As clothing in UK is now 40% less costly than it was a decade ago, it is commonplace for a woman to own a top range bag.  However, many women are purchasing counterfeit versions both unwittingly and knowingly.  Some purchasers simply don’t care, believing they deceive others who they think know no better.  Very few of us are fooled by the woman who does not earn a salary to afford, for example, a Hermès bag, but nevertheless insists that her Hermès is genuine as she travels by tube (subway).

However, there are just as many purchasers who do feel cheated if they inadvertently buy a fake replica bag, whereas they only want the genuine designer article.  Consumers need to realise that every time they purchase a counterfeit version that is a sale lost for the design house.

In fact I soon noticed that genuine and authentic were two of the most overused words online.  If a bag is authentic would you need to be told that.  The words authentic and genuine are almost the kiss of death to some auctions and many websites.  Very few online retailers are approved to be able to sell genuine designer handbags. 

If you buy a possible fake then you must accept that is what it may be; you have a replica bag not the real thing.  The key point is that you have to like the bag for its own sake.  In my opinion, the only things that really matter are that the bag sits on the shoulder, and looks balanced with its owner, and most important of all is that it has a quality of materials that will shine through over the years.  It really must be high quality leather and have good hardware.