Comparing Tory Burch vs Kate Spade really is a matter of taste, style and individual fashion sensibilities. Both are massive names in what might be called mainstream designer lifestyle fashion.
And being lifestyle brands, when you make a purchase you are supposedly buying into their fashion philosophy, whether consciously or not, at least that is the perceived wisdom where lifestyle brands are concerned
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Style Comparison
Fashion is a moveable feast as someone once said, I forget who, but I take their point. After all anyone who perhaps has a pair of flared trousers that they have alternately hidden at the back of a wardrobe somewhere in Narnia and then proudly worn them out to that very same moveable feast a decade later will certainly take the point.
Style is not a moveable feast, style is individual, it moves with the feast but remains constant, both here, there and everywhere to quote from the Sir Paul McCartney penned song.
Style never goes out of fashion, style is bigger than fashion, style is life. Tory Burch and Kate Spade are style brands, lifestyle brands.
Tory’s lifestyle is suggested by adjectives like :- Conservative, Preppy , Bohemian, Sporty—sport for sure is a big influence with Tory as is travel and exploring foreign lands, hence the bold colours seen everywhere in her collections, orange especially a favourite of hers as are graphic prints and exotic fabrics.
Kate’s best describing words on the other hand might be Minimalist, Feminine, Classy, Whimsical and Quaint.
Lots of bright colours are seen everywhere, as are dainty understated details that are often bewitching in their charm and quiet elegance. Sometimes their silence seems to roar like thunder and I must admit I am a fan.
Kate spade vs Tory Burch – Quality & Craftsmanship
When it comes to quality I would say they are both excellent, where craftsmanship is concerned they both score highly with exquisite stitching and super nice detail work apparent throughout both collections.
When it comes to materials, again both designers use high quality fabrics and leather. Tory probably has the edge here with her famously soft leathers and astonishingly fine fabrics.
When it comes to utility and the wear and tear that daily or even more occasional use can bring, then in my opinion and from my limited experience, I would say they are both excellent, having had a couple of mid-priced handbags bought from each of them myself, then I can personally report that after fairly regular use for about 2 years.
There are no apparent flaws or weaknesses in their construction and they are lasting well.
Price comparison
Although both of these brands are neither famously cheap nor ludicrously expensive, there is a significant price differential between them.
If you can afford to buy Kate Spade regularly, you can probably afford Tory Burch now and then but you might have to save up for a couple of months first or over-stretch your credit card a little.
If you can afford to buy Tory Burch regularly, then price wouldn’t be a factor at all in choosing Kate Spade. Both have a large range of Handbags, Clothing, Shoes and Accessories.
The Tory Burch ranges might be described as designer luxury at a small premium, whereas Kate Spade’s might better fit the description affordable designer luxury.
To put some flesh on those bones, TB clothing prices range from $68 up to $998, whereas KS clothing prices range from $48-$598. TB Shoes are priced between $58 and $698, whereas KS shoes are between $48 and $228 and TB Handbags are priced between $158 and $1500, whereas KS between $98 and $458.
Kate Spade & Tory Burch Handbags
Click image to view the Tory Burch Gemini on Amazon
Handbags, handbags, handbags and one more handbag just for luck, we all know you just cannot have enough, certainly never too many and if we are going to be talking about Kate Spade and Tory Burch, which we are , then we are going to be talking about handbags.
Where Kate is concerned we are certainly going to be talking about handbags and whilst every fashion designer worth their salt has handbags as an essential item in their range, Kate has them in spades {pun intended}.
You might consider that the humble handbag is really what made Kate Spade who she became and was. Tory Burch of course is certainly worth her salt as a fashion designer and she has an appropriately salty selection of uniquely designed handbags at the heart of her accessories range also.
We all know this but it remains a fashionable fact that perhaps nothing else can say quite so much about you as your handbag can. Your handbag is your heart, it is where you live.
Nothing else can be so multifunctional, so versatile, so expressive of you, your hopes and desires, your aspirations and nothing else can say it quite so succinctly, so elegantly, nothing else can say it quite so unassumingly and yet shout it proudly from the rooftops.
Your handbag is where you are coming from and it is where you are heading to. Handbags are You, a beautiful little masterpiece of practical perfection for the world to behold.
So, handbags, handbags, handbags, we have begun and now let us delve a little deeper into the handbag worlds of Tory Burch and Kate Spade and see who comes up trumps.
And for all those of you out there who are thinking …’’Handbags, handbags, handbags? Surely you mean ‘’Shoes, shoes, shoes and one more shoe just for luck!’’
Well, I agree, shoes are pretty awesome too, I often take a spare pair with me and carry them in my handbag, you really cannot have too many. So let us not quibble let us just enjoy.
Kate spade handbag legend
Click image to view Kate Spade Purse Jackson on Amazon
Kate Spade is a handbag legend, since the mid to late 1990s, when, for a while, it seemed like just about every other American woman aged between 25 and 55 who had a good job or an even better husband, was adorned with one of Kate Spade’s handbags.
With uncomplicated, unfussy designs, they spoke in neoclassical style with a simple elegance that was refreshing and invigorating at the same time. They were an affordable luxury that was worth its weight in gold to those that owned one.
The Kate Spade brand has been designing handbags with great aplomb ever since, often harking back to those earlier classic inspired designs with added flourishes of detail or with unusual colours and materials, but certainly not stopping there.
There are now about 100 handbags and wallets to chose from, amongst them you will find along with the classics a delicious mixture of fabrics and patterns, plenty of bright, vibrant colours and an assortment of stripes.
There are giant check patterns here and there, giant polka dots, Minnie mouse even makes an appearance or two.
There is just about every variation of size and proportions amongst the classics and a lot of fun and imagination amongst the newer original designs.
Never outrageous or shouty, even the handful of novelty designs such as, the strawberry milk carton, or the box of chocolates remain delightfully quaint but never twee.
Tory Burch enormous handbag range
If Kate Spade is a handbag legend then Tory Burch is a handbag leviathan. Tory has over 200 handbags in her enormous range of handbags and purses.
There is an impeccable selection of classics encompassing an enormous variety of sizes, shapes and twists, bold colours abound as do printed fabrics and brash chains.
There are belt bags, buckles and buckets galore. There are graphic prints and subtle hues, something for everyone, whatever there bag may be{pun intended}.They exude quality and craftsmanship undoubtedly.
Final comparison of Kate spade and Tory Burch
I think I may be falling in love with Kate Spade’s handbags, they can have that sort of effect. Their simple unaffected elegance, their sheer neatness, the clean lines and absence of superfluity, all conspire to capture your heart and transport you to Kate Spade heaven.
A sort of mixture of Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins and if I could just find my flared jeans from the back of that wardrobe, possibly even a hint of Narnia to complete the quaintest of pictures.
As for Tory Burch handbags, with their exuberance and lavish over-styling, their brash tassels and their power-zips they say, I’m here, I’ve arrived, I can afford to be playful and daring, I’ve earned it, I deserve it.
You might well respect the Tory Burch bag but you could never love one, not completely.