This post originally appeared on Sartorial Meanderings in October 2019, but I have updated the links and my favorite designer pieces with more current photos!

OKAY GUYS, LET’S GET RIGHT TO IT.
I have been wanting to write this post for a while, especially because I see so many bloggers out there constantly posting about “dupes.”

When I say “Why I Invest in Luxury Fashion,” I don’t necessarily mean at designer prices.  Lots of my designer pieces are consigned from The Real Real, Tradesy, Poshmark, eBay and my current favorite, Mercari.  What I should really say is that I like to buy quality over quantity.  I realized a few years ago that the number of pairs of shoes or bags that I bought was absurd in comparison to how long they lasted me. I was spending hundreds of dollars a year on pieces that simply wouldn’t last. I thought I was being savvy by shopping from fast fashion retailers, but in reality I was spending the same amount of money on all of these crappy items as I would on a few quality, designer pieces. So that’s when I bought my first used Louis Vuitton off of Tradesy and asked for Gucci Slides for my birthday. (pictured below)

Another MAJOR reason to buy quality, luxury items is SUSTAINABILITY.  Yes, yes, I know a super trendy topic, but it is the truth. There are tons of bloggers out there convincing you to buy “designer dupes” so it can appear like you are wearing luxury pieces. I am referring to the fake LV bags and GG belts, not pieces that simply look like them. Those are true dupes, but these pieces you can find on Etsy and some small boutiques right now are straight up counterfeit and should be illegal. (DUPE vs COUNTERFEIT)

These counterfeit items are made in overseas factories, where many fast fashion brands use child and slave labor, often contributing to organized crime and terrorism.  (don’t believe me? here’s a more info). This is the same thing as buying a knock off on the streets of New York. Just because it’s on Amazon or a small online boutique does not mean that it is legit. Buying these counterfeit bags and accessories, just like supporting poorly made fast fashion brands, is contributing not only to our world’s massive waste problem, but also supporting forced labor.  Don’t be one of those people, PLEASE.

SO, I figured I would break down a few of my favorite designer pieces for you and explain how / why I chose to splurge on them.  I have explained a few of these in the past, but why not have it all in one place for you to reference if ya need to in the future.

~ Gucci Princetown Horsebit loafters in Black, Red, White ~
I was fortunate enough to get the black Gucci loafers 6 years ago for my birthday.  My life changed that day.  JK JK that was dramatic, but actually pretty maybe not that big of an exaggeration.  After seeing that after years of HEAVY wear (I’m talking almost every day between the months of March-October), they were still in perfectly good condition, I started saving up for another color.   Since then I have saved up money from various projects to buy the red, the white and a secondhand velvet fur pair! Honestly, I cannot stress enough how worth it these shoes are. You will wear them all the time and they will last you YEARS.  There is a reason for the expensive price tag.  If you want to save some money, you can find them on luxury consignment sites like The Real Real.

~Louis Vuitton Mini Neverfull ~
TBH, my first second-hand luxury handbag experience did not go as planned.  I found this “Louis Vuitton Neverfull” on Tradesy for an INSANE price. Like $250. I was SO excited that I didn’t look at the measurements. I was thinking this would be my new work bag, fit my computer, etc etc.  Then it arrived. It was indeed not that size, but instead the mini size. At first, I was disappointed but after an AHA moment as to why the low price, I decided to keep it and start to grow my used designer bag collection. Full disclosure: I did eventually get the full sized Neverfull, for my 30th birthday/Christmas present and it is 100% worth the price tag that I was lucky enough not to have to pay! (thanks mom & dad)

another great way to practice sustainability and also carry designer bags is to rent them! I rented this Chanel bag from Luxury Fashion Rentals

~ Vintage Gucci Crossbody Bags ~
The second Vintage Designer bag that I bought for a total steal was a blue Gucci crossbody! I got this one at a really great price, this time on The Real Real, but tbh, it was priced this way for a good reason.  The fabric on the inside of the bag is blue blue blue and tends to brush off on my hands when I reach inside. SO, something to be aware of when you find vintage bags for a good price. But again, that just means these used bags been well loved! The second one I found on TRR as well (above) and this one came after a LONG decision process. I was looking to buy a new designer bag and after combing the internet, ordering a few new bags full price, I decided to look at luxury consignment and start to collect Vintage Gucci. Why spend $1,000 when you can spend half that and get a bag that has known a previous life of love and keep the fashion circle of life going?

~ Chanel Dad Sandals ~
I scoured alllll of the apps last summer to get my hands on a pair of Chanel dad sandals. I ended up finding two pairs that I LOVE on Mercari and they are two of my favorite purchases of all time. I literally saved every photo on instagram that I saw and would routinely look through the photos, manifesting my own pair. Finally one day, I snagged ’em.

~ Designer Sweatshirts ~

These are probably my most worn pieces in my closet. I went through a bit of an obsession with designer tees and sweatshirts over the past few years and have collected 2 Gucci Sweatshirts and one Christian Dior. I found these on Mercari as well and they are in constant rotation during the winter. They make a statement but are also super comfortable. I could never see myself paying over $1,000 for a sweatshirt, but these were all under $400.

If you made it down to the bottom here, bless you! How do you guys feel about dupes / counterfeit? Are you trying to kill the planet? JKJKJK….. kinda.

~ PIN FOR LATER ~