2021 Resolution: Shopping my own bag and SLG collection. Any one else?

[Sparkletastic]

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

1. Bags by Brand Showcase!

Each week, share photos of your bags from the specified brands. Choose a posed “beauty” shot or get your bags out and about in action shots!

We highlight 3 brands per week: 2 premier and 1 contemporary in alphabetical order as listed on tPF. Any brands not listed are showcased in our last week. Brands change to the next set each Sunday.

Our first brand week starts now - Sunday, Oct 31. Please share photos of bags from these brands:

• Bottega Venetta
• Burberry
• Alexander Wang

Tip: Grab your photos from last year in the 2020 resolution thread. Search your user name and the brand to find your photos.

2. Special Stories
Thanks @Claudia Herzog for the suggestion

Wear a bag that has a backstory involving a person, place, or opportunity for which you feel grateful.

 

[whateve]

I’m feeling a blend of dumb /naive.

A friend who knows my passion for bags sent me links to fake bag sites. My dumb bunny self never realized there is a HUGE community / support system for fake bags in which people buy, sell and share detailed info.

After looking at this, I asked myself why I’m so very against fakes. I looooove to save money so this would seem to be a viable option. And, why not have pretty things for a fraction of the retail cost? Especially since some are surreptitiously made by the same artisans in the same factories with the same materials after hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

The conscious rationale for my NOPE! is it’s theft of intellectual property and proceeds contribute to criminal organizations. And, I never buy a bag to impress anyone. I couldn’t give a rat’s patoot about the Jones-es or the peanut gallery so no pressure to own anything I don’t want to spend money on.

But, I kept digging. Why not buy every beautiful bag I want if the construction and leathers may even be equivalent to original?

I realized ultimately that I wouldn’t buy a fake bc my self expressions of success are about my pride that I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents (and beyond) who worked hard and sacrificed - with integrity - to get me to this place in life where I can achieve, do and have. A fake would feel like me spitting on that legacy.

BUT! We’re all different and diversity of opinion is valuable. So, I’m curious. Is your view on fakes a simple “Love them!” or “Heck No!” Or is there a deeper factor involved in your decision making?

I always enjoy hearing how much of our buying approach means more than just acquisition of a pretty thing.

I object to fakes on principle. Someone worked hard to create that design and it isn't right for someone else to profit off of it. I might buy an inspired design though, but not anything with a counterfeit logo. It depends on if the original design is something out of my price range or maybe I just want to try out the style without a huge investment.

You can't copyright most designs but you can copyright logos, which is why premier brands make their logos prominent on their bags. They want you to believe the design is nothing without the logo so you will buy theirs and not something similar without the logo. I don't like logos so this doesn't sway me.

These days most of the new bags I buy are cheaper brands that aren't counterfeited as much or on sale at an affordable price so it wouldn't make sense to buy a copy.

For the more expensive brands I covet, I generally shop the resale market. I'm very careful to buy authentic because I know the quality will be there. The feel of the leather is probably the most important factor to me and a counterfeit is unlikely to have the same leather. Before I became an authenticator, I inadvertently bought several counterfeits on the resale market. Several were obvious but others were very hard to tell. I have 2 counterfeits sitting in my closet. By the time I realized they were fake, it was too late to get my money back. One of them is nearly indistinguishable from the real thing but I won't ever carry it. That would make me feel bad.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Back in the 90's, one of my neighbors came to me with a catalog of Coach purses - she said they were Coach, but that she could get them for a lot less. I thought some were cute and bought a couple. After receiving them, I could tell the quality was lacking and I began to wonder where they came from and if they were really authentic. I never carried them, and they sat in my closet for years until I finally just donated them.

It felt wrong.

Now, I can say that I won't buy a fake bag.
But - if I did - most of my friends would assume it was authentic...
But I would always know it wasn't. I would think about that every time I picked it up. I would be lying about who I am... I would feel like a sneaky rat.

If anyone found out it was fake, wouldn't that cause them to think everything else I own is fake or might be fake too? From my purses to my jewelry? There would always be that question. And I couldn't stand that.

I'm Team Just Say No to Fake Luxury Bags (luxury anything).

 

[papertiger]

I’m feeling a blend of dumb /naive.

A friend who knows my passion for bags sent me links to fake bag sites. My dumb bunny self never realized there is a HUGE community / support system for fake bags in which people buy, sell and share detailed info.

After looking at this, I asked myself why I’m so very against fakes. I looooove to save money so this would seem to be a viable option. And, why not have pretty things for a fraction of the retail cost? Especially since some are surreptitiously made by the same artisans in the same factories with the same materials after hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

The conscious rationale for my NOPE! is it’s theft of intellectual property and proceeds contribute to criminal organizations. And, I never buy a bag to impress anyone. I couldn’t give a rat’s patoot about the Jones-es or the peanut gallery so no pressure to own anything I don’t want to spend money on.

