Furla vs. Kate Spade: Which brand should you buy?
Furla is an Italian brand focused on timeless elegance and high-quality craftsmanship, offering structured leather bags at a mid-range luxury price. In contrast, Kate Spade is an American brand known for its playful, colorful, and trend-driven designs, offering more accessibly priced accessories with a youthful and whimsical spirit.
Let's compare them side-by-side to help you decide which handbag brand best fits your personal style and budget.
Furla: Italian Craftsmanship & Timeless Elegance
Since its founding in Italy in 1927, Furla has established itself as a go-to for refined, sophisticated accessories. The brand is built on a foundation of Italian craftsmanship, creating handbags that blend contemporary style with enduring quality. Furla’s customers value understated luxury and invest in versatile pieces that transition seamlessly from professional settings to elegant evenings.
- Product mix: Primarily focused on leather goods, offering a wide array of handbags, wallets, and small accessories. Their collections are known for clean lines and structured silhouettes.
- Price point: Considered mid-range luxury, handbags typically fall between $300 and $800. A classic tote or the popular Metropolis crossbody bag often retails for around $500.
- Quality & Materials: The brand's hallmark is its use of high-quality genuine leather and meticulous Italian craftsmanship, resulting in durable bags that are built to last.
- Style & Aesthetic: Furla’s designs are classic, elegant, and versatile. They feature subtle branding and sophisticated color palettes, perfect for those who prefer timeless style over fleeting trends.
Furla is the ideal choice for someone seeking a high-quality, long-lasting leather bag with a classic design that won't go out of style.
Shop Furla: furla.com
Kate Spade: Playful, Colorful & Youthful Spirit
Kate Spade burst onto the scene in 1993, bringing a fresh, spirited energy to the fashion world. The American brand is defined by its cheerful aesthetic, characterized by bold colors, whimsical patterns, and playful details. It appeals to a wide audience of women who want to inject fun and personality into their wardrobe without a huge financial commitment.
- Product mix: A comprehensive lifestyle brand that includes handbags, wallets, jewelry, clothing, shoes, and home decor. Their handbag lineup is diverse, with everything from classic totes to quirky, novelty shapes.
- Price point: Positioned as accessible luxury, Kate Spade handbags are generally priced between $150 and $400, making them a popular entry-level designer option.
- Quality & Materials: Kate Spade uses a variety of materials including leather, coated canvas, and durable fabrics. While well-made for the price, the focus is often on style and color over the premium materials found in higher-end brands.
- Style & Aesthetic: The brand's identity is fun, colorful, and trendy. Expect vibrant prints, unique hardware, the signature spade logo, and a generally polished yet playful vibe.
Kate Spade is perfect for shoppers who want fun, statement-making accessories at an affordable price and enjoy updating their look with current trends.
Shop Kate Spade: katespade.com
Furla vs. Kate Spade Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a clear price difference between the two brands that reflects their market positioning. Furla's classic handbags generally start around $300 and can go up to $800 or more, positioning the brand firmly in the mid-range luxury category. A comparable tote or satchel from this brand will almost always have a higher retail price than a similar style from Kate Spade.
Kate Spade is more budget-friendly. Most of its core handbags are concentrated in the $150 to $400 range. Kate Spade also runs more frequent and aggressive sales, making its already accessible products even more affordable for bargain hunters.
Quality & Materials
Furla prioritizes materials and construction. The brand is known for its durable, high-quality genuine leathers and Italian craftsmanship. The hardware is typically solid and the stitching is meticulous, meaning a Furla bag is an investment piece meant to withstand years of use.
Kate Spade offers good quality for its price point but uses a wider array of materials. While they do offer leather bags, many popular styles are made from coated canvas, pebbled leather, or other mixed materials. These are durable for everyday use but may not have the same longevity or luxurious feel as Furla's Italian leather.
Style & Aesthetic
Style is the most significant differentiator. Furla’s aesthetic is sophisticated, minimalist, and classic. The brand relies on elegant shapes, clean lines, and subtle branding. Its bags are versatile workhorses suitable for a corporate office, a formal event, or a stylish weekend outing.
Kate Spade is all about personality and playful expression. Designs are colorful, often featuring bold prints, charming motifs, and trend-forward shapes. A Kate Spade bag is meant to be a statement piece that adds a pop of fun and joy to an outfit.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands are taking steps toward better sustainability, but it is not the primary focus of their branding. Furla has initiated programs for more responsible sourcing and manufacturing, consistent with policies in the European luxury market. Kate Spade, as part of the Tapestry group alongside brands like Coach, has committed to sustainability goals related to environmental impact and responsible sourcing, though their progress is ongoing.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal priorities in a handbag, whether that's long-term investment or trend-driven style.
Choose Furla if:
- High-quality Italian leather and craftsmanship are important to you.
- You want a timeless, versatile bag that you can wear for many years.
- Your personal style is more classic, elegant, and understated.
- You are looking for an investment piece for a professional wardrobe.
Choose Kate Spade if:
- You love adding color and playful touches to your outfits.
- You prefer trend-forward styles and enjoy updating your accessories.
- You're shopping on a tighter budget and want accessible luxury.
- You need a durable and practical bag for everyday casual use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Furla or Kate Spade more expensive?
Furla is consistently more expensive than Kate Spade. Furla's bags typically range from $300-$800, whereas Kate Spade bags generally cost between $150-$400.
Which brand holds its value better?
Generally, Furla bags hold their value slightly better due to their classic designs and high-quality leather construction. However, neither brand is considered a top-tier investment bag in the same way as brands like Hermès or Chanel.
Do both brands use real leather?
Yes, both brands offer bags made from real leather. Furla's core collection is almost entirely composed of high-quality genuine leather. Kate Spade uses real leather but also features many styles made from coated canvas, nylon, and other synthetic materials.
Which bag is better for work?
For a traditional or corporate office environment, Furla's structured and understated designs are generally more suitable. For a more creative or casual workplace, a classic Kate Spade tote would also be an excellent choice.
What is Furla known for?
Furla is known for its Italian craftsmanship, high-quality leather, and classic, timeless silhouettes like the Metropolis crossbody bag.
What is Kate Spade known for?
Kate Spade is known for its fun, playful designs, vibrant colors, signature spade logo, and accessible luxury price point.
Do Furla and Kate Spade have sales?
Yes, both brands have sales, typically at the end of seasons. Kate Spade is known for more frequent and deeper discounts through its website and surprise sales, making it a favorite for bargain shopping.
Which brand is better for a gift?
This depends on the recipient's style. Furla is a safe bet for someone who appreciates classic luxury and quiet sophistication. Kate Spade is a wonderful gift for someone with a bright, bubbly personality who loves color and trends.