The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Luxe vs. Less: Tokidoki Handbags


Why pay $184 for a Tokidoki by LeSportsac when you can pay $38 for an Okiedoko from Baghaus?

Well, for one thing, the real Tokidoki featured above is sold out at LeSportsac.com, but you can also find them at Nordstrom.com.

Aside from that, it's hard to cough up more than $100 for a nylon bag, even though we absolutely ADORE the magical, hypercute anime world of Tokidoki.

But what do you think? Would you buy the real thing or opt for the less expensive designer-inspired bag?

Left: Tokidoki for LeSportsac "Zucca" in Trasporto print, $184.00
Right: Okiedoko Grey Buon Viaggio Tote, $38.00
Comments
I dunno on this one.... I don't want to pay so much for the real thing, all though i do ADORE them! my problem is that I'd feel odd knowing other people would be able to tell i'm carrying a slightly off versioin... but I guess that just shows I'm a label snob!
#1 Peaches (Homepage) on 2007-09-24 09:03 (Reply)
Wanting the real deal doesn't necessarily make you a label snob--we think it depends on what you're going for :-)

In the case of Tokidoki and LeSportsac ....gotta say, we'd wait for the real ones to go on sale OR score one at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

In fact, we got a LeSportsac Graffiti Remix tote at Marshall's on clearance for $20 or something ridiculously cheap. We like the specificity of the artwork on the real thing.

Now if you just wanted to go for the anime print look, but weren't too concerned with the artist, then we suppose the designer-inspired bag would do the trick :-)
#1.1 The Budget Babe on 2007-09-24 10:07 (Reply)
i think they're scary - remind me of japanese comic books.
eeek.
speaking of scary, anyone see scary spice on dancing with the stars? her dancing is pretty good but she really is scary - she has a man's voice and a loud obnoxious laugh. double eek. oh eddie, what were you thinking?
:-)
#2 maggie z on 2007-09-25 15:17 (Reply)
For me it is a point of pride....to wear the cheaper version. I will NOT be bullied into spending tons of money on a bag. I am actually browsing all the wonderful bags on www.etsy.com and will probably end up spending less than $30 on my bag. For me, wearing a label that says I spent over 100$ for a bag would make me embarrassed. But that's just me.
#3 Birgitte on 2007-09-26 01:45 (Reply)
The feeling is mutual. Most days. Sometimes we waver (it's a girl's prerogative right?) But in general we won't buy anything that screams a designer's name because we feel it reflects poorly on us.

However as budget shoppers, we recognize that many people are not paying full price for their goods either. For example, we assume a large proportion of people carrying Coach purses probably bought them at a considerable discount at places like Marshall's or TJMaxx. No shame in that :-)
#3.1 The Budget Babe on 2007-09-26 12:23 (Reply)
i take back what i said earlier - went to macy's and saw some of the bags - they are kind of cute. but at 156$ a pop? i don't think so. anyway, next year they will be sooo 'last year!' let's wait till they're at marshall's.
:-)
#4 maggie z on 2007-10-04 13:56 (Reply)
I would rather have the real deal
#5 trisha (Homepage) on 2008-02-04 17:08 (Reply)
I've been an avid collector of tokidoki for a few years now. Sure it's kind of on the pricy side, but there's a little thing called ebay...And if you haven't been to the actual tokidoki page, then you need to. It gives you a detailed description about why the designer creates these types of cartoons. So before you call it "eew" or scary, check out the details first.
#6 Jessica on 2009-04-14 11:07 (Reply)
only the real deal for me, i like to give credit where credit is due. tokidoki is an original, anything else is a knock off, copycat, unoriginal undercutting biz opportunity and i don't support that, i know the original is pricey, but i prefer to support the original artist. i have 3 tokidoki bags, and yes they can be found at ebay, tjmaxx, marshalls and loemanns. i just found a $284 bag for $119, and i am so happy to have found it.
#7 siousie on 2009-11-04 01:54 (Reply)
I'm a huge Tokidoki fan and I think what they do is great. So when I go for tokidoki, I always go for the real thing. I think we need more unique brands like Tokidoki so instead of supporting knock offs, I prefer to support the real thing.

I think the best place for me is going to Ross...they have one there once in a blue moon. But it is totally worth it.

Plus, the vinyl toys they have are just too cute!
#8 Linh on 2010-04-21 21:54 (Reply)
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