It depends on what product it is because sometimes it is not worth buying the designer and there are times that the knock-off looks a really cheap imitation. So this is a ces to case basis.

I agree with reese.

However, my pocket is not lined with gold. And I am trying to save money for the future instead of wasting it on a fad.

Right now: no designer stuff at all. I'm a student, so I'm not loaded on cash. But in the future, I hope to purchase some designer pieces. Classic things, that will hopefully last a very long time.

It really just depends. I won't buy knock off bags cause that's just silly.

i dont agree with knockoffs. its just taking other peoples ideas

i agree with reese also.... but my purse does have the final say most of the times...sadly...

I think it always matters on how much money I want to and can spend...and I'm not yet into buying designer since I got no wage

they look the same ..so i don't mind!

Right now I can't afford designer clothes, so knock offs work for me but I agree with what the ladies said above if the imitation looks cheap I"m definitely not buying it

Well, I'm always minding my budget so I go for knock-offs. I don't really care if it's not authentic as long as I can pull it off and look great

I'm really cheap, because I'll even steal pattern designs from big names and make them at home.

I wont buy knock off purses or shoes EVER, but I shop at forever 21, LOL.

Depends on the item of course, but generally I buy designer. When I had no money I definitely did the knock-off thing though.

I would consider designer if I could afford it and I really loved the product. I did pay €650 for a coat (about $800 or so) and wore it to death and it will be worn this autume winter.

In the pic above the knock off doesn't look at nice as Poshs but that may be lighting.

I always buy knock off bags as I tend to tire of bags very quickly.

I NEVER buy knockoff bags or anyting with fake logos- why waste the money? But I don't mind buying "inspired by" pieces from less expensive lines. ALL brands like to follow trends so ONE WAY or ANOTHER they're going to have similiar looking things for the season...

and sometimes some of the designs of less expensive things just are more catered to younger people...like that pink dress example used in this thread...
I like the "knockoff" one better cuz the neckline and the arms seem more young and flirty (not as flashy) compared to Victoria's who's neckline and arms are a bit more prominant for a more sophisticated look.

and as everyone says, it depends on the piece. And the trend...some pieces are timeless, some just a passing fad.

ps. that's what the whole "look for less" thing is about. Looking fab using your own budget! Why go into debt for a trend?? (unless its a purse or basic shoe which never really go out of style!)

I am a student and even when i have a job I won't be able to justify spending $6000 on a bag instead of treating my parents to a trip or something.

knock off-we can't all have the bank accounts of Posh. I agree with spending the dough on key pieces that will last throughout the seasons though.

If it's something classic that I'm going to want to wear for years, I'll go ahead and spend the money and buy designer. But if it's something trendy that will be out by next season, I'm all about the knock-offs!
And I agree with beautfan, I buy knock-off bags because I get tired of my handbags VERY quickly. I also throw them around and tend to get them very dirty very quickly, so it's better to waste $20 instead of $200.

I wouldn't be caught dead with ANYTHING knockoff in my possession! Ugh Cheap Cheap Cheap!

being on a budget and being fabulous simultaniously calls for some forever 21 knock off action... or just some steve and barry's sjp action.

My motto to being ever-fashionable? Buy cheap clothes (Forever21 / TopShop / Urban Outfitters) and expensive shoes (Louboutins / Jimmy Choos / Blahniks) and bags (Gucci / Botkier / Coach / YSL).

Thay way you've kept up with the fashion trends rather cheaply, and invested in accessories that'll last for years to come.

Bottom line, spend your $$$ wisely.

I don't buy knock offs if I can afford the real thing, but if a dress is crazy-expensive, I'm buying the knock off.

Most celebs don't even buy this stuff, much of it is given to them for marketing purposes.

I absolutely hate knock offs. Won't buy them.. Won't even look at them.

I spend about 20% of my income each year on clothes. (After taxes.) I stay within my budget, but buy original things. If If that means all I buy for a season is one Chloe bag, then that's all I get. But I won't buy knock offs.

