Kate Spade vs. Kendra Scott: Which brand should you buy?

Kate Spade is known for its playful, mid-range luxury approach focused on high-quality handbags, accessories, and apparel with a classic All-American style. In contrast, Kendra Scott centers on affordable, trend-driven, and customizable jewelry, famous for its bold colors and statement pieces like earrings and necklaces.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your style and budget.

Kate Spade: The Playful & Sophisticated Staple

Kate Spade is a cornerstone of American accessible luxury, providing women with chic yet fun handbags, accessories, and apparel. The brand's aesthetic blends classic, sophisticated silhouettes with bright colors and whimsical prints, appealing to a customer who values timeless style with a pop of personality. It is the go-to brand for a polished work tote, a versatile crossbody bag, or polished jewelry that feels both modern and enduring.

• Product mix: Known primarily for leather and coated canvas handbags, Kate Spade also offers an extensive collection of ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry, shoes, tech accessories, and home decor. The brand offers a complete lifestyle approach to fashion.
• Price point: Pieces are positioned in the mid-range luxury market. Small accessories and jewelry often start around $50-$100, while signature handbags typically range from $150 to over $500.
• Quality: The brand is respected for its quality craftsmanship, using durable materials like crossgrain leather, coated canvas, and sturdy hardware. Handbags are built to last with proper care, making them excellent investment pieces.
• Style & Aesthetic: Kate Spade's identity is "playful sophistication." Expect clean lines, vibrant colors, quirky patterns (like polka dots and florals), and an overall polished, happy-go-lucky feel.
• Return policy: Typically offers a 30-day window for returns of unworn, unused merchandise with tags attached.

Kate Spade offers finely crafted, timeless pieces that elevate an everyday wardrobe, making it perfect for those looking to invest in a designer handbag or accessory that won't go out of style.

Shop Kate Spade: www.katespade.com

Kendra Scott: The Colorful & Customizable Favorite

Kendra Scott built its reputation on colorful, accessible, and fashion-forward jewelry. The brand's core appeal lies in its use of bold semi-precious stones, iconic silhouettes like the Elisa necklace, and customizable options allowing customers to create their own unique pieces. Kendra Scott is targeted toward a wide audience that wants stylish, on-trend accessories for everyday wear, special occasions, and gifting, all without a steep luxury price tag.

• Product mix: The collection is dominated by jewelry, including statement earrings, layered necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The brand has expanded into watches and home decor, but its heart remains in trend-driven accessories.
• Price point: Kendra Scott occupies the affordable luxury segment. Most jewelry pieces fall between $40 and $150, making it an accessible option for adding a splash of color and style to any outfit.
• Quality: Jewelry typically uses plated metals over brass and semi-precious stones. The quality is solid for the price and suitable for regular wear, though pieces may require care to prevent tarnishing over time.
• Style & Aesthetic: The brand’s look is bold, vibrant, and modern. Geometric shapes, vivid stones, and a mix of metals define its trendy-yet-approachable style that is easily recognizable.
• Return policy: Known for a flexible and customer-friendly return policy, enhancing its reputation as an easy brand to shop from.

For vibrant, easy-to-wear statement jewelry that is customizable and perfect for gifting, Kendra Scott consistently delivers a great product.

Shop Kendra Scott: www.kendrascott.com

Kate Spade vs. Kendra Scott Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference between the two brands is significant and reflects their core product categories. Kate Spade operates at a higher, mid-range luxury price point. Her signature handbags hover between $250 and $500, with leather options being more expensive. Kate Spade jewelry is also priced higher than Kendra Scott, typically ranging from $50 to $200 for earrings, bracelets, or necklaces.

Kendra Scott provides a much more accessible entry point. A best-selling Elisa Pendant Necklace can be found for around $55-$70, and most statement earrings are under a similar price. This affordability allows shoppers to build a diverse jewelry collection for a fraction of the cost of a single Kate Spade handbag. For pure affordability, especially in jewelry, Kendra Scott is the clear winner.

Quality & Materials

Kate Spade's reputation for quality is largely built on its handbags. The use of durable Saffiano leather, pebbled leather, and jacquard fabrics ensures products hold up well to daily use, making them a wise long-term purchase. The hardware is substantial, and the construction is solid.

