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

You sound like you have a lovely variety in your collection ☺️ some people have been a little scathing on this thread of who cares. Why does it matter? But I’m sure you have memories attached to these belongings. When I was 17 I could just about afford a lulu guiness lipstick clutch after buying my first car and when I look at it now, I have so many memories of the nights out I took it on.

Check on instagram edwarddelacy or hind_workshop for example.

Well that’s me not elaborating and explaining myself correctly. Standing out can mean the quality and structure stands out. A pp thinks Demellier up close looks cheap but for me what stands out is the structure of their New Yorkers are a thing of beauty, in my eyes. So I mean quality standing out. Not in a bright neon pink monogrammed LV way

Thank you! I’ll check them out.

It’s so easy to buy fake bags. You can download an app and order from there.

I’m guessing you mean me. When I’m typing fast on my phone spelling is the last of my concerns. I’m not going to proof read for typos.

^This

You are naive at best if you think high street clothing companies aren’t the equivalent of sweatshops. I’ve visited their “manufacturing” sites in Bangladesh and India and they were appalling.

At the end of the day a fake no matter how good is still a fake with zero resale value. A genuine certificated bag can increase/hold it's value it's still a collectable item.

I can get people buying grade A fakes for the 'look', but they'll still know it a fake.

I grew out of wanting designer labels when I was about 15. I feel that wanting to carry bags or wear clothes that advertise someone's name or brand is so tacky. They're always so fugly too.

thats OK for you not to like them but don't knock people who do like them.
now thats tacky !

If you’re bothered about other people thinking you’ve wasted your money then you couldn’t afford it. I think you can tell when you have a fake vs real side by side.

I have a real Mulberry. I got on the tube and a woman came on with a ‘Mulberry’. It looked okay. However, when close(ish) together she and I could tell mine was real and hers was fake and she looked uncomfortable. If she was on the tube alone with no comparison, at a glance, several people would think hers is real.

But none of that matters really because I bought that bag as a celebration of a promotion, I could afford it, I love it, and it makes me happy when I see/use it. Like my Louis Vuitton bags.

People having fakes doesn’t take away from me having my bonafide bags. I have a cute ‘snide’ LV’ card holder I picked up abroad so I’m not judging people for having snide anything. I think even Victoria Beckham was seen with a fake once before Marc Jacobs gave her the real thing.

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/victoria-beckham-wore-counterfeit-louis-vuitton

If you are worried about sweatshops then buying designer guarantees nothing. You need to dig a lot deeper into the supply chain than that.
Some designer brands do guarantee superior material quality. Some good fakes will be at the same quality.
When you buy a designer label you are paying for the marketing of that designer brand. The ads that make the brand desirable.
Buying a fake is a little like buying the supermarket own brand that mimics a big brand. Probably the quality is the same but you're not paying for r+d or marketing. All depends on the quality of the fake.

I’ve done it myself. It’s Lulu Guinness. Not a pint of guiness 😅

One key difference is the aftercare, if that makes you feel any better. Mulberry, Burberry etc have renewal services where they remove marks, polish the hardware, re-seal edges etc. You might find your friend’s gold hardware changes colour etc etc whereas an original bag might look the same for its life time. But yes, designed bags are always hugely overpriced compared to what they cost to make. There’s an exclusivity levy included!

I always think that seeing these items as wealth signifiers is problematic. Never as investments to make a return on either. It's an item that you liked and made a conscious decision to buy after deliberations. So why not just enjoy it?

An expensive bag does not necessarily mean a person is rich imo. It just means they are carrying an expensive bag. The converse is also true. If the bag is cute, I'm happy to admire. Replicas though are never without their tell tale signs of being not the real deal. I think your purchase arriving incomplete (no box) from flannels has put a dampener on it. I hope you complained. Next Time (if there is one of course), shop direct or with well-established dept stores.

Do people really look at others' handbags etc snd wonder if they're real of fake?
I've better things to do with my time.
A colleague was very upset because someone thought her necklace had a pumpkin on it. Apparently it was a designer symbol. Who knew or cared

Or instead of bespoke, if you prefer a small cool brand, check out likes of oliviamaraque or mlouye.

No its not - Majority of fakes companies are ran by criminals who use it as a way to money launder. If you buy a fake you are more likely helping support the funnelling of cash that supports terrorism, drug dealing, people smuggling and sex trafficking. If you wana buy a bag like a designer one cheaper just buy the ones that the high street sells, that are similar. Loads of similar to the LV neverful on the market for example

honestly, you’re not alone! i had a similar moment when a friend showed me her “fake” bag and it looked almost identical to mine. i started exploring reps and was shocked at the quality. i’ve since picked up one from hypereptime just for casual use, and it honestly holds up so well. it’s a smart move for nights out or travel when you don’t want to risk the real one.