Once upon a time in the ’90s, Kate Spade’s glossy nylon handbags swung from the shoulders of hip teenage girls everywhere.
Three decades after the brand’s launch, Kate Spade remains a symbol of optimistic femininity. You can spot her bags on celebs like Kate Middleton, Cindy Crawford and Nicole Kidman, as well as influencers on TikTok and Instagram. Heck, there’s a good chance your bubbly best friend, cool aunt and/or stylish real estate agent owns a Kate Spade bag.
Who Is Kate Spade?
Katherine Noel Valentine Brosnahan Spade was the founder of the famous handbag brand. Spade started her career as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine in New York in the mid-80s. While working at the magazine, she noticed a lack of fashion-forward and practical handbags on the market and decided to create her own (despite having no formal design experience).
Two years later, she launched her legendary handbag collection with her husband Andy from their New York apartment. Spade’s designs quickly gained popularity for their vibrant colors, playful patterns, and timeless class.
In 2018, Spade was found dead in her New York apartment after an apparent suicide. She was 55 years old and was survived by her husband and daughter.
Why Are Kate Spade Bags So Popular?
Despite Kate Spade’s tragic passing, her designs live on. Her iconic bags remain beloved for their bold colors and patterns, as well as their stylish yet practical designs. Kate Spade bags are crafted from high-quality materials with utilitarian shapes — some models will even fit your laptop bag! Over the years, Kate Spade’s handbag empire has expanded to include colorful apparel, sparkly jewelry, sophisticated home goods and more.
We’d pack our wardrobe with Kate Spade pieces if it weren’t for one tiny detail — designer bags, apparel and accessories can come at a high cost. Determined to find a way to afford our favorite designs, we’ve searched high and low for ways to save at Kate Spade. Ahead, we’ve included insider tips for saving at Kate Spade all year long, every time you shop.
How To Save at Kate Spade
Know the Kate Spade Sale Schedule
You might be surprised to learn that a coveted luxury brand like Kate Spade runs frequent sales. The celebrated handbag purveyor runs sales throughout the year, where you can land deep discounts on handbags and more. During sales, you can expect to find handbags, accessories and other merchandise at discounts ranging from 20% to 40%. Play your cards right, and you can score deals of up to 75% off or more.
Ahead, we’ve outlined the complete Kate Spade sale schedule.
January: Kate Spade New Year Sale
Over the last few years, Kate Spade hosted different sales to celebrate the New Year. In 2024, the brand threw a Kate Spade End of the Season Sale, with discounts of up to 70% on handbags, wallets, card cases, tote bags, backpacks, shoes and more.
February: Kate Spade Presidents Day Sale
Kate Spade is one of the many retailers hosting a Presidents Sale in February. For Kate Spade, this is sometimes called the Bloom Sale, too. During the sale, you can expect 25% to 30% discounts. This year, that discount is 30% off your entire purchase from Feb. 15 until Feb. 20.
March: Kate Spade Spring Sale
Kate Spade often holds a spring sale in March, slashing prices on jewelry, shoes and accessories. Last year, the brand took an extra 30% off purchases of $500 or more and 20% off purchases of $200 or more.
April: Kate Spade Mother’s Day Sale
To celebrate moms, Kate Spade usually kicks off a Mother’s Day sale in late April. During the sale, look for deals of up to 25% off.
May: Kate Spade Summer Sale
Kate Spade runs a summer sale — also known as the Kate Spade Memorial Day Sale — during May. Last May, the store took up to 30% off handbags, wallets, jewelry and more.
June & July: Kate Spade Clearance Sales
Kate Spade tends to run clearance sales during June and July to make way for next season’s styles. Keep an eye out for the Kate Spade clearance sales during these months to score totes, cross bodies, and other goodies for up to 75% off.
August: Kate Spade Labor Day Sale
Like many retailers, Kate Spade celebrates Labor Day by throwing a sale. During its last Labor Day sale, the brand took up to 60% off handbags and fall fashions.
