https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:59:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1205411 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 04:25:34 +0000 Jaime 1205411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wouldn't wear a literal fake - meaning a designer name is visible on the copied item (like a "Chanel" bag). I definitely have Zara and other knock offs that are very close to the original minus the name and don't have much of &nbsp;a problem with that - as far as I am concerned a lot of designer stuff is in itself copied and "inspired by". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1205060 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:00:54 +0000 Ledonna N. 1205060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I really am having fun reading all the responses.&nbsp; I believe fashion filters down and all fashion is <span> <em>recyclable</em></span>.&nbsp; If I cannot afford things at one price point they yes, I intentionally look for one at a price point I am comfortable with.&nbsp; Do I take care of the things that I buy at a moderate price point? yes, and they also have lasted for years and have worn quite well.&nbsp; If it is something that I am willing to splurge on, I do.&nbsp; I am all for buying what you can afford but I have neverbeen one to buy what I consider overpriced or name brand for name brand sake. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1205055 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:55:33 +0000 Mia 1205055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Rachy said. Sometimes the "trickle down" version is more wearable anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1205048 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:38:07 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1205048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't buy fakes or intentionally look for knockoffs, but similar to viva, I ended up happening upon a pair of sandals a couple of years ago for $40 (originally priced maybe $80-$120) that were interpretations of a $1000 shoe I would never have needed in my life for real but had admired.</p> <p>Funny thing is, mine are leather, and the originals are intentionally not leather--the designer is a vegetarian...</p> <p>But this was a rare thing, really; I don't really care if what I wear looks "designer" or not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1205021 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:06:10 +0000 viva 1205021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, did you ever go to those knock-off bag parties that were big a few years back?&nbsp; I went to one and bought a purse and then never used it. Honestly, it was a terrible knock-off, and it looked cheap, and then I felt bad about the whole knock-off industry. I had just been sucked in by the whole thing.</p> <p>I don't buy knock offs, and I don't consciously look for "inspired by's" .... but I do end up with them by chance. I spend a lot of time looking at sites like matchesfashion.com and barneys.com, both of which sell many, many things that are way beyond my wallet. So I get an itch for a particular look and then sometimes satisfy it with a lower cost look that is similar even if I have forgotten about the original inspiration.</p> <p>Last year, I was obsessed with an Erdem dress. OBSESSED. Even now, when I think about it, I could kick myself for not watching for it to go on clearance when I could have potentially bought it (although its clearance price would have been higher than my regular budgeted dress price, but still .....). The dress is pictured below. I'm not sure what it is about this dress but I adore it still. Love the lines, the dress and sleeve length, the colors, everything about it. But it retailed for $1,600. </p> <p>When I bought a dress to celebrate my 50th, it was a VERY similar style (wish I had a picture) on sale at Lord and Taylor for about $90. My sister had to point out to me how similar it was to the dream dress! I've since worn it about 3 times and I still love it. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204970 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 20:14:01 +0000 Von 1204970@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For the most part, most handbag shapes are typical, so if it's a blatant knockoff of a certain style that a designer is known for, often I don't find them as attractive as original.&nbsp; My #1 offender of this is the Phillip Lim Pashli.&nbsp; The original has great detailing that I have yet to see in an imitation that I would carry and feel like it was comparable in detailing &amp; look. </p> <p>On the flip side, I am pretty sure my Dooney Florentine satchel is highly inspired by the Miu Miu bow bag.&nbsp; The thing is, I don't think the Miu Miu ages well for <i>my</i> use. It sags and puddles and loses it's shape rather quickly.&nbsp; For half the price (but still my most $$ bag) the Dooney is tough and durable, without the weird bows.&nbsp; I don't like to baby a bag, so one that's more durable it preferable to me.</p> <p>I've never wanted a bag so much that I'd by a straight up fake though, I'm more of a quality over brand recognition girl. If I can't afford the $$$ high quality one, I definitely don't want a fake poor quality one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204797 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:12:28 +0000 Neel 1204797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't buy a fake ... Ethics + it just screams fake anyway. So even though I am a big cheapo .... I rather buy brands that I can afford. For example I will not buy a Gucci loafer because it is out of my budget. But a similar loafer from Mango .... Why not </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204788 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:07:51 +0000 Thistle 1204788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Rachy. Fakes = no.&nbsp; Trends = yes.&nbsp; </p> <p>After all, isn't a trend clothing makers being "inspired" by each other?