Why I Stopped Overpaying for ‘Made in USA’ and Started Buying from China It started with a handbag. Not just any handbag — a slouchy leather tote that seemed to be on every influencer’s arm last spring. The tag said $850. I wanted it, but that price made my stomach hurt. I’m Lila, a freelance graphic designer living in Austin, Texas. My style is what I call ‘polished thrift’ — I love high-end looks but I’m not made of money. I’m a middle-class shopper who’d rather spend on experiences than label markups. But here’s the thing: I’m also a bit of a skeptic. I’d always assumed buying from China meant…