It is ok if you wear designer bags and mix and match with unexpensive clothes. A different thing is wearing FAKE designer bags. THAT IS SOOOO TACKY
AND ILLEGAL
Why Do People Buy Fake Designer Bags Or Fake Designer Anything?
- Thread starter uber-chic
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
It is ok if you wear designer bags and mix and match with unexpensive clothes. A different thing is wearing FAKE designer bags. THAT IS SOOOO TACKY
AND ILLEGAL
Any reason you dug up a 14 month old thread?
I wouldn't even know where to find threads over a year old. However.....
Contrary to popular belief, it is not ILLEGAL to own a fake designer bag.
In fact, someone unknowingly just purchased a set of counterfeit golf clubs and the police (a federal police force) said there was nothing they could do. It was out of their jurisdiction.
"The fact that the suspect lives in China, the offense has actually occurred in China we have no jurisdiction anywhere other than Canada. So unfortunately the investigation would have to take place in China," said Corporal Sherrdean Turley of the Richmond RCMP.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...lubs_110928/20110928/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
It's none of my business whether or not someone drives a brand new Range Rover and carries a fake Balenciaga City nor is it any of my business if the 18 year old girl living at home and working at my local Starbucks carries an authentic LV Electric Epi Alma. The thing is, you just can't "tell" that a bag is fake anymore. Unless it's a PVC hunk o' junk, the really good ones are fooling so-called authenticators and boutique employees.
I wouldn't even know where to find threads over a year old. However.....
Contrary to popular belief, it is not ILLEGAL to own a fake designer bag.
In fact, someone unknowingly just purchased a set of counterfeit golf clubs and the police (a federal police force) said there was nothing they could do. It was out of their jurisdiction.
"The fact that the suspect lives in China, the offense has actually occurred in China we have no jurisdiction anywhere other than Canada. So unfortunately the investigation would have to take place in China," said Corporal Sherrdean Turley of the Richmond RCMP.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...lubs_110928/20110928/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
It's none of my business whether or not someone drives a brand new Range Rover and carries a fake Balenciaga City nor is it any of my business if the 18 year old girl living at home and working at my local Starbucks carries an authentic LV Electric Epi Alma. The thing is, you just can't "tell" that a bag is fake anymore. Unless it's a PVC hunk o' junk, the really good ones are fooling so-called authenticators and boutique employees.
"The one other class mate and the women at work (several came into the conversation) all were loud and clear that they dont "give a cr*p" about where their money goes. It doesnt affect them, and they deserve something nice for working so hard. They also acted very disgusted at people who buy authentic items. They said that "They have too much money, and if they have money to waste they should give it to me." "
Wow. "they deserve something nice for working so hard" ??? but fakes aren't nice, they aren't the actual bag, it's a replica of the bag...so...why not buy something that's actually NICE? like I don't know some shoes or clothes or something. If the bag's not real, then it's not even a splurge I deserve this treating myself item, if you get me...
And, ok everyone who has some money should just give it to her? um ok. It's reality that some people make more/have more. Doesn't mean I have to give it to you. So weird.
Wow. "they deserve something nice for working so hard" ??? but fakes aren't nice, they aren't the actual bag, it's a replica of the bag...so...why not buy something that's actually NICE? like I don't know some shoes or clothes or something. If the bag's not real, then it's not even a splurge I deserve this treating myself item, if you get me...
And, ok everyone who has some money should just give it to her? um ok. It's reality that some people make more/have more. Doesn't mean I have to give it to you. So weird.
but it's not really the same as generic medication. the ingredients and compositions are available for all companies usually and they are allowed to make the other version. The generic companies aren't stealing the recipe so to speak. If they were churning out the medicine and putting fake Advil lables on them then it would be the same. they aren't claiming to be advil... while the fake bags are claiming to be LV, or whatever and all that stands for/means.
A better comparision would be the 'inspired by" bags...they are more like the generic version of the designer bag.
I don't agree with laperru's statement either. Personally, I consider bags to be an investment (not in that I think I'll make money off of it later on down the road, but that it's something I buy for the long haul). I'd rather spend $1000 on a bag that I'll use for years than 10 bags that cost $100 each that I'll only use for a couple of months.
I don't feel the same way about clothes, so I buy from stores like H&M and Old Navy and I often go thrift shopping. I think often times people have one or a few things that they like to splurge on, and they cut corners elsewhere to compensate for it; because of this, you can't really deduce whether a bag is real or fake by looking at the clothes the person wears.
