For Goodlooking Guys on the Go: Info On Men's Replica & Genuine Bags*RepGeek Award Winning Thread*

[spekoli]

battle satchels (I just came up with that!).

.

catchy

i'm imagining something in chainmail......with teeth!!! grrr.

[merkman]

catchy

i'm imagining something in chainmail......with teeth!!! grrr.

My battle satchel is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance, in this life... or the next. So back off, and don't touch my LV special!

[cue003]

Awesome post, for sure, thanks for the info and the links. I need some new luggage and was heading down the Tumi route. May now need to revisit and re-evaluate.

Curtis

[quizvan]

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[Posh]

So which luggage do I actually use most of the time? LL Bean rolling duffles (c'mon, we have 3 children who travel with their own sand shovels, ice skates, lacrosse sticks, etc.) --
--and replica LV luggage. I am convinced that the replica LV luggage (and most if not all of the bags) are coming from the same factories as the authentic stuff -- I've done side-by-side comparisons of my knock-offs with the genuine luggage and bags, and I'm saying they are identical -- except I paid $200 not $2000. For $200, they can get tossed around -- they look even better with some mileage on them, and they have held up beautifully.

Thanks, Quiz!

Well,it looks like you are doing it up luxe style because you seem to be channeling Kimora Lee Simmons abit. You got glamorous luggage and you are jet setting: it's all about planes, trains and automobiles!

And I wonder about the country of origin too. I know some of the Monogram Denims are made right in the US. And some pieces are made in Italy, Spain, Germany and MAYBE China; but I don't think Louis Vuitton would confess if any of their bags were made in China. I believe it may be that some of the fakes are so good that it seems they are made in France. Louis Vuitton may want to actually look into hiring these place because their atelier outside France can't do all the bags.

To that end, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost It's Luster by Dana Thomas actually discusses what you're talking about. If you like fashion and luxury and analysis of both in what we buy today, get it. It's a great read and not too technical!

[quizvan]

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[Posh]

Hey Posh -- I found DeLuxe to be a very interesting book -- Dana Thomas does mention how most of the design houses (Hermes being a notable exception) do manufacture wholly or partially in China -- then they attach the handles or the tags in France or Italy and -- voila! -- it's "Made in France" or "Made in Italy" -- so much for the quality differentiation of the authentic vs. the replica, right? Another good book is KnockOff by Tim Phillips.

LOL, Kimora Lee Simmons has about 12 inches, 100 pounds and 30 LV trunks on me....I guess that makes my hubby with his trash bag and backpack Russell?...
Anyways, there's another good argument for saving a few bucks by skipping the gen in favor of buying the rep -- gotta put fuel in the G-V

I have to check that book out.

Interestingly enough, I remember looking for a cookware set on Amazon. They had a brand called Maitre Chef. The reviews said it was good but one particular review said it had to be All-Clad because the pans and stuff were IDENTICAL to All-Clad. The review said the weight was the same, materials and the only thing changed was the name. The reviewer thought that it must come from the same factory as the All-Clad. Needless to say, that cookware is sold out and hasn't been back in stock since that review. That was like 3 years ago.

Well, your hubby would have to be Djimon Honsou since she divorced Russell and is seeing him. LOL

[MLDK]

Great post Posh, thanks!

[eskielvr]

Hey Posh! I would love some info on tanning that bright almost-white leather on the LV bags. I've always been too afraid to experiment on my own and really screw it up. And great post too!

[Posh]

Everyone, I updated my original post to include Louis Vuitton's limited edition sports bags. They should help the LV guys carry all that gym stuff lavishly. It actual is a reply to MLDK's man bag post. I figured as much time as it took to get the necessary info, it could help others who use this post too.

Eskie, using a bit of dye sparingly and gently, which is faster than the traditional method, can achieve the color of brown you want. Check out these out.

