First things first, and this is like, *super* obvious, but people still fall for it: the price. If you’re seeing Valentino Rockstuds for like, $50? Girl, run. Just run. That’s faker than a politician’s promise. Real Valentinos ain’t cheap. Period. Think about it, the Rockstuds alone are expensive.
Now, about the “original” Valentino thing… Ugh, this Mario Valentino business? It’s confusing, I know. Apparently, there was a Valentino before *the* Valentino Garavani. Like, Mario Valentino started earlier. And apparently, at some point, they even, like, *agreed* on how to coexist. Sounds messy, right? But honestly, who cares? We’re talking about *Garavani* Valentinos here. The ones with the rockstuds that everyone wants. Don’t get distracted by the old Mario situation.
Okay, so what *else* can you look for? This is where it gets a little trickier. The quality, duh. But what does “quality” even *mean*? It’s like trying to describe the color blue to someone who’s never seen it. Good stitching, high-quality leather, the studs should be perfectly aligned…it’s a whole vibe, y’know? If the leather feels like plastic, the stitching is wonky, or the studs look cheap and uneven, red flag, red flag!
And then there’s the little details. I saw somewhere that there’s a video about real vs. fake Valentino sneakers. Maybe look that up? Probably easier than reading my ramblings, lol. But seriously, check EVERYTHING. The logo, the packaging (is it flimsy and cheap?), even the way it smells. Real leather has a certain smell, ya know?
Honestly, authenticating designer stuff is almost an art form. I’m no expert, I’m just telling you what I’ve picked up over the years. Maybe find an authentication service? They’ll probably charge you, but it’s better than shelling out a ton of money for a fake pair of shoes.
And let’s be real, sometimes the fakes are so good, it’s hard to tell. That’s why it’s so important to buy from reputable sources. Like, I’m not saying you *can’t* find a legit deal on eBay, but you gotta be super careful. Maybe avoid buying from places that don’t have a clear returns policy.
