I recently had a real shock. A friend of mine had just bought a Prada bag for a bargain of only $100. I suspected something was fishy and suggested she got it checked out, just to make sure. To my dismay, the bag was a fake Prada. As far as I could tell, it was made with the same quality as the real thing.
The thought of using designer fakes such as bags, shoes and clothing as a form of ‘getting the look’ just makes my skin crawl. It’s morally wrong to attempt to live like a celebrity on an average budget and pass it off like it’s not. I’m certain that this friend of mine wasn’t aware of the implications of buying fake goods, but it’s not healthy to fall into the trap of buying knock-offs without knowing the risks. I mean, come on!
Not only is it unethical, but it can be a lucrative business for many dodgy businesses out there, to the point where their cheaper prices can be too appealing to say no to. The consequences of this is that you’re likely to spend your own hard-earned cash on something that is not only expensive but not properly made and won’t last. This kind of behavior should never be tolerated while making a conscious decision to buy something good quality that is worth the money.
In my opinion, buying counterfeit products such as Bags, shoes and clothes is never a wise option and I just can’t stand the thought of people taking advantage of symbols of luxury. Your hard-earned cash should only be going towards something that is actually worth it and the truth is, if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Buying a fake Prada bag for a fraction of the cost is too reasonable of a deal to be true. Instead of investing in fake designer products why not save up for something special and unique, something crafted with craftsmanship and care that will stand the test of time?
It’s a difficult conversation to have since, realistically, not everyone can afford designer goods and yes, it can be tempting to give in to the temptations and save a few bucks in the process, but at what cost? It’s not worth the hassle if it’s discovered that it’s a fake product, as it would be an embarrassment and it would also be nearly impossible to resell it. And for sure, if you use the same bag out in public, or in a place where brand-conscious people hang out, the likelihood of being caught with a fake increases drastically.
At the end of the day, designer fashion is a status symbol and buying a fake product is not only disgraceful but gives an inaccurate impression of yourself. If you want to make a good statement, try investing in something truly unique, instead of asking for trouble with a fake. And of course, always trust your gut instinct when faced with a ‘too good to be true’ deal.