September: Kate Spade Save More Sale
In September, Kate Spade often runs a Save More sale. The Save More sale is structured much like the Kate Spade spring sale, where shoppers unlock bigger discounts the more they spend. Previously, the brand offered 20% off purchases of $200, 30% off purchases of $400 and 40% off purchases of $600.
October: Kate Spade Fall Sale
Kate Spade typically hosts a fall sale during October, though its name tends to change from year to year. Last October, the retailer took 30% off everything, including sale and clearance styles.
November: Kate Spade Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales
November is a big month for Kate Spade. The retailer tends to run promotions all month, with some of the best deals landing around Thanksgiving weekend. During previous holidays, we saw discounts of up to 50% for the Kate Spade Black Friday sale and up to 60% for the Cyber Monday sale. In 2023, the Black Friday sale started on Nov. 22 and lasted through Nov. 26.
December: Kate Spade Winter Sale
With gift-giving season in full swing, Kate Spade holds sales throughout December. Last year, the brand ran sales in early December and after Christmas with discounts of up to 60% and 70%, respectively.
Sign Up for Kate Spade Texts
Kate Spade regularly releases promo codes you can apply to your order to unlock a discount. The best way to stay informed of the latest Kate Spade coupons and promo codes is to sign up for emails and texts. When you first sign up for Kate Spade texts, you’ll receive a Kate Spade promo code good for 10% off. Throughout the year, you’ll get special offers, news and coupons delivered to your inbox and phone.
Hunt Down Kate Spade Promo Codes
Another way to stay abreast of the latest Kate Spade promo codes? Check RetailMeNot. We keep a curated collection of current Kate Spade coupons, promo codes and deals. RetailMeNot editors are constantly scouring the market to hunt down up-to-date savings intel — so be sure to check back often.
Shop the Kate Spade Clearance
The Kate Spade clearance section features purses, jewelry, apparel and more at up to 50% off. You’ll discover plenty of goodies priced below $200, $100 and even $50.
Shop the Kate Spade Pre-Loved Store
The Kate Spade Pre-Loved sells second-hand Kate Spade bags, wallets and clothing. All of the items are authenticated through a stringent 12-point inspection process. Not only are Pre-Loved Kate Spade designs stylish and affordably priced, but they’re also friendlier to the environment.
Trade in Your Kate Spade Merchandise for Store Credit
Got a Kate Spade bag or product you’re ready to part with? With the Kate Spade Pre-Loved program, you can trade in your item in exchange for a store credit you can use towards a new purchase. We’ve outlined the steps for trading in your Kate Spade bag below.
How to Trade In a Kate Spade Item for Store Credit
- Package your item with a free shipping label.
- Drop off the item at a USPS or FedEx location.
- If your item is approved, you’ll automatically earn a credit for up to 80% of the resale price.
Shop the Kate Spade Outlet (Formerly Known as the Kate Spade Surprise Sale)
Kate Spade Outlet stores are a treasure-trove of deals on Kate Spade gear. You’ll see handbags and other items between 50% and 80% off the retail price at the outlet store. Kate Spade Outlet also runs limited-time deals and bundle-and-save promotions. In addition, the outlet retailer features a clearance section where prices on deeply discounted merchandise are slashed an extra 20%.
You can shop the Kate Spade Outlet online or use the store locator to find a store near you.
What Is Kate Spade Surprise?
Kate Spade Surprise was the retailer’s former discount program. The Kate Spade Surprise Sale has been replaced by the Kate Spade Outlet.
Score a Kate Spade Student Discount
If you’re a college student seeking a Kate Spade handbag, you’re in luck. Kate Spade offers a 15% student discount through Unidays, a college discount platform. To access the Kate Spade student discount, you’ll need to sign up for Unidays. Unidays is free to join, and all you need is a school email address or credit card-style student ID.
Get a Price Adjustment
It’s every deal shopper’s nightmare: You purchase a product one day, only to see it go on sale the next. Mercifully, Kate Spade offers a one-time price adjustment on items that go on sale within seven days of the original purchase date. Note that final sale or discounted items don’t qualify for price adjustments.
How To Get a Kate Spade Price Adjustment
To get a price adjustment from Kate Spade, bring your original receipt to a Kate Spade store within seven days of purchase.
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