Kate Spade Handbags

About Kate Spade

After a number of years as Mademoiselle's fashion editor and head of accessories, Kate Spade was inspired to create her own line of handbags that reflected her personal sense of style. Kate, along with her partner and husband, Andy, launched the line in January of 1993.

Today the Kate Spade collections include:

• Shoes
• Luggage
• Baby items
• Sunglasses
• Home accessories
• Tableware
• Organizers
• Wallets
• Accessories, such as umbrellas, cosmetic cases, scarves, hats, and gloves.

Kate Spade has been honored with a number of awards for her collections, including America's Best New Fashion Talent in Accessories in 1996, Accessories Designer of the Year in 1998, and Elle Décor's International Design Award in 2004.

About the Handbags

Kate Spade handbags were designed for both practicality and style. After all, every woman wants to look great, and many women have paid the price with gorgeous but impossible handbags -- those that offer style but little in terms of organization and real function. On the other end of the spectrum, some women have yielded to more user-friendly bags, but may not be entirely happy with their range of styles.

Kate Spade handbags were designed to be easy to use and practical without giving up a drop of style. Her original designs were classically shaped, black nylon bags. Today her collections have a wide variety of colors, textures, and shapes, from her whimsical quilted diaper bags to her edgy, highly modern canvas Easton as Four Circle handheld bag.

Classic Kate

The black nylon bags that Kate Spade handbags debuted have never fallen out of style. These simple bags offer timeless elegance and class. The classic collection includes:

• The Pia: A small, zip top shoulder bag.
• The Tracy Bucket: A roomy, handheld tote with a grosgrain tie enclosure.
• The Claire: A small, sharp line shoulder strap tote.
• The Medium Shopper: A rectangular zip top tote available with short or long handles.
• The Sam: A two-handled tote style bag with magnetic enclosure.
• The Small Messenger: A versatile bag with a sleek flap enclosure.
• The Backpack: A roomy exterior pocket and zip around top enclosure makes this classic easy to grab, go, and stow your items.

Many of these bags are also available in other colors as well, including navy, deep chocolate, cranberry, and evergreen.

What's Hot

In addition to the classic collection, Kate Spade handbags also carries fabric and leather collections with ample styles to choose from. Keeping up a changing handbag market, her newly released collections sport eclectic mixtures of sleek elegance and fun frills.

Sometimes referred to as the "playful preppy" look, some of the hottest looks include:

• Versatile, shimmery clutches that can be paired with jeans or evening gowns.
• Cinched bags -- a new take on the drawstring, unstructured but not homey.
• Soft structured boarskin bags with rolled handles and gold rivet accents and hardware.
• Tumbled cowhide mini satchels with spaghetti strap handles.
• Rich colored calf-skin hobos.
• Neutral canvas totes with colored handles and accents.

Save Big on Kate Spade Handbags

Most designer handbags are rarely, if ever, discounted. Luckily for Kate Spade lovers, there is a way to save big on these beautiful, stylish bags.

Sign up at the Kate Spade website, and you'll be alerted of upcoming sample sales. You can purchase Kate Spade handbags and accessories for 50 percent or more off their original prices. Go to you nearest Kate Spade store or shop online during the sample sales to snatch up some great bargains. Given that most Kate bags average at least several hundred dollars, and her specialty Collect bags up to two thousand, there's no better way to get these bags on a budget.

A Note on Men's Bags

Andy Spade has launched the Jack Spade Collection, a great line of menswear and accessories, including masculine and stylish man bags. From sporty travel bags to office appropriate file cases, you're sure to find something great for the man in your life.