Legal Dupes vs PreLoved

[papertiger]

I like both for different reasons. As others have said, a lot of preloved is better quality than available now and of course there are lots of cool designs that houses don’t make anymore. (I go back and forth on getting a YSL Mombasa but there’s no question you couldn’t easily get that shape in YSL or a dupe of it now- the thing that’s stopping me is how impractical it is )

However, I’m not immune to the appeal of trends and sometimes you can love an aesthetic today and hate it in six months & ithat’s you, then I don’t advocate buying designer at several thousand a go and taking the loss unless you have stacks of cash.

I think another thing to bear in mind is everyone on this site is highly handbag literate and knows things like this Michael Kors tote is a dupe for the LV neverful, for example, whereas the majority of people wouldn’t make that connection. MK is just a nice shop in the mall.
There are also people out there who prefer the dupe to the original. Like a lot of people on TPF love Coach and Rebecca Minkoff for example and aren’t actually interested in BV or Chanel some of their designs resemble.

so tldr I wouldn’t write off dupes or preloved I think it’s what works for you.

In the spirit of this discussion, did you know TF stole the 'Mombasa' design from a vintage Gucci design? Mombasa was therefore a dupe

Ford got hailed over the coals for it too, from both Gucci and Kering.

 

[leechiyong]

Hmm, good question! If you asked me this question in my late teens and early 20s, I think I would have been okay with dupes because my style was always changing and fluctuating. I was trying and learning new things so having a “dupe” or a similar look was more about my current fashion at the time. To be honest, longevity and quality were not on my mind when I was young, but more about my current look.

Now I would not go for a dupe or a look-alike, just because I know I will not be satisfied if I did not have the real thing. I think one of my greatest regrets with purchases was buying something similar as a substitute for what I originally wanted. I would eventually not be happy with the dupe because it wasn’t exactly what I wanted and I would either end up not wearing it or eventually getting the real thing lol.

But for young people who are experimenting with or learning about their own style I can see dupes as a more affordable option.

Much agreed. I think about the money I spent on less expensive bags that I don't have anymore and it's hard not to think it a waste, but I was still very much finding my style. Most of those bags were donated. Some sold for pennies on the dollar. However, spending $200 on a bag I eventually gave away still cost me a lot less than spending $2000 on a bag I sold for $1000. If I found a bag that was $2000 that I did love, I could buy it because a $200 spend was a substantially smaller gap than a $1000 one.

It's been a growing process in terms of how I approached it too. I wanted to believe I knew my style then (I did, but I didn't) and justify those purchases, then transitioned to buying more expensive bags justifying it as it's better than buying all of those contemporary bags I just threw my money away on, and now I've just hit a point where I appreciate that these stages led me to the collection I have now that I absolutely love.

 

[Bagatha Christie]

In the spirit of this discussion, did you know TF stole the 'Mombasa' design from a vintage Gucci design? Mombasa was therefore a dupe

Ford got hailed over the coals for it too, from both Gucci and Kering.

That’s very interesting- I did not know that. Was it one of the Gucci bamboo handles?
The thing that immediately strikes me is it’s funny the Mombasa would cause such an uproar when a lot of YSL bags today are so similar to Chanel

 

[papertiger]

That’s very interesting- I did not know that. Was it one of the Gucci bamboo handles?
The thing that immediately strikes me is it’s funny the Mombasa would cause such an uproar when a lot of YSL bags today are so similar to Chanel

Horn handle (perhaps boar tusk?) - I think it was from the 1950s. If I find a pic I'll send it to you

 

[IntheOcean]

I love preloved bags. In my opinion, you can't compare them to dupes, not quite. Yes, they may have signs of wear, but the quality and the brand's heritage are still there. Plus, the styles I like the most are not usually part of the current collection, so going preloved is the only way for me, anyhow. But I have had a dupe once - a quilted flap by DKNY, very reminiscent of the Classic Flap, which was really lovely. I don't have Chanel money, so that bag was a great choice to try out the style and see if I like it. After all, high-end brands get inspired by one another quite often as well, it's not just contemporary, high street, and mass-market brands that do that.

However, I would say, if you're lusting over one particular bag, know that it will work for you and you will love wearing it, then purchasing a dupe wouldn't satisfy you, most likely. You'd still be wanting that original bag.

 

[880]

Horn handle (perhaps boar tusk?) - I think it was from the 1950s. If I find a pic I'll send it to you

Now I feel like rummaging into my closet to see if I still have a small Mombasa from years ago. memories

 

[cmars]

I'll buy a dupe or "inspired" type bag. For example I purchased a coach cassie which is similar to the lv metis I had been lusting over, turns out I hated the style and it didn't suit me at all. If I purchased the lv bag that would have been an expensive mistake. I also purchase dupe bags if I like something for the moment and know I'll grow tired of it. When I purchase a luxury bag it's because I want it to be in my permanent collection.

