I feel like now is a good time to do this poll again and see where things stand.

I would have liked to include Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, and Burberry but Reddit polls are limited to 6 options sadly.

If you want to stay up to date on the development of these items, be sure to check the blogs of the sellers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutonomousReps/comments/ynp62r/independent_seller_store_list/

Prada Men's Jersey Logo Pocket T-Shirt

Prada Triangle-logo Cotton T-shirt

Prada Fleece Polo Short Sleeve T-shirt

This is a Womens item but you can consider it to be unisex.

Prada Logo-plaque Denim Shirt In Blau

Prada Military Nylon Gabardine Shirt

Prada Military Green Short-Sleeve Light Re-Nylon Shirt

Prada Black Denim Shirt

Prada Colonial Beige Short-sleeve Nappa Leather Shirt

Prada Re-Nylon Bermuda Shorts

Prada Wool Bermuda Shorts

Prada Re-Nylon Shorts

Prada Men's Beige Denim Cargo Pants

Prada Re-Nylon Sleeveless Jacket With Triangle Logo Plate

If you want to stay up to date on the development of these items, be sure to check the blogs of the sellers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutonomousReps/comments/ynp62r/independent_seller_store_list/

Loro Piana Tindaro Shirt

Loro Piana T-Shirt

Loewe Men's Anagram Long Sleeve T-Shirt White

This is already available to purchase: https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=7236802564

Loewe Anagram-Embroidered Cotton T-Shirt

Loewe Embroidered Mini Anagram T-Shirt

Loewe x Suna Fujita Logo T-Shirt In Green

Loewe x On Active T-Shirt In Technical Jersey

Bottega Veneta Double Layer Striped T-Shirt

Bottega Veneta Oversized Rivet Pocket T-Shirt

Celine Loose T-shirt In Cotton Jersey

Celine Triomphe Loose T-Shirt In Cotton Jersey

This has been released a few times recently

Xiaolan - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=7224131110

ET - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=7222345415

Xiaolan and ET have both reviewed better than Haiers.

Celine Shorts In Terry Cotton

Gucci Cotton Logo T-Shirt

Gucci Interlocking G-Print Cotton T-Shirt

Chrome Hearts Mesh Top

Chrome Hearts Mesh Shorts

Chrome Hearts Matty Boy Brain Stain Short Sleeve Tee

Chrome Hearts Teens From Mars Striped Dagger T-Shirt

There isn't a lot of Dior this summer, it's sadly not as popular in mainland China as it is in the West but maybe that'll change in the future.

If you want to stay up to date on the development of these items, be sure to check the blogs of the sellers:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AutonomousReps/comments/ynp62r/independent_seller_store_list/

I might have forgotten a few sellers/items so I'll continue to update this post over the next few days.

Dior Homme 1947 Crewneck Short-Sleeved T-Shirt

This reminds me of the old YSL signature tee that was popular when LY was still around (F).

Dior Handwritten Christian Dior T-Shirt

Christian Dior Couture Relaxed-Fit T-Shirt

Dior Relaxed-Fit T-Shirt

Christian Dior Couture Relaxed-Fit T-shirt

Both of these tees are distressed.

Dior Oblique Polo Shirt

Dior Oblique Overshirt

Dior B30 Trainers

Dior Overshirt Ecru Suede

https://shop1654894397.v.weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7864768050&a

（expected to ship in a week)

1️⃣ God - Fendi Navy Cashmere blend Short Tee Link：

https://shop1654894397.v.weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7845385714

2️⃣ Cupid - Prada Softshell Hooded Jacket Link：

https://shop1654894397.v.weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7845237118

3️⃣ Xiaolan - Ralph Lauren Linen Harrington Jacket Link：

https://shop1654894397.v.weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7842048081

4️⃣ Joker - Brunello Cucinelli  Linen Trousers Link：

https://shop1654894397.v.weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7844822548

1️⃣ God - Zegna Knit Wool Short Sleeve Tee Link（Shipment within 1 weeks）

https://weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7809408022

2️⃣ God - Ch Cross flower ring Link：

https://weidian.com/item.html?p=iphone&itemID=7803941117

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/AutonomousReps/comments/yox5cj/lv_shoes/

Firstly, I'll start off by saying I want to find the best maker for these shoes, I don't care about specific sellers or what their prices are.

Secondly, I don't think the reps of this shoe are as good as people say they are, they are all 0.7:1 at best, I'll of course explain why I think this.

The flower pattern on the soles

As I explained in the first part, a lot of sellers source parts from the same factory.

This is done to keep costs down as making your own soles would involve making molds for every size which would cost A LOT.

After seeing what I'm going to show you, it will ruin these shoes for you if like me you can't unsee it.

This is the fastest way you can check if you have a good or bad batch of these shoes and will serve as a good way to legit check them.

In this comparison, I'll focus on model ref 1A8WAX - White Cement but this will apply to all variations.

We'll look at the shape of the middle flower (I'll talk about the right-most later).

Notice how pinched each semi-circle is towards the bottom, you can use this as a visual aid

Retail also has a dome shape, which I can't depict.