But, I kept digging. Why not buy every beautiful bag I want if the construction and leathers may even be equivalent to original?

I realized ultimately that I wouldn’t buy a fake bc my self expressions of success are about my pride that I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents (and beyond) who worked hard and sacrificed - with integrity - to get me to this place in life where I can achieve, do and have. A fake would feel like me spitting on that legacy.

BUT! We’re all different and diversity of opinion is valuable. So, I’m curious. Is your view on fakes a simple “Love them!” or “Heck No!” Or is there a deeper factor involved in your decision making?

I always enjoy hearing how much of our buying approach means more than just acquisition of a pretty thing.

I'd rather buy high street than fake. I don't even think about it, it's not an option

 

[mariliz11]

I’m feeling a blend of dumb /naive.

A friend who knows my passion for bags sent me links to fake bag sites. My dumb bunny self never realized there is a HUGE community / support system for fake bags in which people buy, sell and share detailed info.

After looking at this, I asked myself why I’m so very against fakes. I looooove to save money so this would seem to be a viable option. And, why not have pretty things for a fraction of the retail cost? Especially since some are surreptitiously made by the same artisans in the same factories with the same materials after hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

The conscious rationale for my NOPE! is it’s theft of intellectual property and proceeds contribute to criminal organizations. And, I never buy a bag to impress anyone. I couldn’t give a rat’s patoot about the Jones-es or the peanut gallery so no pressure to own anything I don’t want to spend money on.

But, I kept digging. Why not buy every beautiful bag I want if the construction and leathers may even be equivalent to original?

I realized ultimately that I wouldn’t buy a fake bc my self expressions of success are about my pride that I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents (and beyond) who worked hard and sacrificed - with integrity - to get me to this place in life where I can achieve, do and have. A fake would feel like me spitting on that legacy.

BUT! We’re all different and diversity of opinion is valuable. So, I’m curious. Is your view on fakes a simple “Love them!” or “Heck No!” Or is there a deeper factor involved in your decision making?

I always enjoy hearing how much of our buying approach means more than just acquisition of a pretty thing.

I recently had this debate with a friend. Even if it’s a perfect 99% similar copy, for me it’s a copy and I would know it’s not the original. I’m ok with an inspired design that looks like something similar but without the logo, prints, etc (eg X Brand inspired Zara bag) but I take pride in my purchases as I have saved for them, worked for them, wished for them or even received them as gifts. But that’s just my personal position on this

 

[BowieFan1971]

I’m feeling a blend of dumb /naive.

A friend who knows my passion for bags sent me links to fake bag sites. My dumb bunny self never realized there is a HUGE community / support system for fake bags in which people buy, sell and share detailed info.

After looking at this, I asked myself why I’m so very against fakes. I looooove to save money so this would seem to be a viable option. And, why not have pretty things for a fraction of the retail cost? Especially since some are surreptitiously made by the same artisans in the same factories with the same materials after hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

The conscious rationale for my NOPE! is it’s theft of intellectual property and proceeds contribute to criminal organizations. And, I never buy a bag to impress anyone. I couldn’t give a rat’s patoot about the Jones-es or the peanut gallery so no pressure to own anything I don’t want to spend money on.

But, I kept digging. Why not buy every beautiful bag I want if the construction and leathers may even be equivalent to original?

I realized ultimately that I wouldn’t buy a fake bc my self expressions of success are about my pride that I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents (and beyond) who worked hard and sacrificed - with integrity - to get me to this place in life where I can achieve, do and have. A fake would feel like me spitting on that legacy.

BUT! We’re all different and diversity of opinion is valuable. So, I’m curious. Is your view on fakes a simple “Love them!” or “Heck No!” Or is there a deeper factor involved in your decision making?

I always enjoy hearing how much of our buying approach means more than just acquisition of a pretty thing.

I would never buy a fake that has logos, etc and is trying to pass as the real thing. Feels like buying something stolen or dishonest to me. Most are cheap crap that aren’t worth the money. Good quality ones still aren’t that cheap and for the same money or just a bit more, most of the time you can buy an authentic preloved/vintage one. Some people can’t buy or carry a bag that is not new, though…

I used to feel that way about inspired bags, but don’t anymore. I have three Hermès style bags I bought preloved, modeled on the Jypsiere, Halzan and Birkin. All are leather, the first two are really well made bags. The Halzan 25 style bag I bought ($25) before I knew enough about H to know it was a dupe. Thought it was cute, loved the color. The other two I did. The Jypsiere 31 knockoff I bought for Italy ($30) because I thought it would be a great stylish shoulder/crossbody with a secure lock. The Birkin 35 knockoff? I would never spend that kind of money on the real thing, but $45 on an ok quality preloved genuine leather knockoff? Sure. I am glad I did because I realized I would never buy the real things because they don’t work for me. The Halzan 25 is not deep enough, the Jypsiere sangles/flap are a pain in the ass and the Birkin 35 is heavy even empty and too big. I think that is the best reason to buy an inspired bag…to see if you will like it before you invest considerable money on the real thing. To me, that’s being smart.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Love the dialogue on this.