It's disrepectful to the art of the designers. Things that are "inspired" by designers are fine to buy. So if there's a certain type of layering, or a certain type of color that's all the rage with one designer; I will buy something similar from a lower-priced option. But BLATANT knock offs?

Tres, tres tacky. And shame on those of you who do it.

For me it depends- for classics, I'll splurge but for trends, I go cheap since I know I'll get tired of it soon.

I don't mind. As to me it doesn't make a difference.

i agree w/ BeautyEditor! buy inexpensive clothes and really nice bags and shoes!! i do tend to splurge on jeans too tho

I used to wear knock-offs until I got one or two of the real thing and the difference between real and fake became painfully obvious. Being a poor student means that I spend about the same as before on fewer pieces (it's all about the sample sales, baby!).

I wouldn't buy knock offs but I don't buy designer everything cuz I can't afford it! But I buy designer when I can.

I'm with rubialala on this one!
Most of the time I cannot afford designer but I'd never buy a knockoff.

I'd rather spend money on something I love that will last.
Buying imitations of a certain designer's collection is disrespectful to the work they've done to get themselves to that status of being an icon, but I see nothing wrong with buying cheap, trendy designer-inspired pieces. Why spend a bunch of money on something that you'll wear for one season?

I'm definitely with beauty editor! buy inexpensive brands for plain pieces, and spend money on whats really worth it.

i agree with you seafoam. i don't care for certain knockoff purses - coach, gucci, and fendi for example. They are usually really off on the signature detailing and if you are going to spend any money, why not buy a purse that looks like a balenciaga or something, not a Goach purse. Check out Ebay for vintage purses, or previously used designer purses - i find the best purses on ebay in great condition!

Have no choice but to go knock-off due to financial constraints

I'd rather buy the designer brand than buying knock-off's. *even if they are SO expensive!!* Even though they can look dead on real, I feel cheap about wearing or walking around with one on... for me at least.

...echo that, BeautyEditor.

The "designer" things that I splurge on tend to be stuff I use a lot (like jeans...I live in jeans) because knock offs tend to fall apart with my frequency-of-use (abuse?). Purses and shoes are like that for me too. Dresses, tops, and accessories are cheapies for me. I don't know if they're "Knock-offs" though, because they don't look like designer stuff (or at least I can't tell if they do)

...echo that, BeautyEditor.

The "designer" things that I splurge on tend to be stuff I use a lot (like jeans...I live in jeans) because knock offs tend to fall apart with my frequency-of-use (abuse?). Purses and shoes are like that for me too. Dresses, tops, jewelry, sunglasses and stuff are cheapies for me. I don't know if they're "Knock-offs" though, because they don't try to look like designer stuff (or at least I can't tell if they do)

I'll buy knock off as long as it doesn't look knock off then I'd pair it with some major designer things...

As much as I want the designer version, I can't always afford it, it's not like I have an extra $2,000 laying around. So I try to find the best quality knock-off.

Not a fan of blatant knock-offs, like faux LV bags from Chinatown, but I don't mind buying clothes that are similar to those on the runway, i.e. inspired by the runway looks.

Totally agree with Kaciegrrl... however, the "knockoff" dress shown looks HORRIBLE! [I was never particularly fond of the original either tho]

Anyway, back to the subject... I don't mind a "knockoff" of sorts, or something inspired by a designer original... but I won't go too low on quality. You end up suffering in the end, either by looking cheap, or being painful [shoes] etc.

I'm all for a good bargain... but not if it looks cheap.

Definitely Designer.

i would prefer designer but my wallet has the final word and he choose Knock off.

I chose items that are not using children as a labor source.

that depends..

it depneds on what, but i cant afford the real thing oftenb so hello copy cat!

isn't everything now considered a knockoff/replica/tribute? the whole "i got the idea for this item from..."