4.06.2010

Tightwad Tuesday: Kate Spade Sara Bay Piper Shorts for a Steal

Please don’t take this the wrong way, dolls; it is not as if I have some sort of resentment towards denim – quite the opposite in fact. I am one of denim’s biggest advocates; falling in love with it in a multitude of formations – from rompers to minis, and everything in-between. Nevertheless, there are times in a girl’s life when denim just doesn’t cut it for a given occasion. Moments when we long for a subtle splash of sophistication that is cool and comfortable, yet embodies a pinch of posh which gives us a gussied-up glow in the most unfussy of fashions; and there is just one way to achieve this, kitty cats…via tailored shorts!

Say it with me now, my loves…tailored shorts are to the trouser family what Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dresses are to the world of frilly frocks – a universally flattering design which give the wearer the opportunity to show off her gorgeous gams; whilst maintaining her chic, hoity-toity demeanor. But not any pair will do. A girl wants a piece that can make the transition from the boardwalk to the boardroom with effortless ease; Kate Spade’s Sara Bay Piper Shorts are capable of just this.

Highlighting a unique aesthetic described as a paper bag cut; the Sara Bay Piper Shorts are constructed out of a mix of silk and cotton in a shade aptly titled quicksand, and display a pleated detail and tie waist to give the wearer the vintage, Mad Men-inspired silhouette we all know and love. Yet despite the polished personality evident in each and every minute embellishment; the Sara Bay Piper Shorts are just as sprightly as they are swank, only serving to make them more covetable.

But I digress; darlings, it seems as if the term covetable is a code word of sorts for being completely out of one’s league – budget-wise, that is. And the svelte Sara, unfortunately, is. At $195.00 a pair, the saucy flap side pockets and signature Kate Spade corozo buttons are not characteristics that will soon be entering my budget-conscious closet. Sara’s less expensive look-alikes, however, are already on their way!

While crafted out of linen as opposed to a silk and cotton blend, at $34.50, Victoria’s Secret’s Beach Linen Belted Shorts are just as blissful as the Kate Spade creation their architecture mirrors; and come in a trio of tantalizing shades that will make your summer sizzle. The question is which to get…sandcastle, spicy red, or chocolate. Perhaps a teeny tiny splurge on all three is in order!

Are you having a tightwad moment darlings, or are you plagued with a craving to splurge?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Kate Spade and Victoria’s Secret for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.
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81 comments

Midnight Cowgirl said...

I like both pairs. I'm glad it is getting to be shorts season :)

Jen Hsieh said...

great post!!!! i actually just bought a pair just like those paper bag shorts by kate spade from h&m! :)

Roxanne said...

Those are so adorable! Too bad the Kate Spade ones are so expensive — I tend to like those a little better — but the Victoria's Secret ones are certainly a budget-friendly option, so I'd have to go with them! xox

Erin said...

Great find!
Why does VS have such cute clothes? And why can't I try them on in stores?
*hint*VS *hint* start carrying clothing! :)

www.janetteria.com said...

Thanks for Ur tip! As always it is a great alternative.

Anna Gray said...

Oh my gosh, I ♥ those shorts. =)

Yulia Rahmawati said...

I love short
but
unfortunately I cant wear it ouside my home
moslem rules
;D

xoxo
YULIA RAHMAWATI
Get Up,Survive, Go Back To The Bed

Jolie said...

I have to get those shorts at Victoria Secrets, I am in shorts all summer, so I must invest in some nice ones! Great picks!

daisychain said...

oh these are perfect, great find!

Alicia Lund said...

oh i love them both! especially the kate spade shorts, but the victoria's secret option is great as well! ;)

Unknown said...

I love the paper bag cut for shorts especially, I think they give the most flattering look for most women's legs and actually I think the VS pair is cuter (not to mention the price!) - thanks Erika! These are on my spring must-have list now :)

xo Mary Jo

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Oh my gosh... if I liked shorts, I would LOVE these!

FASHION SNAG said...

I love the top pair more so I guess a splurge for me! xo

www.FashionSnag.com

dancinginchiffon said...

i love them both but i'm glad you were able to find the affordable one since many of us fashionista need to be on a budget :)

Christina Elaine said...

I like the first pair.. esp the yellow shoes...

xxx
CEO

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

oh I love VS shorts! I'm a huge fan of VS clothes! have a great day, darling! xo

J. said...

I admit that I like the VS price better, but I love the cut of the KS just a little bit more. It's a toss up...

Tiffany Kadani said...

