Real vs. Steal: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli satchel

This post will be the first of many of my real vs. steal blog posts.  This is where i will show you the cheaper alternatives of more expensive lusted after items.  hope you enjoy!

For about a few months now i have been drooling over the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli satchel.  I've been wanting a new designer handbag for a while and I've been slowly, but surely, coming to terms with actually spending the amount the designers are asking for just to own one. I think Phillip Lim mixes edgy with classic so well with the Pashli satchel.  The classic structured box shape with the edgy zippers and hardware go amazingly together.  He has also come out with his fall/winter collections of handbags and i have been absolutely in love with the taupe Pashli. I have taken the last month to contemplate if i should purchase the Pashli or not.  If i did buy end up buying the bag what color would i get? the classic black and gold or the amazingly wonderful taupe.  As i was trying to make my final decisions on the handbag i actually found a Pashli inspired bag.  I spotted it one day while i was shopping at Francesca's.  Francesca's is probably the best place to find an "inspired" bag, in my mind, in fact i purchased an Alexander Wang Rocco inspired bag from there not too long ago.  The Pashli inspired bag i found at Francesca's looked extremely similar to the real Pashli. The zippers were in the correct spot, the size was relatively close to what the medium sized Pashli would be and it also had the bottom panel detailing!  Here is the comparison:

Medium Pashli Satchel With Strap $825

Lancaster Zipper Flap Front Satchel $54

I was amazed at how much the bag resembled the real deal as well as how much it was.  The price is only $54 but on top of that Francesca's is having 25% off all handbags making this inspired handbag only $40.50! 

Verdict: I really do like both bags and i feel with the price of the look-a-like it would be a great bag to own, but in this case i would go for the real deal.  The inspired bag looks very much like the real pashli but it lacked the weight and feel the real Pashli will give you.  Nothing can really beat the feeling of wearing a genuine leather handbag.  The substantial weight of the Pashli lets you know that you are carrying a high quality bag, something that i feel i didn't get from the look-a-like.  

So that wraps up my first real vs. steal, i hope you guys enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.

xoxo Alice