Has anyone bought Kate Spade clothes? Opinions on these items?

goldenpig

Has anyone ever bought Kate Spade clothes (or jewelry)? Do they hold up well and are you happy with them? I've heard about her bags a lot, although I don't have one (would love to get one someday though). I was browsing her website and there's a sale section with a lot of 50% off items. I didn't see a bag that I was interested in, but I found several pieces of clothes that look really cute and I'm dying to get them. I know this seems like a lot of stuff, but I haven't bought any clothes in 5 years (at least until recently when I got some stuff at Nordstrom's sale) and my wardrobe is really in dire need of some upgrading (and I finally have the cash to do it!). So I'm building it up with some of the essentials that I'm lacking. What do you think? Do these pieces look good or are they either 1) too boring 2) old ladyish 3) "WASPy" (for lack of a better term) 4) or too fancy to wear to work? Most of the rest of the clothes on the website aren't exactly my style--I usually tend to wear more younger looking clothes, but I feel like these particular dresses are pretty classic/timeless pieces that could last me a long time. I would mostly wear these for date nights or work parties etc. but maybe sometimes to work if I can find a way to dress them down a bit. I went to the Kate Spade store to check the dress sizes and I was able to try on the dresses (the same dresses, but in different colors than I wanted). I also found a coat I LOVE, it's not on sale but I found a coupon code SUMMER20 for 20% off non-sale items, plus free shipping and ebates is 3.5% off. This could be my everyday and fancy dress coat combined (I have a couple of wool coats but they are much plainer/thicker). And then a couple of necklaces/earrings since I don't really have any nice jewelry (other than my engagement and wedding rings and one sapphire pendant that DH gave me as an engagement present) and should probably have one or two. The only catch is the sale items are final sale & can't be returned so I have to really hope these will look good on me. Fashionistas, either enable me, or save me from making a fashion faux pas! Thanks for the feedback!

Main questions are 1) are the polka dot dress and the wrap dress wearable to work and how should I style them for everyday? 2) is the ruffle trench worth it or is it too trendy or even out of fashion (I thought Angie said she didn't like ruffles? Can it be my day and night coat or is it too fancy for daytime?

Ilene Cardigan
cream colored cardigan with flowers at the neck--would go with a lot of my skirts
http://www.katespade.com/ilene.....;cgid=sale

Fiona Dress in Black
I don't have one yet, so this would be my "little black dress"--fits in a 6
http://www.katespade.com/solid.....;cgid=sale

Polka Dot Jillian Dress
I've never worn polka dots before but this looks so cute! Fits better in an 8 because of the cinched waist (I have a thick waist)
http://www.katespade.com/desig.....;cgid=sale

Melissa Ruffle Trench
black dress coat--expensive but I could wear this forever!
http://www.katespade.com/ruffl.....nd-jackets

Date night ring in red
http://www.katespade.com/desig.....vid=search

Papillon Pearls short necklace & studs
http://www.katespade.com/papil.....vid=search
http://www.katespade.com/papil.....vid=search

Crystal Corsage Bib necklace & studs
http://www.katespade.com/desig.....vid=search

Flutter Floral scarf
(I don't have any scarves at all so thought this might be a good one to start because it has pink, red and orange so it could go with multiple items)
http://www.katespade.com/flutt.....lt,pd.html

14 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Kyle

Auburn

Veteran

Can you try reposting the links as hyperlinks? These don't work for me.
That said, I am a big KS fan. Her clothes fit me well, are high quality and I personally like the very feminine, very tailored aesthetic--they tend to be my work clothes. I would be careful about the Final Sale and only get what you KNOW will fit--just too risky otherwise.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I LOVE KS clothes! I have a jacket and a dress and a bag and a pair of shoes and adore them all.

I actually bought the polka dot Jillian dress with the intention of wearing it to work with a jacket over it, but alas, it didn't quite fit. (Fortunately it fit my BFF like a dream and now lives in her closet.)

Personally, I would save the Fiona dress for going out. I love it to pieces but wouldn't wear it to work, even with a jacket.

The Melissa trench? I die!!

Love the cardigan but so far haven't been willing to pull the trigger on a $100-plus sweater. Also don't know that I would wear that particular flowery cardi to work. YMMV.

All the accessories look fab! Love the scarf in particular!

And I second and third AUburn's advice about the Final Sale -- Some KS clothes fit me and some don't, and I wouldn't buy anything on Final Sale unless I'd tried it on.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

That ruffled trench is fantabulous - I'd be happy to be buried in that jacket.

And red pumps.

Obviously, open casket.

14 years ago

Sparky

Veteran

Hey GoldenPig! Nice to see you over here from the BBB!

Angie's not against ruffles, but she's had her fill (and her personal style has moved away from them for the most part). If you like ruffles and they mesh well with your style, go for it.

I'm having trouble with your links just now, but I think it's my computer. I'll try again later.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I have not bought clothes but I have about three pairs of pumps and some jewelry. I just bought this necklace
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....4294966834
I can vouch on her jewelery. I only have gold plated jewelry so it is still subject to rusting etc, but I think overall the quality is there.
ETA I love all the pieces you posted with the exception of the black dress and cardigan. I am biased just because I have so much ruffle, embellished collar stuff already.

