Don't: Fakes

One of my major pet peeves is people buying fakes. You've seen them: the Fraudas, the "Channel"s, the "Goocci"s.

If you have a fake, this is you:
But way less cute.

Seriously, fake bags/jewelry are copyright/trademark violations and their manufacture and possession is against the law. Not to mention the people selling them are linked to terrorism, trafficking, and sweat shops. Is that really who you want to be supporting?

And legal/moral stuff aside, why bother with a knockoff? You are not fooling anyone. There is NO shame in not having the budget for designer brands. But you are painting a giant banner on yourself when you carry a fake that says "I wish I had money, but I don't, so I'd rather have this tacky fake than buy something nice within my means." Also, forget fooling others, you're obviously not fooling yourself. Does it feel nice to have that fake bag? What are you getting out of it? Wouldn't it feel nicer to have something real?

Fashion is not just labels, it's a look. Sticking a label across a bag, fake or real, doesn't make it look good. It's about style and construction. And that does not have to be about price. I've rocked a Forever 21 clutch and gotten as many compliments on that as the Diane von Furstenberg dress I wore with it.

So save your $20 for that knockoff, and go buy something cute that makes you happy. Something that isn't trying to fool anyone. Something you can be proud of.

Heel Condoms

These are not a joke. There are really things called heel condoms out there.

I was alerted to their existence by faithful reader Laura, who wanted to know my take on them. I didn't have a take at the time since I had no idea what she was talking about. But after a quick trip to the Heel Condoms website I feasted my eyes on these:
Now I have an opinion to share.

1) The name is terrible. What self-respecting lady wears something called a condom on her shoes? Not this one, that's for sure.

2) At $20 a pair, they're actually priced better than I thought they would be.

3) Some (like the studded red ones at the top left of the pic) are reminiscent of some Loubs I've seen. But that just makes me think these are a poor man's answer to achieving high-end-looking shoes. But, if you know me, you know I don't do knock-offs. And these are not even good knock offs. Sorry, Heel Condoms buyers, but these look really cheap. And may make you look like a tranny hooker. But if you're a tranny hooker, go for it! Buy as many as you want.