Seven Checks Before You Believe a Designer Bag Is Real

Counterfeits have improved, but they still tend to fail in the same places: stitching, hardware, lining and paperwork.

Why this is worth five minutes

Counterfeit consumer goods are products made or sold under another's brand without authorisation, and fashion accessories are among the most copied categories. Background is in Wikipedia's article on counterfeit goods.

The seven checks

1. Stitching. Even spacing, straight lines, the same stitch count on both sides of a handle. Loose threads and wandering lines are warning signs.
2. Hardware. Zips, clasps and rings should feel heavy and move smoothly. Engraving should be crisp and correctly spelled.
3. Leather. Real leather has an irregular grain and a recognisable smell. A strong chemical odour suggests otherwise.
4. Lining. Makers finish the inside as carefully as the outside. Cheap, creased lining rarely belongs in an expensive bag.
5. Logo and typeface. Compare letter shapes and spacing with the maker's own product photographs.
6. Serial numbers and date codes. Check the format the maker uses and where it should be found.
7. Paperwork and packaging. Receipts, cards and dust bags are easy to fake, so treat them as supporting evidence only.

The seller matters more than the bag

A price far below the market, a refusal to supply extra photographs and pressure to pay outside the platform are stronger signals than any single detail of the item.

When you cannot tell

Use an independent authentication service, or buy from a reseller that guarantees authenticity and refunds. Pay by a method that offers buyer protection, described in buying pre-owned safely.