Fake Purse Ninjas: Part Deux

How do you feel about fake purses?

Here’s how I feel about it: if it looks real enough to pass, it’s fine, if it’s an obvious attempt to badly plagiarize a designer, it’s not only not worth it, it’s down right wrong (fashionably speaking).

But let’s be clear…it’s not about the NAME BRAND. I am super opposed to blatant free advertising for the designer, or having a brand emblazoned in any font that is visible at 4 feet. Seriously… Didn’t we suffer enough as junior high wannabes only wearing and paying for Guess jeans and making sure the triangle was ALWAYS visible? Enough, I say! Don’t be fooled! Just because you can see the name doesn’t make it cool.


I love you, Isaac Mizrahi, but I don’t want your name all over my tote… it’s a cheap trick.


It’s about the DESIGN, you see. It’s about timeless pieces, pieces that will be timeless for about 2 years, and classic design. I think that most people would want to be perceived as being intelligent and savvy right along side “fashionable.”


Here are the originals. You have seen these patterns knocked off 10,000 times. If your pattern doesn’t match these exactly, you are wearing a fake, and does the thought of that make you feel good? To be a faker? Best to just be original.






It’s tricky to go for the “logo-ed” bags. There are just too many imposters. If you are interested in a designer bag like this from e-bay or the brand retailer, do your homework first. In Houston, there is a section of town known as “Harwin”. This is where all the Asian import stores are. It’s LOADS of fun. After the recent federal crackdown on fake purses (not kidding), it’s harder to find the good “fakes.” If I do my homework before I go, I know what to look for. I can look at e-bay or Bergdorf-Goodman to find what the original looks like then buy the closest thing to it.

Stay away from bags that look like this. It's not the color or style...it's the logo.







I almost made a HUGE mistake once. When Coach came out with their “C” logo line I found a bunch at Harwin. But there were also identical bags with “G’s”. I couldn’t remember if the bag was a Gucci or a Coach and I ALMOST bought the imposter “G” bag. I hadn’t done my homework, and I might have ended up with an embarrassing fake. Horrors… My advice is that if you are not so familiar with the big designers logos and styles, stay away from that type of bag.




Here are some basic bag categories. Let’s look at some DO’s…


…for the professional…

If you need to carry a lot of papers and binders and stuff you need a “briefcase” type solution. This bag could be leather most of the year with a FEW good canvas bags that can be used during the appropriate warmer weather, or if treated properly, the canvas can be “dressed up” and used year round. But with a canvas bag, it must be kept impeccably clean. And just because a bag is leather doesn’t mean it has to be manly or NOT fun… Although black and brown ARE versatile, try a camel brown or a wonderful texture such as crocodile in any color… yummy. Snake skin is very fun, but too “fancy” for everyday (remember to keep some things special…). Besides, strippers usually don’t carry laptops to work. Save the snakeskin for your small bags and shoes.

Favorite picks: if you are a weathly heiress, socialite, or celebrity I would recommend the Hermes Birkin. Classis design and styling that has already been around for years and will be classic for years to come…if you’ve got $10,000 that is…



If you are a regular person, try the new laptop bags from Target. They don’t necessarily fall into the professional category they might be designed more for students, but they are classy and passable. They are super fun and simple. And affordable…





…for the Mom…

For those of you with diapers and wipes and toys and a change of clothes, you all probably went through the right of passage that is a “diaper bag.” With the first child you were ready for interstellar travel with all you were carrying “just in case.” With the second or third child, you have nailed down what is truly essential, and you are ready for the NEW diaper bag…the one that looks like it doesn’t actually have diapers in it… I laugh when I see designer come out with “The Diaper Bag.”



It may have all sorts of logos and bells and whistles, but it still looks like a diaper bag, and can often lead to the “harried” effect if you are ALSO carrying a purse and pushing a stroller.

