It may be tempting to purchase knockoffs of designer handbags, but as many of these are manufactured by children in international sweatshops and take money away from the talented designers who came up with the ideas in the first place, there are a number of ethical reasons why this is not a good idea. Authentic handbags may cost a bit more, but with this extra bit of money that you are paying come some perks. These include the knowledge that you are supporting the artistic vision of a fashion designer, boosting the economy in a positive way, and purchasing a more high-quality luxury item.
Once you have made this commitment to avoid the often tempting fake versions of popular designer handbags, there is then the dilemma of how to tell the difference. Those living in large metropolitan areas in particular will oftentimes find themselves face to face with someone who tells you that the bag you are looking at is indeed an honest-to-goodness Gucci, and the question then becomes whether you will believe them are not. There are several techniques that are useful in the process of determining the difference between authentic handbags and fakes, and these should be kept in your arsenal the next time you go shopping.
One of the major differences between authentic handbags and their knockoff versions is the type of material that is used. Designer handbags are usually constructed from real leather, and this can be determined by feel. For the nylon or canvas bags, it can be a bit more difficult to discern, but be sure to hold the bag carefully. If it feels too lightweight or flimsy, chances are that it is a knockoff. It can be helpful to do a little bit of research into the type and brand of the bag that you want before you go shopping, to learn more about the materials used.
Pay careful attention to the stitching. This is one of the key details that will point out whether or not these are authentic handbags or not. The best designer handbags will be stitched together by hand rather than machine. If the stitching is close together and looks factory-made, or if there are strands coming loose, it is most likely not the real deal. Knockoff versions of designer handbags usually will not mirror the latest trends and styles, either, but will have the popular trends from one season back. That can be your final clue that there is nothing authentic about this purchase.