If that's daunting to you, there's always this method used by hadrcore LV fans the world over, which I got from Hisremnant.org:

What you can do to shoot for the gorgeous patina

I'm going to tell you what Louis Vuitton lovers on the EXTREME end do. This may sound humorous and silly, but some people are dead serious about this procedure. How forgiving we should be concerning stains really depends on the individual, so you decide how paranoid you want to be with your brand new Louis Vuitton.

1. You open the package after coming home from your Louis Vuitton boutique, making sure your hands are VERY clean.
2. Place the purse on a "carefully selected" spot in the house where no Sunlight reaches.
3. After a couple of months of exposing the leather to the air, the leather should have very slight oxidization.
4. Move the purse near the window where the Sun light is filtered. Leave it there for another couple of months, turning the purse once in a while for even exposure to the Sun. Don't forget turning the strap, as you want even tanning both front & back. Then the leather is very light brown, looking like real leather.
5. Start carrying the purse, ONLY when there is no chance of rain. If in doubt, carry a Papillon (older version, with treated leather) or another model to which rain drops don't matter.
6. Be sure to avoid all kinds of water or other stains; make sure the countertop or the vanity top where you set your purse is clean and dry. Be extra careful not to let the leather touch anything like the car exterior or the ground. Be sure that you do not hug children without setting your purse aside. Remember, dog noses are WET too!
7. After a year of very careful daily use, the leather is about the color of beech wood. Now you don't feel embarrassed about carrying a brand new Louis Vuitton. Continue for 5 years, then you'll have a stain-free gorgeous honey color Noe leather!
   
   Nuts? I think so!! BUT, just about everybody has Louis Vuitton in Japan. If there are 5 ladies at a cash register of a grocery store, expect 3-4 of them carrying Louis Vuitton. The lady in front of you may pull the exact same wallet that's in your purse! So they think carrying a brand new purse with a brand new leather makes them look like a Louis Vuitton newbie, and they want to look like a seasoned collector! You'll bet I would be a "closet" Louis Vuitton collector if I were still living in Japan and probably carry a no-name purse outside!

[eskielvr]

Everyone, I updated my original post to include Louis Vuitton's limited edition sports bags. They should help the LV guys carry all that gym stuff lavishly. It actual is a reply to MLDK's man bag post. I figured as much time as it took to get the necessary info, it could help others who use this post too.

Eskie, using a bit of dye sparingly and gently, which is faster than the traditional method, can achieve the color of brown you want. Check out these out.

If that's daunting to you, there's always this method used by hadrcore LV fans the world over, which I got from Hisremnant.org:

What you can do to shoot for the gorgeous patina

I'm going to tell you what Louis Vuitton lovers on the EXTREME end do. This may sound humorous and silly, but some people are dead serious about this procedure. How forgiving we should be concerning stains really depends on the individual, so you decide how paranoid you want to be with your brand new Louis Vuitton.

1. You open the package after coming home from your Louis Vuitton boutique, making sure your hands are VERY clean.
2. Place the purse on a "carefully selected" spot in the house where no Sunlight reaches.
3. After a couple of months of exposing the leather to the air, the leather should have very slight oxidization.
4. Move the purse near the window where the Sun light is filtered. Leave it there for another couple of months, turning the purse once in a while for even exposure to the Sun. Don't forget turning the strap, as you want even tanning both front & back. Then the leather is very light brown, looking like real leather.
5. Start carrying the purse, ONLY when there is no chance of rain. If in doubt, carry a Papillon (older version, with treated leather) or another model to which rain drops don't matter.
6. Be sure to avoid all kinds of water or other stains; make sure the countertop or the vanity top where you set your purse is clean and dry. Be extra careful not to let the leather touch anything like the car exterior or the ground. Be sure that you do not hug children without setting your purse aside. Remember, dog noses are WET too!
7. After a year of very careful daily use, the leather is about the color of beech wood. Now you don't feel embarrassed about carrying a brand new Louis Vuitton. Continue for 5 years, then you'll have a stain-free gorgeous honey color Noe leather!
   
