Attire & Accessories Forum

Just curious

I'm curious, since we usually only list practical reasons for not buying rknockoff dresses, such as horrendous customer service or unwearable dresses, when a bride is asking about lightinthebox-esque websites.

Am I the only one bothered by the idea of replica/knockoff dresses, instead of just the horror stories of orders not turning out well?
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Re: Just curious

  • Not really.. 
    I mean.. Ultimately, there is no NEW design... All dresses have something in common with other dresses. 
    I find it unfair to the original designer (at least, I would be annoyed I'm sure) but ultimately all designers get inspiration from other things. 
    Ever see a nice pair of dark wash jeans from Norstroms that are 200 bucks but get the similar pair at forever 21 for ten? 
    Same concept IMO.. 
    It's just a article of clothing (a special one, definitely, but still).
  • Duds, I'm glad you brought up these sites being fronts; that hadn't occurred to me. I was more bothered by the dishonest attempt at exact copies of other's designs.

    I agree with you too, firsttimersluck, that all designers draw inspiration from other things, and I am totally okay with seeing a very expensive dress and finding a similar one that is more affordable.

    I think it's different from the jeans, because the jeans truly are just similar--I don't know anyone who finds a pair of jeans they like, but can't afford, so they hire someone to make a copy of the exact same design (but they might, people do silly things sometimes :P). Instead, they save and get the ones from Nordstroms, or they go to Forever 21, and find jeans with a similar look that is in their budget.

    BTW: I think I should mention I'm not actively upset by this, just having a slow day at work and thought it would be interesting to hear others' thoughts, since questions about these sites come up fairly often.
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  • I have seen/read horror stories of the working conditions in those sweatshops.  There is no way they are paying an decent salary to people making dresses for 1/5th or 1/10th the price of the original gown.  they are hardly covering the material costs.  I know dateline or one of those other shows did a story on knockoff dress shops in China at one point, but I can't find it anywhere.  It showed CHILDREN making these elaborate wedding gowns and basically making enough money to eat for the day, and that was it.

    I'm not interested in supporting that.  In addition the the shady business dealings of stealing someone's exact design, the social justice aspect of supporting that type of labor force isn't ok with me.

    then, adding on that you will most likely end up with a screwed up dress.. that is unwearable.  At least if I go to forever 21 and buy a cheapo pair of jeans, I won't expect them to last as long or have the same stitching quality as the ones I buy at nordstrom.
  • I don't buy any knockoffs.  Not just for the reasons mentioned above, but because I just feel if I can't afford it, I don't buy it.  I can't see myself walking around carrying a fake Prada handbag or whatever and acting like it's the real thing.  Same goes for wedding dresses.  Just not my style. 

  • I think there's a large distinction between a pair of jeans from forever 21 that resemble the Nordstrom ones and a wedding dress CLAIMING to be a designer brand or that is an exact replica of a designer one.  This is more similar to buying a knockoff bag that pretends to be Prada, which I won't do. 

    Also, jeans is jeans is jeans, there's only so much you can do.  but thats a different point.
  • While I'm all for getting a bargin, but not to the point of mis -representing what I'm getting.  I think that it is said that people will be that, un inspired to not put thier own spin on inspiration, but as long as their are buyers for these places, they will exist.

    That is the great part about wedding dresses is that you don't go have to do that.  There are so many similar dresses at all price points.  I found a dress that was similar to my  />$1k dress in the $$$$$ catagory,   Unfortunately some people are just never satisfied with what they have.

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