14 years ago

Auburn

Veteran

ETA: You may want to rethink the trench, depending on where you live. It is made out of 100% Polyester. If I was spending close to $700 on a coat, I'd want it to be wool or cashmere and provide pretty significant warmth, but that may just be me. I love the look of it and if you live in a mild climate and have the opportunity to dress up frequently, I think it's fabulous!

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

OK I fixed them--I think the links should work now. I didn't realize I couldn't post pictures yet. Darn, I guess I will have to save up my outfit pictures/questions for later!

lyn*--you are hilarious!

MaryK-I'm not sure about the flowered cardigan, I usually wear plain tops, but I do have two Anthro tops, one brown one with a bunch of leaves/feather petals across the top and one an orange tank with fabric flowers/fans (I don't know how to describe these thingies) all over the front and I consistently get compliments whenever I wear them to work, so I don't know, maybe people like embellishments around here? Haha.

Sparky--hi! Do you post under another name at BBB? I don't recognize your name. Feel free to PM me there, so I know who you are! I guess I am kind of "into" ruffles right now, but trying not to overdo it.

Zapotee, interesting that you posted that necklace because this one had caught my eye and I think it's the same style:
http://www.katespade.com/fiore.....id=jewelry
http://www.katespade.com/fiore.....id=jewelry
it's a beautiful turquoise color, but I wasn't sure how often I would be able to wear it. I would love to wear it with an orange turtleneck or cardigan.

Auburn--thanks. I do have a thick long black wool coat and a medium length camel wool coat (pretty old/beat up though), so I think I'm good with the thick coats. I was actually thinking something of getting something thinner since I live in the Bay Area and it never snows here, although it can get chilly and foggy, so the long black wool coat I have seems like overkill. I do have a beige BR trench coat that I bought on sale ages ago but have never worn it because it's paper thin and provides no warmth. So something in between would be great, like the Melissa trench. Just not sure if it's way too dressy for daytime? With the 20% off it's more like $515 plus tax, but yeah it is expensive so it would have to last me for at least 10 years or more.

14 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I think everything looks beautiful. I think that if you were to buy all of the clothing it may be too many ruffles. I love ruffles and they are a part of my wardrobe but you may want some sleeker pieces to create a balance. Be careful about final sale items- a bit of a risk.
I actually love the cardigan and maybe that would be a place to start.
Sounds like you have a good idea of what you like, so feminine and chic.

14 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Thirding the recommendation to only buy items you've tried on in store. The only exception is if it's a different fabric but the exact same cut. Even similar looking styles fit differently.

I bought a red KS trench off ebay in a size S, which should have fit me based on trials of other coats in store but was absolutely gigantic on me. It's beautifully made though - lined, high quality stitching and fabric.

If you're sure of the fit, I would absolutely recommend her clothes.

I love the polka dot dress and the papillon pearls and crystal bib necklaces.

The fiona dress is beautiful, but if you're intending for it to be your only LBD for more than 3 years, I'd be concerned that you'd get tired of the ruffles. Ditto on the coat - just be really sure you'd still love it in 5 years.

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

You are right about the sizes fitting differently in different dresses. I don't know if I mentioned this, but I did go to a Kate Spade store and they had the same type of dresses, just not the exact color. I tried on the Fiona dress in pink/white and the 6 fit me, but I tried a pink Jillian dress and it was a bit tight around the middle (bottom of my ribcage/top of abdomen); the 8 felt more comfortable although maybe a *smidge* less fitted around the shoulders/bust, but it still looked OK. I think I am between a 6 and 8 in that Jillian dress, so I think if I ordered it I would probably get the 8 so I can breathe! They also wanted me to try a baggy shift dress with ruffle neck (I didn't like the style but they hadn't found the dresses I wanted yet), and in that one the 6 was huge and the 4 was better. So I guess I'm all over the place. Mainly it's because my waist is bigger relative to my bust/hips...I guess I must be an apple. Makes it really tough to order anything online, especially non-returnable stuff!

14 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I'll let you decide about fit.

The caridgan is adorable but the necklace is very similar and probably more versatile in your wardrobe. Not exactly the same look but similar trend.

The polka dot dress is spot on for work, out, etc. Very versatile in my opinion.

I thnk ten years is too much to expect a trench to last. The fabric is thinner so wears more quickly. Love the design for date night though. Killer.

The lbd is killer but not as versatile as a sheath would be. Stunning though.

14 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

OK, this is all colored by personal taste. And, of course, I do not know your style. I love Kate Spade. Love. For me, at 50, a couple of these items are too "precious" if that makes sense.

If you need a LBD and love ruffles, the first dress is fab. I really like it and find it glam and classy. If I was investing in a LBD I might be inclined to go for something simpler and more versatile. But, again, that is more reflective of my personal taste.

The polka dot dress is killer and I would snatch it up. I would absolutely wear it to work and with lots of bright shoes and bags, a la MK. Cardi and trench would be passes for me based on style, price, and longevity. I think you can get similar pieces for less. The scarf? Love it.

The turquoise is gorgeous and I adore the idea of wearing it with orange. Killer combo. I prefer that to some of the other necklaces because it makes such a statement -- and I know Marianna likes Kate Spade jewelry and can speak to the quality issue. But if she likes it, I think it would be top notch.

Whatever you decide you are going to end up with some wonderful, high quality pieces that you will certainly wear and love for a long time.

14 years ago

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