes back around in cycles - and, as far as I can tell, this is the first time I've witnessed the re-emergence of the kisslock frame feature in ladies' bags with such fervor. Although it still gives a vintage look, it returns with a modern twist due to its size. It no longer fits in the palm of your hand, nor is it just tall enough to hold a pack of cigarettes. It's large and in charge!
Another detail Coach incorporated in this oversized model was to give the bag a chic and slouchy feature. Oversized slouchy bags that can be tucked under your arm as you flit and flounder about town (totally impractical) have been on trend since Fall 2024. Summer 2024 gave us the dumpling bag - also slouchy and tuckable - but they were more teenage sized and less imposing. The Coach Kisslock is more like Big Bad Mama. She's the main event and now that she's sold out, dupes are everywhere for a fraction of the price. They come in all colors and sizes. Some are super-sized like the Coach version, and some less so. A few are available with an extra detail or two to keep the copyright lawsuits at bay. These are a few I recently found on Etsy at affordable prices.
Click on photos to shop items
Now, I stumbled onto a version of the bag on Temu a couple of months ago and instantly recalled having seen the style on the runway from 2025 Fashion Show videos. On Temu's website, it looked oversized, but in a late-night shopaholic haze I added it to my cart without double-checking the measurements (never EVER do this!). I was curious and eager to do a Look for Less review despite knowing full well the bag wouldn't be practical for everyday use. For that reason, the teenage-size version I received was a lucky break. Was I disappointed it wasn't big and slouchy? Absolutely! But as the bag sat in a pile of Spring things I planned to create content around, I found myself warming up to my miniature mistake. It's actually in a size I could use whereas I can't imagine carrying a larger bag under my arm anywhere except in cute photos on Instagram. That's not to take away from the original. Fashion isn't always about practicality and trends come and go. It's only a matter of time before the fashion gurus deem the kisslock bag old news; replaced by a newer - hot- "on trend" item everyone's trying to get their hands on.
THIS IS WHAT I GOT
Kisslock Bag, Temu
It's tiny, but a cutie, and the faux pebbled-leather is giving lady-like luxe! Below are some of the ways I've styled up the bag for various occasions. Leave me a comment and let me know if you have a favorite look.
WORK /OFFICE /CHURCH
Outfits credit at the end of this post
WEEKEND / ELEVATED CASUAL
What do you think? Let me know if the Kisslock bug has bitten you or if it's still giving major granny vibes versus vintage chic! Are you waiting to invest in the super-sized original or planning to try a more practical and affordable alternative?
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