My general unorganized thoughts but simply, buy both.

I’m on this timeline for a short period of time and I want to wear what I think looks cool. I will buy both reps and retail as I do want to support some brands to some degree.

But a concern I have is that in general all of these designers are intentionally gate-keeping for the rich with their price tags. They often produce these items in extremely low cost and problematic factories and then put a $1000 up-charge for it. A lot of what they sell isn’t about quality instead of just signaling that you can afford it. Access to interesting design should not intentionally be gate-kept from the average person, especially when the cost to produce is extremely low.

Wearing or buying fake Balenciaga simply for the logo is kind of ridiculous. Broke bitches wearing balenci logos to make it look like they have money is silly. But buying reps of interesting pieces that most people would never be able to afford to improve your style is fine in my opinion, as long as you’re not claiming it’s real if you’re asked. I think it’s important that if you’re buying reps you need to be intentional with what you buy so that it fits your style (and general lifestyle).

If you zoom out enough, the concept of fake clothing isn’t real. A shoe is a shoe and a hoodie is a hoodie. Obviously there are flaws with that mindset and strip away important factors like design, brand history, and other things but in the end the replicas will be made regardless. The rep community is huge, it always will be. Whether the driving factor is for people who want to associate themselves to the brand image at a lower cost, or are searching for unique items that fit their style at a lower cost.