The Difference Between Real and Fake Designer Bags
That Gucci bag you recently purchased from a street vendor doesn't seem to be holding up too well. Even though you didn't pay much for it, you still expected it to last a while. After all, it is a designer bag.
Just because the person selling it tells you it's a designer bag doesn't necessarily make it so. If you're tempted to purchase inexpensive "designer" goods from someone selling various items from a makeshift sidewalk stand, you may want to ask yourself why the bag is so cheap and why it's being sold in that location. The answer is simple: because it's either stolen or a knock off.
Craftsmanship
How can you recognize if your designer bag is a phony? There are a few giveaways. For instance, check the lining. The lining of a real designer handbag should be sewn, not glued. A stitched-in lining doesn't exactly make your inexpensive designer bag a true original, however. So what does the stitching look like? The craftsmanship should be sturdy. Stitches shouldn't pull and the lining should stay snug but not puckered. Real designer bags last for years and don't get worn out after carrying a cell phone and lipstick for two weeks. The workmanship and details should reflect its high price tag.
Material
Check the material on the front of the bag. Does it look mass produced? A real designer bag won't look as if it just came off a conveyor belt. The seams will match and patterns will be straight. If you look at a bag with a pattern and the pattern appears to be slightly off, the chances are good that you're holding a knockoff in your hands. Is the bag made from the highest quality material or the cheapest mass market leather? A true designer bag will spare no expense at giving you the best product.
Location
Your biggest clue should be the location. Anyone selling "designer" bags from a trash bag or blanket probably is not an upstanding citizen. If your sales person can pack up the store and run every time a police car is spotted, there's a good chance he's not selling the real thing. Designer goods aren't usually sold in kiosks, parks, or out of the trunk of a car. You can purchase legal copies or "replicas," but again, location is key. Legal knockoffs are only sold by vendors licensed to sell such goods. You probably won't find a true Prada bag, or its approved knockoff, sold from a garbage bag on some street corner.
Aiding and Abetting
If that hasn't given you enough to ponder, keep this in mind: by knowingly purchasing knockoffs, you are encouraging, and in fact, participating in illegal activity. Some might even consider it aiding and abetting. You probably won't have to wear handcuffs, but if you are seen purchasing a phony bag, the bag can be confiscated and you will lose some money.
If it is so important that you purchase a designer bag, visit a department store or the designer's own shop. For discounted designer merchandise, check outlet shops or sample sales. Many designers will also sell merchandise from past seasons at a discount. Remember, you get what you pay for. Is it really a bargain to pay $100 for a $700 bag if it falls apart two months later?
