First of all, forget about *perfect*. Like, seriously. No fake is going to be 100% identical to the real deal. If it was, YSL would be out of business, right? But, there are *levels* of fakery, and some are definitely better than others. And that’s what we’re aiming for here.
Okay, so the first thing you gotta do is your research. I mean *really* research. Like, stalk the YSL website. Zoom in on the pictures of the bag you want. Know the stitching, the leather grain, the hardware. The more you know about the authentic bag, the better you can spot the flaws in a fake. Pay attention to that darn logo! If the Y is touching the S in a weird way, or the spacing is off, run!
And speaking of details, the inside is crucial. Apparently, real YSL bags have this soft, suede-lined interior. A cheapo fake might have, like, nylon or something. The YSL label inside *should* be evenly aligned and not smudged. A real YSL bag will also have a serial number but I cannot tell you more than that.
Now, where to buy these hypothetical “inspired-by” bags? Well, DHgate and AliExpress are usually mentioned, right? But buyer beware! It’s a total gamble. You gotta read the reviews, like, obsessively. Look for pictures that actual buyers have posted. Don’t just trust the seller’s photos – they’re usually stolen from somewhere else anyway. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for more pictures too, especially close-ups.
Price isn’t everything, but it’s definitely something. If a bag is being sold for, like, $50 and it’s supposed to be a Niki bag… come on. You know it’s gonna be trash. You get what you pay for, even in the fake world.
