Designer collaborations with mainstream retailers now routinely fail to generate the buzz they once did but the right combination is still difficult to resist. I had been somewhat successful in resisting childrenswear this year but the siren song of Kate Spade’s first foray into a children’s collection compelled me.
I was at work when the collection preview launched and by the time I got to shop the collection, the largest sizes (sizes run from XS to XXL) had sold out. I held out hope that I might fit a child’s large but that proved overly optimistic.
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| Kate Spade New York ♥ GapKids Bow Wool Coat (toddler sizes here) | Size L Shoulder: 14.5″ | Overall Length: 22.75″ | Sleeves: 18″ | Underarm to underarm: 18″ |
The Bow Wool Coat had been my favorite item from the collection. Bow aside (that alone is reason enough), I liked the swing jacket design and the cropped sleeves and can see myself reaching for it in early Spring or late Fall.
Construction and material are reasonable but the coat was also a hefty $114.95, which, while markedly lower than Kate Spade retail prices, is still no chump change. I think I definitely would’ve kept it in the right size but alas was not afforded that option. I think the XXL would’ve fit me and other women around my size.
In that vein, the Bow Print Oxford Shirt in size L was also two sizes too small for me. I loved the print and would’ve overlooked both the mediocre fabric and imperfect fit.
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| Kate Spade New York ♥ GapKids Bow Print Oxford Shirt (toddler version here) | Size L Shoulder: 13″ | Overall Length: 22.5″ | Sleeves: 20.5″ | Underarm to underarm: 16″ |
I also ordered the Bow Print Skinny Jeans in sizes 12 and 14 and found that they correspond to roughly 00P and 0P, respectively. The print is cute enough but I was reminded that I already own bow pants (albeit in a different colorway); truthfully, I didn’t love them enough to keep. I prefer the print on a top.
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| Kate Spade New York ♥ GapKids Bow Print Skinny Jeans | Size 14 Waist: 14″ | Hip: 15.5″ | Inseam: 28″ | Rise: 9″ |
Size 12 Measurements: Waist: 12.75″ | Hip: 15″ | Inseam: 27.5″ | Rise: 9″
Plain dark wash jeans here.
The last item I ordered to try out was the Bow Print Dress, which I was able to purchase in size XL, and thought for sure it would fit (it doesn’t). The dress, on me, fit as though it had an empire waist; the bust was also too tight and the length infantilizing.
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| Bow Print Dress | Size XL Overall length: 28.25″ (top portion:11″) | Underarm to underarm: 14″ | Waist: 13.5″ |
For pinkaholics, the Bow Puffer Jacket (toddler version here) and Bow Crossbody Bag are both impossibly cute options.
I also liked the Cardi Graphic Sweater but my size sold out in the preview.
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| Kate Spade New York ♥ GapKids Cardi Graphic Sweater |
I picked up the Graphic Mittens and a Skinny Bow Belt for a friend’s daughter but didn’t keep anything else.
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| Kate Spade New York ♥ GapKids Dot Satchel | Red Satchel | Glitter Satchel |
Shop the entire collection here.
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For those in the market for a watch with a very small watch face, Piperlime appears to have mislabeled the price of this Kate Spade New York Tiny Metro, it’s now on sale for around 65% off, which is the best price I’ve seen the watch sell for. The same style is still full price at Nordstrom, Saks, Macy’s, Shopbop, Kate Spade, and Bloomingdale’s.
I own the larger version of the Metro in black and last wore it here.
