I don’t know about you, but when it comes to luxury items like a Chanel bag, the last thing I want to do is get taken for a ride. It can be hard to tell the real from the fake, so I’m going to tell you my foolproof way of spotting a fake Chanel bag.
For starters, if you’re buying online, you’ll want to check the vendor’s reputation, which you can usually do by doing an internet search. I’ll also add my two cents here and say that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. After you make sure you’re buying from the right person, you should inspect the bag yourself.
The first thing you should look for in a real Chanel bag is the brand’s classic logo. It’s usually a double c intertwined. Make sure the logo is well-placed, crisp, and symmetrical to the touch. It should also be stamped firmly over the fabric or leather. Check for the words ‘Made in France’ as well, which is usually located on the backside of the bag.
Check the stitching on the bag for consistency. Notice any strings sticking out? That’s an indicator of a fake Chanel bag. On a real Chanel, each and every stitch should be even and there shouldn’t be any strings hanging off either. You can also check the tags for authenticity. Most authentic bags have an attached leather tag along with a serial number.
The zippers should be another giveaway. Fake Chanel bags usually have cheap zip pullers, or may not even have one at all. On an authentic Chanel bag, you may find the logo engraved on the actual zipper. Make sure it’s well placed and looks like it’s actually a part of the zipper, not pasted on top.
Finally, it’s a good idea to take it to a professional Chanel bag expert to get it authenticated. Many online bloggers have made it their mission to teach people how to spot a fake from a real, so you won’t have a hard time finding one. And they’re usually pretty affordable too.
These are the basics and the best advice I could give when it comes to spotting a fake Chanel bag. Now, let’s get into the details. To start with, the hardware on a fake Chanel is usually leaps and bounds from that of an authentic one. On a real Chanel bag, the hardware should be etched with the ‘Chamonix’ (the trademark used by Chanel) which will give it that glossy, golden sheen. Fake bags, on the other hand, will have a very dull and matte look.
The material on a knockoff Chanel tends to be very thin as well, so if it’s too light or too rough, it’s more likely a fake. On a real Chanel, the material is thicker, weaved, and will be much heavier. Also, check the interior of the bag. A real Chanel bag will have a soft cloth or suede lining, whereas a fake one will be made of a thinner, cheaper material.
Another telltale sign of a fake Chanel is that it will usually have a miscoloured logo. Meanwhile, a real Chanel logo will be vibrant in colour and precise to the touch. The patent leather or leather on a real Chanel will also look flawless, whereas a fake will look rough and unappealing.
When it comes to authenticity cards and dust covers, well, that’s a whole other story. Real Chanel bags come with them, but it’s really hard to tell when something’s fake. A great way to check if they’re real is to look for the Chanel stamp embossed in each and every card. It should appear on the top right of the card. If it’s not there, then you can bet it’s not real.
I hope this in depth look at what makes a real Chanel bag has helped you decide which is the real deal. Remember that when it comes to luxury items, you want to make sure you’re buying the real thing! Also, keep in mind that you can learn a lot just by taking a good long look at the bag and paying attention to details.
Next up, let’s talk about price. A real Chanel bag will always be within a certain price bracket. Anything below that, and you can bet it’s a fake. Also make sure that the seller has some sort of return policy—after all, you don’t want to get stuck with a fake when what you were looking for was the real thing.
As if all that isn’t enough, let’s not forget about the smell of a real Chanel bag. A fake bag usually smells like plastic, while a real one always has a certain distinctive smell. As soon as you open it, you’ll know if it’s real or fake.
Finally, I want to mention that the internet is a great resource for researching and learning about how to spot a real Chanel bag. It’s filled with first-hand accounts of how people tell the real from the fake. Take advantage of these to compare the bags you’re looking at and determine which ones are real.
My last piece of advice is, trust your gut. If you feel the bag doesn’t look quite right, even if it passes the test on all the indicators of a real bag, it’s better to err on the side of caution and keep looking. Fake Chanel bags have a specific look to them, and you can usually spot the difference when you know what to look out for.