Would you buy a designer-inspired bag?

[DesignersAddict]

I am in the same situation as you, I am in love with Chanel jumbo or maxi flap, but cannot afford it. I have a LV neverfull medium, and then got married, yada, yada, and the full she-bang!

I wouldn't even know how to walk into a chanel store to try it on!

This is just my opinion, but I have also been looking at the designer-inspired flaps, and i'm always tempted to buy one, but i know that i would never wear it out, and i would ashamed of myself if i did wear it out...i don't know if it's just me or not, but if you want Chanel, get the real thing! It's not just a purse, its a lifestyle.

 

[maryelle]

In the end, regardless if you purchase a replica or any kind of flap bag or if you don't purchase the replica at all, you'll always want the Chanel if you don't have one. Human nature! We want what we can't have.

 

[helloodiane]

I think it's a great idea for the reasons you've specified.

You like the style of the bag and want to explore how well it meshes with what you wear and want to experiment with the look of it. You're not ready to make the plunge into dropping a small fortune into the holy grail version just yet, so you want to play around with something that looks alot like it. And you want something that will last you long enough to really make a decision on whether or not you want drop a bankroll on a purse.

With that being said, I do want to say that I agree with a lot of other responses that this bag is clearly a replica. Just because it does not say CHANEL does not mean it isn't a copy. It's not necessarily a bad thing but just being honest, I think that's how a lot of people will see it too. But if you are getting out of it what you expect, then I really believe that is all that matters.

I say get it. You know it's not CHANEL, and you aren't trying to pass it off as CHANEL either. You sound realistic of your expectations.

 

[pre10d]

I own a Chanel maxi flap bag and several other designer bags but I see nothing wrong with testing out the style before committing thousands of dollars to owning it. I would try to find a bag that is similar but clearly not a knock off (I can't see the photo very well on my iPad so no comment on the photo you posted.)

As long as you aren't trying to pretend it is a Chanel bag and recognize that the quality of the leather and workmanship will likely be not as good, go for it. And if you find some good options for a Chanel jumbo bag, let me know! I'm debating between that and a medium boy bag for my birthday this year.

 

[SweetSSB0513]

I would NEVER purchase something like this. It's the principal and history behind the particular style and brand - and for someone to copy it... makes the copied item less attractive to me... just doesn't sit right. Buy something else, and when you can afford the original buy it.

That being said, imitation is the highest form of flattery, and this makes me love the Chanel bag even more...

 

[Myrkur]

I would NEVER purchase something like this. It's the principal and history behind the particular style and brand - and for someone to copy it... makes the copied item less attractive to me... just doesn't sit right. Buy something else, and when you can afford the original buy it.

That being said, imitation is the highest form of flattery, and this makes me love the Chanel bag even more...

This. I wouldn't buy it either.

 

[nerimanna]

i understand how some or many may feel this is a blatant replica - degrees of w/c varies and subject to interpretation but I just would like to share my opinion, that this bag is not a replica in the legal and technical sense. no logo or trademark or copyright was infringed. but to us lay people, yes, this can be what you call a "rip off"

but i really appreciate varied opinions so keep em coming!

i meant "knock off", NOT rip off! sorry people english is not my first language i try though

 

[Carnel]

I wouldn't buy a copy but I can understand wanting to try a new style before committing to a big purchase. As some other poster suggested you could try to find something in the same style but is not a blatant copy.

For instance, I plan on buying a Cartier Love bracelet but since I'm not used to bracelets I decided to buy a Hermes Clic first: same shape but different look and 10% of the price

Copies look cheap no matter how much they cost...

 

[Sunset Blvd]

i understand how some or many may feel this is a blatant replica - degrees of w/c varies and subject to interpretation but I just would like to share my opinion, that this bag is not a replica in the legal and technical sense. no logo or trademark or copyright was infringed. but to us lay people, yes, this can be what you call a "rip off"

but i really appreciate varied opinions so keep em coming!

Since people first impression that it's a fake, I'm sure you will have to give the same legal and technical explanation every time you wear it and someone cast a doubt.

The terrible experience of being scrutinized will make me feel disgusted and Chanel wannabe every time I take it out. It just not worth it.

 

[pre10d]

I wouldn't buy a copy but I can understand wanting to try a new style before committing to a big purchase. As some other poster suggested you could try to find something in the same style but is not a blatant copy.

For instance, I plan on buying a Cartier Love bracelet but since I'm not used to bracelets I decided to buy a Hermes Clic first: same shape but different look and 10% of the price

Copies look cheap no matter how much they cost...

This is a tangent but I had to chime in. The Hermes bracelets are nice but the Cartier LOVE bracelet is smaller and less "in the way". Chunkier bracelets like the clic I can't sleep in but delicate ones like the LOVE I forget I'm wearing. (Also I'm small-boned, so the clic style is a big bracelet to me.)

 

[justchristine]

Hi nerima... I found an alternative to the more expensive classic flaps and reissue 2.55- the business flap which I got in the Chanel Boutique in Macau at almost half the price compared to the classics, or you might want to save up for a pre-owned one first rather than spending $70 just to get the feel of the bag which in the end I'm sure you'll still want to have. Here is my business flap..😘 I have a few classic Chanel's but this one is a good buy!!

 

[ilvoelv]

I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Puttin On Ayers]

I agree with the other posters--this looks too much like a replica. What about Rebecca Minkoff? She has some quilted designs that aren't copies.

Rebecca does have a nice quilted bag and its been featured in all the fashion magazines this month. Also Saks Fifth Avenue private label has some nice quilted leather bags. Buy the best you can afford and enjoy it.

 

[AChanelADay]

why are people saying $70 is a lot of money for a bag? when idk if you could buy a chanel keychain for $70. That $70 is certainly not going to hinder the Chanel savings plan.


i see nothing wrong with this tbh maybe it's bc before i was ever interested in chanel i got a flap-esque bag. now i know it was reissue like but it was just a gray [my fav. color at the time] bag, with chain and a mademoiselle lock. no branding, no company name even on the inside of the bag, just that it was made in italy and was leather from TJ Maxx. and it did let me try out the flap style before i decided upon it.

do i have other chanel bags? yup--about 5 flaps. do i still have that gray one? yup. do i plan on replacing it with Chanel? meh--depends on how i feel. i wear it when i don't want to care about a bag getting messed up or dirty. I know it's not Chanel, never pass it off as Chanel and it certainly doesn't have Chanel quality.

this bag is almost no different for me than Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, RM, Forever21 and their quilted bags.

 

[cherrycookies]

Would I buy it? No, cos that looks too much like a fake Chanel & I don't want others to think I am carrying fakes(silly pride).

But if OP really wants to, just go ahead. It's her personal choice.