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Designer-Inspired Bags: Where to Buy Them

Updated on January 21st, 2021

Editor’s note: This post was originally about Baghaus.com and its designer-inspired collection of handbags. Sadly, Baghaus.com is no more. So, it’s 2017 now and we’ve rewritten this post to include other online stores that carry high-style purses with low-brow prices.Β 

Knock-off Versus Designer Inspired

What’s the difference?  The designer inspired version is a copycat bag that doesn’t pretend to be an original. It’s like you wearing a Marilyn Monroe costume on Halloween. You look like her, but everyone knows you’re not actually Marilyn.

The knock-off is the bag that’s intended to come off like real thing. Remember when a Bradley Cooper lookalike crashed the Sundance Film Festival? That guy was a knock-off, because he intended to fool people into thinking he actually was The Real Bradley Cooper.
Most of us would rather not deal with the ethical issues of purchasing a clear knock-off. But an inspired piece, well, that just seems a little less icky.

Where to Buy

So where can you buy β€œinspired” versions of your favorite handbags? Probably the same places you already shop for affordable, trendy clothes. Offline, try:

  • Target
  • Forever 21
  • Charlotte Russe
  • H&M

Online, take a look at GoJane and eBay.

Replica Bags: the Weird Middle Ground

If you’re still not happy with your options, there’s one more option. The replica bag is sold as a fake, but looks close enough to pass off as the real deal. I’ll let you decide how you feel about that. I’ve not shopped at either of the following retailers, so shop at your own risk. But if you must, here’s where you can find those purses:

  • PurseValley carries replicas of the most recognizable designer names, including Prada, Valentino, Chloe and Balenciaga.
  • AAA Handbags has another impressive list of designers such as Cartier, Fendi and the like.

Where do you fall on this issue? Are you crossing the line with an inspired bag or no?

67 thoughts on “Designer-Inspired Bags: Where to Buy Them”

  1. To be honest, I don’t see the need to buy such expensive designer bags when a lot of designers out there create similar bags of similar designs for a fraction of the price. They still look good πŸ™‚

    Oh, and my fave’s the Fendi Spy Inspired bag πŸ˜‰

  2. The Marc Jacobs bag is the best! I’m on my way to their site to check it out. Thanks for all the great info, so glad I picked up your book.

  3. I just visited the site and was quite impressed.  The styles and colors are current and chic.  I, for one, would definitely buy and wear these nice bags!

  4. I love the Burberry inspired handbag.  I appriciate that there are company’s out there willing to make “inspired by” bags.  Who wants to pay a small fortune for a bag?  I would rather have multiple bags that look great and give a different feel to each outfit.  Another great website for designer inspired bags is shoplush.com.  It’s prices are very reasonable and they do all their bags in leather.

  5. I like the Burberry inspired bag as well. If I bought a knock-off bag I would feel sort of silly because it means I just want people to think I have the real thing. But unless it has a logo on it I normally have no idea where the bag is from. I would not know that my bag was inspired by anything! πŸ™‚

  6. Wow, I’d never heard of baghaus.com before, but I’m definitely checking it out. Thanks. πŸ™‚

    The Fendi-inspired is my favorite of the bunch.

  7. Marc Jacobs for sure!!!

    I have a friend who buys ” inspired by” items.
    The thing is…her bags look very expensive, but people can’t put their finger on it as a “knock off” of any kind.
    No logos, just style! It’s amazinge how great it looks!

  8. I just left Baghaus.com to come see what is new over here and here you have that FabULous Burberry bag for giveaway! How can I enter?
    Great site TBF!

  9. The Fendi Spy Inspired Bag is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks for the tip, I’m going to be on that site all the time now!

  10. I love the Burberry inspired! I hadn’t heard about the Supreme Court ruling, but I have always preferred the “inspired” bags anyway.

  11. I already own the Birkin inspired bag from Baghaus and I love it! I might say as well that their customer service is outstanding!

  12. Honestly, now-a-days I don’t think it matters if you own all designer bags or not as long as the bag is durable and made well. If you want to own something high end buy maybe one or two and then get some more reasonable yet just as classy bags to mix and match with your wardrobe. I am all about mixing expensive with not so pricey as long as you put it well together. My favorite is the burberry inspired bag :).

  13. I think designer-inspired bags are much better than designer knock offs. I love the Fendi Spy bag…the Marc Jacobs is a close second! πŸ™‚

  14. inspired is the way,
    these are great, no designer name needed.

    the new yorker that I am loves the Burberry basic black.

  15. haha, I’ve never really understood why people would pay $200+ for a bag…

    Thanks for the site info!

    Fendi Spy Inspired Bag = motto kawaii!

  16. Thanks for the tip. I now have 17 year old daughter whose fashion sense and desire for designer duds trumps mine. This site will help take the pressure off while still delivering designer type duds for a teachers/moms budget:) I love the Mark Jacobs bag. Oops I think my daughter is rubbing off on me!

  17. i love dat Fendi Spy Inspired Bag because it is so perfect for da summer and i got a outfit screaming for this bag. plus you would be such a great friend by giving such a nice gift away.

  18. Ok, I visited baghaus.com…I LOVE it! Great looking designer inspired bags for a fraction of the price. I will be using this in the future when I don’t feel like browsing and can’t find what I’m looking for in a store like Forever21 or H&M. Thanks for sharing! πŸ™‚

  19. i love the kooba natasha inspired bag and the chloe paddington bag. thanks for passing on the link! hope i get a chance to win a bag!

  20. They’re all darling, but I would love the Burberry—I have learned that purses in a certain size range make my tush look smaller.  That one might do the trick!  LOL!! 

    Great idea to have the giveaway—it pushes people to look at the baghaus site.  Thanks!

  21. Whoa, those are pretty good. I love the Fendi Spy Bag. Hot bag! The Burberry one is great too, really classy yet fierce and sexy.
    And misha, I agree with that. You can mix expensive with not so expensive very well. Personally, if something looks good, I don’t usually look at the price. And I must say, some of my cheapest clothes have lasted me the longest and I’ve gotten great compliments on them, so don’t think expensive=good.

  22. I went directly to the site and found tons of bags to buy! Thank you for the recommendation. The birkin inspired bag is first on my list!

    I love all of them shown above but the Burberry inspired and Marc Jacobs inspired are my favorites by far!

    erikachapman@gmail.com

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