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DESIGN
Ultimate Guide to Coach Kisslock Styles
An innovative heritage detail inspired by vintage coin purses.
byCoach Editorial
Published September 2026
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The Coach kisslock dates bag to our first head designer, Bonnie Cashin.
The innovative hardware feature was inspired by vintage coin purses that "kiss" shut.
Read on for more about the iconic design, plus Coach styles that incorporate the kisslock today.
When bags are crafted to last and built to become future vintage, the carefully designed features that make them so well-loved tend to stick around—and our Coach kisslock is a perfect example of that.
Here’s everything to know about the iconic hardware feature that stylishly signifies you’re carrying a Coach bag.
What Is the Coach Kisslock?
Inspired by vintage coin purses that “kiss” shut, the kisslock dates back to our first head designer, Bonnie Cashin, who led with a pragmatic approach to style in the ‘60s and ‘70s that still informs our collections today.
Coach Kisslock Styles
Kisslock Frame Bag
Our Kisslock Frame Bag is based on the “Cashin Carry” from 1969, an archival style designed by Cashin herself (and reimagined for today). This style comes in a couple sizes—the compact Kisslock Frame Bag 16 and the spacious Kisslock Frame Bag 27.
Kisslock Barrel Bag
Some styles are just too good to leave in the archives—and that includes the Kisslock Barrel Bag. Part of The Coach Originals, a collection of archival-inspired bags that celebrates our legacy and authentic New York heritage, this particular style is based on a Coach design from 1973. And as its name implies, the Kisslock Barrel Bag features an outside pocket secured by our kisslock closure. Choose between the midsized Kisslock Barrel Bag 28 and the extra roomy Kisslock Barrel Bag.
The turnlock is more than just elegant hardware—it's style designed for living. A feature introduced by Coach’s first head designer Bonnie Cashin in 1964, the turnlock was inspired by the metal toggle closure on her car's convertible top. Convenient and visually interesting, it struck a chord with the designer. Simply turn to open and close the pocket, keeping all your essentials secure behind a striking design.
What is Coach Sculpted ‘C’ hardware?
What is Coach Sculpted ‘C’ hardware?
A nod to our heritage, the Sculpted 'C' celebrates our rich legacy of craft and is featured on some of our most iconic bags today. The Tabby, for example, incorporates the Sculpted 'C' into its snap closure, capturing the archival 1970s Coach design that inspired it while simultaneously embodying a modern spirit of confidence.
What’s the history behind Glovetanned Leather?
What’s the history behind Glovetanned Leather?
Invented in the 1950s by Coach founder Miles Cahn, Glovetanned Leather is part of our origin story (and what made us a household name). A bold departure from the pristine leathers of the past, Glovetanned Leather was designed to get better with time. Its beauty comes from every sign of wear, based on the soft yet durable nature of a baseball glove. For decades, Coach has crafted bags with this signature leather, and today, many vintage Coach pieces showcase its enduring quality.