Kate Spade Kate Spade??? Thoughts, experiences good and bad
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When I am purchasing a bag, I look first to my favorite brands (Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Dior) because I love beautiful style, lasting design and great quality.
That being said, I've found that standard to be (for the most part) applicable to my Kate Spade bags on a relative basis. I have 3 KS bags which I love and use often - one metallic leather, one patent leather and one jute.
I have had a few quality issues. On the patent bag, one of the metal grommets came loose from the leather but, it was easily repairable. I also had some very minor wear on the handles of the metallic bag that surprised me because it happened quickly. But, given the very reasonable price point, I'm not complaining. The bodies of the bags have held up very well - no torn seams, loss of shape or damage to the exterior leathers. The interiors have been perfect with zero issues. Zippers and snaps have been perfect. And, I haven't had any straps to break or come loose. Bottom line, I'm not expecting the quality of a $2500 bag but, I'm surely getting more than the quality of the low 2-3 figure price I'm paying.
One other note, I also find that if I buy them on sale / resale, I can recoup pretty much what I paid for them.
I wouldn't pay full price for these bags. I don't think they are worth it. But if you catch them on sale and make sure to buy the better constructed, better designed items, you will have a bag you'll love!
That being said, I've found that standard to be (for the most part) applicable to my Kate Spade bags on a relative basis. I have 3 KS bags which I love and use often - one metallic leather, one patent leather and one jute.
I have had a few quality issues. On the patent bag, one of the metal grommets came loose from the leather but, it was easily repairable. I also had some very minor wear on the handles of the metallic bag that surprised me because it happened quickly. But, given the very reasonable price point, I'm not complaining. The bodies of the bags have held up very well - no torn seams, loss of shape or damage to the exterior leathers. The interiors have been perfect with zero issues. Zippers and snaps have been perfect. And, I haven't had any straps to break or come loose. Bottom line, I'm not expecting the quality of a $2500 bag but, I'm surely getting more than the quality of the low 2-3 figure price I'm paying.
One other note, I also find that if I buy them on sale / resale, I can recoup pretty much what I paid for them.
I wouldn't pay full price for these bags. I don't think they are worth it. But if you catch them on sale and make sure to buy the better constructed, better designed items, you will have a bag you'll love!
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I've had a bag, an agenda and two wallets. They were all very cute and worked well despite heavy use. However the reason that I will not buy Kate Spade is because it is all in TJ Maxx where I live (along with a ton of Michael Kors).
To me, that's really devalued it and selling them preloved means a heavy loss. One of my wallets I purchased and never used because I just couldn't gel with the loud colour. I bought it for about £70 in the sale and sold it for £20 at auction on eBay after being unsuccessful for months trying to sell it for more than that.
It's cute but it's not for me.
To me, that's really devalued it and selling them preloved means a heavy loss. One of my wallets I purchased and never used because I just couldn't gel with the loud colour. I bought it for about £70 in the sale and sold it for £20 at auction on eBay after being unsuccessful for months trying to sell it for more than that.
It's cute but it's not for me.
I think I`m done with Kate Spade.com... Twice I have ordered from them items with a 20 percent discount only for them to wait 3 weeks to tell me my items were "unavailable". I was refunded but the only compensation was a 15 percent off my next purchase 
They need to keep better inventory. 
They need to keep better inventory. I think Kate Spade bags are a bit overpriced for the quality. I have two leather quilted bags (don't remember the styles) and an ostrich leather one and they have significant creasing in them. I definitely baby my bags and always keep them in dustbags for protection.
The designs sometimes echo higher end ones like the aforementioned quilted ones look like a Rebecca Minkoff or Chanel. Kate Spade also seems to be going the way of Coach with too many outlet stores and such.
I would look into Michael Kors or Tory Burch. Michael Kors has amazing color selections and Tory Burch has some beautiful designs (but they are a bit higher price)
I
The designs sometimes echo higher end ones like the aforementioned quilted ones look like a Rebecca Minkoff or Chanel. Kate Spade also seems to be going the way of Coach with too many outlet stores and such.
