Why Do People Buy Fake Designer Bags Or Fake Designer Anything?
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Exactly
In my country for example, there are TONS of Mulberry Alexa knockoffs this season (ok, it's not exactly the same as fakes) and most people don't have a clue that they are buying knockoffs, because they've never heard of Mulberry.. they just think that this year's trend are cute little ''school bags'' with oval metallic plates 
IMHO, it's one thing to buy an inspired design. It's quite another to buy a fake with plaques and badges, or monograms all over it. Take Coach for instance. Etienne Aigner's mono is similar to Coach, and they make bags in the same shape/color as Coach sometimes. Instead of buying a fake Coach, you could get an EA bag and still have something nice.
Another example...I will never be able to own a Chanel, so I look for "inspired ones". I bought a Claudia Firenze barrel bag that has beautiful Italian quilted leather. It looks like Chanel to me, but nowhere on it does it say Chanel. Therefore, it is not a fake, it is inspired. When people ask who made my bag, I wouldn't have to lie and say "Chanel." I can say "Claudia Firenze" instead, a designer, NOT a counterfeiter.
I don't care about inspired...but when it has the mono or the name on it of the brand it's pretending to be, it bothers me greatly. I know I should not care, but I do. I mean, let's face it...some of the money we spend on bags IS for the name...because there are tons of other bags out there that have the same quality and can be bought for much less. For me to spend $700+ on a Speedy, and then someone carrying a fake bought for $100...and they get the same recognition as me because a lot of people cannot tell the difference? Nope, sorry, I am not cool with that. Flame me, call me snobbish, I don't care. Other brands have Speedy shaped bags, a lot of brands have full leather ones instead of canvas, go buy one of those.
Do not pretend to have something you don't, because it makes you look pathetic to people who know you have a fake.
Buy inspired, do not buy the labeled fakes.
Just my two cents.
Another example...I will never be able to own a Chanel, so I look for "inspired ones". I bought a Claudia Firenze barrel bag that has beautiful Italian quilted leather. It looks like Chanel to me, but nowhere on it does it say Chanel. Therefore, it is not a fake, it is inspired. When people ask who made my bag, I wouldn't have to lie and say "Chanel." I can say "Claudia Firenze" instead, a designer, NOT a counterfeiter.
I don't care about inspired...but when it has the mono or the name on it of the brand it's pretending to be, it bothers me greatly. I know I should not care, but I do. I mean, let's face it...some of the money we spend on bags IS for the name...because there are tons of other bags out there that have the same quality and can be bought for much less. For me to spend $700+ on a Speedy, and then someone carrying a fake bought for $100...and they get the same recognition as me because a lot of people cannot tell the difference? Nope, sorry, I am not cool with that. Flame me, call me snobbish, I don't care. Other brands have Speedy shaped bags, a lot of brands have full leather ones instead of canvas, go buy one of those.
Do not pretend to have something you don't, because it makes you look pathetic to people who know you have a fake.
Buy inspired, do not buy the labeled fakes.
Just my two cents.
Erm the difference with your examples is that the car brands and models are all LEGAL and replica handbags are ILLEGAL.
So say if one person has all designer handbags and a cheaper car, they are not breaking the law.
If another person has a more expensive car and replica handbag(s) then they ARE breaking the law.
See the difference?
This exactly.
I am a SAHM in a nice neighborhood but it is certainly not a luxury area. I only see Coach bags and Vera Bradley around here. Why the hell do I "need" to carry a $1K Balenciaga? I notice I only carry it when going "downtown" to look young and hip. It is silly. I do not "need" LV and B-bags. Honestly, I think I just wear them because my self esteem isn't the best. The mother's in the car pool probably think I am a a**hole when I used to carry my expensive bags around. I mean, give me a break. I drive a freaking '06 Town and Country and need to get my kitchen remodeled. Why I do this to myself, I don't know. I need help.
Anyway, back to fakes. I think women just do not know or realize the backstory on fake bags and the way they are produced. My girlfriend went to NYC and came back with a bubble gum pink nasty fake Prada bag for me. She was so happy and excited to give me this gift, as she knows how much I like handbags. The last thing I was going to do was to educate her on the evils of fakes. I could never burst her bubble like that. Sometimes you just have to let things be.
I have to agree with you a 100% everyone values things differently. I know people who would think it's crazy to drop major $$$ on a bag but I think it's crazy to drop major $$$ on other things. It is all about preference. I would not carry a fake or replica bag because to me it's worthless why pay for something that is worthless. But some people don't see it that way, they feel like they are getting the look for less.
Wow, the self-awareness and kindness here make me think you must be cool and incredibly awesome IRL!!
Love this post! This topic has certainly done the rounds! But here's an interesting slant - instead of harping on about the inadequacies of people who carry fake bags, why not question the possible insecurities of people who insist on exclsively wearing bags that cost a couple of thousand pounds/dollars/euros? I find myself thinking this way every time I ditch my Lucky Brand tote at the last minute and pick up my Bal Twiggy or Burberry satchel instead! Just a thought, ladies
That's always the direction my thoughts go when I see these threads.
Seriously, it's just a bag. An accessory. I assume we spend more than them than most because they make us happy. There are so many horrors in this world that deserve our outrage, judgment, and attention. Women carrying a "Goach" bag are NOT one of them. 
