Designer handbags: New, dupe and other shopping options in Canada

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If you’ve been scrolling social media recently, there’s a chance you’ve heard the chatter surrounding a viral Walmart handbag. Sold by third-party retailers, the leather bag appeared on the Walmart website starting at $80 USD ($115 CAD). It went on to cause a frenzy among shoppers, who raved about it as an affordable alternative to the ultra-exclusive Hermès Birkin – a handbag that’s reached cult-classic status and regularly retails for over $10,000. 

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Walmart has since removed the bag from its site, telling the U.S. Sun that its “website is dynamic, reflecting the ever-changing array of products we carry.” However, the Walmart bag continues to spark discussion about dupe culture, the ethics surrounding luxury knockoffs and classism within the fashion world. 

Designer-inspired pieces

Whether they’re considered dupes (short for duplicates), knockoffs or designer-inspired, there will likely always be a market for inexpensive recreations of designer handbags. They can be a cost-effective way for shoppers to enjoy the latest trends, but they come at a heavy environmental cost – 21 billion tons of textiles are sent to landfills annually. 

Dupes are more likely to end up in a landfill sooner, as they are often made from low-quality, non-biodegradable materials that remain for decades. They also promote overconsumption of material goods, leading to more waste. So before adding another new item to your online cart, it may be worth reconsidering whether that inexpensive dupe is a must-buy item.  

“I would encourage Canadians to ask [themselves] ‘Do I really need to own this?’” says Gina Yoo, CEO and co-founder of Zero Collective, a handbag rental service based out of Toronto. 

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“If the cost to purchase the authentic item is prohibitive and you are considering a dupe, is it worth owning regardless of the environmental and ethical impact?

“Imitation goods [also] devalue the artistry of genuine designer pieces. Many luxury handbags are meticulously handcrafted by a single expert artisan, representing a tradition of craftsmanship, skill and heritage that can’t be replicated by mass-produced imitations.”

Designer resale in Canada

There’s a common misconception that newer is better in the world of fashion, coupled with a stigma that’s often associated with owning second-hand items. However, Yoo noted that this mindset is shifting as more consumers recognize the importance of sustainability and embrace the appeal of vintage pieces. 

“Vintage items, particularly designer bags, are experiencing a significant resurgence in popularity,” she says. “For instance, many vintage Chanel bags in pristine condition feature unique characteristics such as 24K gold plated hardware and can be [found at] more accessible price points.”

Resale is one of the simplest ways to access designer goods at a fraction of the cost of new retail, with many reputable sites now taking the guesswork out of figuring out whether or not they are authentic designer pieces. And with nearly one in three Canadians having thrifted in the past year alone, resale is only continuing to grow in popularity.

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Some sites we love to shop vintage and second-hand luxury bags include: 

Handbag rental in Canada

While clothing and handbag rentals have been available in the U.S. for years, the service has only recently caught on in Canada. In Yoo’s case, she started her business after experiencing buyer’s remorse and wishing for a more sustainable way to shop.

“I wished there was a way to try out different options before purchasing and be more thoughtful about what I buy, but also have a rotating closet that can shift depending on need and occasions. The sharing economy has become more democratized (i.e. Turo for cars, Airbnb for homes, Netflix for entertainment) so why not designer bags?” she says. 

Zero Collective is the result of her efforts, offering members bag rentals for 30 days, with the option to purchase at an exclusive members-only rate. There are a few other businesses offering handbag rentals in Canada, making it easier than ever to get the designer look without paying a hefty price tag. 

Sites we love for renting vintage and second-hand luxury bags: 

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kmendonca@postmedia.com 

instagram.com/kate.mendonca

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