Kate Spade’s “Sam” handbag made its debut in 1993 and was immediately catapulted to “it” status.

It was simple in design: small and black, complete with a zipper closure and double handles. Boxy in shape, its nylon fabric added a sensibility factor for women on the go.

Celebrity fans included Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Anna Wintour.

And yet its price point — ranging from $100 to $400 — rested in an ahead-of-its-time contemporary market, making the coveted bag accessible for fashionistas who wanted to look chic without breaking the bank. You might not be able to afford a luxury purse from Louis Vuitton or Prada, but the Sam’s perfectly sized handles were within reach.

Throughout the ’90s, no other handbag defined mainstream status symbol like the Sam, and not just because of its timeless silhouette.

Its subtle yet immediately recognizable logo — a small “Kate Spade New York” label was affixed to the front — complemented its owner without overshadowing her. (Spade famously decided to place the logo outside of the handbag the evening before her first trade presentation.)

Simply put: It was timeless, affordable and went with everything in your closet. For many women, it was their first “grown-up” designer bag.

Part of the allure of Kate Spade’s handbags — of which knockoffs abounded on New York City street corners — was that they played to the designer’s desire toward something “more personal, less serious,” as she told the Boston Globe in 1999.

And if you took a look at Spade herself, that’s exactly what you saw: her signature ’60s-inspired bouffant, consistently bright smile and colorful, retro-inspired wardrobe. They personified a joy that was infused in all of her bags.

Like many a ’90s trend, the Sam was recently revived for spring 2018. Its body remains the same, but with colorful updates, such as 3-D floral appliques and embellished pineapples. They beautifully uphold the brand’s motto and Spade’s spirit: “Live colorfully.”