Now, I can say that I won't buy a fake bag.
But - if I did - most of my friends would assume it was authentic...
But I would always know it wasn't. I would think about that every time I picked it up. I would be lying about who I am... I would feel like a sneaky rat.

If anyone found out it was fake, wouldn't that cause them to think everything else I own is fake or might be fake too? From my purses to my jewelry? There would always be that question. And I couldn't stand that.

I'm Team Just Say No to Fake Luxury Bags (luxury anything).

This is the crux of it for me. I would always know it was fake. And, so I would know I supported crime, intellectual property theft and betrayed my family heritage and values. I just can’t / won’t do it. And, isn’t that the definition of integrity? Doing the right thing when there is no one to catch / monitor you.

But, I found it interesting that there are layers to my refusal that may not be predictable or obvious on the surface. I’m curious if there are votes for fakes that I can’t predict. I can have a strong opinion and still learn from others who disagree. The “is a fake bag good or bad” has been beaten to death on tPF. I’m curious about the deeper motivations for or against.

I would never buy a fake that has logos, etc and is trying to pass as the real thing. Feels like buying something stolen or dishonest to me. Most are cheap crap that aren’t worth the money. Good quality ones still aren’t that cheap and for the same money or just a bit more, most of the time you can buy an authentic preloved/vintage one. Some people can’t buy or carry a bag that is not new, though…

I used to feel that way about inspired bags, but don’t anymore. I have three Hermès style bags I bought preloved, modeled on the Jypsiere, Halzan and Birkin. All are leather, the first two are really well made bags. The Halzan 25 style bag I bought ($25) before I knew enough about H to know it was a dupe. Thought it was cute, loved the color. The other two I did. The Jypsiere 31 knockoff I bought for Italy ($30) because I thought it would be a great stylish shoulder/crossbody with a secure lock. The Birkin 35 knockoff? I would never spend that kind of money on the real thing, but $45 on an ok quality preloved genuine leather knockoff? Sure. I am glad I did because I realized I would never buy the real things because they don’t work for me. The Halzan 25 is not deep enough, the Jypsiere sangles/flap are a pain in the ass and the Birkin 35 is heavy even empty and too big. I think that is the best reason to buy an inspired bag…to see if you will like it before you invest considerable money on the real thing. To me, that’s being smart.

Inspired by and fakes are two COMPLETELY different things. There are only so many iterations in fashion and most have been done and redone.

I have zero issues with inspired-by-not-trying-to-pass-as-original items. Rebecca Minkoff and Michael Kors almost specialize in that space. I don’t buy them because I have the financial capacity to buy the “original” item. But, people who can’t drop these stupidly ridiculous sums deserve beauty too.

Fakes, however, are theft. I’m now aware that so MANY people buy them. So, I’m curious about the emotional / psychological reason beyond the obvious price discount.

P.S. I agree that it’s smart you bought inspired pieces to see if an item would work for you. One of my big pet peeves is people who will buy numerous bags and return them so they can try them all out. I saw a post where someone’s return rate was 50% and they felt victimized when the store said enough! It’s selfish and inconsiderate. That behavior removes stock from circulation and I don’t want their “tried out” bags at new prices.

 

[Jereni]

Re: fakes - I’m also on the bandwagon of ‘inspired by is fine, trying to pretend to be the same thing with a fake logo is not.’

I’ll confess I usually also find it entertaining when brands copy other brands flagrantly with a style that is clearly only currently popular because of a specific brand / model. Like everyone falling all over themselves making variations of the BV Pouch. But I don’t hate on it, it’s just how fashion goes.

 

[Jereni]

Finally caught up on the full thread!

@BowieFan1971 I enjoyed reading about your move-in efficiency! I am similar - I have been known to stay up close to all night the day of moving in somewhere because I just can’t handle living amongst boxes and chaos.

@baghabitz34 the baby Yoda charm is life changing. That is all.

@msd_bags I love the color of your Ferragamo tote!

@FizzyWater what a great Longchamps collection! The Cuir is also my preferred Pliage style. I only have one but I keep thinking about getting another one.

@ElainePG yay for some Proenza Schouler love!!! That PS1 is gorgeous!

 

[Jereni]

Welcome back! Glad you had fun in Hawaii. What a fabulous gift from Mr. Sparkletastic!

