Just in time for Summer..........Fake Swimsuits!

Ebay has become a breeding ground for Fake Designer Swimsuits. While Ebay has done a stand-up job of weining out those awful fake handbags, criminals (which is what they are) have found another loophole. They have now descended upon the swimwear market. So instead of hocking tacky handbags, they are now slinging tacky swimsuits. Some of the brands being exploited are Louis Vuitton (the most popular), Gucci, Prada, Coach, Dior, and Burberry.

Ladies, ladies, ladies......please don't make a fool out of yourself. Some of these suits are going for outrageous prices.  Do you realize you can get an authentic suit for a little bit more (and sometimes less) than what the fakes are going for? So why buy a fake when you can get the real thing for around the same price? This week I saw an authentic suit sell for $150, and a fake go for $200. Does this even make sense? Uhh....Not really.

So I've compiled a list of redflags below. While I am not a representative of these brands, I've devoted my past time to them. So I know my stuff, to say the least. It's almost hiliarious how many mistakes these bootleggers are making. But then I have to remember that they are scamming the hell out of alot of people. Then it just becomes tragic.

Since Louis Vuitton is the most counterfeited (and the easiest to distinguish), I'll start off with some tell-tale signs. First off, Louis Vuitton has NEVER released any swimsuits (or clothing, period) with American size tags. So you will not see Louis Suits with Small, mediums, or large tags. And this also applies to Gucci and Prada, being that they are Italian companies. Louis Vuitton only releases clothing in French sizes. Such as 32, 34, 40 etc. Remember gals, Louis Vuitton is originally a French company. So you have to ask yourself  "why would a French company manufactor clothing in American sizing?" Unless you're arrogant enough to think they distributed a batch of clothing just for American consumers, and another batch for the rest of the world.

Afterall, these countries don't even use the metric system, right?

So when buying European clothing, you need to start by making yourself familiar with their sizing charts (available through Google or Yahoo). Another tip....Dior swimsuits (as with most of their clothing) will already have the conversion table on their size label. This is a clear sign that the suit is authentic. I wear a size 6 in American sizes, so I would wear a 38 in French and 42 in Italian.

 AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON SIZE TAGS

Secondly, Louis Vuitton has never released swimsuits with those horrible Blue Lycra tags. Some of them even have the nerve to slap those stupid size stickers right on top of the Lycra stickers. If you brought a suit with those tags on them, you've been bamboozled. Sorry Hon!

 FAKE BLUE LYCRA TAG

The only tags you will find on the item are the MSRP containg the price. And the Brand Name tags that include the sizes (and some writing that might be a lil' foreign to you). So if your tag doesn't have this info, it's a fake!

AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON TAGS

Next, those gastly "waterproof" pouches. Louis Vuitton does not have the "LV" logos on their waterproof pouches. They have the Louis Vuitton name in capital letters at the bottom of the bag. The zipper section is sideways, NOT on top. Some of the bags are made of the same material as the suit, not plastic. But these are some suits, not all.

AUTHENTIC "WATERPROOF" BAG

Another note.....Gucci, Coach and the other brands don't even make those stupid bags! If you notice, they are all the same cheap plastic pouches with different logos slapped on them. Kinda like a sad assembly line of sorts, lol. The print on the bags are usually sloppy and crooked.

 FAKE WATERPROOF BAGS

(BTW, most Coach items are made in china. Not the USA)

I don't think I need to mention the fact that if the Swimsuit is authentic, the seller should have verification of some sorts, including receipts and accessories that come with the purchase. While these don't always mean that the items are authentic (I've seen so many fake receipts and shopping bags, too), it's better that the seller have them than not. And NO seller on Ebay, not even the authorized representatives, will have the means to sell designer items in bulk. This means if the same seller is constantly selling the same designer suits, this is a major indication of a bootlegger. And it's best for everyone to "snitch" this sleazeball out to VERO in the community section.

So I implore you, please don't waste your money on this junk. You will have alot more confidence wearing something authentic when you're out on the beach this year. You will also feel better knowing that your swimsuit won't fall to pieces from chlorine when you step out of the pool. And besides..if you plan on vacating in Miami or the Bahamas, everyone will know that you're rocking a fake bikini. That's just wrong.

Let's all remember that infamous "Sex in the City" episode where Carrie get's outed at a fabulous event for sporting a fake Gucci bag. How awkward was that?