The Great Fake

I told myself a long time ago that I was going to be one of those people who could live without names like Burberry and Gucci in my closet. I’m okay with that, really I am. I like and appreciate high-end fashion, but I’ve come to accept the reality that I can’t afford it.

Come to think of it, I don’t really know many who can. I can think of a few  who can — and do — spend a couple month’s rent for one luxury item, without ever thinking twice about it. For the rest of us, a lot of rationalizing and justification would take place before we even considered forking over that kind of money for a purse, shoe, or piece of jewelry.

For those of us without expendable wealth who still crave high-end style, it’s time to  explore the ever-growing market of designer knock-offs. And why wouldn’t we? Fakes have come a long way — to the untrained eye, most look identical to the authentic version. In fashion, once you see a gown on the red carpet, an affordable copycat is available within days. And sometimes, the copycat is even more attractive than the original. But I suppose that’s a matter of personal taste.

I’m the perfect candidate for a fake because I’m the type to overlook small imperfections that disqualify a bag, garment or jewel from being genuine. There are lots of people who do notice those small details, in which case buying a luxury item second hand might be a way to keep the cost a little lower.

There are things to be aware of if you make the decision to go out on your own in search of a gently-used deluxe bag. If you expect to get what you’re paying for, the buyer must beware, especially if you plan to explore online avenues like eBay. It’s necessary to equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible — familiarize yourself with the logo, trademark stitching, zipper placement, materials, colors – those are all areas where frauds try to dupe uneducated buyers.

The only really fool-proof way to ensure your purchase is absolutely genuine is to buy directly from the vendor’s site or boutique. You leave with confidence, knowing you got what you paid for, and the manufacturer should provide a warranty just in case the bag happens to fall apart, or if certain embellishments need to be replaced. Chances are you won’t have any issues, but there’s nothing wrong with being cautious.

And once the bag is yours, the heaviest thing you should carry around is buyer’s remorse. Be happy with your purchase or don’t go through with it at all.

Also keep this in mind – be careful if you decide to get someone a fake as a gift. Let’s say a friend really has their heart set on a Louis Vuitton bag. She’s been talking about it for the past five years, trying to justify spending so much money on the bag of her dreams (most Vuitton handbags run anywhere from $1,300 – $2,500 — used). Don’t be a hero and buy an imitation thinking she’ll never know the difference —  she will. She’ll notice that a stitch is out of place or an initial from the logo is facing the wrong way. If she’s pined after a bag long enough, she’ll know if anything is not exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Some imitations – like jewelry and watches — are easier to pull off. Personally, I can’t tell the difference between a real or fake Rolex , or one karat of gold or sixteen. Smaller accessories are a little less conspicuous than a big purse with the logo stamped all over the exterior.

I know there are a lot of women who share my indifference to labels, but then there are also those who wouldn’t be caught dead with anything but the real deal. You hear this a lot in retail — “People who know, know.” It sounds stupid but that’s all a customer needs to hear if they’re on the fence with an expensive item. As long as someone else knows how much they paid for the dress and that it’s the real thing, that’s all that matters. There’s a level of satisfaction in having luxurious things for others to covet.

So even if we do want something that is beyond unaffordable and inaccessible, we still have options — either settle for an imitation or bite the bullet and buy the authentic version. The question is: How much is it worth to you?