The Sam: A Classic Kate Spade Handbag, Reimagined For Today's Consumer

A fresh twist on a beloved original design

There are handbags that are instantly recognizable. Some that come to my mind are the Birkin by Hermès, the Never Full by Louis Vuitton, and the Margaux by The Row. The list goes on and on and sadly could easily set you back at least $2,000 to upwards of $12,000+ (if you are even lucky enough to have made it through a long drawn out waitlist and/or spent enough money to even be considered and not have to buy the bag of your dreams on the resale market). There are some who are baffled by their outlandish price tags and would never dare to purchase. While others, will go to great lengths just to snag one of these icons. Even Samantha Jones famously lost her job in pursuit of a coveted Birkin.

There are also handbags out there that will not break the bank, yet they are just as recognizable. In 1993, Kate Spade launched her company with six different handbags. It was The Sam at $125 - a sleek, black, coated nylon, waterproof tote that rose to the top. This powerhouse accessory is what propelled the company into the worldwide brand it is today.

[Two side by side legends.]

At 13, I was gifted a purple version of The Sam for my Bat Mitzvah. Technically, I was now an adult, but my childhood antics shined through. I didn’t understand the bag. I hated the color and thought that if I returned it to Bloomingdale’s, I could find something better, something more suited to my “fashionable” tastes. If only I could go back in time and convince my teenage self to hold onto it—especially since I still proudly wear most of my Bat Mitzvah Tiffany & Co. jewelry (heart charm bracelet included) to work nearly every day. Whoops, 🤭.

A Muse To Ponder

When I think of The Sam, I often wonder if Kate Spade ever coveted a Prada Vela backpack from Miuccia Prada’s iconic nylon collection. The bag, along with others from that era, became popular in the '80s and '90s for its minimalist, functional, and durable design, crafted from industrial-strength Pocono nylon.

Over the last three decades, Prada’s nylon bags have seen a resurgence in popularity, but all at a cost. What was once considered steep at around $450 a pop, is now a drop in the bucket compared to their current price tags. Today, owning one feels nearly impossible for many fashion lovers.

Perhaps Kate, too, dreamed of owning a Prada nylon wonder, but found the price completely out of her reach. This could very well be why The Sam was born — an accessible alternative with that same spirit of functional, enduring design.

The Nostalgia of it All

Fast-forward to just last week, I read aVogue article that Kate Spade was re-issuing The Sam. My heart skipped a beat learning that The Sam is still hustling. Thirty years later, she continues to capture consumers with her timelessness. Each decade, her designs have evolved, infusing new life through colorways, shapes, and fabrications. Yet her nylon roots have remained at the core — iconic, classic, and affordable.

Could now be the time to right my past mistake and finally get my hands on one? After seeing the new shape and the latest campaign, I think so! It’s a full-circle moment — and dare I say it, better than ever.

She’s Small, But Mighty

[There's only one obvious choice, right?!?!]

Micro handbags are having a moment in the spotlight. However, their unrealistic size means they can’t even fit your iPhone, heck it can barely even hold a chapstick. But Kate Spade is offering a stylish alternative. The notable bag is making a comeback in a fresh new form: the Sam Icon Ksnyl Mini Tote. While the original had room for just about everything, its new Gen Z-friendly sister at $158 is perfectly priced and sized to hold life’s true essentials — your phone, a Rhode Pocket Blush, and a Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream. What more do you need?

A Pocket Full of Sunshine

[Hello, Gorgeous!]

Now that we’re sold on the size, let’s talk color. Black will always be your celebrated go-to, but then there’s yellow — or ‘Yellow Sesame,’ as the brand calls it. The color is one of my new favorite hues of the season.

Lindsay Sword

thinks you two can wear this sunny shade and the Sam Icon Ksnyl Mini Tote might be your ticket to embracing the trend. If not yellow, there’s also White Dove or Serenity to satiate your palette.

Accessories For Your Accessory

Ok, there’s the cute compact size, the buttery color palette — but the pièce de résistance? BAG CHARMS!

I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t this just a keychain? Absolutely not. If you need convincing, both

Irene Kim (김애린)

and

Joyce Lee

have been shouting from rooftops about bag charms as the new 'it' accessory this season in two very delicious articles here and here. These articles def whet my appetite, but then I saw the styling from Kate Spade’s marketing campaign and all bets were off. With Kate Spade serving up so many options on the menu, I’m sold.

[One of each, please.]

The photos don’t even do these adorable trinkets justice — you have to see them in person. They’re just too cute. Adding them to your Sam Icon Ksnyl Mini Tote gives it a whole new upgrade. The charms are fresh, fun, and makes the bag stylishly relevant for today.

Everlasting Charm

Ultimately, The Sam has proven that great style isn't always about the hefty price tag. It's about timeless design and accessibility. Finding a bag that fits your lifestyle and personality, the icing on the cake. Whether you’re rediscovering or falling for it anew, this bag in her newest mini form will remain a staple for decades to come. I’ll [finally] have what she’s having.

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Big thanks to all of you for the support — I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride. It was amazing seeing so many new readers last week, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you. If you think someone else might enjoy subscribing, feel free to pass this along. Sending a virtual hug to all of you 🤗. Thank you!