Review: Kate Spade Love Shack Heart Purse vs. Coach Heart Crossbody
If you’re a bag enthusiast like me, you’ve probably come across the Coach vs. Kate Spade heart bag debate.
Let’s start with the basics — this isn’t a question of whether or not these bags count as luxury investments (that’s a debate for another time). This is a review of the Coach Heart Crossbody and the Kate Spade Love Shack Heart Purse being sold exclusively by Coach and Kate Spade outlets online and in select brick-and-mortar stores across Canada and the United States.
The Coach Heart Crossbody
The Coach Heart Crossbody comes in two colours: colourblock (a combination of pink and red, retailing at $208.60 CAD) and signature canvas (coach’s signature brown canvas, $229.60 CAD). Apart from the price and colour difference, the bags are identical in design.
Both colours feature crossgrain leather, with a 2" drop top handle. The bag also comes with two credit card slots, a two separately lined zip compartments, and a detachable strap with 22 1/2" drop for shoulder or crossbody wear.
The gold accents and charm add a level of detail that greatly compliments the design of the bag. The chain strap acts as a functional weight that prevents the bag from flinging around as you go about your day. The design also comes with two compartments allowing you to separate cosmetics from any valuables.
My one grievance is that the illusion of two compartments makes the bag seem bigger than it actually is. Despite boasting measurements of 6" (L) and 7" (H), you won’t be able to fit a phone bigger than 5" in it.
Each compartment also only comes with one zipper that catches at the “v” of the heart. Whereas I assume that the leather will soften over time and allow the zippers to move more freely, initial usage does require the application of some forceful tugging to close the zipper.
Another important disclaimer: when you first buy this bag it will come with tight stitching along the inseams of the zipper that pulls the edges, causing some of the front and/or back to bump out. It will take time to fully break in the bag which will allow the leather to flatten, but if you use conditioners over time to soften the leather you will find it softening faster.
The Kate Spade Love Shack Heart Purse
The Kate Spade Love Shack Heart Purse is currently available online in four colours/prints retailing for $239 USD: chalk pink, cherry red, black multi (white polka dots on a black background), and flutter hearts (pink and red hearts on a black background). The novel burgundy glitter and pomegranate faux fur options are cheaper but sold out online — some can still be found at outlet stores.
The standard love shack heart purses feature saffiano pvc (a type of synthetic leather), with a metal pinmount logo that isn’t typical of Kate Spade outlet designs. Compared to the Coach Heart Crossbody, the bags feature a bigger handle drop of 2.5" and an approximate 1.5" difference in both the the length and height of the bag. However, whereas the bag is bigger it does only have one compartment compared to the two in the Coach Heart Crossbody.
With jacquard lining and a roomier interior, the love shack heart purse is better for everyday use. The double zippers are easier to navigate than the Coach Heart Crossbody, but that may be because (compared to leather) saffiano pvc does not need time to soften.
Compared to the hybrid chain-leather strap in the Coach crossbody, the Kate Spade purse features a lighter (but adjustable) strap. Given the bigger size of the, a heavier strap won’t be required to keep the bag in place.
The Verdict
Both bags are beautiful, with everyone bound to ask you where you got that adorable heart bag. If you’re on the fence about which one to get, think about what you will be using it for and your budget.
The Kate Spade Love Shack purse in its’ simplicity is better for everyday use, as it’s bigger and comes with a waterproof exterior that is easier to clean. The Coach Heart Crossbody is more novel and better as a statement piece or accessory with its’ heavier gold accents and charming design.
Hot Tip
If you’re looking to buy either of the bags, don’t look for resellers just yet. The Kate Spade bags are available online for sale in the United States (with periodic restocks) and at Kate Spade outlets in Canada and United States (just call before making the trip to check if your store has it in stock).
Coach will also be doing an online restock of their Heart Crossbody bag in Signature Canvas on February 20, 2022, and the Heart Crossbody Colourblock on February 22 and 27, 2022.