LOL! I hear ya'! And I get what you're saying with the cars ... that underlying the "fake" discussion is REALLY a discussion about means and taste and the ranking of one brand / type of bag or level of consumerism over another. Honestly, if Coach and Hermes were considered of the same value and level (and perceived as sending the same messages about their owners), we'd probably see a redistribution of customer demographics, even among those who'd said they were buying solely because they enjoyed the shapes and colors of a particular bag. And that's fine. We're all human and a little vanity and insecurity is normal. I can admit that I've bought a thing or two in my lifetime because of it's brand, not because of anything else about it. 
And I'm not insulted by someone carrying something that cost her less and gets the same amount of attention as my bag. Obviously, if it funds human rights abuses, I can't support it, but I don't know anyone who buys fake bags (or real diamonds) thinking that they really appreciate this chance to fund illegal activities. 
That's overkill. Attacking the bag carrier is not going to resolve the problem. This is a topic that really benefits from a use of the search feature - it's been hashed out repeatedly.
I didn't want to read this entire thread 'cause it's already 162 pages! All I can say is my co-worker came in to work today wearing what looked like an Anushka ($140). When I told her "Nice Anushka bag" she replied. It looks like an Anushka but it only cost $30 after sale so I went back and bought another for my sister. I gave her the thumbs up. My feeling is, who cares? It looked nice, it's what she could afford, most of all it made her happy and I say Bravo!
Im a Fashion student in NYC and I do not support ANY knockoffs of any kind.. I cannot afford to wear expensive clothes so I wear what I can afford..
I totally understand not everyone can afford to buy an authentic bag or some may now know its a knock off (how I dont understand!! Do you really think youre getting the real thinng?? If something is too good to be true thats because it really is)... I wasnt always able to carry a high end designer bag, but when I didnt have 1 I carried other bags, ones that were cute and were not a replica of a designer..
A car has nothing to do with a handbag!!! Totally diff topic
People spend their $$ how they want too, Knockoff are not dirt cheap so why giv you $$ to something not of quality..
Personally I will never get it Give me a regular bag even a payless one but I will not rock a fake purse if you pay me too!!
In the name of Fashion..................
I totally understand not everyone can afford to buy an authentic bag or some may now know its a knock off (how I dont understand!! Do you really think youre getting the real thinng?? If something is too good to be true thats because it really is)... I wasnt always able to carry a high end designer bag, but when I didnt have 1 I carried other bags, ones that were cute and were not a replica of a designer..
A car has nothing to do with a handbag!!! Totally diff topic
People spend their $$ how they want too, Knockoff are not dirt cheap so why giv you $$ to something not of quality..
Personally I will never get it Give me a regular bag even a payless one but I will not rock a fake purse if you pay me too!!
In the name of Fashion..................
There r many fake designer bags in my country (Malaysia). Personally I wl only buy what I can afford. Leather goods come in many brands. For those who can't afford premier designer brand, go for less eg fossil, Kipling, Clarks, Coach. They hv great design too. I look for practicality & weight b'4 I get any. The style must suits my casual lifestyle as I'm an informal person. I don't want a bag sitting, unused in the closet for long as it'll deteriorate in this humid/ extreme dry weather. I've always wanted a Coach bag although it's much cheaper than most of my bags, but can't find the right style yet. There is 1 which I do admired this year but I'l get it for my sister as she likes it too. I believe in buying bags for those who really deserves them, knowing they'll not buy it themselves. Coach is affordable & beautiful.
My friend always commented on me paying thousands for designer brands and she herself carrying fakes but tried to borrow each time she hs to attend a formal function! She bragged to everyone & tried to walk into the Lv shop with her carrying fake LVs together with me carrying my real Lvs. I said no as I don't want to be embarass by her action.
I do carry Kipling & Le sport sac as it's 'washing machine' friendly!
Somehow since I started with B bag, I don't feel so conscious as it's unknown and I can walk around, catching a bus/ train without anyone trying to guess if it's fake or real as noone identify with the bag at all even my smart' friend' who seems to think she knows everything.
My friend always commented on me paying thousands for designer brands and she herself carrying fakes but tried to borrow each time she hs to attend a formal function! She bragged to everyone & tried to walk into the Lv shop with her carrying fake LVs together with me carrying my real Lvs. I said no as I don't want to be embarass by her action.
I do carry Kipling & Le sport sac as it's 'washing machine' friendly!
Somehow since I started with B bag, I don't feel so conscious as it's unknown and I can walk around, catching a bus/ train without anyone trying to guess if it's fake or real as noone identify with the bag at all even my smart' friend' who seems to think she knows everything.
I do understand you. I was brought up with the notion that if you can't afford it, you don't buy it or you save up for it. I was taught about all the fashion houses and agree, I could never feel comfortable personally wearing a "knock off". That said, I can't criticize someone who will. I just can't. For whatever their reason, lack of exposure, or whatever, I feel it is their taste and that's what makes life interesting in the end. To see the great assortment of things and the flattery of a house knocking off a design house. Is this right? Of course not! But it's done daily and there will always be a buyer.
also forgot to mention, where my sister lives.. a knockoff bag is way cheaper than a no-brand bag..
strange yeah...
strange yeah...