10 Apr 2013

Kate Spade agenda vs Smythson Bond Street organiser

I have, in my possession, two beautiful binders of a similar size (in terms of paper): a Smythson Bond Street organiser and a Kate Spade agenda. As you've probably realised, I am currently in my Smythson binder but the thought of having the KS agenda sitting around, empty and not in use has me feeling a little sad (as it's so pretty!).

Anyway, I thought I would compare the two if they were to partake in a football (or soccer if you are from the US) match. There is some seriousness to this post too, as it is essentially one where I compare the good and bad features of each. So, without further ado... let the two binders enter the stadium :)


On my right, we have KS, a team adorning a lovely pillar-box red kit.


And on my left, is the Smythson team.


Oh and there we have it, the first goal has been scored! And KS nutmegs the Smythson defence and slots one into the bottom left corner. The Smythson keeper lies on the ground, defeated and wondering how the ball got past her:


Here, she (yes, it's a women's football match!) reveals a flash of a light pink top under her jersey, with a small number of pockets for stamps, notes and other loose things! She's also got a hidden weapon in the form of a gold mechanical pencil which must have been supplied by her sponsor (read: it came with the binder and is a Smythson pencil).

Oh and she's up on her feet again as the game is restarted. That's an equaliser by Smythson! And as if the KS keeper isn't to be outdone, she also reveals a flash of colour under her red jersey. 


The KS keeper lies on the floor in an attempt to get her breath back. She reveals numerous pockets and card slots. She clearly has a whimsical side with her polka-dot fabric lining and beige leather contrast. The score is locked at one-all, but what's this? A penalty to Smythson? It must have been the light pink interior that did it... and that's 2-1. The match is looking like a goal-fest already.

Just like Smythson, she has gold rings but they are more shiny in nature. Maybe she knew they'd be on show so she polished them? Who knows. Her rings are also bigger (30mm) compared to Smythson's (23mm) and oh my, a lovely volley by the KS forward makes it 2-2.

Onwards to a paper comparison! Another blow to KS as the Smythson team reveal cornflower blue headbands that they have sported for today. The paper is lightweight and of a high quality. Ink is absorbed immediately and it's as if she'd never heard of the word 'bleed' and phrase 'show-through'. At least you know that there will rarely be any injury time-outs from the Smythson side if you were ever to play them!


KS, however, has decided to go with standard white headbands; after all, white goes with everything. They are very thick and again, no show-through but there is bleeding with certain types of ink.


Oh my, it's not been a defender's day, that's 3-2 to Smythson. Cornflower blue trumps white anyday it seems. That looks like the final play of the game as the referee blows for full time! Final score, 3-2 to Smythson but it has been an entertaining match!

Maybe I am being a tad biased as I am currently in the Smythson binder but both are beautiful binders. The main match ups were:

Ring sizes of 23mm vs 30mm; both have gold coloured rings; more card slots vs more secretarial pockets; and cornflower blue inserts vs white coloured inserts. The paper in both is good though the KS paper is slightly thicker - but the 30mm rings make up for that as the binder can hold more. Overall, I love both and probably will never part with either :) 

I am sure that on another day, KS might well sneak a win.

19 comments

  1. Cute post! Personally, I would be concerned about the Smythson fabric getting dirty just from every day use; versus a leather-type binder. Both are beautiful though.......from Pittsburgh.

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    1. Hi there! The Smythson is made of leather :) xxx

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  2. Sorry, I missed that! Then that would be my "winner"! ....from Pittsburgh

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    1. Hehe, yeah, both the interior and exterior are made of leather. It's actually quite tough as recently, I've taken it out without putting it in a dustbag and it's not been scratched by my keys or anything! Or maybe I'm just lucky... x

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  3. This was a very entertaining post! I do love both of your binders, they're gorgeous, but I think I sway a little to the Smythson side because that shade of pink is really beautiful.

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    1. Thank you :-) I love them both too and like you, I sway towards the Smythson for the exact same reason. I think my mum has her eye on the Kate Spade but the 30mm rings put her off slightly as it would be too heavy for her liking (compared to her Filofax Cuban!) x

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  4. In love with the kate spade organiser if only it wasn't out of my price range. Can you offer any advice on good budget organisers?

    Jazzie x
    miniinstilettos.blogspot.com

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    1. If you're in the UK, Paperchase have a range of cheaper and more affordable organisers. Filofax have a cheaper range too, and their new range has quite a number of neat looking ones at good prices :) x

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  5. I'll gladly take the loser home, should you decide to ever part with it. I've been looking everywhere for one of this color but, sadly, there are none available save for the KS zips (not too keen on the zipped binders). Let me know and congrats to the winner. This was probably the best match I've ever "watched". :)

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    1. Hehe, I don't think I will ever part with it - it's just too beautiful. They come up very, very rarely on eBay so I was quite lucky with this find and for that reason, I think I will be hanging onto it :) And thank you for the kind comments hehe xxx

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  6. Fab post - very entertaining :o)

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    1. Aw thank you :-) looking forward to seeing your filled display cabinet! ;) x

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  7. Aw thank you :-) Will take a look later tonight when I get home xxx

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  8. The Cornflower Blue is beautiful :)

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    1. It is! What you can't see though is just how good the paper quality is. The paper remains seriously thin (no lie) and yet it takes all inks very well x

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  9. Lovely blog, and you decorate your agenda beautifully! I wish I had your writing style too! The Smythson would definitely be my favourite binder. I love the colour and the texture of the binder looks nice too. x

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    1. Aw thank you! The Smythson is definitely my favourite but there is still something about the Kate Spade which makes me reluctant to part with her :) x

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  10. I'm dying to get my hands on the pink smythson! Their website only has the black one right now; do you know when 2014 will be released??

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    1. I have no idea unfortunately! The only thing I can recommend is keeping an eye out on the website :-) They do have different colours but they're all seasonal (for example, they had purple croc in A/W12 but that's no longer on sale as far as I know) :)

      Hope you can find what you're looking for! x

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