Give Me the Real Stuff

Yes, I have bought a fake thinking it was real.  I know a lot of people that sell purses online and I must admit that I am always tempted to put in an offer.  Here's the problem.  When it comes to purses, I am a kinesthetic person.  I want to touch.  I want to look. I want to have it right in my hands.  If it needs work, that's okay.  I want to know before I purchase a bag that it is something that I can fix.  Today I was walking around and I found a beautiful Charles David oversized handbag.  I would show you a picture but I can't because I didn't buy it.  It wasn't so much that it was abused.  It was dirty and needed a good cleaning.  The issue was that it was missing a rivet.  A rivet is a big deal.  Who is going to replace that rivet?  What about the straps?  I ranted about straps in a previous posts but straps make a bag, believe it or not.  I left the purse where it was.  Somethings you just can't fix (Is this a purse lesson or a life lesson?)

I found the beauty above right away.  Why?  You can always tell quality.  You can tell by feeling the leather if is is fake or not.  Rub the leather between your fingers.  If it skips like the way that you wash plastic bowls, then it is not leather. Leather does not skip, not even patent leather.  There are several fine designer purses that do not always use leather.  There are some brands that use treated canvas.  Some fine old purses are so old that they don't have the number showing that they are designer.  Is the purse made out of leather or show leather trim?  What does the lining look like?  Lining is important.  Lining in good purses don't pill... ever.  Is it a cheap polyester blend what has what looks to be strips in it?  Does the lining have the logo?  A lot of purses do not have the lining with the designer's name.  A lot of Fendi has the name in the lining.  Where is the purse mark inside of the purse?  What does it look like?  Can you find a number identifying the purse?  Only really old purses don't have these numbers, in my humble experience.  If you find something contrary, post it in the comments below.  The name or logo can be found around the purse in a simple, not overt fashion.  Newer purses have more trademarks. You can tell the difference between quality and specious work.  Look up samples of the brand if you are in doubt.  And then, if you like a purse, you like a purse.  But if you are looking for a designer, I would suggest getting to know the bigger purse houses to be familiar with their work and their style.

When looking for the real thing on a low budget, be prepared to look and to be disappointed occasionally.  I once bought this beautiful Chloe.  I currently do not have a Chloe in my modest collection.  I thought I found one.  I took it home and looked it over.  It was only after I had looked it over a few times that I discovered a peel in the leather by the clasp.  I picked at it and found that it wasn't leather and it wasn't Chloe.  I have to admit to you that I was devastated.

Now let me tell you about my happy story!  I go to a few stores.  If I'm really honest with you... I'm always looking.  So, I saw this inauspicious bag hanging there.  It was on the first rung with the other handbags.  Normally it would not catch my attention because I like bigger bags but I saw the GUCCI logo on the clasp.  I opened it slowly.  I recognized the antique stamp on the bag.  It was really inexpensive.  Maybe vintage bags aren't worth any money.  Would you own an old Gucci?  The clasp doesn't really work but it is such a sweet bag that I had to buy it.  I love the brass on the bag.  It has been dulled with time.  The other thing is that you can't really fit anything in it.  I have the perfect dress that goes with it. How do I know it is real?  Did they make fakes in the 1950s?  The real answer is that I don't know.  I suspect it is real because it is made with real leather and you can tell from the hardware that it is real brass (brass is heavy). However, finding this bag makes me happy and believing that it is real makes me happy.  So there you go.

BTW... the Gucci that I found above is vintage but beautiful.  You should feel the leather.  The outside part can be removed.  Weird, right?  Well, let me know what you think and happy shopping.