Kendra Scott focuses on creating a high-end look at a lower price. It uses materials like 14k gold-plated brass, rhodium plating, and a wide array of genuine semi-precious stones like drusy, agate, and quartz. The quality is great for fashion jewelry designed for trends, but it is not fine jewelry. It requires proper care to avoid damage or tarnishing long-term, whereas a Kate Spade purse is designed for years of use.

Style & Aesthetic

The styles are distinct. Kate Spade embodies a playful, polished, and timeless East Coast aesthetic. Its designs are often classic with a fun, feminine twist - think a structured black satchel lined with a vibrant print or a simple tennis bracelet with a spade-shaped detail. It is perfect for professional settings, weddings, and creating a capsule wardrobe.

Kendra Scott has a more modern, bold, and sometimes bohemian vibe. The focus is on color and making a statement. Its pieces are designed to be noticed, with large, colorful stones and unique design elements. The aesthetic is great for elevating a casual outfit, adding flair to vacation looks, and staying on top of current color and shape trends. Kate Spade is more classic, while Kendra Scott is more contemporary.

Shopping Experience

Both brands offer excellent shopping experiences in-store and online. Kate Spade boutiques feel like upscale, chic apartments, creating an immersive, premium environment. The website is clean, organized, and provides a traditional e-commerce experience shoppers at retailers like Coach or Michael Kors are used to.

Kendra Scott stands out with its in-store "Color Bar," where customers can select their stone, metal, and silhouette to create a custom piece of jewelry. This engaging, personalized experience is a massive differentiator and makes shopping feel fun and creative. Its online journey mirrors this with easy customization tools and a bright, community-focused website presence.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both companies are making progress in sustainability and ethics. As a larger entity owned by Tapestry Inc., Kate Spade is part of broader corporate initiatives to improve supply chain transparency and reduce environmental impact. It is a long-term goal aligned with industry standards.

Kendra Scott built its brand pillars on "Family, Fashion, Philanthropy." The company is active in local communities and has numerous charitable initiatives and collaborations. For shoppers who prioritize brands with a strong, visible commitment to community engagement and philanthropy, Kendra Scott makes these efforts a central part of its story.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to what you're shopping for and your personal style priorities.

Choose Kate Spade if:

• You're looking to invest in a high-quality handbag that will last for years.
• Your style is classic, feminine, and sophisticated with a touch of fun.
• You need a versatile bag or accessory for work, weekends, and formal events.
• You value brand recognition in the accessible luxury market.

Choose Kendra Scott if:

• You want affordable, trendy jewelry to update your wardrobe.
• You love bold colors and making a statement with your accessories.
• You are looking for a personalized gift for a friend or family member.
• You enjoy a creative and customizable shopping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kate Spade or Kendra Scott more expensive?

Kate Spade is significantly more expensive across all categories. Its primary product, handbags, ranges from $150-$500+, whereas Kendra Scott's primary product, jewelry, mostly falls in the $40-$150 range.

Which brand has better quality?

This depends on the product. Kate Spade offers superior quality and durability for handbags, using genuine leather and robust hardware. Kendra Scott offers excellent quality for fashion jewelry at its price point, using a mix of plated metals and genuine stones, but it is not intended to be heirloom fine jewelry.

Is Kate Spade a luxury brand?

Kate Spade is considered an "accessible" or "mid-range" luxury brand. It's more premium than many mall brands but more affordable than high-end European luxury houses like Gucci or Saint Laurent.

Is Kendra Scott jewelry real gold?

Most Kendra Scott jewelry is not solid gold. The brand commonly uses 14k gold-plated brass, which offers the look of gold at an accessible price. This is a standard practice for fashion jewelry retailers.

Which brand is better for gifting?

Kendra Scott is arguably better for everyday gifts due to its lower price point, popular styles, and customization options at the Color Bar, which makes a gift feel personal. Kate Spade is an excellent choice for a milestone gift, such as a graduation or a significant birthday, especially if you're gifting a classic handbag.

Do Kate Spade and Kendra Scott have sales?

Yes, both brands have sales regularly. Kate Spade has seasonal sales and an extensive outlet offering steep discounts. Kendra Scott also offers promotions, especially around holidays like Mother's Day and Black Friday.

What style is Kate Spade known for?

Kate Spade is known for a style described as playful sophistication. It blends classic, timeless shapes with fun elements like bright colors, cute prints, and whimsical details.

What is Kendra Scott's most popular product?

Her most iconic and popular single item is the Elisa Pendant Necklace. Generally, her statement earrings and pendant necklaces with signature stone shapes are her bestsellers and are instantly recognizable.