So, Gabriela Hearst bags. Gorgeous, right? Especially that Marvelle crossbody… with the bombe thingy and the exposed stitching? Ugh, *chef’s kiss*. And that marble push-button closure? I’m obsessed. But, like, the price tag? Let’s not even go there. My bank account just had a panic attack thinking about it.
That brings us to the wild world of dupes. Now, I’m not saying you *should* buy a fake. Like, ethically, it’s kinda… squishy. But let’s be real, sometimes you just wanna look the part without going broke. We’ve all been there. *Cough cough* I mean, hypothetically.
And those crochet bags? OMG. So beautiful. So artisan-y. But again, the price… I’m pretty sure my entire rent for a month wouldn’t even cover half of it. Which leads you to wondering… is there a way to get that vibe, that *aesthetic* without, you know, needing a second mortgage?
Here’s where the dupe game comes in. You gotta be careful though. Some of these “dupes” are just… bad. Like, *really* bad. Think plastic-y, falling apart after one use, and generally looking like something you fished out of a dumpster. Trust me, you don’t want *that*.
The key, I think, is to not focus on finding an exact replica. That’s just gonna lead to disappointment. Instead, look for bags that capture the essence of Gabriela Hearst. The clean lines, the interesting textures, maybe even the chunky hardware. A good dupe captures the *feel*, not necessarily the exact design.
Also, and this is important, don’t be afraid to DIY a little! Maybe you can find a plain crossbody bag and add some cool stitching yourself. Or hunt down some vintage marble buttons and slap ’em on a flap. It’s all about getting creative, right?
And honestly, sometimes the “dupe” is just finding a similar style from a brand you actually *like* and can afford. There are tons of amazing designers out there doing cool things. You don’t necessarily need to chase the Gabriela Hearst name to get a stylish bag.
Plus, and I’m just saying, the whole thing about “veteran artisans” making those crochet bags… it’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but I wonder if they’re fairly compensated? Maybe supporting a smaller, independent artisan who’s creating equally stunning crocheted bags is a more ethical – and possibly more affordable – option? Just a thought.
