It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and when it comes to modern fashion, the original seatbelt bag has become something of a legend – and, with it, the phenomenon of the fake seatbelt bag. I’ve seen all sorts of knock off’s out there, each with varying levels of quality, but none have the same charm as the authentic item.
To be honest, I was always quite tempted by the fakes since they seem to look almost the same but cost much less. I figured that if I ended up not liking the bag, at least I wouldn’t have broken the bank to get it. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted the real deal – the original seatbelt bag. The one with the unique shape, the perfect screws, and the indestructible canvas.
I started to do a bit of online research and found there were quite a few stores selling the real McCoy. Obviously, these were more expensive than the knock offs, but I was willing to pay the price for some peace of mind. I ended up visiting a local shop and tried out the bag before I committed to buying it, and it was love at first feel! Its canvas was hard and sturdy, and its straps were strong and comfortable when I put it on my shoulder. Plus, it had so much room for all of my stuff. I was sold.
As I enjoyed filling up my new bag, however, I started to realize just how much damage the fake market had done. Sure, the fakes were much cheaper than the originals but what they lacked in price, they intensely lacked in quality. I mean, this bag had become such a cult classic – its seatbelt-thick canvas and unique shape – that as soon as some replicas started popping up, they quickly gained popularity and drove down the prices of the real seatbelt bag.
I don’t really blame anyone for buying one of the fake bags. The temptation was so strong, especially because it looked just as good and was much cheaper. In hindsight, though, I’m really glad I waited for the real one. It was totally worth the extra money. I mean, no matter how much others try to imitate the original seatbelt bag, it will never be the same. And that’s why I cherish mine even more.