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

If you've bought it for the label then you may as well have got a fake. If it's for the quality and craftsmanship, or as an investment then it's worth the cost.

There are some amazing fakes around. I read that cartier are refusing to give authentication for love bangles now as they cannot tell the difference between them.

I feel the same.

There's that saying, 'We buy stuff we don't need to impress people we don't know'

I think my feeling of being duped is that the quality and craftsmanship is gone now, unlike vintage pieces.

Tbh I wouldn't know a designer handbag if it hit me in the face. I see people with bags that look nice but unless they have the designer name on it, it means nothing to me - and even then it could be a fake. When we went on a day trip to Turkey everybody, apart from us, came back laden with fake designer goods.

My work colleague put a picture on Instagram of her husband's birthday present to her - a designer handbag that had apparently cost £900. If it hadn't had the tag on it I wouldn't have a clue what it was.

I just don't get the designer stuff but each to their own.

@AlloaintheMiddle @Blueuggboots I’m going to look into having one designed. Such a good idea, never thought of it before! I’d appreciate any links on insta I don’t follow any artisans

I don’t think Gucci handbags are that good quality. I certainly wouldn’t buy one although I am going to get a pair of their loafers. Dh says his Gucci shoes are incredibly comfortable. He also has a pair of LV. Too ostentatious for me, but he loves them.

I buy for quality & longevity. Two brands of handbags I love which get complimented and I think you can tell the difference are Bottega Venetta & Loewe. I also like my Mulberry handbag. I’d gone into Selfridges to buy a Demellier, but when I saw them in person I thought they looked and felt cheap. It was the hardware.

Don’t buy the fake - although you think there is no real difference you will always know it’s knock off and using it just won’t feel so good.

Although I can’t believe nobody has suggested you just cart your stuff about in a bag for life yet. Or better still buy a trumpet or a park bench - iykyk.

This, I think you can always tell a fake. Not always by the item, but by the person themself.

I accidentally fell into the world of replicas on Reddit and I’m blown away to be honest. There’s cheap copies and then this is another level!

Even experts struggle to always identify good fakes

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/magazine/celine-chanel-gucci-superfake-handbags.html

Judgmental much?! I know some very wealthy women who happily buy fakes

I used to work in fashion a million years ago and the same happens w clothes. Same place that makes bikinis for H&M makes them for Armani. Just different materials.

I think that if I cared about having a supposedly prestige brand and bought a good fake, I would get far more satisfaction from knowing that I’d saved myself a small fortune.

I thought about naming them, but I’m afraid I am reluctant to, because my bag is old! I’m worried that the quality of workmanship or materials could have deteriorated in the last few years. I don’t want to disappoint.

This article explains the problem well: https://bagsandthegirl.com/20-emerging-bag-brands-you-need-to-know/

Do inspect potential purchases in person if you can. Usuf Osman, a luxury leather crafter, has some good tips: https://youtube.com/@beingyusufosman?feature=shared

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.

YABU to have bought a bag for show.

if you wanted a Gucci bag you would still want a Gucci bag. Fact is you wanted to show off your Gucci bag, given you now realise lots are fake and most people don’t know.

These are handbags, not works of art. To me a bag is a functional piece, like a coat or shoes. They need to be good quality, look good and do the job they are meant to do. Does it really matter if it is a fake or not if you like the bag and the quality is good? Brand boasting is so tiresome.

Do feel free to dm me and share! I would have scoffed before like I would never own fake. But when fake is this good, then I just feel silly for buying real

Then you don’t know many wealthy women. I know women with multiple Hermes. They dress in an understated way. Lori Piana, Bottega, The Row. Some of the bags are real. Some are fake. You’d never know.

I love my clothes and love certain brands. I buy them for the quality and style. I love my shoes and have paid alot for some. but I love them. I am not really a bag person I have a few designer ones but I do like them and they are practical for me to use. if you love your bag then don't worry about it. the fake market is shocking and people buying them are supporting money laundering operations sex trafficking and people smuggling. there are certain bags I wouldn't buy due to the amount of fakes I see. like the lv nerfull and the marc jacobs camera bag. don't buy stuff just to show people and be all on instragram. botegga actually doesn't have an Instagram page they are not on social media people buy cause of its quality etc. the row is another quiet luxery brand. buy cause you love and afford it

the people posting who can’t spell the brand names but think they are experts 😅

Why do you want a designer bag?
If its for yourself buy a genuine one, if its to impress other people get a fake.

I’m definitely not an expert. I have one (genuine) Chanel tote (vintage from ages ago), a Ralph Lauren cross body because I liked the colour, ancient Osprey tan crossbody, a Boden pony hair leopard crossbody, a green crossbody from Wyse (I have a dodgy back) and a black bag from Apatchy, which, while not quite as lovely as the Gucci bag, was a 20th of the price. I would def upgrade if I won the lottery but I really prefer to buy vintage jewellery if I have a bit of money to spluge

I did spot the doubt T in Bottega Veneta also 😬

Not very quiet if you want it to stand out and everybody know you've got something expensive, is it?