A couple of months after first arriving here in the US, I became dependent on online shopping. I was confined at home almost 99% of the time. Online shopping has made it easy for me to check out as many stores, different items, and brands that I like within the comfort of our home.
I found Kate Spade's online site, www.katespade.com and signed up. Since then, I've been browsing the site from time to time. I like most of their bags, but initially found them a bit expensive. I used to be contented with Nine West, Coach brand (Outlets), and the likes.
Then one day, while browsing to their site, I came across their sale items, with an extra 25% on top. Seems like a good deal for me. That's when I finally decided to purchase my first Kate Spade purse - the Grant Park Stevie in Geranium. It was originally sold at $428. But after all the discounts ended up only around $175, which was more than 50% off. It's a nice casual satchel type handbag, which is also okay to wear on the shoulders. A casual slouchy design, plain leather, with just a zipper pocket, and the usual Kate Spade gold print logo. I like the geranium (red) color, somewhat a strong red, but not too flashy, just enough to nicely accentuate any of my casual outfit.
Then one day, while browsing to their site, I came across their sale items, with an extra 25% on top. Seems like a good deal for me. That's when I finally decided to purchase my first Kate Spade purse - the Grant Park Stevie in Geranium. It was originally sold at $428. But after all the discounts ended up only around $175, which was more than 50% off. It's a nice casual satchel type handbag, which is also okay to wear on the shoulders. A casual slouchy design, plain leather, with just a zipper pocket, and the usual Kate Spade gold print logo. I like the geranium (red) color, somewhat a strong red, but not too flashy, just enough to nicely accentuate any of my casual outfit.
After that first purchase, I continuously check their site for ongoing sales and promotions and fund myself purchasing another one the following month, this time with nylon material, the Kate Spade Bow Shoppe Small Karen Satchel, in Black.
And then came Surprise.Katespade.com. This is a surprise sale from Kate Spade which sells more sale items at a much lower price. This surprise sale usually begins on a Tuesday. After signing in, I found myself purchasing another one.
And after the continuous regular promotions and surprise sales, a year later I made a total of 9 Kate Spade handbag purchase. :D
And after the continuous regular promotions and surprise sales, a year later I made a total of 9 Kate Spade handbag purchase. :D
But my closet has limitations, so I had to let go of some of them already. Now, I only kept 4 of them.
My favorite is the Kate Spade Sedgewick Place Kensey Black Quilted Satchel. It has a nice sophisticated look. It has a unique quilted design, with both hand and shoulder strap, plus a very roomy interior. I intend to keep it for the coming years, so long as it stays in good condition. :)
My newest purchase is the Kate Spade Cobble Hill Little Harris Crossbody Handbag in Laguna Blue color. Originally sold at $278 and bought it for around $115 only. A great deal. I intend to use this bag for short errands, going to the grocery, or malls. It's a small size bag with enough room for my wallet, phone, small make-up kit, and an iPad mini or my Sony camera. The leather material is the usual soft but thick cowhide leather.
After owning and using these bags, here's what I've come to personally generalize on Kate Spade bags:
(+) They have a variety of styles from serious and classic purse styles to the vibrant-colored fresh and youthful designs.
(+) When they go on sale, the price is really good, and the quality of the item delivered is still good (at least when purchased directly from their online site).
(+/-) The cowhide leather is nice and soft, but easily lose its shape, too. They can easily be stained from jeans, especially the light colored ones, in my case, the KS Cobble Hill Lilibeth Crossbody bag, in Mandarin.
(+/-) Apart from the bags losing shape, they are pretty durable and can last long.
(+/-) Apart from the bags losing shape, they are pretty durable and can last long.
(-) The outer zippers are a bit difficult to open and close, at least for the following: KS Cobble Hill Black Small Kori, KS Rachelle Wellesley Green Satchel, and even the Sedgewick Place Kensey.
(-) The Kate Spade gold print logo will fade in time, so it is better to buy the styles with the gold plate metal logo than the printed one.
Overall, it's still a good brand to buy --- an average brand along side Michael by Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff, Tory Burch, and Marc by Marc Jacobs, in between high end luxury designer bags and the regular cheaper brands in the market.
With the upcoming Black Friday Sale, let's see if I'll find another Kate Spade purse that I like. ;)
