Shopaholic: Kate Spade Wedding Belles (and whistles)

Inspired by the NY Times Critical Shopper reviews, The Society will be introducing a new column entitled: Shopaholic, where we go ahead and give our own reviews to stores, introductory collections, new concepts, and all the brick and mortar establishments we love to shop!

I don't know if I'm more confused by the Top Hat or the dress that mannequin's wearing, or that POOF headband...

To kick things off I decided to stroll through SoHo today and discovered something quite interesting, Kate Spade's "bridal' collection. A great place to start I decided, until I actually went in and discovered how puzzling the whole concept actually is in-store!
First walking into the transformed "bridal" section of the SoHo Flagship store, you're instantly crammed into a narrow space taken up mostly by the visual displays, already leading me to the question: "Why would a bride-to-be shop in this space?"

You see that Zebra book, it's actually a BRIDAL CLUTCH. Yup I know...

Fortunately, there was some pieces that may make you forget how claustrophobic the space actually is, such as the shoes and jewelry. With beautiful shoes, all made in Italy, the bridal collection focus on things other than the traditional white pump, featuring golds, blues, and even multicolored prints that delivers the DNA of the Kate Spade Brand. The jewelry collection featured a very beautiful "pearl bauble" necklace in two lengths that I adored! It also featured Kate Spade colors such as hot pink stone rings and necklaces, and some lovely colorful, yet unpractical, flower rings, not to mention a RIDICULOUS poofy tulle headband in either pink or turquoise ($50).

I honestly just think "Easter" not "Marry Me"

The dress collection itself was actually quite disappointing. First off, I don't know ANY bride that wants a wedding dress with the giant "MADE IN CHINA" in all caps with care labels that also reveal most of the collection is completely out of Polyester, Acetate, and Cotton! Only 3 out of the 9 dresses I viewed (only 8 available online) contained any silk at all. For a wedding day I don't know any bride that is willing to settle for an 80% polyester dress. The dresses range in price from $375-$525 (which explains the fabrics), with the most expensive being sold in-store only. Meant to take you "From I will to I do" these dresses are the company's first full launch in bridal and what I would consider to be a delicate entrance.

Overall I would say it's worth it for a bride-to-be to take a quick stop in the Kate Spade shop, the jewelry and shoes are completely beautiful and surprisingly inexpensive. Most shoes stay under the $400 price range, along with the jewelry. You definitely won't find your wedding dress in there, one in particular seemed more like an over-sized summer tunic worn by your grandmother for a stroll on the beach, but you may find a cute dress for Easter if you don't mind dropping $400 for a fancy church get-up! I'll pass on the Wedding Belles (and whistles) thanks.

Kate Spade- Wedding Belles (and whistles)