Purse Party, Buy Handbags on a Budget, 2010, 2011
Purse Party, Buy Handbags on a Budget, 2010, 2011
Purse parties are a fun and cost effective way to get the latest designer styles for bargain basement prices. Despite the questionable lines of ethics and stigmas behind these estrogen fused gatherings, those who have experienced one will usually admit they had fun and found some great deals. What are the implications of purse parties? Are we fueling an unfair and unethical market, or is it just a guilty pleasure? The answer depends.
Purses purchased at purse parties are typically knockoffs of designer styles. Many times the outward quality of these purses is so accurate that it is difficult to decipher them from their real counterparts. This is appealing to fashionistas on a budget who want to designer look, but can’t pay the designer price. What is the real cost of buying one of these purses?
These knockoffs are frequently made in “sweat shop” type factories in developing countries where the workers may endure questionable working environments. Buying knockoff’s further enables the continued practice of substandard working conditions. The designs are also blatant rip-offs of a designer’s intellectual property and life’s work. There is no guarantee that the designer in question gave permission or even has knowledge that his/her hard work is being sold in this manner.
Additionally the purses, although outwardly stylish and indistinguishable from the original, are far inferior in quality. If the designer version costs $400 but will last for several years of use and abuse, is it worth buying a knockoff for $80 that might fall apart a month later?
While purse parties are fun, there are many factors to consider when supporting these companies. Only you can decide what you are willing to do for that latest designer trendy look.