   Nuts? I think so!! BUT, just about everybody has Louis Vuitton in Japan. If there are 5 ladies at a cash register of a grocery store, expect 3-4 of them carrying Louis Vuitton. The lady in front of you may pull the exact same wallet that's in your purse! So they think carrying a brand new purse with a brand new leather makes them look like a Louis Vuitton newbie, and they want to look like a seasoned collector! You'll bet I would be a "closet" Louis Vuitton collector if I were still living in Japan and probably carry a no-name purse outside!

Thanks! Quite crazy! I guess I just need to decide if I'm brave enough to give it that patina or just let it age naturally.

[Posh]

The place I would use it is on the handle, if you use a tiny bit of dye. It gets handled most and so would naturally darken before any other part of the bag anyway. The rest, you can leave to the air and sun. As long as your handle has patina, you're good. It won't look brand spanking new.

[SFA437]

Bump for another great thread frm Posh about making the whole package work!

Team this up with the shaving thread, pocket square thread, the Vertu thread and the soon to be written hat thread and we're starting to have a head to toe style guide!

This needs to be stickied!!!

[nembo]

I'm with you sfa bump for a great thread....Good job Posh and finally thanks to you looks like that all the ladies that were lurking so far are starting to come out and post!!

[Posh]

Bump for another great thread frm Posh about making the whole package work!

Team this up with the shaving thread, pocket square thread, the Vertu thread and the soon to be written hat thread and we're starting to have a head to toe style guide!

This needs to be stickied!!!

I'm with you sfa bump for a great thread....Good job Posh and finally thanks to you looks like that all the ladies that were lurking so far are starting to come out and post!!

Thank you both for reading this and enjoying it. I'm happy if you're able to implement something from it in your fashion life.

I'm not saying no one here had style but it's all about putting individual things together in a cohesive way. With all these beautiful replica watches, shoes, suits, bags, pens, lighters, shirts, pants and belts, it seems terribly silly not to use them to look our absolute best.

My grandfather loved to say: you the tools so why not take this pile of wood and build a house?

[asiparks]

Very cool, someone needs to start an "ask Posh" forum...
Being distinctly unhandsome, I am cut from rather more of an old school hunting 'n' fishing cloth, rather than the fancy loafers and hair gel variety. No Big Bangs or Concords for me and my favorite man bags reflect this, coming from . Filson
They're fiercly well made and age extremely well... I get compliments on my luggage all the time from people assuming that they're much more expensive than they actually are...one of those instances of a cheap gen looking like an expensive rep....

[Posh]

Very cool, someone needs to start an "ask Posh" forum...
Being distinctly unhandsome, I am cut from rather more of an old school hunting 'n' fishing cloth, rather than the fancy loafers and hair gel variety. No Big Bangs or Concords for me and my favorite man bags reflect this, coming from . Filson
They're fiercly well made and age extremely well... I get compliments on my luggage all the time from people assuming that they're much more expensive than they actually are...one of those instances of a cheap gen looking like an expensive rep....

I didn't include them but I'm familiar with their stuff. Field & Stream chic. But sometimes you just need function and planning and getting there is NOT half the fun.

Why bag worked best for your travel needs. Let the guys know because maybe what you use will work for them too!

[martinlaf]

Thanks Posh for this award winning post. Very informative and well written. Im really happy to read about other nice reps stuff

Please keep up with your great posts ! and thanks for the time and the effort you put into this !

[absinth]

Does anyone know where to buy unbranded Floto bags?

Love the style but would love to save a bit of cash!

[Posh]

This Ebay store sells them but they have limited quantities and models (I think Floto got to them and strong armed them). Email them for other available items is a good idea because they could have ones they aren't posting.

The ones they do have seem to be Floto's most popular or unique. I hope this helps.

[btrizzy]

Where can I get that bag?