If you live in NYC, it’s an absolute guarantee that you will see street vendors showcasing their wares on makeshift tables or sprawled out blankets all over Fifth Avenue in midtown. These temporary buffets of luxury are set up as ten second grab-and-gos in case the police decide to visit. Almost all of them operate illegally so their blankets fold up in a frenzy and these sellers just walk away like they didn’t just have a thriving street business a few moments earlier. They aren’t quite the Canal Street pushers who shove laminated cards of color-coded handbags in your face as you try to navigate the weekend crowds, but when the popo aren’t loitering, these guys certainly cater to the shopper looking for a serious bargain.
To be honest, I never look. I’d always assumed that their counterfeit goods were sub-par, seconds, damaged, or otherwise inferior other than the obvious price advantage. (Remember fake Ralph Lauren Polo shirts back in the 80s? Their telling logo sported a horse with three legs instead of four!) Plus, I was never a fake it till you make it kind of gal. I don’t have a huge collection of schmancy bags at home, but over the years each time I splurged, it’s because I had saved my shillings and kept my eye on the prize. Although those bags for sure dented my wallet, I’ve been proud to carry those stylish suckers and even more thrilled to resell them… it’s just that I’ve never considered going to the dark side of retail… until now.
So this past weekend I happened to be on a returning spree (more on that later) when I actually stopped to check out some of the goods. I picked up a big fancy Dior Book Tote that runs in the $3500 range if you shop in their Fifth Avenue flagship. (Gulp!)
Here on the street the starting price was a whopping $150… which quickly dropped to, “I can go $120 right now,” said the aggressive seller who beelined over when he saw me pick up the tote to check it out. “I’m just browsing,” I said. “How much you wanna pay?” was his quick reply. “I have no cash now,” I said. “I’ll have to come back.” “Venmo? Zelle?” he asked. Wow. They take Venmo?? A criminal enterprise that accepts transfers from Chase Manhattan Bank, too! Ha. I thanked him and kept walking. But I kept thinking about that bag.
I thought about it when I stopped into Cos to return four dresses I ordered online that didn’t fit. I thought about it when I buzzed by Tommy Bahama to try on a cute, super lightweight navy linen jacket that would look perfect with my Lulu Align Cropped Navy Joggers. And I kept thinking about it when I returned a shirt to Banana Republic and then three ill-fitting tops to Nordstrom. (Yes, nothing fit and none of the items I ordered were even offered in store. Hence the big returning spree… except, ok to be honest I did cave and buy the Tommy jacket! It’s so cute! Ok, I digress. Back to the story…)
My Mother’s rule of thumb is that if you can’t stop thinking about an item after you’ve left the store (or street??) go back and get it. Life is short so be happy. I got home and decided that I should buy that tote. I’ve never faked it before. Maybe it’s time to start? So I did a little research. Apparently I’m not the only one (thinking of) going rogue. Did you know New York Magazine did a whole article recently about monied Upper East Siders buying knockoffs instead of dropping big bucks on the real thing? One wealthy woman was even quoted as saying that she’d rather spend $1000 on a few cheap bags that look real than to waste hundreds of thousands on the real thing. (Yep– hundreds of thousands!)
I haven’t been back to midtown in a while– which is so weird to write since I’ve worked in the City for more than three decades. But because of the home office thing and my travel schedule, I’d literally have to plan a trip there if I want to go. I think I’m going to get that bag. Maybe I’m a make it until I don’t mind faking it kind of girl? But if I do, I won’t be telling anyone. I don’t fake and tell.
jenslittleblackbook.com 