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The Beauty of a Genuine Designer Handbag

I know you’ve done it.  I certainly have.  I’ve walked down the street and seen a street vendor with knockoff designer handbags and thought, you know, that looks pretty good.  It could pass as the real thing, and it would save me a bundle of money.

But, is it worth it to buy a knock of designer handbag instead of the real thing?  In this day and age of brilliant fakes, are they really undetectable?  Can you tell the difference between a cheap bag and a real designer handbag?

I resoundingly answer that, yes, you can tell the difference and there are reasons to purchase both – a fake or imitation bag in some instances and a designer handbag in others.

First, allow me to make the case for a genuine designer handbag.  One key factor of a designer handbag is luxury and quality.  If you are looking for an investment piece, or a gift for yourself or someone else that marks a really special occasion, a designer handbag can’t be beat.

I once bought a high end Kate Spade bag for my mother for her birthday.  Instantly she knew it was the genuine article because a designer handbag has a certain look, feel, and a quality of construction.  I spent a lot of money on the bag, but I bought a classic style in a basic color (it was black) that she still uses years later.

That is the beauty of a quality designer handbag.  If you purchase the right style and color, the construction and materials are of such high quality that it truly becomes an investment piece that you will use for years to come.  Can we say the same thing about a bag you bough on sale at Marshalls?

Another strong point for a true designer handbag is that you can indeed tell the difference.  First, the construction on a genuine bag will be better. You really do get what you pay for.  The materials used will be of higher quality.  For bags with a trendy logo-print, on a designer bag you will never see a logo cut off along the bottom or side edge of the bag.  Everything, even the size of the print, is specifically tailored to the design of the handbag to maximize the aesthetic appeal.

However, there are moments when a designer handbag is not a great idea, and a good knock off will suit your purposes.  One perfect example is a very trendy bag.  Do you want a bright, crazy color or print that will only be a viable fashion statement for one season?  For example, are you really into the yellow trend of this spring season?  Do you want a yellow leather bag?  

If you buy a designer handbag version in a bright hue like yellow, you will love the bag, for one season, and then regret spending so much money on something that is no longer in fashion.  In this instance, a knock off bag is a great option.  You can keep up with the trend, without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a designer handbag that you can only carry for a few short months.

The same theory holds true for any trend that is unlikely to become a classic look.  A bag in a bold pattern, for example.  Even a bag in a neutral tone that you don’t think you’ll use for more than a season is a good time to forget buying a designer handbag and look for a department store version or one of the many knock offs available.

The key to pulling off a knock off handbag is to buy one that is at least of a certain quality.  Don’t go for anything with obvious stitching errors or other noticeable defects.  Choose a bag that has a general appeal to you, and wear it with your other high end pieces, such as a great leather coat you already own or a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.  If you use a fake bag, but pair it with real pieces from your wardrobe, the knock off will be less noticeable.  It is the same theory women use when wearing their real diamond earrings with a fake necklace or vice versa.  Fashion is all about blending to achieve a look that is “real” to you.

In an ideal world, we would all have the disposable income to buy any designer handbag we wanted, use it once or twice, and move on to the next trend.  But, in the real world, choices must be made.  It is great to invest in a designer handbag for a basic, timeless piece.  Buy a great black, chocolate, or tan bag, in quality leather that you will use for years to come.  For other, trendier items, stick to knock off bags and get the thrill of the trend without destroying your bank account.  After all, fashion is all what you make of it, and a fashion diva can rock a fake bag so long as she chooses it wisely to compliment her look.