Question:
Because I would rather pay $100-200 for something and be able to spend $900 more on other stuff!! I don't buy the really bad copies, only ones from say witchery, cue, zomp etc. It MUST be genuine leather and as I tend to prefer more classic, less embellished styles, a 'copy' of such styles are generally not too offensive.
BTW I happen to love cue....... and I don't consider them to be a 'cheap chain store' - okay they're not 'designer' as in chanel, dior, marc jacobs etc but I thnk they are a cut above many local 'designers'. Go cue!

Answer:
Originally Posted by lilpea BTW I happen to love cue....... and I don't consider them to be a 'cheap chain store' - okay they're not 'designer' as in chanel, dior, marc jacobs etc but I thnk they are a cut above many local 'designers'. Go cue!
Totally agree with this, their clothes are cut beautifully and their fabrics tend to last which is more than I can say for certain Australian designers

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I purchase classic, long-lasting items (such as a good pair of winter pants, a trench coat, an evening dress or beautiful lingerie) because I know that it will;
- is good quality and will last for many years (provided I look after it)
- never go out of fashion (I don't really buy 'fashionable' pieces in general)
My wardrobe is a real mix; classic designer 'staples', chain store 'every-day' wear and op-shop finds.
I would never buy something that could be recognised as 'designer' or just recognised in general - eg. although I think it's pretty, I would never wear the AM Love is A Drug dress, mainly because, not only is it very one-season trendy, but everyone knows where it's from and who designed it, and as a result associates you with that brand image. I like to maintain a little bit of mystery and let people shape their opinions of my appearance based on what I look like from a purely aesthetic perspective, not from a brand-association one.

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While I used to purchase 'australian designers' for their quality etc, I think we all though some of their stuff has gone down hill (e.g. s&b, bettina, alice mccall - though one can sorta argue they're becoming mainstream). I do dabble in them from time to time though, coz it's just so convinent and less hassle.
In regards to international designers, I purchase the more classical pieces, as I believe they're better quality, hence will last me quite a while, and generally have a superior cut and fit. Also I don't particularly like chain store pieces because everyone else seems to be wearing the same thing and are easily identifiable (esp country road, though I do like their designs.)
All in all copies are usually less superior, fall apart more easily and can be identified as 'copies'.

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I buy items for the way they look on me and the way I feel when I'm wearing them. Price is only an issue when I feel that an item, however trendy (eg. Alice McCall) is poorly made and very expensive. My wardrobe has a couple of cheap items that are good to update your wardrobe but you won't be wearing next year, a lot of mid-range items like Witchery and Cue and Country Road, and a couple of designer pieces.
However, I have to justify my designer purchases and tend to only buy things that I think I will wear for years and will suit my personal style for a long time. There is something special about great quality, luxurious designer pieces but they have to be really 'me' for me to invest so much money in them.

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1. Quality, longevity
2. Often designer items have that special 'something' that a copy (well, not an exact replica) might not have
3. Most designer items arent actually copied anyway
and i agree that cue isnt very chain store-like, the prices for one indicate that! although it references trends, the items arent necessarily 'trendy' in a sportsgirl sense. plus, isnt it owned by the group which owns veronika maine?

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I rarely by designer.
However, I do not buy "copies" at chain stores, because I don't like the designers they copy
I rephrase, not that I don't like the designers, I don't like their clothes
I'll pay money for LUSH, and Body, but you can't find copies or direct copies of their clothing.
I prefer more streetwear style, so that's not exactly unbelievably priced anyway.
And I can't justify spending $1k on a bag. I understand many do, but I personally don't have the cash flow to throw money around like that, and I don't like the idea of having to pay off a bag. But again, I don't like designer bags
All my basics are chain store, if they're cheap I don't care how long they last as they're just a basic and affordable.
Shoes however, I don't mind lashing out a bit. Not heels, but nice leather boots and sneakers
Each to their own I guess.

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I buy designer mainly for quality and fit. I've got not issues with buying cheap, i love a bargain as much as the next person, my wardrobe comprises of designer and chain store items. I love shopping at Temt, SES, Supre, Target, Kmart... you get the deal... so long as the quality and fit suits me. I will buy more chain store or cheap items when they start producing clothes my size, not that vanity sizing c.r.a.p, but sizes that actually fit me, this is the reason why i never even look at stores like Cue because their size 6 falls off me. When it comes to accessories, i'm very reluctant to buy copies because they all look like cheap plastic. Most times (obviously there are exceptions!) if you pay a few bucks for it then what you get is cheap and nasty and falls apart on you within the year. When it comes to shoes i prefer leather, including soles, but also good general foot support, so i can't get enough of Jimmy Choo at the moment, i'm hopeless when it comes to walking in high heels but the Choo shoes i've bought have all come with such great all over foot support it makes walking in them easy. I don't buy for the designer name, i buy it because i like it, it looks good on me and i can see myself wearing it in the next few years without fear that they will rip/tear/fall apart within a few wears.

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i ilove both chain stores and designer...i buy designer because it makes me feel better and the quality is usually better too

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if i like a balenciaga bag i can't afford, i might find a bag in witchery which as similar attributes but isn't necessarily and out-and-out copy.
i guess it's the difference between a 'copy' and something that's 'designer inspired'. i really loved the alice mccall LIAD but i couldn't afford it. so when i came across a nice aztec rose 'inspired' dress for 1/4 of the price with a similar cut and similar embroidery, i chose to buy that, instead of say, the reverse 'copy'.