Fave picks for the “new diaper bag”:

UGG makes a shearling bag that would be darling as a diaper bag. If you are annoyed with the prolific ness of all things UGG (like I am) and you don’t want to give any money to the UGG empire, go for one of the UGG knockoffs at Target. They are cute and affordable, and make a great winter “mommy” bag. Think pouches in the diaper bag, ladies…



Nordstrom has several clever bags that AREN’T BLACK and are cleverly disguised diaper bags. Target also has many bags to choose from. All of these are chosen from the diaper bag section from both stores, but keep in mind that MOST cute bags can be used as a diaper bag if you keep the load simple and use the pouch rule.









…the evening bag…

An evening bag should be small. No one is going to expect you to have a past receipt, a coupon, a change of clothes, formula, wipies, or a full scale hair brush while you’re out on the town (unless one or all of those items have been discussed ahead of time…). Keep it simple: face powder, lipstick, some cash or a card, ID, a key or two (you don’t have to take the WHOLE key chain you know…so noisy!), perfume (sample size), etc. Evening bags tend not to have straps. Handles, yes, but not usually full-on shoulder straps unless they are thin and delicate. Clutches are very popular these days, but perhaps you need something you can sling over your arm.

Fave picks for the evening bag:








Nordstrom has a ton. I am in love with the iridescent snakeskin because it is SO special. The evening bag does NOT NOT NOT have to match your dress or your shoes. Your shoes do NOT NOT NOT have to match your dress or your handbag. A less-expensive retailer such as Target will not have as nice evening bags and the ones they do have might look cheap. Ask Grandma if she’s got a nice vintage beaded thing lying around. I’ll bet she does…



…the basic purse…

Today, we have many styles of purses. I could not even begin to cover them all. So I will stick with some basic, but current styles and divide them in to large, medium, and small categories. Remember the Don’ts! I will also try to give a range of products and prices. If you click on the photos, you will be linked to the site where such items may be purchased. (I receive no commission, but am working on that…)

Large…

Only if you need it, ladies… or if you must escape from a wicked lover and a suitcase would be too conspicuous…








Medium…

This is the standard, everyday size. Much to choose from… Don’t just think color. Think texture and shape, too. Todays styles are all about structure. The more “with it” purses are solid looking and have a definite shape. This is not the age of the cloth satchel with organic lines, but the leather satchel with definite shape metal hardware…Also, never chose a bag that is hard to get into, or that has difficult hardware. You will regret it all your days. My lovely “Gucci” has an aggravating clasp, and even though it is blood red crocodile, I am loath to use it… quelle triste!











Small…

The small purse is the law of parsimony in action. I admire a woman with a small purse. She’s got her act together and she’s no nonsense.








A quick word about wallets…

Women have HUGE wallets. I personally liberated myself from the large wallet years ago and have never looked back. I use a slim line wallet from J.Crew and a coin purse. Not only am I forced to DO something with all the receipts my wallet and purse accumulate, I also tend to leave non-essential cards and such at home, relieving me of any temptation that an “emergency” card might afford.



Again, the disclaimer, this is about personal style. If you did not see a bag you liked according to MY guidelines, I will not disown you as a friend. I might pity you or feel sorry for you, but I will NOT dislike you. You do your thing. Just keep in mind that what YOU think is fashionable might have changed in the last few years (months, days, minutes…). Being fashionable is not going to determine your salvation, or life form in the next circle of life…

If someone is dressing nicely they are being considerate. They are thinking of me by not making me look at their ugly clothes. A nicely dressed person is a person who looks outward, not inward. They take notice of the world around them, and they are keeping up with things.

Check out other great bags at J.Crew, Gap, and the Banana Republic. EBay also has nice bags, but keep in mind the following: if it says that the bag is authentic, but it only costs $18.95 and it hails from Beijing…it’s probably not real. If you are buying a designer bag, look for proof of authentication: photos of details (zipper pulls, linings, rivets, etc.), authentication certificates, and registration cards…


Gook Luck, ladies… please feel free to add your tips and two bits…



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