Knock it off!
We’ve all encountered someone with a wanna-be Gucci, Prada or Louis Vuitton handbag, but it’s confusing why people invest in fakes, after all, isn’t part of the fun of carrying these armcandy treats, knowing you are part of an exclusive crowd? it’s actually very obvious with one look at a knock off bag or pair of shoes–one is pleather and made in China, the other is leather and made in Italy. The knock off craze is so bad that even our favorite TV characters have fallen prey to the flimsy look alikes–remember season three of “Sex and the City” when the BFFs took a trip to LA and Samantha bought a faux Fendi bag from the trunk of a car, in an alley–of all places.
Well, be warned fashionistas, pushers of designer fakes don’t only dwell in allies or sell from the trunks of their cars, now they’ve set up shop in our favorite fashion haunts and are sold under the labels of likeable B-list designers. Just check out the Christian Louboutin “Moro” shoe boots side-by-side with the suspiciously similar Steve Madden “Chap” bootie (above). Can you tell which is the original and which is the knock-off? (Hint: Christian Louboutin is known for trademark red leather soles)
I like Steve Madden but I don’t buy Steve Maddens – which I purchase from Macy’s and Nordstrom’s – because they are similar to other designers – I purchase them because I like them. As far as buying knock offs intentionally to “blend in” that never works – You’re more conspicuous than camouflaged with those wanna-be bags. You may think no one notices – but EVERYONE notices. So flip the bill for a real bag – or stick with Wal-Mart bags at Wal-Mart prices.
Sherry