Kavu

Like Fjallraven, only local and much, much less expensive. I think the style is quintessential Seattle… or at least Pacific Northwest hipster before it was cool (see what I did there?)… and it’s something I find myself lusting after. You’re not going to go to any cocktail parties in their gear, but you’re going to find quality goods for every day life. You know, that «I’m outside no matter the weather because life goes on» life.

Cailyn at the Ballard store in Seattle is always outstanding and very helpful! her pleasant attitude makes me want to come in and visit the store and talk with her. Today me and my wife purchased some great items and Cailyn was her usual awesome self. Big props to her for doing such a great job! She is always super helpful and very honest when I ask her if certain items look good and fit. I very much appreciate this honesty. she is a great representative for Kavu!

I received a gift certificate for my birthday in November, just before KAVU transferred from a paper certificate to an electronic gift card system. I made a purchase using the certificate that I ended up returning, and in the process my balance was lost in the system, a problem we identified just yesterday as I went to make another purchase. The staff of the Ballard store has been so helpful and generous working to replace the balance and provide excellent customer service. I just received a phone call from the store manager assuring me the issue will be resolved and promising to follow up ASAP when it is. Thanks for the personable assistance — not to mention awesome products. Five stars for sure!

I don’t understand why this shop doesn’t have more positive buzz! The have a good amount of on-​trend, durable clothing for very reasonable prices! And it’s local. Staff knows the products too– which is always helpful. Maybe the store front can be intimidating… I’m no mountaineer… Highly recommend!

Cool little store, friendly staff, decent clothes, great quality, and good prices. Happy to have found this place!

Pros:
1. Their cross body purses are fantastic for an active lifestyle. I used one for years when I lived in California and rode my bike everywhere. When it started looking dingy (4 years later for the cotton bag) I bought a new one for walking the dog around here. They are staples and they are cute and affordable.
2. I bought a gym/​weekend bag a few years ago. It’s simple and basic black so it goes with everything and has lots of pockets. It’s great.
3. Your well-​behaved dog can go inside and shop with you. So cute!
4. They have popcorn to ease your (and your kids’ and your dog’s) shopping experience.
5. It’s a local company.
6. Their prices are good and their quality is high and their friendliness quotient is good.
Cons:
I can’t think of any!

Ok, time to give Kavu some updated love.
Not sure why I couldn’t find pants that fit me the first time I went here, but the last few times I’ve gone, I’ve had no problem finding A-​W-​E-​S-​O-​M-​E pants. Perhaps my body has become more svelte (I like saying this word), but more likely — I’ve gotten more chubby. Whatever the case, I’ve now got THREE go-​to pants…
…Thank you, Kavu.
And thank you for not selling me skinny jeans/​pants.
Thank you for not selling me skinny pants.
Thank you for NOT selling me skinny jeans…
…because I would have been forced to beat myself up if I bought them.
It’s a local outdoor-​oriented company. This is their flagship storefront. And it’s in beautiful Ballard.
The prices ranges from slightly expensive to reasonable. But there are frequently nice stuff on sale. And then the other cool thing: 25% off a non-​sale item when you do a Unilocal Check-​In.
The store is stylish. There is a studio with interesting art upstairs. The staff have been nice.
Whenever in Ballard, I find myself drawn to this store.

Great place and a local company. I have been buying their products for years and they stand behind them. The regular prices are not cheap but everything is made really well and so when there is a sale, you best get in on it.
I have always had great customer service.

I had a really cool experience here mainly because I was the only one in the store and was able to get to know the girl, Stephanie who was working there. Turned out she was the manager and former inside sales rep for the company. She was a really really cool bonus to visiting an already cool store. Yeah it’s a small space but you gotta love Kavu to appreciate the understated beauty of it. Kavu is unique in that I can dress it up or dress it down and still look good and fashionable. It’s hippy meets mod meets posh meets granola. It’s expensive stuff which is a bit of a disappointment in today’s economy because I would think Kavu would be the first to be anti-​inflation but I understand it from a business perspective. All in all, I had a coupon for 25% off from a hotel I was staying at and made the trek out to the store solely because of that flyer. I ended up not being able to buy what I really wanted because it was so dang expensive but I got a cool purse to replace my older Kavu purse that has seen a lot of the world in the last couple years. Plus I got to meet Stephanie which was a treat in and of itself.
Thanks, Kavu. I’ll be representing you in my travels across the country for as long as I can

Wait till there’s a good sale… like RIGHT NOW!
I got a super amazing scarf hood combo thing that was only 10 bucks.
The XL clothes are actually XL and I fit into size L clothes when normally I have to get the XL.
I’ve been here a few times and the sales people are really great.

I have mixed opinions about this place. On the one hand, their sale prices on last season’s clothing were super cheap for good quality stuff. On the other hand, most of it either wasn’t my style or didn’t fit (or my sizes were sold out). As for the non-​sale items, the prices were average to high for niche outerwear and there were only a couple things that really caught my eye. The gal at the store was great, though, very nice and helpful, and I have to approve of any store that offers keg parties for its regular customers four times a year! (Too bad we just missed the autumn event by one day…)

Quality of clothing= C
Design=B–
Color & creative pattern usage=B+
Pricepoint=B
Easy of shopping experience=A
Service=A
Fit of clothing=C+
Still I like Kavu because it is local and I love the sydney satchel bags of which I own two.

I was wrong, Kavu did not recently roll out a petite line. Instead, they made more skinny sizes. Good for all you tall skinny size 2s.

The clothing is standard Northwest garb, which I like, but mostly undistinguishable from REI, Land’s End, Eddie Bauer… The things that stood out to me and that I’ll be going back for are the hats and the bags. Terrifically warm, fun and fashionable knit hats and all weather hats and they even had updated coolie hats! The canvas and cotton duck bags were very well made in great contrasting colors and seemed very durable. Reasonable prices on the hats and bags as well, but even though my daughter would love the zip up hoodies I saw, I just can’t pay $ 44 for one. She’ll have to settle elsewhere.

Some of the fashions are almost too Seattle, but you can’t beat the prices during their sales, and you can’t beat the durability of the clothing for any type of outdoor activity. Sign up for the email list and you’ll know when all the sales are taking place. They have a Bellevue one too I think.