When I heard about Darcey Silva from 90 Day Fiancé and her fake bags, I was both disgusted and astonished. Everyone seems to think the reality TV star bought a few fake bags when she had the money to buy the real thing. But why? So she could show off her ‘bling’ and appear a certain way? Maybe it was just a callous way to save some money? Or maybe she just didn’t care enough about the authenticity of the products she was buying?
I do have to give her props; she was super savvy and clever in how she pulled off this stunt, using an online replica bags shop to blend into the masses. Nobody at the mall had any idea that her and her friends were carrying around dupes. What a crazy world we live in.
Despite her maneuvering though, it set off a red flag for me, because it seemed that it wasn’t about her style or her flamboyant personality but her pride. And I was appalled by the level of narcissism she was displaying, the type of attitude that said it was okay to go and pass off a fake as a real Gucci bag, something that should not be done at all.
Not to mention, why set that kind of example to her children? She should be teaching them to be honest and not to strive for material possessions but to be content with having what they need and not wanting more than they should. But instead, she was saying, this is how we can get by in life, with trickery and deceit.
Of course, although I don’t think it’s right, this is a choice and she could easily make another one. I mean, why not just purchase the real bags or maybe even shop around for more affordable authentic products? There are options out there if we just take the time and effort to find them, to look for better deals and not be deceived by the lure of false knock-offs.
That was actually the main thing that shocked me the most about Darcey’s “fake bag” challenge—the fact that she was willing to take the risk and try something so bold, just to fit in with the crowd. Talk about false bravado. In the end, we all want to stay true to who we are, and not be swayed by consumer fads and trends. We want to be ourselves.
Having said that, however, I do realize that it isn’t always as straightforward as it seems, as this idea of self-expression is often clouded by the pressures of modern realities. After all, one can only try as hard as they can to stay loyal to themselves.
People everywhere can relate to the struggle to be true to one’s beliefs, and yet still wanting to fit in with society’s expectations. We all have that desire to look our best for that special occasion or to simply feel as confident as possible as we go through our day-to-day lives.
The struggle doesn’t make it any less of a challenge, however, and I’d advise against taking the shortcuts that Darcey took. That kind of financial recklessness isn’t a sustainable way to maintain an image of good quality and taste in fashion.
Still, I don’t think that anyone should be judged too harshly for taking the easier route. Life can be difficult enough as it is and sometimes it’s nice to just take a break from the striving for authenticity and just go with the flow to fit in.
At the same time though, I believe we should strive to make smarter choices. There’s a happy medium here, where we can express ourselves through fashion and keep our pride intact, supporting honest businesses and making sure we’re getting quality products and experiences. We can pick the authentic bags that represent our personalities, even if they’re on the cheaper side, and still look great.
It’s also worth pointing out that there are plenty of shoppers out there who can become too caught up in the ethical implications of buying fake goods. If the intent of purchasing the product is simply to add something to your wardrobe to make you feel good, then why be so harsh? This isn’t to say that it’s acceptable to buy any fake bags, but it’s just to give a little perspective on the choices sometimes we take.
It’s in moments like these when we have to practice grace and humility with ourselves, and it’s up to us to determine what works best for us. And in the end, it’s our own values and dignity that are most important.
That’s not to say that it would be right in all cases, either. I wouldn’t recommend cutting corners with a fake bag if it means skimping on quality, and if it’s done as a shortcut to luxury style and design, that’s not really the attitude I’m advocating.
I think if done responsibly, with an understanding of the ethics around supporting ethical fashion, it’s possible to enjoy the look of a designer bag without breaking the bank. Just from talking to friends, I’ve seen how outlets, consignment and secondhand shops can offer quality products with a fraction of the cost. Ultimately, it’s all about the mindset and respecting the craftsmanship of the products we’re buying.
At the end of the day, I think it’s important to remember that it’s our own judgment that matters the most. We should do our research before we purchase any item, so that our financial decisions are informed. And if we decide to go for cheaper alternatives, we should always make sure that we’re keeping our values and our dignity at the forefront, so we’re not sacrificing either.