5. Ask to see the signature mark …
Signature marks are a great way to see if the bag is authentic. Every designer bag has one – you can find out the details calling the boutique o googling the brand.
For instance, Louis Vuitton bags are stamped with serial numbers and date codes that are registered with LV HQ and Hermes Bags have stamps which identify the artisan and the year the bag was made. Now fakes, no matter how good they are, do not have that.
6. Take a closer look at the logo …
Authentic LV logo
Most counterfeits have a problem with the logo, not only it can be slightly changed, the metal it’s made of will not look or feel the way the real logos do. So if you get the feeling there’s something wrong with the logo, it means there is something very wrong with the whole bag too! Find the real bag online, enlarge the image and compare what you see there to what’s on your frenemy’s bag.
7. See if the logo and the design match …
This is called cross-pollinating. Sometimes they put the logo of one brand on a bag of another brand, for instance Prada logos on Chanel-like fakes. But I am pretty sure you would spot that right away with your designer-handbag-trained eye!
8. Get a glimpse of the packaging …
All designer bags come in beautiful luxurious packages. There should be a nice flannel or cotton bag with the logo, a beautiful box with the logo and a shopping bag of the same color and with the same logo as the box.
Many fakes on e-Bay come in a flannel bag too. But please, don’t let your guards down so easily. Those flannel bags are not the same. Come into a boutique and see what they should really look like or Google them at home.
LV flannel bags are made of sandy yellow flannel with LOUIS VUITTON (in capital letters) written on them in black. The box and the shopping bag are dark brown, look very expensive and also have black LOUIS VUITTON logo. If the package of the bag differs, the bag is fake!
8. If she got it on e-Bay…
No matter how user-friendly e-Bay can be, it’s not the same when it comes to designer bags. Can you imagine, on e-Bay 9 Louis Vuitton or Dior Bags out of 10 are fakes! And the worst part is that they mostly come from powersellers!
So if your frenemy proudly announces she got her new Louis Vuitton Speedy for $500 on e-Bay… well, just make sure you laugh only on the inside, when you suggest that the bag she got is fake (because it really is!)
The reasoning? If someone got a new Louis Vuitton for $700 at the store and they don’t want it (yeah, like that is possible), they would return it to the store and get their money back. The other myth (about the bags coming directly from the factory) we have already covered.
9. Still wondering?
Check out the Authentic Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps buyers to avoid fakes. You will find all the info you need to make a verdict on the bag.
Well, now you are all armed with (hopefully, helpful) tips on how to spot that fake bag on your frenemy’s shoulder.
And what are your ways to spot a fake? Have you ever spotted one on your frenemy? :) I’d love to hear from you!
Top Photo Credit: Bargainista.co.uk
Have you seen the Sex and The City episode where the blonde thinks someone else has her bag! This is a great post on how to spot a fake…I def wouldnt buy the bag any where else but the department stores or a retail store.
Oh, yes, that episode was hilarious! :))
-That Bunny’s got my bag!!! Look on the inside – it says made in China and there is a bunch of condoms in it :)
– Samantha
It’s probably one of the funniest fashion moments from Sex and the City.
This is a great post on how to spot a fake
Yes, it’s nice to know that the bag that your frenemy is flaunting is a fake (for your own personal sake), but does any of that really matter? I happen to have a Chanel bag, and yes it’s fake, along with the other females I’ve seen that have them, but the best part about it is that I spent about $60 on mine, it feels amazing, and it fits me. Now, I know it’s not real, and I’m not ashamed to tell people when they actually believe that it’s the real deal, but unless you’re right up on it and looking at the interior, you’d never tell the difference. I know this because it’s been mistaken several times for the real thing. Unless I had a ridiculous amount of money, I wouldn’t spend my hard earned money on a purse that I’ll probably change out of in next season. There are much more meaningful things than the materialistic ones.
I’ve bought quite a few fakes and as Jenni mentioned; am just not willing to spend thousands even though I really like the design of a particular bag. I also have a few real ones, but have gotten great deals on these. Regarding ’spotting’ – when I walk into Niemans or Saks I’ve had the saleswomen in the bag department tell me they can sell my bag for me as they are out of stock on it. That’s a great bag. I’ve compared my Chloe side-by-side. I’ve also seen the cheap ones described on this blog and to me, they’re not worth carrying as I’m going for the design and style – they obviously don’t cut it.
I think it is shameful to buy a fake. If you don’t want to purchase a real one, don’t pretend that you own one. REAL bags are for the fabulous, and fakes are NEVER in fashion. I think that all women who buy fakes are really sad.
