To think many designer bags I see are actually fakes

[MattBerningerstrophywife]

Talking at work about designer bags and I mentioned that when our mortgage is paid off I’d maybe treat myself to a fancy bag. Colleague mentioned that many designer bags we see out and about are fake

thinking about it: many that I see carrying Chanel, goyard, LV etc bags could be fake. I would have no idea how to check or not.

Maybe some of us just love bags? Why does it matter how people dress?

😂 maybe!

When my friend was in China for a work trip her Chinese counterparts told her that a lot of fakes and genuine stuff is made in the same factory now and sold off as a sideline.

Well really good bags aren't made in china at all so thats not entirely it

Really good leather handbags are usually made in europe.

Eg Chanel bags are made in france or Italy
Burberry bags are made in Italy.
LV bags are made in france/spain/italy, some in the US.

I know the same thing happens in both Italy and France with Chanel and LV. You just need to know the right person.

I have two designer pieces, a Gucci bag and a Hermes belt. I refuse to wear both now thanks to the rise in folk wearing fakes. It takes the shine off them for me.

What's the point in having them then? Wear them! You know they're real.

I have to admit that when we went to a local pub recently in a very deprived area I assumed the Christian Dior, Gucci & Chanel bags I saw were fakes.

I have a large Mulberry work bag and a small Bottega bag (both have no visible branding) but it took me until I was 50 to get them. They are beautiful quality but All the people I see with these bags are much younger and they seem to go for the tackiest looks. I do think the rise in pre-loved shops have increased accessibility though. They had some lovely things in Designer Exchange recently.

Don't get me wrong I'd happily have a small LV purse and my dh has Gucci trainers (bought in the sale at Flannels) but if I had a Gucci bag I'd got for a horsebit not the GG (I've got my eye on a lovely Loewe belt.

I have taken my Bottega into B & M and Primark recently!

I have a fake Loewe and my niece has a real one. Impossible to tell if you are more than a meter away. When you touch them, the real one is softer

Why on earth would you assume that?!

Actually a mulberry or coach bag worn by a dressed down person wouldn’t look fake at all. I always associate mulberry’s with normal women rather than fashionistas

Your poor friend. I’m not judging by the way.

the goyard fake my friend has is huge and great for carrying stuff in. She’s not designer minded at all: just loves the size of it. It makes me wonder if it’s worth buying a real designer bag though.

you know my husband then ? lol

@MattBerningerstrophywife Very much depends what you choose! The very best bags have expensive materials and finishes and fakes usually don’t. Coach is a very different price point to Dior or Chanel . Chanel also can increase in value. Few others, except Hermes, do. You also buy a bag for you. You know it’s the real deal but if you don’t care that much, save your money and buy jewellery. .

@beachcitygirl , you don't sound hippy dippy, you sound like a fun, lovely, down to earth person. Have you seen Along came Polly? Or even Friends with Money? Jennifer Aniston dresses with a very easy going fun loving attitude, similar to the one you describe & your username. ✌🏼

If you are using/loving/appreciating your designer bag because you appreciate its superior quality, does it annoy you that other people don't see the quality - that their perception is that it is probably fake?

Actually, I’m not sure. I don’t actually own any designer bags! (Just a few longchamps which are a decent brand and so useful, but I wouldn’t say they were designer)

Not in the slightest!

I buy things because I like them, not for other peoples opinions, so their perception of it doesn’t register with me.

I actually feel like a little kid at Christmas when I add a new piece to my collection - the whole buying experience to wearing it out somewhere…it’s exciting!

user873628, there you go, money does not buy class!

That's a complex response. The bag from Zara or Next would be poor quality by comparison - what would be the criteria there?

You don’t need an expensive bag every day so of course a Zara bag can stand in. I do the same. Just depends what you are doing.

I genuinely wouldn't know a designer bag (or a fake) if I fell over it. Designer labels and I have never moved in the same circles. It is one of those mysteries of life, but I have less than zero interest in all that stuff.

I'm sure they're lovely, and can understand why other people like them. Don't get me wrong, I like a nice handbag, but the brand or logo wouldn't make a difference to whether I buy it or not. The price would though.😂

The criteria for a bag from a store like Zara or Next etc for me would just be decent material (leather, no PU), a classic shape (not their attempt at an “inspired” bag) and good stitching.

Something easy and wearable - I don’t like taking my high end pieces to the dog park, for example 🙂

I think also age is a factor. A 40-something with a Chanel bag, I reckon it's legit, as this age group would likely have more disposable income to spend on things like this. Whereas someone in their early 20s? Not so much.

Half of our waiters in Istanbul had Balenciaga tshirts and jumpers 😁

It’s the other way around ime. 21 year olds are more likely to have the disposable income to buy expensive bags / have it bought for them.

I've got 4 real Mulbery bags, and had three or four fake ones. Supposedly "good quality" fakes ones that I bought on trips to China/Thailand.

The fake ones all fell apart within a year or two. The real ones still
Going strong ten plus years later