If you’ve been following along with my fashion content for a while, then chances are you’ve seen my Kate of Arcadia bag pop up a million times on my blog. I purchased the Manx bag about three or four years ago and have used it everyday since. It’s hands down my favourite bag, and is the perfect size for everyday. It’s worn incredibly well and there are no marks or scratches on the leather. The lining and straps are also still in perfect condition, and I will be honest this bag has had a bit of a hard life so I’m so impressed with how well it has worn!
I’ve been a bag addict for years and in that time I’ve owned bags from tonnes of different brands including some mid-range designers. I can hand on heart say that my Kate of Arcadia bags have been my favourite. The quality and craftsmanship is second to none and each piece is handmade by Kate herself. There are a variety of styles, sizes and colours to choose from and some of the bags can be custom designed to suit you.
The owner, Kate, started Kate of Arcadia back in 2012, and before then had been one of the founding forces of well-known NZ bag brand Deadly Ponies. She also worked at popular Australian bag brand Mimco, before coming back to New Zealand to begin her own line, so it’s safe to say she knows her stuff! The Kate of Arcadia bags all make the most of New Zealand sourced fabrics and materials, all while being incredibly stylish and functional.
The newest addition to my bag collection is the Kate of Arcadia HI Purse. This purse is designed to be a compact purse that allows you to fit in all the basics without taking up too much room. In short, it’s the absolute perfect purse for a new mum! It allows me to take all of my essentials out with me, yet it’s small enough to pop into Jack’s baby bag. It has a generous sized wristlet strap, or alternatively I can wear it cross body with the detachable long shoulder strap. This allows me to not have to worry about trying to manage two large bags, as well as a stroller and a baby!
The HI purse is customisable, so you can get your initials or any two letters written on the side. You can also choose what colour leather you prefer (black, purple, or tan) and what colour hardware you would like (gold or silver). This means that your purse is totally customisable and is personal and unique to you.
I opted for the purple leather as I love the colour purple and it’s just a bit different to what I normally opt for which is black. The leather is a gorgeous deep vibrant purple. It’s one of those colours that stands out and is a little different, yet at the same time still goes with everything. I chose the silver hardware as I’m a sucker for silver, and my purse came with a long adjustable black shoulder strap as well as the wristlet. These both clip on and off easily allowing the purse to be worn in different ways.
All of Kate of Arcadia’s bags are made from quality New Zealand deer leather, with the exception of the hide bags which are made from cow hide and the bubble leather bags which are lamb leather. Deer leather is my favourite fabric for bags as it’s just so buttery soft and wears exceptionally well. As soon as you hold a Kate of Arcadia bag, you can appreciate how well constructed they are. The handles and straps are solid and sturdy and there’s no worry of them splitting or fraying. The sewing is impeccable, and the hardware is fixed to the bag beautifully.
Like I mentioned, my black Kate of Arcadia bag has been my go-to for quite a few years now, and it still shows no sign of wear and tear. That thing has had a tough life, being regularly over-filled with stuff and placed on floors etc, yet it still looks brand new! I can 100% honestly say, it’s the most impressive bag I’ve owned. In the short time I’ve owned this purse, I’ve been using it almost every day and I can already tell it’s going to be a bag I use regularly for many years to come. I don’t hesitate for a second to recommend Kate of Arcadia bags! Buy this beauty here
