My absolute favorite design of bag could easily be the Valentino bag – it’s chic, timeless and exudes an effortless cool. Recently, I’ve had several people tell me about spotting what seemed to be the bag, but in actuality were only cheap, knock-off imitations. It certainly made me take a step back and be more mindful of the Valentino bag I was looking into.
When it comes to genuine Italian leather bags, it’s important to be extra particular with what I bought. With the knock-offs, the leather commonly used does not have the same level of quality or luster as Valentino original leather. The details are typically not as precise or exact, and it’s likely that holes won’t be evenly cut and the stitching won’t be as neat and tidy. It’s also quite common for the duplicates to have a strange plastic-y smell.
My common sense seemingly kicked in whenever I was about to go ahead with a purchase, and I usually back out whenever I’m unsure. It’s better to be safe than sorry. There’s a bunch of online sites that claim to be selling authentic Valentino bags, however, there’s no actual way to tell without actually seeing the bag in person.
That said, if the Smell, cleaning fabric, color and texture all feel off and questionable, then it’s probably best to stay away from the product and find something else. A tell-tale sign of a fake, is if the stitching does not only look off, but it’s way out-of-line, and almost like a child’s attempt at made. In addition, it’s also important to note that all the material of a genuine product have a smooth feel, while knock-offs are rough and well-worn, like a third-hand item.
Also, when it comes to the logo, counterfeits usually have it printed, to the point of spreading it over the entirety of the bag, versus a real brand which has the logo tastefully placed and compacted. Another key upshot to discussing Valentino bag fake is that the zipper should be checked thoroughly. Most genuine products come with individually coated zipper teeth for extra protection, so be sure to look out for that.
The dustbag too, provides an additional signal of authenticity as it should be made of a brown suede type material. As a rule of thumb, with an original Valentino bag, I can spot a fake Valentino Bag from a mile away since most of the time the details in a copycat are just too pristine.
It also pays dividends to be conscious of the bag’s interior, where the lining should be in a very soft leather with a unique pattern that’s specific to the bag’s collection. Also noteworthy, is the fact that all genuine bags should come with an official square leather logo patch sewn at the back-right of the bag’s inner area.
To further ensure only the authentic Valentino bags are bought, I like to shop through an authorized retailer or thrift store, as you’re more likely to score an ethically-sourced original. Okay, what else? Well, the handles and shoulder straps should have a rounded arc shape, and the logo letters should remain glued and social at sight at all times. Lastly, Know that the Grade A counterfeits may replicate the look of the bag from the outside, however the level of craftsmanship is not exact.