Oh my gosh, whilst I was shopping in the market with my best friend last week, I got a staredown by an incredibly chic lady when I was examining a ‘fake Stella bag’ on one of the stalls. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it – it looked exactly like the real thing! However, I was so tempted to purchase the bag, yet I just could not bring myself to do so.
I mean, clearly, I’m not an expert on tells, but something just didn’t feel right about the bag. I was so overwhelmed with curiosity that I had to ask the stall keeper to pass me the bag anyway, and he didn’t take no for an answer. When I felt the texture of the leather, I just knew something was off. It was a lot rougher than the authentic leather, yet the colour of the bag was almost identical. I also noticed that the fake red lining inside the bag was super thin compared to the original Stella bag.
When I asked the guy how much he was selling it for, he gave me a price tag of only $40! I could hardly believe it. He gave me a cheeky wink and asked me ‘What’s life if you can’t take a risk, right?’ Is he crazy? I mean, if I ever get caught out by people I know in the fashion circle with a fake bag, that would be very embarrassing and could cost me a lot! I refused to buy it and quickly put it down on the table.
My friend then told me that if I really wanted to have a Stella bag, the best bet is to search for second-hand genuine bags online. So I thought about it and tried to do some research – there are tons of second-hand options available online, including trusted websites that have strict authentication measures in place. With the right purchase, you can easily get a genuine Stella bag from anywhere around the world for a fraction of the original price!
This is why I’m so glad that I decided to stay away from the ‘fake Stella bag’ at the market. I’m a strong believer in ‘you get what you pay for’ and I never risk my money with any type of knock-offs. I’d rather go for second-hand older models than to get fooled by a fake!
Furthermore, there are different types of Stella bags in the market and people often get confused when it comes to picking the right one for themselves. For instance, classic styles tend to stay in high demand, so their prices remain relatively high, while contemporary styles that come and go are much cheaper. That’s why shopping second-hand for your Stella bag is such a great idea. You can find a good quality, pre-loved bag at an affordable price.
On top of that, if you have the budget for it, you can invest in a classic collection piece. There are almost always special, seasonal editions that get released – like the exhotic Stella bag collection or the limited-edition ‘Piero’ line by the designer. These are great investments not only because they are of the highest quality, but they also tend to go up in price. So, if you can afford it, these are definitely worth considering.
Also, it is possible to find bags with original dust bags and tags, which is always a bonus. It is not mandatory for you to buy those bags in order to be sure that you are getting an authentic Stella bag, as you can get certified pre-owned ones as well. But buying them with the dust bags and tags will definitely make it easier for you to identify that it is a genuine bag.
Plus, as an added perk, many of the original dust bags are quite stylish and make great accessory bags as well. So if you can find one with the original dust bag intact, you can also use it to store your other items like cosmetics or accessories.
Of course, the most important thing is still quality. It is far better to buy a Stella bag with pre-established quality, either pre-owned or second-hand, than to be tempted by a ‘cheap’ fake. After all, it would be too shameful to be caught out with a bag that you know isn’t genuine.