Even the most educated fashionista can accidentally wear a rip-off. If you're the type of fashion enthusiast who wears everything from Louboutin, to Acne, to Forever 21, then you'll understand this particular predicament. First, the story. A few weeks ago we were shopping up by Herald Square. After hitting up some of the garment district shops for applique goodies (we like a DIY challenge once in a while) we felt our ability to sift through the mass retailer offerings especially acute. So, we dove into H&M and Forever 21 and it took a few hours but we were pleased with the results. A color block dress, a pair of high waisted parachute pants, a denim jumper, a straw hat, and one thirty dollar bucket bag. The bag came last but was added to the pile because the one we were carrying during this endeavor was losing its (many times repaired) strap. About a week later, after many compliments, we discovered the bag on our unassuming shoulder was a Marni rip-off. Now, we look at all of the shows, we read all of the major fashion publications, we're more or less obsessed with all things fashion, since ummmm its our job (though it must be said that this post is is not written by the "we" who is downright obsessed with all things Marni and consumes a great deal of it- Editor's Note: that Marni devotee would Julie our EIC ), but somehow, this particular design fell through the cracks and made us the unfortunate victim of a copyright crime. Because we avoid these blatant rip-offs like the plague, it was especially upsetting. Fashionista runs a nice little feature called Adventures in Copyrights, which keep us clued in to the worst of these examples. No matter how much coverage these items receive, nor how aware you are of what's happening in fashion, if you shop at the chain stores it's likely that you'll make a slip. We're not sure how to solve this problem, all we know is that Topshop is states-bound (which will surely make the process more complicated) and that, as soon as we discovered that our bucket bag was, well, someone else's, we hopped online and bought our old bag in a new color. Below, in honor of the violation, a spread of our favorite bags that, we're sure, are not rip offs. Sure they're more expensive than what you'll find at H&M, but they'll more than likely save you in the long run. Trust us.

Coutorture's Editor in Chief may have a slight substance abuse problem when it comes to Marni. Thus as she browsed through the Google Reader today to check out network posts, she became more than a little giddy with Fashionation's post on fashion bloggers rocking a certain pair of Marni Wedges. Those glorious wedges are very much on sale, in a variety of colors and sizes no less. Fashionation managed to find a look-a-like pair but we feel it is our duty as avid consumers of the label to only suggest the Real McCoy. Because with so many options to choose from at such a discount it just might be worth a summer splurge. Think you can't afford them? We suggest forgoing your summer vacation and using the funds to snag a pair. Wear them in your backyard and create your own fashion vacation. Get a kiddy pool, a Slip N Slide and some Popsicles and admire your feet long into the summer twilight. Just think of all the gas money you would be saving. Which you ummm just spent on the shoes but never mind that little detail!

Gee, why does Marni have to be so gosh, darn livable all the time? While window shopping on ecommerce this afternoon we realized how amazingly comfortable we'd be if we only wore Marni all the time. Just look at those dresses. This sentiment, in part, is inspired a certain Network Partner who rolled up to our cocktail gathering in something of cotton feedsack with acid green hoop earrings and lace up platform sandals. The girl knew how to keep it comfortable and look smashing. Inspired we were. This season, Marni turned out something that they describe as an 'amphora' shaped dress (yes, like the freakin' vase) which is, as far as we can tell, Marni's patronizing way of saying 'loose at the hips'. Patronizing she may be, a Marni girl conjures happy and relaxed better than most and she doesn't have to spend half of her life at the gym. We're kind of wondering if that might be our summer resolution past July 4th weekend. We'll call it 'Marni and a Makeover'.

In choosing an economic system, Deng Xiaoping sady it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white so long as it catches mice. Apparently Chinese capitalism is catching a lot of mice as Coach is betting it will grow to a $250 million dollar retail presence as it grows from 15 points of sale to over 50 in five years time.

Times may be tough but we always go back to our favorite shoe brand.

Dolce and Gabbana plan to open 24 more stores next year.

Yet another shock, rich people get frustrated when they can't buy expensive things online easily.

We like to think it is all of the discount Marni we purchase that is helping Yoox get to its 2009 IPO.

We are major Marni fans here at Coutorture so it stands to reason we love their signature print skirts. Long, short, bubble, a-line, circle or mini; all are equally appealing to us. But the trouble with wearing a busy skirt is keeping the rest of your styling reasonable. One of the classic tricks is to wear the most basic shirt possible and allow your skirt to take center stage. The more downtown version is obviously to go straight with a tee-shirt and to find a nice cheap colorful skirt. The idea had been percolating in our head after seeing a model on a go-see with a basic white tee-shirt and a very bright floral skirt she rescued from Urban Outfitters. And then community partner High Fashion Girl decided that this combination aesthetic was her summer uniform. Apparently this has been on many a hip young fashionistas mind. We have a few low cost busy skirts and inexpensive t-shirts to help set the mood for you.