</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204783 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:06:19 +0000 unfrumped 1204783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Righto, I guess it depends on whether you are talking about a lower-priced interpretation of a trend or designer item, vs. something intended to make one think you have the "real thing" and possibly violating production rights, or even , can you always tell a difference?</p> <p>So, are Zara runway-inspired items knock-offs?</p> <p>I also try to evaluate quality and fit and avoid (or try to) buying items that are poor renditions of a trend, when a better-made, classic item would be, well, better. So I don't mean, if you can't get the real thing, don't bother, but more that , companies seem more likely to take shortcuts if they're trying to emulate something very specific but rapidly and on a tight budget, vs. able to work with the materials, supplier, manufacturer and so on to get a good product for the cost.</p> <p>So, for example, with the mixed-media trend there have been a lot of cobbled-together, plasticky-looking items vs. others that have a nicer vibe even if faux leather is used.</p> <p>Being not very brand-savvy, as in not recognizing iconic handbags and such, I think I am still at great risk of buying something that is "new" to me but is actually a knock-off of sorts from something either recent or from several years ago--not intending at all to be buying whatever it is supposed to be knocking off, but just liking the design or color or something. Or being semi-intentional, as in, I may look at style photos for inspiration but don't pay attention to who makes what.</p> <p> I kind of hate that that could happen--me sporting my good-deal whatever, and not even being IRONIC, and someone judging me for it--but you know, life's just too short for that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204776 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:59:48 +0000 rachylou 1204776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't buy <i>fakes</i>, but I do buy <i>trends</i> at lower-price points than designer&nbsp;prêt-à-porter. I believe there's a difference. I also believe designers do fakes of themselves, licensing their logos. I don't like to buy that stuff either. "Inspired by" doesn't worry me; everybody copies each other in fashion. Trends are an important driver in the business of fashion and I think designers are rarely the actual inventors. The Fendi fuzzy monster muppet purse is my fave example for today. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204775 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:57:32 +0000 kkards 1204775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>if you are taking about fast fashion etc, yes i do buy some. if you are talking about mainstream brands that are influenced by the NY/London/Paris/Milan designers, yes i buy alot of that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204768 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:46:37 +0000 abc 1204768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't intentionally. &nbsp;Sometimes I have realized I've bought an "inspired by" item later and by then I'm committed to the purchase so I just wear it anyway. &nbsp;I probably wouldn't buy a knock-off or inspired by if I knew it at the time of purchase, at least for a very recognizable item that is distinctively known by the "original" if that makes sense.</p> <p>I definitely don't like the knock-off branded stuff, like fake LV purses, etc. &nbsp;To each their own, though, I suppose. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204752 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:26:37 +0000 ironkurtin 1204752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do not.&nbsp; Clothing for me is not just about cost.&nbsp; There are several threads on this if you look. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204749 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:22:48 +0000 Ledonna N. 1204749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Joy, lol, I do the same thing I see something on a person that is I catching and I go on the hunt.&nbsp; <br />Rabbit, I understand what you mean.&nbsp; I am a Thrift- aholic, I have be thrifting for about 12yrs.&nbsp; I know the quality by just a touch or a look I love it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204745 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:17:30 +0000 rabbit 1204745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Of course! &nbsp;:) &nbsp; &nbsp;I'm into the look rather than the brand name, and it fits my budget. &nbsp;The only exception is when there is a material or construction&nbsp;change that makes a big difference, so I'd rather have a thrifted older leather bag than a new faux-leather one of the same style&nbsp;because of the longevity and feel of it.</p> <p>I&nbsp;might also stick with the original&nbsp;if the original brand&nbsp;is doing something special I want to support (like it's a locally based employer and it donates all it's profits to charity or something). </p> <p>Also I'm not into buying a knock off with a logo of the original, or that is an illegal&nbsp;attempt to fool consumers.</p> <p></p> <p>ETA: &nbsp;I agree with what is said below regarding fakes (copyright violations) vs. trends.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204734 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:08:55 +0000 Anonymous 1204734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, I probably do it all the time and don't even realize it. Occasionally I see a belt or something at Target that looks a lot like something Angie has recommended at Nordstroms, and pick it up to try. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/give-me-a-knock-off-or-inspired-buy#post-1204714 Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:46:19 +0000 Ledonna N. 1204714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Greetings, everyone.&nbsp; I am sure this questions has been asked before. &nbsp; So my question of the day is Do you buy the "Knock Off" or "Inspired By"?&nbsp; For me I generally&nbsp; wind up buying the Knock off of the knock off.&nbsp; Am I the only one?</p>