Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but in the world of fashion it consitutes a multi-billion-dollar sore spot.  Burberry, Gucci, Coach, and the ubiquitous Louis Vuitton (ever seen an old lady in LV-print pants?) have witnessed their logos splashed illegally across all sorts of gaudy merch.

For my fellow fashionistas who wish they could get their hands on something a bit cheaper than that $900 Tod’s tote at Holt Renfrew, here are the options:

1. Discount Designer Handbags

2. Designer Inspired Handbags

(yes, there are really only two options.)

Discount Designer Handbags: These stores are purveyors of last season’s merch, over-produced, overly-trendy, or just ugly handbags that not enough rich folk want to shell out for.  Let’s face it, they’re last season (and sometimes fairly… interesting looking…), but they still have a gool old bona fide logo slapped on them.  And they’re the genuine real deal.  Here are some places to pick up one of these discounted duffles:

http://www.pophandbags-shop.com/view.php?id=34

http://www.bagstyleonline.com

http://www.principalfashion.com

**NOTE:  ‘discount fashion’ is definitely grey-market.  While some products are almost certainly legit, others will not be.  Hint:  you can buy fake rolexes for $1,000 … so how could you buy a real one for under $10?***

Designer Inspired, Designer Replica:

These are the significantly less glamorous (and much more shoddily made) look-somewhat-alikes of the real things.  You can buy one of these but once you’ve left your teenage years behind (or you happen to be a sweet little old lady), these things aren’t worth your time or money.  Just buy a plain, higher-quality bag for the same price, minus the tacky pretend logos all over.

http://www.aaareplicas.com/ (to be fair, these are really good replicas by my standards)

haha, and this is just for kicks.  keepin it real.  over and out!