As much as I find fakes tacky, I don't begrudge anyone else's choice to carry one. Personally, if I could not afford a bag I really wanted, I would either a) save up, even if it took me 5+ years, or b) find an affordable knockoff/look-alike from a general retailer. At the same token, if it's not on my person, I'm not going to get my undies in a twist over it.
At the same token, though I find terrorism, child labour, and poor labour conditions all deplorable, the attitude or belief that a person carrying a fake takes away from an authentic one I'm holding (for argument's sake) is equally repugnant and smacks of snobbery. I can't understand being so insecure as to believe my bag is somehow less attractive, less valuable, less sentimental, or whatever because a random girl across from me on the train has a fake version. Again, as much as I would feel crappy carrying a fake, I find the attitude of some that someone carrying a fake is taking away from my 'look' to be rather, well, pathetic.
At the same token, though I find terrorism, child labour, and poor labour conditions all deplorable, the attitude or belief that a person carrying a fake takes away from an authentic one I'm holding (for argument's sake) is equally repugnant and smacks of snobbery. I can't understand being so insecure as to believe my bag is somehow less attractive, less valuable, less sentimental, or whatever because a random girl across from me on the train has a fake version. Again, as much as I would feel crappy carrying a fake, I find the attitude of some that someone carrying a fake is taking away from my 'look' to be rather, well, pathetic.
Honestly, I don't understand those who say they can't afford designer items but want fakes to 'feel better about themselves'. I'd feel better about myself with a nice (cheap) non-designer bag or a pre-loved authentic one, than something obviously fake that looks like it's falling apart.
I agree. I find the mentality that people want something "nice" so they buy a fake bag...kind of confusing. If you want something nice/fancy/luxurious/whatever, a fake bag is generally not as nice quality as non-designer bags you can buy at the same price point. Or even the same designer bag but pre-owned, through ebay or consignment stores.
And you're right, part of having a designer, luxurious item is the prestige or "glam" image associated with it, but there isn't any prestige associated with a fake bag. The people who can't tell the difference between a real and fake are generally not going to care in the first place. The people who CAN tell the difference, who you're trying to impress/look like/whatever, will not understand why you settled for a fake when you could have gotten a quality bag instead.
This is ignoring all the very real legal and social issues that go hand in hand with buying fakes.
Sorry, but no. Actually fashion is NOT a luxury game. Couture may be a luxury game but fashion is everywhere. Contrary to popular belief, designer luxury items do not make one "fashionable" or "stylish". That is something that comes from within. I can't tell you how many women I see piling on every designer piece they can, and end up looking (to me at least) like clowns. You can look fashionable whether your clothes came straight from a Parisian atelier or Wal-Mart. It's all how you put it together.
So what some people are saying by using this logic: "if you don't have the chips, do not bother, play another game" unless you are personally able to grace the pages of W and Vogue, then fashion doesn't apply to you. So I'm guessing then that everyone on this forum is 5'11", a size 4, 24 years old, lives in a major fashion capital, is chauffeured around or drives a luxury vehicle, is dating a rock star and lives in a penthouse apartment?
Fake bags are fooling authenticators, boutique employees and the like. Don't even try to tell me people can "tell" - they can't anymore. There is a reason the authenticators here on TPF ask for date codes and hologram stickers and zipper pulls. You can't tell just by looking at the bags. Yes, some are horrible, like Gucci canvas on a Coach design, but look in the Bottega forum, the fakes are being made with lambskin and suede interiors. The only "tell" is the authenticity tag is off. Check out the Bal forum, same thing. Unless you have x-ray vision, I find it hard to believe any of you can tell a fake from across the street. *if you have such capabilities, I'll bet the government would love to offer you a position.
Saying these "made in China" bags looks like they are falling apart is insulting to the manufacturing sector in China. I have a cheap a$$ Mossimo stretch linen blazer that I bought at Target five summers ago and I'm still wearing it. Not a stitch has come undone. Made in Vietnam.
C'mon now, everyone - and I mean everyone now - knows that these luxury designer items cost about 1/10 of their retail price to manufacture.
Personally, I don't need the "Boutique Experience" to feel like I'm somebody. I have no issues ordering a scarf online from Hermes and having it shipped to me. I don't need to feel the "prestige" of walking down the street with an orange bag. I know I'm friggin' fabulous and that's all that matters. If the woman sitting next to me at lunch has a fake Speedy it doesn't make me feel anything about my authentic Speedy. I don't need to glare at her or give her the "look" like I know her bag is fake. It doesn't make me think that the other people in the restaurant might think my bag is fake or that other people in the restaurant think I'm loaded. It doesn't make me want to flaunt my authentic bag in her face as I sashay past or hold my head a little higher as I leave. What it does do however, is make me feel like a shallow b!tch for thinking such a thing.
