Would you ever buy counterfeit? Fake bag, fake belt, fake anything? I’ve been thinking about luxury—what it means, why we’re drawn to it, and, more importantly, why some people are willing to settle for counterfeits. A recent study suggests that people are buying knockoffs not just to save a few bucks, but as a way to “level the playing field” and push back against what they see as elitism in the fashion industry. The idea is that by purchasing counterfeit goods, they’re somehow rejecting the exclusivity of luxury brands and creating a more egalitarian market. But I can’t help but feel that something about that just doesn’t sit right with me.
There’s this notion that counterfeits are a form of rebellion, a way to take down the high walls that luxury brands have built around themselves. A sort of quiet protest against the inaccessibility of these brands, as if buying a fake designer bag somehow undermines the system that made the real one expensive in the first place. But let’s be real for a second. If you’re carrying a knockoff, you’re still trying to signal the same status that comes with the real thing—you’re just not paying for it. It’s not rebellion. It’s not about equality. It’s about imitating success without putting in the effort.
I mean, the luxury market is built on the idea of aspiration. We covet these pieces not just because they’re beautiful or well-made (although they are), but because they represent something we want to be a part of. They’re symbols of craftsmanship, heritage, and yes, success. And that’s okay. Not everyone has to have everything. That’s what makes luxury luxurious. But somehow, people have convinced themselves that they deserve these symbols of success, no matter what. If they can’t afford them, they can make their own rules. Knockoffs become a stand-in for the real thing, and suddenly, they feel like they’ve “won” something by tricking the system. But are they really winning? What’s the victory in pretending to have something you don’t?
Let’s not forget the bigger picture. Counterfeits aren’t just harmless imitations. They come with their own ugly baggage—organized crime, child labor, sweatshops. Every time someone buys a fake bag or watch, they’re supporting an underground industry that thrives on exploitation and theft. That’s not creating social equality; it’s just perpetuating a different kind of inequality. And for what? To look like you own something you don’t? And what about the argument that luxury brands are too exclusive, that they’re creating artificial barriers to keep the masses out? Yes, some brands are restrictive—Rolex with its infamous waitlists, Hermès with its Birkin bags that seem impossible to get. But that’s the point. They’re luxury items, not essentials. We don’t need them. Their exclusivity is part of what makes them desirable. And honestly, if we start watering down what luxury means—by normalizing counterfeits or expecting brands to be more “accessible”—then what’s left?
The truth is, luxury has always been about craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation. These brands have earned their place at the top, and it’s not just because of their price tags. It’s because they’ve invested in artistry, history, and value. Diluting that with a flood of fakes doesn’t level the playing field; it turns the game into a free-for-all where no one wins. So, no, I don’t buy the idea that counterfeits are some kind of tool for social equality. If anything, they’re just another way we’ve tricked ourselves into thinking we deserve something without actually earning it. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what makes luxury… luxurious? The idea that not everyone can have it? Because, let’s be honest, a knockoff can never hold the same value as the real thing—no matter how much we try to convince ourselves otherwise. And if you want equality, go vote, run for office, or start a revolution. Buying a fake Birkin isn't going to close the wage gap.
