I love expensive designer brands. From MCM to Louie and the infamous Birkin bag. Aja’s got her Alexander Wang duffel and I’ve got my classic Louis Vuitton Speedy. Don’t get me started on GOYARD totes and the Givenchy craze. The quest for the perfect bag is never-ending as you away find a reason to need another. And for guys, clothing is already expensive enough so imitators and impersonators have got to be tempting. For normal hardworking people out there a Birkin bag or a Ricardo Tisci Givenchy Shirt aren’t realistic. So for the fly people out there who want the designer touch but at a reasonable price without buying a fake, What options do we have?

Here are some brands who have taken the huge designers products and turned it into something we all can afford. But at what ‘moral’ price did these brands “copy” the originators? Are you any-less cool for sporting these brands? Lets take a look.

Above is the BANANE TAIPEI tote bag in Midnight Magenta. Below is the HERMES Birkin Bag in Pink. The Original Birkin Bag can cost you anywhere from $800-34,000 dollars for fancy exotic skin leather versions. The playful artistic reinterpretation by BANANA TAIPEI will only cost you $125, You do the math. Cute, playful, and an obvious flattery to the Birkin but with a light twist for the masses. It’s also eco-friendly and remarkably cute. I’ll take the $125 dollar one please. Purchase one of these unique totes here.

The Real Birkin Bag A.K.A. My College Tuition

LEGHILA LARGE SCUBA TOTE

Can you tell I love the Birkin bag? This more literal play on the Birkin comes even closer to the real thing but its made of washable neoprene fabric. Made by Italian bag makers LEGHILA, their various selection of neoprene styles are cute and sleek. This bag in particular Im obsessed with. With a more pricier price tag of  $350, these bags are full of detail, color, and unique. Sure to turn heads but again an obvious interpretation of the Birkin – its done in good taste. I love them and am drooling to own one. Even RSVP GALLERY endorses it so you know its legit. Purchase one at RSVP GALLERY here.

BETTER OFF DEAD Graphic Tee Shirts

Better Off Dead is brought to us from the same people who create the FALSE shirt brand. With their high quality silk-screening process they bring their customers a play on their favorite designers logos. Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and more – Better Off Dead knows they are ‘copying’ huge designers’ logos – but their don’t care because its their aim to provoke and send a message about the brand’s image and for $40 bucks a pop its wayyy wayy wayyy more affordable than for example a YSL printed shirt which cost $330.

COMME des FUCKDOWN by SSUR

It’s taken over. SSUR’s play on the COMME des GARCONS brand has taken over the street fashion world and giving a big middle finger to the high-fashion world by saying COMME des FUCKDOWN to the industry. With a huge co-sign from everyone’s favorite street wear champ A$AP ROCKY and the whole A$AP camp, founder Russ Karablin has got everyone rocking these threads regliously. I admit it’s a comical play on the brand, but the original brand CDG, in this case, reigns supreme. With the PLAY division of CDG, it brought down its prices to still cater with the street wear scene. I just hope this doesn’t take away from the classic and iconic nature of Japan’s CDG, as I am an actual fan of the fashion brand. But of course, maybe I should just calm the fuck down. Check out and purchase COMME des FUCKDOWN here.

TI$A BRAND BEAR by TI$A

He’s Kanye’s friend. He’s a freaky bitch. and he was on an episode of South Park. He’s Taz Arnold he can do whatever he wants and say a huge “F U” to everyone. From his controversial ”Vintage Snapbacks” that cost $70 bucks to his swagged out rendiction of the Polo Ralph Lauren bear – his mimic is still sought after by many street wear followers. I can appreciate the swag of the bear but the classic is just so iconic. Either way I guess its the closest to the real thing for the new generation. Purchase his TI$A bear hoodie and more TI$A VISION gear here.

The Original Polo Bear