 

[thriftyoldbag1]

Fashion is just that - fashion - so in one sense there have always been dupes. In the 1980s several reputable brands produced equestrian style bags, e.g. green with tan trim saddle bags. High-end Irish brand Chesneau produced bags that looked very like Dooney & Burke - and are equally covetable today. Unless they are replicas, a very different thing, dupes just reflect a fashion cycle.
I happily buy vintage pre-loved dupes!

 

[GucciLouisFendiOhMy]

Much agreed. I think about the money I spent on less expensive bags that I don't have anymore and it's hard not to think it a waste, but I was still very much finding my style. Most of those bags were donated. Some sold for pennies on the dollar. However, spending $200 on a bag I eventually gave away still cost me a lot less than spending $2000 on a bag I sold for $1000. If I found a bag that was $2000 that I did love, I could buy it because a $200 spend was a substantially smaller gap than a $1000 one.

It's been a growing process in terms of how I approached it too. I wanted to believe I knew my style then (I did, but I didn't) and justify those purchases, then transitioned to buying more expensive bags justifying it as it's better than buying all of those contemporary bags I just threw my money away on, and now I've just hit a point where I appreciate that these stages led me to the collection I have now that I absolutely love.

You just summed up my fashion journey and specifically with both bags and clothes.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I wouldn’t buy a handbag dupe because I’m a handbag fanatic. So, I want and buy exactly what I want.

BUT, I will buy non premier designer shoes because I’m not a shoe fanatic. They still have to be good quality but don’t have to be the penultimate of that style. And, I don’t know shoes well enough to know if a $350 pair is a “dupe” for a $1250 pair.

Then in some other categories I really don’t care about, I’m sure I buy items that are laughable to an aficionado. Linens, cookware and wine come to mind. Zero interest to learn anything or pay extra.

So, I think people should buy any legal item that makes them happy. We all have different priorities.

 

[PineappleMinnie]

If you had asked me in my 20s, even Aldo and Zara, I considered that expensive because $50 here and $50 there, money does add up. In my 20s, I was a full time student, and didn’t have “shopping money”. At the time, buying a new bag from Zara made me so happy, and I didn’t consider buying pre-loved because even pre-loved was too expensive for me.

Now, in my 30s, I don’t have any bags from Zara and Aldo anymore - donated, gave them away. Would I buy premier designer pre-loved bags? Yes, I would if it’s something I can’t get brand new (given it’s authentic pre-loved).

Also, mid price range good quality bags are great, not everything needs to be LV, Chanel. For example, Polene.

Ultimately, income dictates lifestyle, to a large extent.

 

[maris.crane]

I would say my handbag collection is split pretty evenly between pre-owned and bought new, in store (Contemporary and Premier).

If I'm buying pre-loved it's due to the bag being discontinued, or such a good deal on the pre-owned market that it's worth buying new in store. OR the RRP is over the threshold I'm willing to spend. I don't need the in-store experience personally at this point in my life, so the pre-owned market is good enough for me.

Regarding dupes: I bought the Coach Cassie over a Pochette Metis, as others have mentioned and am very glad I did as I don't wear the bag often enough to ever justify the LV. It's nice, and I think it'll be a good one to take to the office when we re-open as it's discreet enough. I know BV is phenomenal quality but the bags don't make my heart pitter-patter enough to even pay the pre-owned price on the Daniel Lee stuff, so I bought a nude oversized pouch (non-woven) from Steve Madden, and I wanted a Parakeet-coloured bag so I bought a pillow-y looking one at Zara. I wore the SM once, and the Zara one still has it's tags on it, so... glad I spent less than $100 for the two as opposed to whatever a Pouch and a Parakeet bag would cost.

 

[Christofle]

Inspired design is fine but exact dupes down to every detail minus the logo is way too far. (Looking at those stores in German airports selling complete Hermes knock offs in the duty free).

 

[Sa26]

Inspired design is fine but exact dupes down to every detail minus the logo is way too far. (Looking at those stores in German airports selling complete Hermes knock offs in the duty free).

I’m totally okay with dupes of your first option. Contemporary bags that are highly inspired in high end well known bags. Im actually quite a hunter of those.
i have my Chanel from Purification García and my Lou Lou from the Kate Spade outlet. I love both and wear them often.

im Also okay with fast fashion dupes.

now everything at the end is better than counterfiet

 

[Farkvam]

I did buy a VERY close unbranded dupe of a Chanel CF before I bought an authentic one because I wanted to see if I liked all of those individual elements of the bag. So having a near replica was very helpful because I wanted to use it for several months before deciding if that design was right for me.

I no longer own it, but I am now wondering if I would do this again after having learned of the many unsavory connections the replica industry has. This wasn't a replica with CC logos and receipts, I would not have bought one of those, but it made me wonder if the dupe industry also has those same unsavory connections.

I definitely love and support the preloved and vintage luxury markets, and much prefer them to dupes, even designer ones. Preloved luxury and non-designer dupes like the one I had are like comparing apples to oranges though. The price, quality, and heritage to begin with.