Everybody has a different opinion, but I am very particular when it comes to designer (read: really expensive, high quality) handbags.
[Below is just my opinion! I understand everyone has their own point of view ^_^]
1) If anyone enjoys designer handbags (or clothes, etc) and can afford it without breaking the bank – then I feel it’s absolutely fine to own such luxury items – no judging! Yes, the costs are atrocious but they are great quality and last years if cared for properly.
Do I own any? Nope! And certainly not anytime soon with this $300K debt being racked up with med school! Perhaps you would like to shower me with such a gift? 😉
2) Owning luxury items should also be relative to income. If you want to purchase designer bags, you also have to be able to afford a nice wardrobe as well. Otherwise wouldn’t you look a little ridiculous? Holding a $700+ hand bag dressed in a cheap outfit?
And the big no-no: buying a cheap knockoff because you can’t afford the real thing.
3) Unless the fake is a perfect replica (which rarely happens) anyone with simple knowledge of handbags will be able to tell it’s a fake with just a glance. Honestly, it’s embarrassing – why would you put yourself in that situation?
You often see people with a combination of the above:
1) Those who break the bank for a purse but don’t have a wardrobe to go with it
2) Those who buy fakes and try to pass them off as real and also don’t have a wardrobe to go with it
And now on to my story:
Last January, I received a ‘Coach’ handbag from a woman-who-shall-not-be-named. I had never read up about Coach or had any experience with their products but this lady often uses ‘designer handbags’ and made me feel like I was receiving a genuine product. I mean… you wouldn’t give someone a fake product as a gift without telling them… right? So without verifying its authenticity, I took it back to Australia with me and even used it a handful of times before thinking ‘Is this bag even real?!’
So I set out to educate myself about Coach purses!
For references below, I used the information on bagbliss and eBay
This is the purse I received:
“The simplest way in determining authenticity would be examining the layout of the signature C’s. The C’s should be lined up perfectly to the center.”
So far… looks good! But… crooked pendant and fraying thread!
“The Coach hardware comes in brass or nickel colors, and usually unpolished. Coach’s hardware will never be stamped with its material, only the logo, if anything.”
“The stitching should be perfect with no abnormalities such as overlapping or loose threads, and no uneven lines, or uneven stitches..one long stitch followed by one shorter one for example.”
“Every real Coach purse with exception to some small wristlets, swings, minis, and coin purses will have the Coach creed patch and serial number. The interior serial number should start with “No”, the abbreviation for number, and have 4 numbers after the dash.”
Lack of spaces between words much? And look at that double stitching.
“The lining of Coach Signature purses will always be a solid color. And the lining will have the signature pattern if it’s the other way around.”
My lining should’ve been a nice solid colour!
“Many of the replicas have the metal tags and they are very different from the authentic ones. The ball chain holding the hang tag is darker metal, and also inside the indention of the Coach imprint. The replica’s metal hang tags are usually thinner, and up close you will notice the Coach logo is imprinted a little differently from the depth, the cut, and to the size.”
“Dust bags should be dark chocolate brown with a red drawstring. In the bottom right the words in all caps “COACH EST.1941″ written in white. Coach does not use cheap material to make these.”
What a joke!
Am I disappointed? Not at all, I should’ve known better and I’m not missing out on anything. Will I use this purse? Definitely not.
I am a little embarrassed for her though! If I can do a little reading and tell whether a purse is real or fake – anyone with experience can as well. Awkward…
