I have recently made an interesting discovery about fake luxury bags. While shopping for a new bag recently, I noticed some of the bags looked too good to be true. I kept looking around and noticed that some of the signature fashion house symbols were slightly different than the ones I knew from the real thing. The interiors of the bags were also not up to the same standard I was used to with the authentic versions. After a bit of research, I learnt the tricks for spotting fake bags – and today I am sharing them with you!
The first and most obvious tell-tale sign is to look at the logo, tag or seal applied to the bag. Top fashion houses use uniform and consistent quality stamps – so a sloppy or misshapen logo should immediately give away the fact that it’s a replica. Next up is the material – more often than not, fake bags are made of inferior materials, so it’s important you check if the bag is made with cheap, low-quality purses or poor-grade leather.
Another important aspect is the interior. Most fake bags don’t come with a logo or branded lining, so if you find the inside of the bag is surprisingly good quality, it is probably not a genuine item. Finally, you should check the type and size of the zipper used in the bag – top quality bags will usually come with a metal zipper – so a plastic one can be a sure sign of a fake.
These are the fool-proof ways to spot a fake bag – but what if you are not an expert? As luck would have it, there are some steps you can take to make sure you don’t get caught out. To start with, always shop at reputable stores and sites to ensure the quality of the bags you are buying. Additionally, you can ask the seller questions about the product and take a few photos, so you are sure you can tell it apart from a fake. If you are still not 100% comfortable, you can even have the bag authenticated by a professional.
One more thing to consider when buying a designer bag is to be aware of overly low prices. Fashion houses don’t offer discounts, so anything significantly below the usual market price should set off your alarm bells. The bottom line is, if it looks too cheap to be genuine, it probably is!
Money is hard earned, so it important to protect yourself from being duped. Just remember, by taking a few extra precautions, you can make sure you get your hands on the real thing.
Another way to spot a fake bag is to explore the craftsmanship. Genuine luxury bags are all about the details, so the better crafted the bag, the more likely it is to be genuine. This ranges from how the strap is attached to the bag, the stitching around the seams, or the rounded edges of the lining. As an example, Chanel bags often have a uniformed stitching with interlocked X’s, which should be present on a genuine item. Any slight discrepancy in the construction should alert you to a fake.
In addition to the craftsmanship, a quick and easy way to tell is to check the serial number. All authentic designer handbags come with an authentic serial number, and if it’s missing or differs from the individual fashion house’s style then that can be a good indication of a fake.
When buying a designer bag, it is also important to check the authenticity card. A top-quality card is usually made out of plastic or leather and will feature the logo of the brand. The card should also include the serial number, and some of the fashion houses will even include a hologram or layering you can check with a black light.
Finally, learning about the types of fake bags in the market is an essential step in making sure you don’t get duped. Knock-offs can be anything from a complete counterfeit to an illegal fake, which is a replica made surprisingly close to the real thing – even down to the details. By being familiar with the ins and outs of counterfeits, you can be sure to make an informed decision when buying a designer bag.
Knowing how to spot fake bags is incredibly important, but so is keeping abreast of the latest counterfeiting trends. All counterfeits have one thing in common, they try to look as much like the original as possible. This means that with new designer bags being released every season, scammers are also fast on their feet to create counterfeit bags that closely resemble the real deal. So when shopping for a designer bag, always familiarise yourself with the latest releases in order to protect yourself from being fooled.