WATERLOO - They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and for those not willing to shell out hundreds for a handbag, designer replicas are an affordable alternative to pricey purses.

High-end designs like Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Dolce & Gabbana, Kate Spade and Prada aren't just for Hollywood elites and well-to-dos anymore. Local boutiques like Purse-N-Ality in Cedar Falls and Time 4 Purses in Waterloo provide a variety of budget-friendly, couture-inspired accessories.

"It's so much easier now to get a really fun, funky purse without spending a lot," says Kelly Bush, owner of Time 4 Purses.

But getting the look at a fraction of the cost doesn't mean fashionistas have to compromise quality or style.

Bargain shoppers with a flair for fashion should inspect imitation purses before purchasing, Bush says. Zippers should be catch-free and stitching should be in shape -- no matter what the price tag says.

Bush says demand for Coach knockoffs have skyrocketed in the past year, with ages of shoppers ranging from 6 to 60.

"Everybody loves Coach and asks for a Coach knockoff," Bush says. "A real Coach is going to last you seven years, but I tell customers don't be real rough on (your knockoff) and it will last you a while."

Authentic Coach handbags run around $350, but Purse-N-Ality's most expensive imitation costs $50. While the accessories may look similar, slight differences give the fakes away. These changes ensure the purses are legal by differentiating themselves from the real deal.

Bona fide Coach bags follow a signature pattern with connected C's, but copy-cat styles are decorated with G's or O's. Imitations also forgo the "Coach story" and identification number found inside authentic purses and are built with a mixture of leather or synthetic materials, depending on the handbag. Other than that, it's hard for an untrained eye to spot a fake.

Dillard's handbags associate Summer Baird acknowledges an influx of replicas, but insists most ladies still opt for the quality of the real thing.

"Coach has definitely have grown in popularity because of how well the product holds up," Baird says. "Coach can stand well for years and years, it won't break down. A lot of the leather actually gets better over the years."

It's hard to find Prada purses in Iowa, but many ladies love the "crocodile" skin purses made popular by the designer. As long as in-vogue shoppers don't mind a label that says "NYC" on the popular black triangle in lieu of "Prada," they can snatch a look-alike for around $30 from area shops.

Many trendsetters in the Cedar Valley are willing to forgo a few labels or embellishments if it means getting a chic bag that won't break the bank.

"It doesn't need to say Kate Spade," says Jessi Vickers of Cedar Falls as she peruses Purse 'N Ality's wide range of striped and polka dotted handbags modeled after the sought-after designer.

Authentic Kate Spades range between $200 to more than $400 at department stores like Von Maur in Cedar Falls, but fashion addicts willing to purchase a purse sans the tiny label can get the look for $20 to $40 from Purse-N-Ality or Time 4 Purses.

"People really like the fact they can get six or seven bags for the price of one designer," says Jessica Palmersheim, owner of Purse-N-Ality. Palmersheim says the shop gets about 100 purses a week from cities like Chicago or New York, and most of them fly off the shelf.

One of the store's newest styles simulates Italian designers Dolce and Gabbana's handbags. Carol Schaefer of Waterloo was impressed with the replicas.

"I usually buy Italian leather bags, which are typically pricey," Schaefer says as she inspects the slouchy, oversized hobo-style bag. "It's fun to find something at a reasonable price that looks like the real deal."

Contact Kayla Porter at (319) 291-1482 or kayla.porter@wcfcourier.com.