The psychology of dupes (and counterfeits for that matter) is very interesting. I don't like the design of the Birkin and would never own one. BUT when I saw the $70 Walmart version, I suddenly had this craving to get one. (I didn't). But it just goes to show how strong our drive is to fit in and be accepted. Which, after all, is the point of designer fashion.
This is the power of influencers on social media. They make us want things to somehow (magically) transform our lives into their beautiful (albeit largely fake) lifestyles. We believe owning the Birkin will suddenly give us entry into a secret world of the rich and famous... when the reality it is (for me) just a badly designed handbag.
“Some wealthy woman carrying her $13,000 bag and someone asking her if she got it at Walmart — that idea is just absolutely delicious.”
What I think is silly about the Walmart birkin discourse is that this just isn’t something that would happen in real life? The hermes girls have other tells for their status (quality of clothes, hair, location etc), they aren’t losing sleep worrying about being confused for a Walmart shopper.
If people want a dupe fine but it’s so unserious to pretend you’re getting one over on the rich by buying a bag from one of the world’s wealthiest companies.
@Emilia Your story about walking 1.3 miles in flats from The Row reminded me of the time I walked a similar distance in a pair of Gucci platforms I’d purchased from The Real Real. It took months for my feet to fully heal, and I was incensed that people could charge so much money for shoes that tore your feet up when you tried to walk in them. But as you write, rich people take Ubers!
I bought The Row jelly dupes in black from amazon and love them. The Row ones sold out too fast so I’m glad that happened bc I would have bought them and then kicked myself. I will say the Alaïa mesh ballet flats are so comfy and worth the price.
Ok so they hold up walking around for me but I also don’t live in NYC or a place where walking long distances is a regular occurrence. That said, I have worn them walking around on vacation for several hours at a time and no issues thus far.
Also! I got them in the reddish orange color solely bc I couldn’t get the red Row jellies and these were the substitute. I didn’t know ab the amazon dupes at the time but I’m happy with the Alaia ones so I kept them
Thank you for the intel! The Alaia flats hold up walking around?? I can't believe I'm asking that about shoes but as Emilia said with The Row flats, you can't do that.
I’m so glad you mentioned the main reason I don’t buy dupes - they can be dangerous! Not surprised at all the plastic Amazon shoes made you woozy. And jelly shoes made with PVC will leach phthalates into your sweaty skin. Though, it’s unclear if The Row used PVC or another safer plastic?
I bought the Row jelly dupes in blue after I found it was going to cost $1600 for gab waller to track down a pair for me and I have to say they look spot on lol. A few of my friends bought them too
The psychology of dupes (and counterfeits for that matter) is very interesting. I don't like the design of the Birkin and would never own one. BUT when I saw the $70 Walmart version, I suddenly had this craving to get one. (I didn't). But it just goes to show how strong our drive is to fit in and be accepted. Which, after all, is the point of designer fashion.
Yes!
This is the power of influencers on social media. They make us want things to somehow (magically) transform our lives into their beautiful (albeit largely fake) lifestyles. We believe owning the Birkin will suddenly give us entry into a secret world of the rich and famous... when the reality it is (for me) just a badly designed handbag.
I'd love a re-launch of Lacroix and I wish them well. That AbFab line lives rent-free in my head: "Lacroix, darling, Lacroix!"
“Some wealthy woman carrying her $13,000 bag and someone asking her if she got it at Walmart — that idea is just absolutely delicious.”
What I think is silly about the Walmart birkin discourse is that this just isn’t something that would happen in real life? The hermes girls have other tells for their status (quality of clothes, hair, location etc), they aren’t losing sleep worrying about being confused for a Walmart shopper.
If people want a dupe fine but it’s so unserious to pretend you’re getting one over on the rich by buying a bag from one of the world’s wealthiest companies.
+1
@Emilia Your story about walking 1.3 miles in flats from The Row reminded me of the time I walked a similar distance in a pair of Gucci platforms I’d purchased from The Real Real. It took months for my feet to fully heal, and I was incensed that people could charge so much money for shoes that tore your feet up when you tried to walk in them. But as you write, rich people take Ubers!
I bought The Row jelly dupes in black from amazon and love them. The Row ones sold out too fast so I’m glad that happened bc I would have bought them and then kicked myself. I will say the Alaïa mesh ballet flats are so comfy and worth the price.
Ok so they hold up walking around for me but I also don’t live in NYC or a place where walking long distances is a regular occurrence. That said, I have worn them walking around on vacation for several hours at a time and no issues thus far.
You are influencing me.
Also! I got them in the reddish orange color solely bc I couldn’t get the red Row jellies and these were the substitute. I didn’t know ab the amazon dupes at the time but I’m happy with the Alaia ones so I kept them
I only pulled the trigger bc Bryanboy said they were the most comfortable shoes he’s ever worn walking around Paris so I was like ok sold.
Thank you for the intel! The Alaia flats hold up walking around?? I can't believe I'm asking that about shoes but as Emilia said with The Row flats, you can't do that.
I’m so glad you mentioned the main reason I don’t buy dupes - they can be dangerous! Not surprised at all the plastic Amazon shoes made you woozy. And jelly shoes made with PVC will leach phthalates into your sweaty skin. Though, it’s unclear if The Row used PVC or another safer plastic?
That part made me think of you!
Why are you apologizing for having pale skin? Is there something wrong about that?
What I’ve noticed is that a dupe needs to be only about 90% as good as the real thing, as long as it is only about 10% as expensive.
I bought the Row jelly dupes in blue after I found it was going to cost $1600 for gab waller to track down a pair for me and I have to say they look spot on lol. A few of my friends bought them too