Gucci or Goochi??

[SansaStark90]

Over the years I’ve collected handbags. I’ve been feeling down on myself so treated myself to a new Gucci bag. My friend came round with a similar style. She admitted to me it was fake! I put them side by side. Hers was slightly brighter gold. Otherwise, no difference! Am I unreasonable to now think a lot of people own fake and I’ve wasted my money and should maybe buy a fake for when I go on nights out so I don’t worry it gets ruined. I cannot believe the quality of fakes. I’ve never looked as my perception is off some market stall and terrible. Before people say they fund crime, all clothes come from sweatshops really and these are coming from China and the whole business is set up to replicate fakes. Feel naive and like I’ve wasted a lot of money

That is beautiful

Gucci bags are bargain basement compared to Chanel though. Crazy prices there. When a second hand bag can cost £5k or more.

Just buy bags you like and that make you happy, that are of a quality you find acceptable. And that you think people will compliment you on, if that's very important to you.

If that means buying fake Gucci because you really love the style, the quality is good enough, and it means you can spend your money on other stuff, fine. If what makes you happy is owning real Gucci, keep buying those.

Before people say they fund crime, all clothes come from sweatshops really
Maybe stop buying new stuff then? How many handbags do you need?

You can't compare the fake / replica / dupe industry with clothing manufacture. Saying it is all from sweatshops is naive at best. It is organised crime, run by sophisticated criminal gangs. If you are happy to support child labour, modern slavery, drug running, people trafficking, prostitution, human misery and terrorism, crack on and buy a fake bag.

If you can afford a Gucci, rather look for a small leather good maker (loads on instagram).
Your bag will be bespoke and unique, quiet luxury kind of bag… that’s classy in my opinion!

@SansaStark90- it’s not whether it’s high end or not, it’s the perception that it makes you something different, just because of a label, that someone, somewhere, decided was “special” and worth paying thousands of pounds for. Why not get one made? Have it designed and made especially for you. Then no one else will have one. Truly unique and special. Unlike these ridiculously expensive bags that are made my downtrodden people who are probably being exploited….

Gnocci

So your main priority isn't that you particularly like the look of a bag, it's that it's expensive and exclusive, and that you won't end up feeling put out because someone else will have a bag as nice as yours but by paying less? So, purely a status symbol?

I always assume these bags are fake.

Why? All mine are real. So you’d be presuming wrong

If I see a designer bag, I mostly assume it’s fake. And think you’re stupid to pay hundreds / thousands of pounds for a bag.

A jewellery designer I worked with years ago went to the Far East to see about having his stuff produced out there. He said the same factories make the fakes as make the originals and there's no real way to stop it. I don't know if that's still the case. The fakes use less expensive materials, but that's about it.

There are lots of young designers and makers in this country, buy from them and get something really special. I bought a Jane Hopkinson bag from the Chelsea Craft market over 30 years ago and people still comment on it.

Jane Hopkinson

I have never presumed a bag is fake unless you can really tell they are fake. That’s weird. All my bags are real so you’d be presuming wrong

I’m also guilty of assuming the majority of designer bags are fake when out and about. I think it’s because fakes are so common nowadays - some brands more than other, admittedly.

I really don’t doubt that’s what happens. From being 18 to now in my mid 30’s the craftsmanship you used to get feels lost and they feel mass produced. The original loewe puzzle bag must have taken hours upon hours. Now they’ve dumbed down the design so they are easier to make. It’s like believing your chicken from M&S comes from a different factory to Aldi.

Id love to support young designers that’s a great idea. Your Jane Hopkinson bag has stood the test of time. I love that.

I own a real Chanel bag. I bought a smaller version of the same style from a reputable seller in China. The leather is stunning, hardware heavy and comparable to a friends you cannot spot the difference. It was around £2-300 which is expensive for a replica obviously but a huge saving on the real deal.

I’m very tempted to sell my real bag (on which I’d make around a £5k profit) and buy the same as a replica but something is stopping me.

Louis Vuitton bags have been made in china for years Thier not the quality bags they used to be the knockoff ones are made by the same people

I bought the green strathberry that Meghan wore. I know! Im easily influenced and thought it was quite luxury. But for me, Demellier knock strathberry out of the park

Only mugs waste money on ridiculously expensive handbags just to impress others who probably don't care anyway.

However, I also wouldn’t buy a fake designer bag as I think they’re generally a bit dull looking and I prefer more interesting quirky designs.

It’s crazy when you are paying for what you think are artisans creating your bag. I’ve been sat looking at vintage on Vestiaire collective and really more drawn to all of them pre 2010

Unless the distinctive Gucci snaffle is non-negotiable, why not prioritise the quality of the materials and workmanship over the name when you buy a bag?

My favorite is hand made by an old Italian firm, not a household name in the UK, but it is beautiful. It cost a tenth of the price of a Gucci bag.

Check out eBay for vintage LV - especially those selling from Japan. Great prices!

I would not feel the same level of sophistication wearing a fake. My handbag collection tops out at Mulberry, so is a different calibre of designer admittedly - but I love wearing it. I was gifted a good quality fake and used it for a while, but I hated using it. I’d rather buy a nice bag from River Island rather than pretending I’m something I’m not.

I don’t believe anyone rich enough to wear designer really does wear fake because they’d rather spend the money elsewhere. If you would spend the money elsewhere you’re probably not of the status these brands are targeted at. Kylie Jenner isn’t buying a fake Birkin so she can spend her money elsewhere, as a real Birkin will fall easily within her handbag budget.

I can’t justify £2k on a handbag because I’m just not rich enough. I have enough money to buy one today if I wanted to, but I’m not rich enough that I can frivolously spend £2k on fashion.

Well, presumably you like that look or you wouldn’t have bought it in the first place?