When it comes to fashion, there are those who love a good shoe and those who love a good bag. And while you may think you fall into both categories, I’m here to tell you that you probably skew towards one over the other. I love a good shoe. But a beautifully handcrafted bag always manages to find its way into my heart (and closet). Sadly, because a good handbag can be costly (consider the design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that goes into creating one), many counterfeit versions have found their way into the market. Which is why it’s so important to know what you’re buying before you commit to a large purchase. In this post, I’m dedicating some time to deciphering real versus fake versions of the bags you love by looking at examples of three popular brands that tend to suffer from counterfeiting. Think you know how to spot one? Read ahead and see for yourself.
#1. HERMES
In this video, Portero does a side-by-side comparison on a Hermes bag. Pay close attention to stitching, color, hardware functionality, and serial numbers when considering a Hermes bag on the secondary market. This video tells us more in great detail:
#2. LOUIS VUITTON
For classic Louis Vuitton monogram style bags, there are several ways to tell the original from a replica. Look out for a repetitive pattern, symmetrical patterns, size of the bag, color, handle stitching, brass hardware, uncut leather (one continuous piece of leather), and no bottom bag seams. The video below gives detailed factors to help us tell if a monogrammed bag (with the “LVs”) is an original.
#3. CHANEL
Chanel is an absolute classic in the fashion industry and one of their bags is basically the “it bag” of all seasons. Look out for the font in the branding, the gold hardware, the weight of the chain, the leather (should be lambskin, not calfskin), the space between stitching, and authentication stamps. More details in the video below.
Chanel is often coveted and duplicated because it’s difficult and costly to find the real thing. In the video below, Vintage Heirloom tells us how to spot a fake 2.55 Chanel “Flap Bag” in a side-by-side comparison of details.