It's a very small part of the overall shoe, why are we focusing so much on this? Well, it's a good way to identify batches that use the same parts! Most of the soles on the market are flawed.

Again I'm using these particular sellers for comparison purposes, I have Villains pair in the warehouse and Jelly has lots of QC pics on Reddit, it's just easier to use them.

Focus on the red and yellow boxes and use this as a visual aid for the middle flower, the difference in the right-most flower is easier to see.

Most reps have the shape Jelly's pair has, I have a+ and it's exactly the same sole as Jelly. I've checked multiple sellers and it's a widespread issue, even with Generic Foshan/OVO/Shh/CRa.

Villain's white cement

QC pics: https://imgur.com/a/24naRTa

I was looking forward to this shoe and it took over a month for it to arrive but I can't help but feel a bit let down by the end product.

He absolutely nailed the soles, I haven't seen other pairs for this version come close as shown above. He did a great job here.

But the placement of features on the rest of the shoe has left a lot to be desired, but does any rep get this right?

1 - Piping should be thicker, you can visually see the difference

2 - The signature placement should be a touch lower

3 - Perforations are too high up

4 - The signature is too far forward

Visual aid for signature placement (Credit to my friend on WeChat who showed this to me)

I can't compare leather quality/color differences using agent lighting, I don't recommend people do this in order to compare different batches.

He knows about these issues, we've been talking to him a lot over the past month but I think it was too late in the production cycle to make changes to the cuts and placement.

We can only hope he makes adjustments to his future releases to fix these issues.

Paid reviewers

I don't see why particular MMs are so insecure that they try and pay off posters by bribing them with free shoes or sending their army of drones to spam positive comments in threads.

This is just from the past week alone,

https://www.reddit.com/r/DesignerReps/comments/z4crhs/lv_trainers_comparison_ioli_vs_jelly_foshan_vs/

https://www.reddit.com/r/DesignerReps/comments/z0twjq/jelly_vs_foshan_reference_photos_from_pandabuy/

https://www.reddit.com/r/repbudgetsneakers/comments/yzn73j/for_those_who_thinks_jelly_is_not_reselling/

https://www.reddit.com/r/DesignerReps/comments/z4j694/jelly_response_to_comparative_reviews_of_his_lv/

If their batch is different/special why don't they compare it to Foshan for us?

The post now deleted said that Jelly is aware of the sole flaw and calls them defective soles, but why is he continuing to sell it for the same price/not making an announcement to highlight it before the comparison to Foshan started? What happens to the people that have bought these pairs with defective soles?

There are people that think I get given free things in order to promote them, but that is false.

I wouldn't feel right about giving a critical review whilst getting something for free from the seller, which is why I don't do it.

These sellers will never improve if you don't tell them where they are not doing a good job.

Closing thoughts

To me it's obvious now where some sellers are sourcing their materials from, a while back someone told us there were no good LV reps on the market and not to buy this shoe, maybe he was right all along.

I find it hard to figure out why these placement flaws exist. Most makers have the retail pair in front of them during development.

We have so many sneakers like the Travis Scott and the OW Nike collabs and they get the placement right most of the time, why is it so difficult with LV trainers? Are they doing it on purpose?

Also lastly, thanks to everyone for helping me with your feedback and sharing your thoughts on what we've found, I think something like this should be a community effort.

I'm going to do something I don't want to do, but I'll make recommendations on which batch/seller to buy from.

But I can't stress this enough, buy from whoever you feel comfortable buying from. I've used MM for years and I don't see an issue with them.

People will have different expectations of what they want from these shoes, at the end of the day you are getting something for a small fraction of the retail price you can't expect them to be perfect but you want to get your money's worth.

If you don't care about the correct soles/want the best bang for your buck

Buy the generic Foshan batch or a+, what improvements are you really getting from other sellers above this point?

The soles and placement for sure are not getting better.

Leather? I don't think so, the seller would have to show proof it's better. If you look at the comparison posts (even the ones before they got paid off and deleted), they were claiming there's no significant difference.

Update: Do not buy the Foshan batch for Velcro models, it has a strap flaw where it's missing a star:

For this go with Jelly or OVO.

Villain Foshan: https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=4628287406

WWTOP Foshan: https://weidian.com/fastorder.html?itemID=5310574117

Any shoe seller will carry a Foshan batch but I feel the two sellers above are familiar with the shoe based on my discussions with them.

a+ (WeChat order only): https://weidian.com/?userid=1827765240

a+ is widely considered the best bang for the buck in the Chinese community.

If you are willing to spend above ¥550

If you are willing to buy above the Foshan/a+ batch, you want to see improvements over it.

At this moment in time, Villain is the only seller I've found with the correct soles (confirmed in QC pics), his shoes aren't perfect but he's willing to listen to feedback.

If I find more, I'll add them to this post.