The bag I have my eye on for spring is this gorgeous Studio bag.
View attachment 5274828
I think it will go beautifully with late spring/summer outfits.

Btw this is STUNNING. I think this is the best looking Ferragamo I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to see it if you get it!

 

[880]

hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

These are gray market goods, I think sometimes found at sample sales and outlets, but I’m not sure. i think a friend used to buy Versace sample sale goods decades ago that may have been gray market. Different labels, intended for a different market. Not sure how it all worked, but I think it happened regularly with some Ralph Lauren polo diffusion lines in Asian factories.

my mom has plenty of friends, all very wealthy, who buy inspired VCA (VCA lost the trademark battle for Alhambra in Asia, and apparen did not register the appropriate protections in the US around the time of inception (if my memory serves)

I have two Etsy pouches, inspired by BV, simply bc I wasn’t sure I could justify BV for that particular design.

I do love designer RTW, though, so I buy a mix of authentic vintage and current collection

 

[Vintage Leather]

Early on in my bag-buying adventures, before I realized how much I hate 1) logo bags, and 2) bucket bags, I was obsessed with the LV Noe. And I was thrilled when a consignment shop got one in.

And I was devastated when I discovered it was a SuperFake. Not just a good “mostly like” - the only difference was the internal D-ring mounting.

I was repulsed by it. It took me a few years to figure out why. After all, no one would known. And I downloaded songs from Napster back in the day, so I’m not pure when it comes to IP.

Trained professionals who handle hundreds of handbags closely inspected it and gave it a pass, so why did I refuse to carry it?

It took me a lot of soul searching. Eventually I realized it was because a fake is forcing someone to live a lie. Not a human. But the bag is lying to itself and the world

Maybe I read too much Shinto philosophy as an impressionable child. Maybe it was Velveteen Rabbit. But everything that is was created, and has within it the tiniest flicker from creation. And how we use it and shape it affects it. Asking an object to try to pretend to be something it is not is asking it to live a lie.

If I expect to be able to be true to myself, how can I demand otherwise from those around me?

Inspired is perfectly fine. I only have a problem when it has that logo pretending to be something else

 

[dcooney4]

I’m feeling a blend of dumb /naive.

A friend who knows my passion for bags sent me links to fake bag sites. My dumb bunny self never realized there is a HUGE community / support system for fake bags in which people buy, sell and share detailed info.

After looking at this, I asked myself why I’m so very against fakes. I looooove to save money so this would seem to be a viable option. And, why not have pretty things for a fraction of the retail cost? Especially since some are surreptitiously made by the same artisans in the same factories with the same materials after hours. (How is this possible? No security???)

The conscious rationale for my NOPE! is it’s theft of intellectual property and proceeds contribute to criminal organizations. And, I never buy a bag to impress anyone. I couldn’t give a rat’s patoot about the Jones-es or the peanut gallery so no pressure to own anything I don’t want to spend money on.

But, I kept digging. Why not buy every beautiful bag I want if the construction and leathers may even be equivalent to original?

I realized ultimately that I wouldn’t buy a fake bc my self expressions of success are about my pride that I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents (and beyond) who worked hard and sacrificed - with integrity - to get me to this place in life where I can achieve, do and have. A fake would feel like me spitting on that legacy.

BUT! We’re all different and diversity of opinion is valuable. So, I’m curious. Is your view on fakes a simple “Love them!” or “Heck No!” Or is there a deeper factor involved in your decision making?

I always enjoy hearing how much of our buying approach means more than just acquisition of a pretty thing.

For me a bag with a fake Lv on it is an absolute no. I would buy a bag in a similar shape like a speedy, like a doctor's bag but made with it's own design and leather or fabric.

 

[papertiger]

For me a bag with a fake Lv on it is an absolute no. I would buy a bag in a similar shape like a speedy, like a doctor's bag but made with it's own design and leather or fabric.

Agreed.

To me:
Generic style means an evergreen classic shape or otherwise overarching historical ref (LV Speedy = Gucci Boston etc).
Inspired by means something translatable from its fashionable routes (BV Pouch > Mansur Gavriel Cloud, similar but has enough differences that those that know, know). However, even BV refs the generic day clutches of the '70s-'80s which were themselves influenced by 1940s clutches.
Fake means made to deceive the eye - and sometimes an after-market buyer.

The first 2 are how fashion works, the 3 is intentional deception from the start.

 

[papertiger]

everything that is was created, and has within it the tiniest flicker from creation. And how we use it and shape it affects it. Asking an object to try to pretend to be something it is not is asking it to live a lie.

If I expect to be able to be true to myself, how can I demand otherwise from those around me?

Love, love, love this

 

[dcooney4]

Love to - as you know one of my most used bags in my collection



View attachment 5275094View attachment 5275095

I can never get enough of this bag. The clean lines and the perfect shade of green is just perfection.