Why some people do a lot of things is beyond me. Why do women buy cubic zirconia earrings? 'Cause they can't afford $10,000 diamond studs?
Am I disgusted by them trying to look like something they're not? Not one bit.
So what some people are saying by using this logic: "if you don't have the chips, do not bother, play another game" unless you are personally able to grace the pages of W and Vogue, then fashion doesn't apply to you. So I'm guessing then that everyone on this forum is 5'11", a size 4, 24 years old, lives in a major fashion capital, is chauffeured around or drives a luxury vehicle, is dating a rock star and lives in a penthouse apartment?
Fake bags are fooling authenticators, boutique employees and the like. Don't even try to tell me people can "tell" - they can't anymore. There is a reason the authenticators here on TPF ask for date codes and hologram stickers and zipper pulls. You can't tell just by looking at the bags. Yes, some are horrible, like Gucci canvas on a Coach design, but look in the Bottega forum, the fakes are being made with lambskin and suede interiors. The only "tell" is the authenticity tag is off. Check out the Bal forum, same thing. Unless you have x-ray vision, I find it hard to believe any of you can tell a fake from across the street. *if you have such capabilities, I'll bet the government would love to offer you a position.
Saying these "made in China" bags looks like they are falling apart is insulting to the manufacturing sector in China. I have a cheap a$$ Mossimo stretch linen blazer that I bought at Target five summers ago and I'm still wearing it. Not a stitch has come undone. Made in Vietnam.
C'mon now, everyone - and I mean everyone now - knows that these luxury designer items cost about 1/10 of their retail price to manufacture.
Personally, I don't need the "Boutique Experience" to feel like I'm somebody. I have no issues ordering a scarf online from Hermes and having it shipped to me. I don't need to feel the "prestige" of walking down the street with an orange bag. I know I'm friggin' fabulous and that's all that matters. If the woman sitting next to me at lunch has a fake Speedy it doesn't make me feel anything about my authentic Speedy. I don't need to glare at her or give her the "look" like I know her bag is fake. It doesn't make me think that the other people in the restaurant might think my bag is fake or that other people in the restaurant think I'm loaded. It doesn't make me want to flaunt my authentic bag in her face as I sashay past or hold my head a little higher as I leave. What it does do however, is make me feel like a shallow b!tch for thinking such a thing.
Why some people do a lot of things is beyond me. Why do women buy cubic zirconia earrings? 'Cause they can't afford $10,000 diamond studs?
Am I disgusted by them trying to look like something they're not? Not one bit.
To be fair, nobody here has said they are disgusted by others. A large component of this issue is that fakes/counterfeits/"hot" products etc. are illegal and made or acquired in possibly questionable ways. Sure, people can choose to openly support such industries, but others are allowed to have their opinions about it.
I personally don't even own any terribly fancy bags (maybe the most expensive was just under $400), nor do I think that other people owning fakes really diminishes an authentic bag's perceived value in society. I think fashion is for everyone, whether they want to fake it or not. But this is a discussion about why those people choose to fake it. And there are tons of reasons. It'd be the same as discussing why people buy pirated movies instead of authentic DVDs.
I personally don't even own any terribly fancy bags (maybe the most expensive was just under $400), nor do I think that other people owning fakes really diminishes an authentic bag's perceived value in society. I think fashion is for everyone, whether they want to fake it or not. But this is a discussion about why those people choose to fake it. And there are tons of reasons. It'd be the same as discussing why people buy pirated movies instead of authentic DVDs.
I used to be put off by people who carry fake designer bags (especially LV) and that's why I didn't want any LV bag for a long long time. But after owning one, not anymore. I can tell straight away when people are carrying a fake LV and when I stand with them side by side, I really can see how cheap the fake ones look. They can't fool no one.
I actually read every post in this thread and I must say I understood the point of view with every post but one.
