Dupes vs Counterfeit Fakes

Tweed Jacket old (similar/similar/similar)

Prada Panier (preloved, here, here)

White Henley (c/o) | Jeans old (similar) | Captoe Slingback

Hello February! January has been such a long month! Don’t you agree? It’s been rainy and cold here in Atlanta and we are used to warmth and sunshine in the South so I’m so ready for some sun please! I’ll be recapping what I bought in January in a few days but wanted to share a post to educate you: the consumer. What is considered a legal dupe (short for duplicate) vs. an illegal counterfeit item? Can you tell which of my items are dupes: my jacket, bag, or shoes? Read on if you want to learn more!

The answer is: my shoes and jacket are dupes. My bag is a real Prada!

So what is a dupe?

Duplicates (or dupes) are items that resemble or copy another product (usually luxury designer ones). Purses, shoes, and clothes are the most common dupes but of course there are other products such as Yeti cups that are copied (unfortunately they didn’t get a patent in time, but that’s another story 🙂 Designs such as captoe shoes/ block heels, quilting/leather chains straps (Chanel), stars (Golden Goose), green and red stripes (Gucci), floral style flowy dresses (Zimmerman), etc are NOT patented/copyrighted. They are styles recognized because a luxury designer created the combination FIRST. Even if a product LOOKS exactly like a luxury product including material, heel height, star size, etc, it is NOT illegal or infringes on any copyrights.

There are many companies that make duplicates or very similar styles! Steve Madden is the king of dupes hence his styles are very popular and quite affordable. Amazon definitely is another place to also find so many great dupes, but they also are a place to find illegal, counterfeit items.

Great dupe examples

This captoe slingback is an awesome dupe! I highly recommend as it’s leather, looks very similar to a popular one and very affordable! On sale for $50 this weekend.

Another popular and awesome dupe that you have seen all over Instagram last summer. This style looks similar to an H brand shoe but much more affordable at $59! It’s also real leather!

What is an illegal, fake, counterfeit product and why should I care?

A dupe becomes illegal, counterfeit, and fringes on copyright/trademark laws when the following occurs: the product has the name/logo of the company on the item. A name such as Chanel, Hermes, Gucci is copyrighted and owned by these brands. No one can use these names without permission. Take note, the damier pattern above. A bag can have the pattern all day long but as soon as you slap that Louis Vuitton logo on there, it’s illegal. Period.

But why should I care? It’s not hurting anyone.

Wrong! It hurts everyone.

1. You: There is a huge industry of counterfeit products produced every year that replicates bags, shoes, etc that are so poor quality that your bag strap will fall off in a season (I should know as my husband didn’t know the difference and bought me a MK bag off Ebay 10 years ago for $170 that turned out to be a fake that should be worth $20), flip flop thongs will come straight off the sole, and fabrics torn because of cheaply sewed seams. This is your money down the drain. There is a reason they are sold on shady street corners and behind curtains in New York City.
2. Unknowing People: Very good “super fake” bags are created and sold for thousands of dollars to trick people thinking they are the real deal. How would you feel if you worked and saved months/years for an item that turns out to be worth less than $100?
3. The Workers: People and even children are the big victims in this shady industry because most are run by organized crime bosses in unregulated overseas factories. They are severely underpaid and work obscene hours in poor conditions. These organized crime circles are also linked to human trafficking and child prostitution.
4. Small Business: Even Ebay got sued by LVHM for $61M for selling fakes and illegal merchandise. They have cleaned up their act and I’m pretty impressed with their authentication policies. I hate to say it but Amazon will be next on the chopping block unless they pull their sellers with fakes as it’s pretty rampant there. This is all a trickle down effect as where did that $61M come from? Higher fees and costs to small business sellers.

A few articles about counterfeit items:

Laws Against Selling Fake Bags

Truth About Counterfeit Luxury Handbags

What to do now?

This post is meant to EDUCATE YOU on the difference, not to make anyone feel bad for having a fake product. I myself have bought fake products in the past (Kate Spade, Gucci) and now I know the difference. Learning is power! None of those product are still with me because they all broke, fell apart, or didn’t hold their shape. There is a reason why these fashion houses have a legacy: Louis Vuitton has a 160+ year old history. It is because these products are made with QUALITY material and craftsmanship. They are thought out designs from amazing designers. Apple products are the same. You are paying for tested, high quality products. I believe good design is worth something as I myself am a designer.

If you have a fake product, please don’t try to sell it on FB marketplace, Poshmark, or keep the market going because you are continuing the cycle. Remember it’s not illegal to buy, but very illegal to sell. I don’t recommend donating them because someone will find it and sell it and continue the cycle. Use or don’t use it until its garbage worthy. But please educate yourself on your next purchase: Go for a dupe, not a fake!