I am not really a shorts girl but I am a cute yellow shoes girl for sure! Those are way too adorable.

Couture Carrie said...

Fabulous find, darling!
Love these!

xoxox,
CC

Leah said...

I love these shorts... of course I prefer the cheaper version. Happy Tuesday Erika! xoxo

Rock Couture said...

I'll take the tightwad pair :)

Josie said...

LOVE the Kate Spades, but the VS ones are fab! I think I'll be picking up a pair for sure... Paper-bag waists can be tricky, but hopefully I can find a way to make it work!
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Iva Messy said...

great match Erika! I actually love the clothes in the VS catalog :)

Julia said...

I love the look of these shorts! They scream summer to me. Unfortunately, high wasted shorts rarely are flattering on me so I think I will have to pass on both pairs.

xoxo
FashionEye

ellie said...

Its that time of year..and so dressy. Great find too. Love the pics.

Glam Girl said...

I love nude colour, and those opants look great!

Joanne said...

I'm leaning toward the VS shorts. I'm liking the little more casual look to them, so suitable to summerwear.

Princess Liberty said...

I really like the short on the first picture, specially the belt

Anna Jane said...

I totally agree with you - denim can be brilliant at times, but at the end of the day it is a casual material and not always the most appropriate. I've totally fallen in love with the tailored look and have just bought myself some tailored trousers. I have a satin purple tailored pair of shorts which don't seem very fitting for the new season, but I'm going to get them out anyway regardless!

- Anna Jane xxx

Anonymous said...

i think i'd like to splurge on this one... i just like the cut and fabric better... and thanks for noticing my new header:)

Andhari said...

Gorgeous! I love tailored shorts. Can't always wear it since I'm a bit self conscious with my thighs :p but maybe I can find a pair that aren't too short.

SabinePsynopsis said...

Although I just bought some lovely black Michael Kors tailered shorts the Victoria Secret's are so pretty and on budget I would give them a big: YES, please! Great find, Erika!

That Chelsea Girl™ said...

As always, great post.
Thanks for the comments, I don't have a laptop for the time being but I am going to try very hard to keep up with your blog.
Take care dear :)

Maddy said...

I think these hot summer months call for some cool, breezy linen! Though, I think depending on the occasion, the silk blend Kate Spade would be more appropriate.

But if I'm confident enough to wear shorts by June/ July, I'd gladly take them both :)

Sherin said...

I'm not really a shorts person, but you've completely changed my mind. The Sara Bay shorts are adorable! I'm going to have to splurge this week.

Denisa L said...

I'm loving both pairs...

Jen said...

I just recently have started loving linen shorts... oh how I love that second pair! The belt just makes it that much better too!! Wonder if they come in white too... oh how I'd love them in every color!

Jen said...

Oooh, the Kate Spades are for me please! I adore them. I'd wear them with my stacked wedge heels and a cute nautical top.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Love, want, neeeeeed those! A whole lotta lunges and I just may be able to rock them!

Unknown said...

i like those shorts
a perfect outfit

looks great

ediot said...

such wonderful cute shorts. i love both these- thanks for sharing! would love to see some of your outfits- is that possible?

xx ediot

Claire Kiefer said...

I love this post, as it has really made me think about my summer wardrobe . . . I always immediately defer to dresses and summery skirts, and never even consider shorts (unless I'm exercising). These shorts give me reason to stop for a moment and rethink my choices . . . thank you! xoxo

Devea said...

Thanks for this post! I am on the lookout for cute shorts since spring is finally here!

Valerie said...

I LOVE the linen pair! I'm constantly plagued with the crave vs save situation. There just always isn't a good "save" out there and I find myself sometimes breaking down and buying the crave.

Clare said...

Whaaaat!? I can get those shorts at VS?! HURRAY! let me tell you, Erika, I have been on a quest to find cheaper versions of Kate Spade's fantastic clothing. But her collections are truly one of a kind and I have had little luck. But THIS is a great find!

p.s. yes, yes, yes, and yes to the rompers!

Sara said...

OH awesome!!!!! I love shorts. I think all of my summer outfit posts will be in shorts. I wish I could pull off that color though, both pairs are very cute!

Lol I love that you name your bags!!

Unknown said...

sooo ready to wear shorts!

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

Why are you the best at Tightwad Tuesday!! You always do such a good job. Great find! I totally appreciate a khaki short! :) Wunderbar!

H A N N A H . M A Y . R O S E . † said...