I want to add that i know a lady who loves fake bags. She is almost 60 years old and has no idea how to dress lol but anyways she has a son in a private school, owns their house, steady job etc. its not that she cant afford the real thing she just spends her money on other things like entertaining and getting her hair done etc. Thing is she is actually very depressed, she has a HUGE chip on her shoulder and always feels like people are judging her. She always has this "im better than you" look as she wants to feel better about herself. to her its like she wants to show off the life she wishes she had or something?!? i buy nice bags because I want them for myself and I like them, i dont care if no one else likes them or compliments me on them but shes always waiting for someone to say nice things about her. She actually complained to my mum that no one ever tells her what a great house she keeps, how good she looks for her age, how hard she works blah, blah, blah. when the op posted about the one lady who said she cant afford the real thing so anyone who can should just give the money to her, or designers should make these bags more affordable because I cant afford them. it made me think of this lady. Its all about how the world is worst to them. they are always the victim. bloody hell, if you cant afford them why pretend you can?? who do you think your fooling?? just move on already. designer bags are not a tool to survival nor are they a way of thinking you are better than anyone else because you have what they dont. people work hard to get what they have and want it doesnt just come to you because you think you should have it.
I know we cant stop others from owning or wearing fake designer items but i just cant understand how they make these people happy?!? how are you happy living a life of denial?? thinking you "deserve" the real item but shouldnt have to pay for it?!? WTF?!?
and how can someone say they cant afford the authentic item so brands should lower the price :lolots: thats the idea, if you want a bag thats not as expensive dont look at brands with quality, history, reputations, craftsmenship etc. its not a reason to buy a copy of it its just a reason to look at other options.
Lastly I just have to say the post i didnt agree with was about if you earn under $50k and have a $3k bag it must be fake. im sorry but WTF???
-what if you bought the bag when you were earning over $50k and no have cut down your work??
-what if they were gifts??
-what if your a SAHM who doesnt work but your parten does??
and even if you earn under $50k how would anyone know how much money you actuall HAVE?? how much you earn actually have very little little to do with how much you have. some may take home 5k per week but if you pay a mortgage, 3 kids school fees, medical bills, car repairs etc whats to say you can afford more than a $5 bag?? Some people save for bags and others have crdit card debt, what are you saying, because you earn x you can buy y?? you need to think of the big picture imo
Rant over
I want to add that i know a lady who loves fake bags. She is almost 60 years old and has no idea how to dress lol but anyways she has a son in a private school, owns their house, steady job etc. its not that she cant afford the real thing she just spends her money on other things like entertaining and getting her hair done etc. Thing is she is actually very depressed, she has a HUGE chip on her shoulder and always feels like people are judging her. She always has this "im better than you" look as she wants to feel better about herself. to her its like she wants to show off the life she wishes she had or something?!? i buy nice bags because I want them for myself and I like them, i dont care if no one else likes them or compliments me on them but shes always waiting for someone to say nice things about her. She actually complained to my mum that no one ever tells her what a great house she keeps, how good she looks for her age, how hard she works blah, blah, blah. when the op posted about the one lady who said she cant afford the real thing so anyone who can should just give the money to her, or designers should make these bags more affordable because I cant afford them. it made me think of this lady. Its all about how the world is worst to them. they are always the victim. bloody hell, if you cant afford them why pretend you can?? who do you think your fooling?? just move on already. designer bags are not a tool to survival nor are they a way of thinking you are better than anyone else because you have what they dont. people work hard to get what they have and want it doesnt just come to you because you think you should have it.
I know we cant stop others from owning or wearing fake designer items but i just cant understand how they make these people happy?!? how are you happy living a life of denial?? thinking you "deserve" the real item but shouldnt have to pay for it?!? WTF?!?
and how can someone say they cant afford the authentic item so brands should lower the price :lolots: thats the idea, if you want a bag thats not as expensive dont look at brands with quality, history, reputations, craftsmenship etc. its not a reason to buy a copy of it its just a reason to look at other options.
Lastly I just have to say the post i didnt agree with was about if you earn under $50k and have a $3k bag it must be fake. im sorry but WTF???
-what if you bought the bag when you were earning over $50k and no have cut down your work??
-what if they were gifts??
-what if your a SAHM who doesnt work but your parten does??
and even if you earn under $50k how would anyone know how much money you actuall HAVE?? how much you earn actually have very little little to do with how much you have. some may take home 5k per week but if you pay a mortgage, 3 kids school fees, medical bills, car repairs etc whats to say you can afford more than a $5 bag?? Some people save for bags and others have crdit card debt, what are you saying, because you earn x you can buy y?? you need to think of the big picture imo
Rant over
This is one of the best and most fabulous posts I've read in a LONG time. Rock on, girl!
Go tell it, sistah. There is some serious shallowness going in this thread.
As far as the CZ earrings go -- can I afford real ones? Yes. But I lose earrings and so why chance it? I have a nice pair of CZ ones and I wear them when they complete an outfit, not because I'm trying to look like something I'm not.