Nothing is wrong with that, but I'm not going to recommend it to people visiting NYC when there are so many other better things to do there. In fact, I am going to discourage it. What's wrong with that?

The big deal is those knock offs are made in sweat shops overseas. Ya wanna support that?

Well I think it's more superficial to spend $$$ on a real bag than a few bucks on a fake when they're both going to go out style within a few months anyway.

And how many other things that everyone buys (such as Nike sneakers) are made in sweat shops oversees? Don't be hypocritical unless you plan to investigate where all of your clothes and shoes are really made.

No way frugal. Good bags never go out of style. My mother has been carrying the same Gucci since 1987. The Hermes Kelly bag at $12,000 has had a waiting list since the 50's.

And you think that buying a &quot;real&quot; DKNY or Gucci in a store means it isn't made in a sweatshop????<BR>

Nope. Look inside a real Gucci. It says Made in Italy. DKNY I don't classify as designer. Too mass marketed.

<BR>Expensive things are made in sweat shops too! This same topic was discussed ad nauseum a few months ago. I'm starting to wonder if the people who paid top dollar for Gucci, DKNY, etc. are made to feel very stupid when someone sports a knockoff they bought for $25! Wouldn't surprise me. <BR>

Juan, DKNY (Donna Karan New York) is her mass market brand. I wouldn't be surprised if it is made in a sweatshop either. She licenses her name to different manufacterers for a cut. The high end designers work is quality. Next time you are in a nice department store check out the nice bags. You can tell the difference.

I buy watches on Canal Street whenever I am in NYC. They last exactly two years, and by that time, I am so sick of them I don't care. I never pay more than $20 for them. I got the most amazing &quot;diamond&quot; earrings that even the guy at the jewelry store admired. They are probably 2 carat size and were $6. As for the handbags, I am pretty rough on them, as I use them as briefcases/handbags, and since they go out of style so quickly, I would rather pay $40 on Canal Street than $400 on Fifth Avenue.