I would look into Michael Kors or Tory Burch. Michael Kors has amazing color selections and Tory Burch has some beautiful designs (but they are a bit higher price)
I
My first and only Kate Spade bag! I love my little minka in French navy. Gorgeous color, and it's holding up quite well (granted, I keep mine stuffed and in the dust bag when not in use). I try not to use it so much in cold and rainy weather, but I love how it holds absolutely anything!
The good: really good price point, clean shapes, very youthful designs, and her signature color choices.
The bad: because of their emphasis on trendy colors, you may wanna be careful about buying a wallet or a bag in the hot color of the season. I have this long zipup KS orange wallet that hasn't aged so well, the color seems gaudier today and the gold name label's fading really badly, too bad bc it's such a sturdy wallet with a smooth zip, but I can't seem to use it as the years pass by.
I think Kate Spade does better in the bag dept though? I have a tan Kent Stevie which has aged quite nicely
The bad: because of their emphasis on trendy colors, you may wanna be careful about buying a wallet or a bag in the hot color of the season. I have this long zipup KS orange wallet that hasn't aged so well, the color seems gaudier today and the gold name label's fading really badly, too bad bc it's such a sturdy wallet with a smooth zip, but I can't seem to use it as the years pass by.
I think Kate Spade does better in the bag dept though? I have a tan Kent Stevie which has aged quite nicely
Before I even owned a Kate Spade bag, I remember seeing it suddenly explode in terms of stores, bags I see women wearing and it was just EVERYWHERE. I was turned off because as much as I liked the bags/color choices, it seemed like they were going in the direction which Coach was already at.
Stuck to my main brands, (LV, Balenciaga, Prada) because their pieces are alot more timeless however I really don't like their lack of color choice.
Decided to take the plunge and bought my first KS leslie for more than half off retail price and I love it! Quality is just OKAY (Considering I was carrying a Balenciaga for so long, no kidding right?) but I basically got more than what I paid for which is fine by me. It's a style I know that won't go out of style and I like the fact that KS offers more color choices! MK- meh, they're like Coach now and I don't like their styles as much.
TLDR;
Good: Trendy styles, wide color selection, affordable if you buy at discounted price.
Bad: Expensive if purchased at retail price, quality is just okay.
Stuck to my main brands, (LV, Balenciaga, Prada) because their pieces are alot more timeless however I really don't like their lack of color choice.
Decided to take the plunge and bought my first KS leslie for more than half off retail price and I love it! Quality is just OKAY (Considering I was carrying a Balenciaga for so long, no kidding right?) but I basically got more than what I paid for which is fine by me. It's a style I know that won't go out of style and I like the fact that KS offers more color choices! MK- meh, they're like Coach now and I don't like their styles as much.
TLDR;
Good: Trendy styles, wide color selection, affordable if you buy at discounted price.
Bad: Expensive if purchased at retail price, quality is just okay.
I think one of my first designer bags was the Kate Spade Cedar Street Maise in black. I have since sold it but I loved that bag a lot. It was a great size, not too big (I'm not a huge fan of totes) but I could fit everything that I personally needed in it.
I also like Kate Spade's bags for the price. They have sales a lot and I live near an outlet, where it's almost always 50% off everything.
I also like Kate Spade's bags for the price. They have sales a lot and I live near an outlet, where it's almost always 50% off everything.
I have 2 Kate spade as gift from relative. So far nothing to complain because I don't expect the leather or craftsmanship to be superb. I think KS is anytime better than MK....
I have two sweaters I love, but I think every thing else is hit or miss. I'm petite, so a lot of the more blouse-y items make me look like I'm swimming,
I love Kate Spade because the designs are so whimsical and unique. They generally take use and abuse well, but I DO NOT buy their patent leather. I had a wallet literally peeling within a week, and I had to fight them to take it back. They tried to tell me it was normal wear and tear. After that I said no more patent and haven't had any other problems. The link is to one of my favorite Kate Spades, although it's old.
https://www.instagram.com/p/o36QvKSPND/?taken-by=michieloo24
https://www.instagram.com/p/o36QvKSPND/?taken-by=michieloo24
Your tote is SO cute! That's such a unique "floral" design.
I agree re: her patent leather, though. I've actually never owned any patent items from KS, but I actively avoid them because I often see them pop up online in badly damaged shape. I do have a grainy vinyl bag of hers that makes me nervous (it seems so/too hard and "crisp" that I'm afraid it'll easily crack).