Kate Spade Marlowe vs Kip Tote: Which Small Tote Suits You?

The Kate Spade Marlowe vs Kip tote question is mostly about material and size. Among the listings on Amaboxly, Marlowe is the wider line, with suede, faux fur and coated canvas totes from RM 409 at the time of writing. Kip has two versions, a faux shearling small tote and a nylon large tote, both from RM 519.

Kate Spade Marlowe vs Kip tote at a glance

Both lines are Kate Spade Outlet pre-order listings, so the ordering terms are the same for each. The differences sit in the product names: the material, the size word and the colour. The table sets out six totes side by side.

Only details given in the listings appear here. For measurements, closure, pockets and handle length, open the product page and look at the photos for your colour.

The Kate Spade Marlowe tote: more materials, lower starting price

The Kate Spade Marlowe Suede Small Tote Bag is the plainest Marlowe in this group. It is from RM 409 and comes in Cinder Grey or Laurel Leaf, which makes it the only tote in this comparison with two colours listed. The Kate Spade Marlowe Faux Fur Small Tote Bag is also from RM 409, in Deep Aubergine.

Two other Marlowe listings have no size word in the name. The Kate Spade Marlowe Spade Flower Coated Canvas Tote Bag is from RM 469 in Dark Beige Moon Dust. The Kate Spade Marlowe Bow Suede Tote Bag is from RM 489 in Cinder Grey, and its name tells you it carries a bow detail. The product photos show how prominent that detail is.

Marlowe suits a shopper who wants to choose the surface first. Suede, faux fur and coated canvas all sit in one line. The cheapest listing is from RM 409 and the dearest is from RM 489.

The Kate Spade Kip tote: one small, one large

Kip is a shorter list. The Kate Spade Kip Faux Shearling Small Tote Bag is from RM 519 in Cashew Milk. The Kate Spade Kip Nylon Large Tote is also from RM 519, in Black.

Two things set Kip apart. It is the only line here with a tote labelled large, and the only one offered in nylon. Both Kip totes also start above every Marlowe listing in this comparison, so Kip is the pricier line on these numbers.

If you want a textured bag, the two lines are close. The Marlowe faux fur is from RM 409 and the Kip faux shearling is from RM 519. They are different materials in different colours, so compare the photos of each before deciding.

Choosing by size and by occasion

Start with size, because it is the hardest thing to judge from a photo. If you are shopping for a Kate Spade small tote bag, three of these listings carry the word small. One is labelled large and two have no size word. A missing size word does not tell you whether the bag is bigger or smaller, so read the measurements on each product page.

A useful check is to measure a bag you already carry: width, height and depth. Compare those numbers with the listing, then think about your largest daily item, such as a tablet or a water bottle. If you need room for work items, the Kip Nylon Large Tote is the only one here whose name promises a larger size.

Then think about where the bag will go. Suede generally reads as the dressier surface, and a bow adds to that, so the Marlowe suede totes lean towards dinners, events and office days. Suede can mark when it gets wet, which makes it a better match for dry weather. Faux fur and faux shearling are textured, cool-weather looks that sit well with knitwear and coats.

Nylon and coated canvas are the casual, practical options. Both are generally easier to wipe down than suede, and a dark colour tends to show less daily wear. For commuting, errands or travel, the Kip nylon or the Marlowe coated canvas is the more forgiving pick. Check the care label when it arrives.

Ordering, deposit and delivery

All six totes are Pre-Order listings, so the 50% deposit is offered on each of them. Choose Pay 50% deposit on the product page, and the cart and checkout show what you pay today and when the balance is due. Pre-Order items take about 30 days to reach you, with a status update at each step: Bought, In transit, Arrived, Delivered.

The quantity shown on a pre-order page is ordering capacity. The tote is bought from the US store after you order. If the store sells out before your item is secured, you are told and refunded everything you paid for that item, including the deposit.

Delivery is free within Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan pay RM21 per item, with free delivery over RM2,200. For every other destination, the shipping charge is shown at checkout before payment.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, including change of mind. A change-of-mind return must be in new condition and carries a restocking fee of 10% of the total paid, and the cost of shipping it back to the seller is deducted from your refund. Exchanges are only for items that arrive damaged, and any damage must be reported immediately with photos. You can also cancel before delivery with a 10% processing fee, and payment gateway fees are not refunded. The full terms are in the Refund & Returns Policy.