REAL / FAUX?

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESIGNER AND KNOCKOFF HANDBAGS

How Much is That Handbag in the Window?

As stylish, chic handbags grow in demand, so do their prices. Luxury handbags for major fashion labels can cost thousands of dollars. And many women are willing to pay the price. Handbags have become much more than a fashionable carryall. They have transformed into a status symbol: a sign of class for women from all walks of life.

handbag

Some of the most popular designer handbags could cost more than your monthly or even yearly salary. The ever-famous Birkin bag by Hermes retails at over $60,000; a classic Fendi baguette costs close to $3,000; a 2.55 Chanel bag may cost over $4,000; a mid-size Lady Dior handbag may ring up at $7,200.

But the high price points don’t stop there. Limited-edition designer handbags, like the Cleopatra Clutch by Lana Marks, could cost up to $100,000. Some fashion collectors are even willing to pay in the millions—a diamond-studded handbag designed by Japanese jewelry house Ginza Tanaka went for a cool $1.9 million.

handbag

In comparison, you’re going to pay much less for a knockoff version of a designer bag:

handbag

Hermes Birkin
$375

Fendi Baguette
$225

2.55 Chanel
$175

Lady Dior
$150

You may be in the market for a knockoff, or a replica, if you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a luxury handbag. Whether you’re shopping real or fake, it’s essential to buy strategically so that you know exactly what you’re getting for your investment. We’ll teach you the tricks of the trade to distinguish between faux and authentic designer handbags.

IS IT REAL OR FAKE?

Here are 5 quick tips to separate knockoffs from real designer goods:

1

handbag

Compare the look and feel of materials. Real designer wares have heavy hardware, well-made textiles.

2

handbag

Double-check the workmanship for sloppiness, i.e. stitching and construction.

3

handbag

Take a peek at the bag lining and check for color distortions.

4

handbag

Match all interior and exterior pockets with the original version of the bag.

5

handbag

Look for label and manufacturing typos, a sure sign of a counterfeit.

Many times, it takes a trained eye to separate the real from the fake. Take a closer look at these knockoff versus designer comparisons to get the full picture:

Hermes Birkin

Real

handbag

Firm,
pronounced shape

Straight line on seam

Detailed hardware engraving

handbag

Fake

handbag

Bulging shape

Loose seam lines

Sloppy engraving

handbag

Gucci

Real

handbagAuthentic serial
number

handbagExpensive
materials

handbagHigh-quality
“Made in Italy”
stamp

handbag

Fake

No serial number

handbag

Poor quality
manufacturing stamp

Cheap lining

handbag

Louis Vuitton

Real

handbagDeep manufacturing
imprint

handbagExpensive materials appear
glossy and luxurious

handbagDetailed seams
and stitching

handbag

Fake

handbagVisibly poor stitching

Faux materials
appear flathandbagPoor quality
manufacturing stamp

handbag

2.55 Chanel

Real

Detailed seams
and stitchinghandbagHeavy, ornate
chain

handbagReal leather

handbag

Fake

Faux leather

Faux materials
appear flathandbagLow-quality
stitching

handbag

Coach

Real

handbagHeavy, costly
hardware

Authentic Coach
logo placement

handbagExpensive
leather tassels

handbag

Fake

Cheap hardware

Randomly placed logo

handbagLow-quality tag

handbag

Balenciaga

Real

Correct retail size

High-quality
hardware; proper
placement

handbagFirm, expensive
leather

handbag

Fake

Too large;
wrong size

Cheap hardware;
wrong placement

handbagDroopy, poor
quality leather

handbag

Burberry

Real

handbagAuthentic label

handbagFirm shape

Tight, even stitching

handbag

Fake

handbagDroopy shape

handbagLoose threads
and stitching

handbagMay have
misspelled label

handbag

Michael Kors

Real

Stiff, firm leather handles

handbagExpensive, heavy
front hardware

handbagHigh-quality
leather tag

handbag

Fake

Droopy, soft
leather handles

Incorrect
hardware

handbagCounterfeit tag

handbag

STYLE ON A BUDGET

Many modern women are on the hunt for a beautiful, luxurious handbag that they can call their own, but most are willing to compromise. According to a CouponCodes4u.com poll, women that can’t “afford the real thing” are satisfied with second best.

handbag
handbag
handbag

75%

of the women polled knowingly purchased a knockoff fashion item, including dresses, wallets, jewelry, shoes, and handbags.

Over half of the women admitted to buying faux goods because they simply couldn’t afford a designer label. 9% of the women couldn’t tell the difference between real and fake with their naked eye.

Here are helpful tips to hunt for designer handbags for less:

handbag

Visit Designer Boutiques

Even designer brands have sales. You may be able to snag a pricey luxury handbag at up to 40% off, depending on the time of year; designer sales are often scheduled May through June. Vintage or consignment stores are another alternative, where you can buy designer cast-offs from past seasons.

handbag

Check Out Department Stores

Major department stores like Saks and Nordstrom offer deep designer discounts in pre-sales before major midseason sales, although pre-sales are minimally advertised in-store. If you see a bag you have your eye on during a pre-sale, request to buy it at the sale price before the actual sale begins.

handbag

Shop Online

If you’re looking for a specific designer label, search for brand authenticity when shopping online. Online designer handbag retailers often run regular sales and provide competitive discounts; comparison shop with several e-commerce stores before making a final decision. If you’ve done your homework on your handbag, you can also check out eBay for a better price—as long as you can differentiate between faux and real.

SOURCES

  • “Most Expensive Purses.” MostExpensivecom.
  • “BagBible.” Bag Bible RSS.
  • “FAKE VS REAL WHICH IS BETTER.” HOW TO SPOT FAKE AND REAL GUCCI HANDBAGS.
  • “Fakes Are Never In Fashion!” theseventhdistrict.com.
  • “Why You Shouldn’t Buy Counterfeits.” Lollipuff: The Safer Place to Buy and Sell Chanel, Herve Leger, and Christian Louboutin.
  • “STYLE 101: MAGAZINE: #KnowTheDifference.” STYLE 101: MAGAZINE: #KnowTheDifference.
  • “How to Spot Fake Twiggy Handbags.” How to Spot Fake Twiggy Handbags.
  • “How to Spot Fake Burberry Bags.” StepbyStep How to Guides to Do Things Yourself RSS.
  • “How to identify counterfeit Michael Kors Gia Crocodile Satchels.” Counterfeit Michael Kors Gia Crocodile Satchels.
  • Reuters. “In Quest To Get The ‘Designer’ Look, U.S. Women Admit Buying Knockoffs.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com.
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