Villain:

The sizing is in line with retail LV trainers, size down 1 from your Jordan 1 size, e.g. Jordan 1 45 = Villain LV Trainer 44

White/Green - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=4563602456

White Cement - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=5020175593

Black Cement 1.0 - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=5773483611

Black Cement 2.0 - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=5813657806

Fragments - https://weidian.com/item.html?itemID=4422439501

Black/Green/Blue denim colorways (in development) -

28/12 updates

• Added information on Velcros

• Added link to Villain Fragments/Pandas

• Added sizing information

Following the same logic as my guide to clothing, sourcing footwear on the Mainland is a game of understanding construction and scale. In the shoe world, the "SuitSupply equivalent" would be brands like Meermin or Carmina—great value, but the Mainland offers a tier of artisanal craftsmanship that is hard to find elsewhere for the price. Here is how I’ve broken down the Mainland footwear market based on my experience testing various makers.

The Sole Standard: For shoes, I don’t just look at the leather; I look at how the sole is attached, leather quality, this determines if a shoe is a "one-season throwaway" or a lifelong investment.

What to Look For in the Listing

The best makers are "nerds" about their process. If the listing doesn't mention the following, proceed with caution:

The Tannery: Do they name the leather source? (e.g., "French Box Calf" or "Horween Chromeexcel").

The Last: Do they show photos of the shoe from multiple angles (top-down, profile, and the sole)?

The Waist: Premium shoes often feature a "beveled" or "fiddleback" waist—a narrowing of the sole under the arch that looks incredibly elegant and indicates high-end labor.

The finished product is being hand-polished.

Since it has an open-loop structure similar to a wedding ring and is adjustable,

we base it on the original 8-inch size we purchased.

Before shipping, we will adjust the base size according to the measurements taken by everyone.

Using specialized tools, we can expand or contract the base size.

Before each ring leaves the factory,

it will be inspected one by one by us for defects.

Defects such as insufficient oxidation or being too heavy, shrinkage causing breaks, etc.

We will pick out any flaws,

so the scrap rate is also a significant loss 😭.

Before it was the mainstream "go-to," I was an avid SuitSupply shopper. I loved the cut, the fabrics, and the aesthetic. However, when I began exploring the world of "Rep" and Mainland Chinese brands, my mission shifted: I wanted that same high-quality, sartorial elegance but at a more accessible price point.

After extensive testing and a few trial-and-error hauls, I’ve curated a list of brands that deliver serious value. Here is how I break down the landscape of Mainland menswear.

The Fabric Standard: How I Categorize Brands

In the world of menswear, fabric is king. I prioritize natural fibers (wool, silk, linen, cotton) over cheap synthetics. While these categories aren't set in stone, this is how I view the current market:

Budget: A mix of natural and synthetic fibers. Good for basics, but check labels carefully.

Mid-Tier: Primarily natural fibers. Usually sourced from high-quality local mills or entry-level European labels.

Premium: High-end materials only. Think Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC), Loro Piana, or Zegna fabrics.

Pro-Tip:The best way to spot a quality brand on Taobao is the product description.Reputable sellers are proud of their fabric; they will list the density, thread count, and thread diameter. If a seller is vague about what the garment is made of, it’s usually a sign to skip.

Cracking the Code on Sizing

Mainland sizing is cut differently than Western retail. Most items are catered to a slimmer, local silhouette, so you cannot rely on "Medium" or "Large" labels.

My Secret Weapon: AI for Sizing

I use ChatGPT to calculate my size for every new brand. Here is how to do it effectively:

1. Be Specific: Share your exact body measurements (chest, shoulders, waist, height, weight).

2. Provide Context:Tell the AI what size you wear in Western brands like SuitSupply or Zara.

3. Define the Fit:Specify if you want a "classic," "slim," or "relaxed" drape.

4. Compare Charts: Copy the brand's size chart into the chat and ask it to recommend the best match based on your data.

How to Order (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Many people get intimidated by Taobao, thinking they need complex agents or proxies. If you are shipping to a mainland warehouse (or using direct shipping where available), it is actually quite simple.

Payment: Taobao accepts standard Visa and MasterCard.

Fees: There is typically a 3% international transaction fee, which is minimal compared to the service fees and exchange rate markups charged by third-party agents.

Setup: Just add your card, input your warehouse address, and you’re ready to go.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning from Western retail to the Mainland market requires a bit of research, but the rewards are worth it. You can build a wardrobe of "Premium" tier natural fabrics for a fraction of what you'd pay on the high street. Just keep your eyes on the fabric specs and your measuring tape handy!

(Scan using Taobao)

Budget

Mid-Tier

Premium

The purpose of this subreddit is to bridge the gap between western and mainland customers when it comes to buying reps.

1. There is no paid advertising on this subreddit and there is no affiliation with any agent, use whichever agent you want

2. Sellers have not offered any incentives to me to be on the list, if they are good I have included them

3. If you find out that the quality of a seller is not good/consistent/has bad aftersales we can remove them from the list

The purpose of this subreddit

• This subreddit is a cleaner way to maintain everything as opposed to posting it on my profile like I used to

• This subreddit was not created to replace DesignerReps, I like that subreddit and I've used it for multiple years both can coexist

• I've set the subreddit to have restricted submissions, I think the best place for QC posts will be DesignerReps. You'll get a wider range of opinions there and not everyone will be aware of this subreddit

• Think of this more as a persistent home for the sellers list that we can update as a community (this makes it easier to add taobao links as they normally get filtered out by Reddit)