I’ll never forget the time I almost purchased a fake Louis Vuitton bag! Yes, it was so convincing that I had to do a double take. I couldn’t believe it – was this a real Louis Vuitton bag? After doing a quick online search, I quickly realized that it was a fake. That’s when I started to think, just how much do these designer knock-offs cost?
It turns out fake Louis Vuitton bags can be extremely affordable. That’s one of the reasons why they are so popular. You can find a decent pasalubong on a budget of as low as $45. At the high end, you can find some replicas that look identical to the originals. The price? A whopping $1000!
The biggest tell-tale signs that a bag might be a fake are a more affordable price tag and a too-good-to-be-true deal. You cannot expect to pay $25 for an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. That’s not the case for the fake bags, though – searching online will lead you to lots of “bargain” options.
Then, there are the construction aspects. For instance, many high-end replicas have a canvas lining that is printed with a classic off-white and brown pattern. That’s another major indication that you’ve stumbled upon a fake. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags, on the other hand, use canvas in a non-patented lighter shade of coffee, and it will not have any printed patterns.
The hardware details of a Louis Vuitton bag can also reveal a lot about authenticity. Foster a closer look at the zippers and metal fittings. Many of the counterfeit versions use generic hardware pieces that are usually of a lower quality. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags, on the other hand, will use secure logo-engraved speed zips, and these details are made with superior quality metals.
The materials will also give away a fake. Most of the low-end knock-off bags will be made with pleather, usually made from PVC or plastic. Although pleather might look quite convincing, it has a completely different texture to a real leather. On the other hand, authentic Louis Vuitton bags use a type of Lockit leather for the exterior, which is softer and more durable than pleather.
Next, let’s talk about the stitching. Many counterfeiters can be too generous when it comes to securing the seams of their bags. If the bag feels too heavy or looks lumpy due to visible stitches along the edges, then it’s most likely not a real Louis Vuitton. On the other hand, genuine Louis Vuitton bags have precise stitching that is perfectly symmetrical. The seams are secure yet feel quite lightweight.
The placement of the LV logo is also another aspect to look out for. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will feature a subtle marking or logo that is usually imprinted on the exterior. This logo will be perfectly lined with the seams and should not be obstructing other details. If the logo looks as if it was added on as an afterthought, then it’s most likely a fake.
Finally, genuine Louis Vuitton bags should come with an authenticity card. This card should feature the brand’s logo and must have a unique code with a serial number. The logo should be accurate and should be situated at the bottom right corner of the card. If this code doesn’t match your bag’s code, then it is most definitely a fake.
So how much can you expect to pay for an authentic Louis Vuitton bag? Well, you can currently buy a brand new classic Lockit bag for almost $3,000! Of course, there are many second-hand options available at a lesser price, but in either case, it certainly won’t be a “bargain” compared to buying an identical knock-off.