Knock off, replicas, imitation, rendition, impostor, counterfeit are all terms used to describe one thing; something illegal and hideous. I know we all want the hottest Louis Vuitton Damier Azure but at what cost? Buying fakes only hurts your chances of ever getting something real because the more fakes they release the more exclusive designer collections become and with being exclusive comes the higher price tag. I wont go into how fakes pay for terrorism but I will show you a better way. We all have a budget and I know it’s restricting but you can’t keep up with the Joneses all the time. Besides are you really keeping with anyone when you’re wearing a fake?

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The idea is to get that special deal, find that sample sale, and get in early on a new and up and coming designer. I have a strong feeling that the majority of people who buy knock off are ignorant. Ignorant to the Internet and prices I mean why buy 6 knock off a year at an average of 100 bucks when a Marc by Marc Jacobs tote cost less than $400? Before thinking something is unreachable or unaffordable research the item you want you never know what you might find but buyer beware. If the item is less than 50% off the retail cost and the source seems sketchy I’d question the authenticity. When shopping online only use trusted sources Bluefly, Eluxury, Net-A-Porter, Saks, Ebay, Amazon ect.

The trick to getting a deal is not only to save money but also to buy something real that you can be proud of. I’m sure no one wakes up wanting the be the girl that gets talked about every time she walks in a room ” Stacy look at that girls Frauda bag” or “I love your bag, is a custom? Because Fendi never made it”. Like the plague, comments like that should be avoided so stick to your budget and buy something real. There’s nothing wrong with Marciano, Bebe, French Connection or Juicy Couture if that’s what fits in your budget. As always remember it’s not what you wear but how you wear it.

10 Bags that wont break the bank

BCBG Max Azria Leather Bow Clutch $248 USD

Bebe Leather Logo Tote $298 US

Fendi Pouchette Shoulder Bag $410 USD

French Connection City Quilt Bag $118 USD

Gucci Messenger Bag $325 USD

Juicy Couture Dose of Couture Bowler Bag $450 USD

Marc by Marc Jacobs Jelly Jacquard Lil Riz Hobo $328 USD

Marc by Marc Jacobs Miss Marc gets Physical Tote $148 USD

Marciano Brenda Boston Bag $168 USD

Tory Burch Signature Natalia Shoulder Bag $495 USD