I love both pairs, but obviously love the 'real thing' more :)
& I love these posts! haha

LONDON--ROSE.BLOGSPOT.COM

xx

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Def the steal...though I do want those yellow KS shoes! :)

Emily said...

ooooh i love these shorts, both pairs. but I like the second price better :)

Meg said...

Cute shorts! The first pair is my favourite, but the second pair are way more affordable.

Cindy Whitehead said...

Great steal on those shorts!

Unknown said...

I want those VS shorts. Immediately. Oh that reminds me... I need to pick up some VS stuff... right now!

Yeah, isn't that Marc Jacobs dress SO CUTE?! Love it.

Theresa said...

Those paper bag shorts are to die for! Near perfection. Just another thing to add to my wish list- paper bad shorts. :]

E said...

I really like the way that Victoria's Secret pair is styled with the vest and the blazer :-)

little luxury list said...

Sigh why does the pricier pair call out to me more?

Oooh, get a pink engagement ring some day! It rocks! Did you see Love Megan has a pink emerald (kunzunite) and I have a pink sapphire which tends to be more vibrant. Then we'll meet in NYC some day and have some pink cupcakes and talk about our awesome rings, haha.

Mimi said...

Shorts are the only thing I've been wearing lately. Love the pleats on these shorts! Great trend spotting darling!

Xin @ Invincible Summer said...

Ooh I love belted shorts! It's not quite a look I can pull off though for some reason. It's not very flattering to my leg shape.

Stephanie said...

Adorable. I love both. You may have stumbled on the new jort!

Fashion Court said...

those are so fabulous but i'm horrible at pulling off shorts! i'm better off sticking with dresses :p

Elizabeth said...

Love those shorts!!! I can't wait for summer weather so I can wear them!

Anonymous said...

great i like this kind of shorts i requeated people to wear shorts on summer

Shop N' Chomp said...

Hmm...I'll have to go with the VS in this case. :)

Nubiasnonsense said...

Great post, Awesome find.. your so gifted with these lol

kknelson2 said...

Agreed :)
Love them!

Sara Lee Bentley said...

I love these shorts -- both great choices! You have such a knack of finding great counterparts at opposing price-points!

www.sarabbentley.blogspot.com

michelle_ said...

i've been looking for shorts like this for summer :D

xoxo..
michelle || glisters and blisters
check out my latest post on bokeh+vintage photo video tutorial !

Chicago Chic said...

These shorts are awesome and so perfect for a summer day at the beach!!! I actually think this time I'm going to be "plagued with the craving to splurge." I think that in order to wear a post style like this, one almost HAS to spend more.

Love this, hope you are having a good week and Happy late Easter! ♥
xxxx
Rachel

Style with Benefits said...

Hey lady! I love tailored shorts. To pay $195 for shorts is outrageous though! The most I've ever spent on a pair of shorts was $90 and even then, I felt a tad guilty. The VS ones are a great deal and just as flattering as the other ones.

But now that we're talking about shorts, I'm totally thinking about summer now. :)

xo, becs

Naina said...

Those shorts are amazing! They're perfect for Indian weather. Yayay!

chandra hall said...

i looove skirts! especially with a pop of color, i.e. those yellow shoes. just something i'd want in my closet.
& funny enough i've also been on the hunt for shorts similiar to those. not just your basic denim short shorts, something a little dressier. for pairing with a blazer, of course. oh you know me too well! hehe

<3 have a beautiful day Fashionista!

http://www.prettytimepiece.org

Christina Lee said...

I really like both of these, but I need them longer for me. I'll be looking for an affordable pair this spring!

Susu Paris Chic said...

At the moment, I definitely going more on the tight side. Lines that caress the body.

Those beige shorts clearly vindicate the classy catch. I've been a huge beige buff for some time already. It just feels so chic and refined.

English Rose ♥ said...

I loveeeee those shorts! So glad its almost summer!!

Merci beaucoup for stopping by darling =]

Stay safe and chic ma chérie,
English Rose x
http://iamanenglishrose.blogspot.com

Style, via Tia said...

I usually don't wear shorts but I really like these.

Maria at Bachman's Sparrow said...

H&M has a very nice pair in their Garden Collection as well!

xoxo Maria

K'arhol said...

these shorts are absolutely gorgeous !!! only for very tall girlz anyw , :(

Anonymous said...

I love the first pair very cute :)

Samantha said...

Love everything. Accessorized beautifully.
http://www.onceuponafad.blogspot.com

Peter Breese said...

Awesome and great title.

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