There is no shame in buying a good fake. It’s the CEO’s of high-end of fashion who should be ashamed. ALL LV, Chloe, Prada and Burberry bags are made in factories in China – Shandong Province, apparently. The hardware is retro-fitted in Italy or France, therefore allowing the goods to be labelled ‘Made in France/Italy’. These multi-million dollar companies want cheap, expert labour in China as they don’t like to pay higher wages to their own countrymen. The design houses know there are ‘leaks’ and fakes – they can’t expose the crimes, as they would then reveal their own lies and immorality. So fake yourselves out, ladies!
Will those buying really good fakes be caught by the fashion police? I travelled with a friend to Paris, I bringing a nicely crafted leather purse made in the Philippines while she bringing a mirror image Chanel Caviar Jumbo Flap. And no Fashion Police went to accost us, while I’ve heard of reports of people getting fined for carrying fakes. Is it a crime to carry a fake bag (not sell them)? Or was it just a really good fake the Fashion Police failed to notice them?
Yes, Allie this is somewhat true. If anyone has ever read the book Deluxe the author explains how many brands make their goods in other areas besides Italy/France and only a portion is attached in Italy/France. By doing this Luxury retailers can still claim it was MADE in Italy/France.
Second thing – the book also talks about fakes. If you buy them it supports child labor, crime, drug trafficking, etc. etc.
So, bascially you are screwed either way! I agree that the prices are crazy – as I worked for a luxury house previously and could see the markup!
Are you kidding me…. you actually think about this stuff on a regular basis… wow. Do you realize that you just posted an entire article on determining if some girl bought a bag that is not as expensive as you thought??? As if that would actually make a difference. Look at you… you are so much better than SHE is… you are spending your time looking to see if bought a knockoff bag (obviously jealous of her in the first place) while she is probably off somewhere enjoying life having fun, and doesn’t care about money… she is a lucky girl to not call you a friend.
Hey girls… get your minds out of your prada bag… there are SO much more important things to worry about, and self absorbed drama queens are not attractive or sexy… unless you want a tool … in that case continue
Recent studies have revealed a rather quirky fact about online designer handbags sales. Replicas may soon outsell authentic designer handbags online. Replicas of designs like Chanel and Marc Jacobs handbags are currently outselling the originals online. Though no one would argue that genuine bags and replica ones appeal to the same market the question is raised as to whether or not replica Marc Jacobs or Chanel handbags sales hinder the sale of authentic ones.
Does someone who purchases a replica Louis Vuitton wallet do so rather than purchase a real one? And perhaps a more apt question is, does the fact that the replica is out there undermine the allure of the original?
Arguments for either side seem reasonable, it seems only to depend where one stands, or what one can afford, and what one’s willing to pay for a handbag or wallet. Obviously the majority will say, we can not afford the originals, allow us the replicas. While those who can afford a real one are often begrudged by the sudden appearance of what they see as precious items in the hands of just anyone. While it seems hardly likely that someone who can afford a Louis Vuitton item will refuse themselves that pleasure simply because a women down the street owns a replica Louis Vuitton wallet, the debate will likely go on indefinitely.
Luxurybagland.com has long been home to the finest in fake designer purses, adding class to designer replica handbags when to public may have another opinion. They, along with a few other purveyors of stylish replica luxury goods, have been breaking this misconception buy continuing the sell only the finest of goods.
From these same fine people we now have the ability to purchase items from the new fake Louis Vuitton Stephen sprouse collection. Yes, new at http://www.luxurybagland.com are beautiful replicas of the LV bags, which happen to be one of the hottest new commodities to be released with the famous Louis Vuitton monogram. But perhaps that makes sense, given that since this website has been in operation it has always been quick to pick up on the latest trends and offer beautiful designer replica handbags and fake purses
no way
i wanna know how to see real victoria secret??
Thanks for this post, I hate to see a lot of high pricing handbags either online or locally but then later knowing that it are not genuine at all. glad to have this post.
some good bags are worth money
to: Gucci Bags
I SO agree with you on this one!!! I think handbags and shoes are something truly worth splurging on! They look fantastic and they last so much longer than regular stuff!
And if you are smart about your designer purchases, your Louboutin/Jimmy Choo/Prada/Manolos will cost you around $350-390 and your fabulous designer bag will be around $800-$1000 if you buy these fab items on sale in Neiman Marcus or Saks or the designer boutiques themselves! You just need to track the things you set your eyes on and you’ll get them 40% less expensive when the sales start!