Tuesday 24 August 2010

She looks like the real thing... my fake plastic love.

Look at me! I'm back! NEARLY officially. We have all our Virgin Media hoojamaflips but it's not actually working yet. But as of tonight, neither are ANY plug sockets, so I am camping out at my parents house in my old room! Which means... blogging!

NOT impressed how different old room is. Isn't the rule that it's supposed to be kept as a shrine? No?

I was perusing Topshop today when I came across this bag:


It's nice, isn't it? Pretty, yet practical. A good size. Real leather. Long and short straps for versatility. There's just one problem. It's a little bit familiar.


I'm not a huge follower of designers, and only became aware of the Mulberry Alexa bag when Carrie at WishWishWish revealed hers (So jealous. And so envious of her saving skills!) earlier in the year. Since then I've seen fakes in New Look, Primark and Peacocks.


These 'inspired-by' bags are NICE. But they're such obvious fakes that it puts me off purchasing them. Similar is all very well, but they're so alike they're practically counterfeit Mulberry. I really considered the New Look one, but it just made me feel like I was 13 again, buying fake DKNY t-shirts from Bovingdon Market. Yep, I was a classy kid. It was the 90s, it was okay!

(Note: It was NOT okay.)

This isn't a rant about fake designer goods, though - if it's your thing, I would never criticise for it. Like I said, I've been tempted - and I've done it.

It's just, when I saw the bag in Topshop today, my first reaction was 'Oooh!' as I pondered that maybe a fake Alexa was okay, if it was real leather and decent quality. And then I saw the £85 price tag, which put me off a little more. And then I wandered back to work, thinking about the bag. Which also comes in navy, by the way. Just sayin'.


Here's my issue. Topshop have proved time and time again that they're more than capable of producing cult items. Remember the sailor coat? And the first Kate Moss collection? They're not just a high street store - they're a BRAND in their own right, seen as accessible designer-wear that's equally acceptable on the red carpet as at Oceana's.


And affordable - oh, I'm the first to complain that their clothes are overpriced for what they are, but £50 for a skirt is still within most people's budget (even if it means walking to work for the rest of the month because you can't afford the bus fare).

My point is, if Topshop wanted to create a great It Bag, they could make an AMAZING one. At a price that most girls could afford. Yet they chose to jump on the Mulberry bandwagon. Really, Topshop? REALLY?

3/10, Topshop. Must. Try. Harder.
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6 comments

  1. I really like it! I cannot afford a Mulberry so I think I'll go to topshop and see if I can get this beauty!

    http://stylecoffee.blogspot.com/

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  2. It is very nice but I share your sentiments on this topic. If I'm paying £85 for a bag I'd rather go for something that doesn't look totally derivative, no matter how nice it is.

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  3. I am torn. I actually decided the other night that I was going to buy a Mulberry bag... although I don't think I can really justify it and I REALLY like that Topshop version! But like you, I don't like buying when it's a so obvious rip-off... know what I mean? If it had taken a little bit of influence from Mulberry rather than blatantly copying it I would be much more inclined to buy.

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  4. I got the tan version of this months ago and love it - I just generally like the style of the bag though, rather than the "ooh it looks like a Mulberry!" aspect of it. It could be a bit cheaper though, but at least it's real leather! :)

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  5. I kinda agree. I want one so bad part of me wants the cheap one, but mostly I resist and hunt for something that is cool and doesn't remind me of something else...
    P.S. it's a Sunday market at the end of the Pont Alexandre III.

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  6. I completely understand... I just don't agree with this bag. I love it! And it comes in my two favourite colours. WANT.


    ▲ WOLF WHISTLE ▲

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