Now, Gabriela Hearst, she ain’t messin’ around. We’re talking Elaphe Carinata Snake (which, okay, sounds fancy) and Nappa leather. That kinda stuff screams “investment piece,” which is code for “my bank account is crying.” That Nina in Bordeaux Snakeskin? Forget about it. Gorgeous, yeah, but I’m gonna need to rob a small bank to afford it, and I don’t think Bordeaux Snakeskin goes with an orange jumpsuit, ya know?
The thing with dupes is, you gotta temper your expectations. You’re *not* getting the real deal. You’re not getting that *je ne sais quoi* of a meticulously crafted bag from a designer who probably knows the first name of every artisan involved in its creation. But hey, you can get pretty darn close, and that’s the goal.
I’ve seen some pretty decent round-shaped bags out there. The key is the closure. That Nina turnlock is iconic. It’s what gives it that little… *thunk* when you open it. You’re not gonna find an exact replica, let’s be honest. But look for something similar. Maybe a magnetic closure, a twist lock, something that gives you that satisfying feeling of “okay, this is secure.”
And the leather? Nappa is butter-soft. You can usually tell a cheap dupe by the stiffness of the “leather.” Look for something that feels supple, even if it’s not *real* leather. There are some surprisingly good vegan leather options out there now. Don’t be afraid to explore!
Okay, so the “snake” thing? That’s a tough one. I’m personally not a huge fan of fake snake print that looks… well, fake. It can end up looking, uh, cheap. If you’re going for the snake look, either splurge on a vintage bag (you might actually find a killer deal that way!) or just opt for a different texture altogether. Maybe a croc-embossed leather? Or even a fun tapestry fabric.
Honestly, the biggest thing is to find a bag that *you* love. Who cares if it’s not a Gabriela Hearst? If it makes you feel good when you carry it, then that’s all that matters. Plus, think of all the other things you can buy with the money you save. Like, a whole *closet* full of clothes to go with your dupe! (Or, ya know, put it towards that mortgage payment. Responsibly… maybe.)
