Question by finkksta: How do you tell the difference between designer purses and imitations?
Best answer:
Answer by T????
Here are some simple steps to tell if they are real or not…
Remember to follow ALL the steps.
I know its long, but read it ALL.
And if you see the word “knockoff” it means a fake designer imitation or whatever.
Hope I help you!!
One – Where Did You Buy It?
Location, location, location: Buy from a department store, not online retailers like eBay, which offer designer goodies at discount prices. Rarely will bona fide designs be on sale. Authentic bags are also not sold at purse parties. If you’re really in the mood for a discount, try designer outlet stores like Coach or OFF 5TH, Saks Fifth Avenue’s discount outlet, which offer designer bags from seasons past.
If buying online, check the seller’s lot to make sure they don’t have a hundred or so of these “extremely rare!” purses. Check their return policy and also calculate shipping into the equation. But my advice is to NOT buy online.
Two – Digits
Check the digits: Most authentic totes have either a control card or control number on the inside, as well as a certificate of authenticity. The number on the tag or control card should match the number printed on the lining. If you can, register your bag.
Three – The Touch and Feel
The touch, the feel of faux: You should be able to tell the difference between a real designer and an impostor by touching the bag and feeling the softness of the leather or suede. Fakes tend to feel more like plastic. Also, check out the weight of the bag, as leather and suede are heavier on the real thing.
Four – Deatails and Stitching
Details, details, details: Little details such as quality and color can be telltale signs of a faux. According to Loreen Chapman, a Macy’s handbag expert, you can often tell an authentic bag from a fake by the lining and stitching. She says fakes sometimes have threads hanging from them or fraying in the corners. Genuine bags are also often lined with fabric with the brand’s specific logo or monogram on it. The fabric and the lining should be able to withstand more wear and tear if the purse is real. On a reproduction, the stitching may not be completely straight, or may be a different color. Even the color of the outside of the bag may be a little off.
Remember, the people who sew for Prada and others are good at it — one assumes they are the best at it. Look in the corners, particularly, and see that the stitching is straight. Top-notch bags not only use excellent materials but pass a quality control test. Spot any flaw — no matter how tiny — and youll know you’ve got a phony.
Five – The Logo
Check the logo: Always pay attention to the pattern of printed monogram styles. Sometimes instead of a “C” for Coach, you may see a “G” or an “O.” Burberry might have an “S” on the end. Or you might see an “LX” instead of an “LV” for Louis Vuitton. And while the patterns may sometimes be correct, they may be inverted, or the letters in the monograms may not connect where they would on the real thing.
Six – Hardware
Check out the hardware: Hardware is important. On knock-offs, the hardware tends to be oversized. For instance, the trademark name-plate may be huge on a knock-off. Many authentic designs also have details such as a logo or letter on the zippers and clasps.
Seven – Smell It
Smell it. Leather smells good. You should detect no chemical smell at all.
Eight – Design
Design and color. Do you recognize the purse? Is it similar to one that you like, but seems a little off? A few less pockets on the inside perhaps? Or wow, you’ve never seen a turquoise Chanel like this! How unusual!
Nine – Authentication Papers
Are there authentication papers with the bag? Ha! The presence of papers doesn’t really matter since those can be just as counterfeit as the purse.
Ten – Piping
Piping: Follow the piping around the purse. Check that it is sewed evenly and that there are no overlaps. Try to find where the two piping ends meet. They should be sewn together. Lots of basic regular purses will use vinyl or plastic piping although the rest of the purse is leather.
Eleven – Trust Your Gut
What do your instincts tell you? Are you holding your first “Gucci” handbag and you’re a little disappointed? Chances are you’re holding a fake.
Twelve – Stitching
More on stitching giveaways: Most fancy handbag makers don’t use nylon thread. Further, the stitching should not be really obvious. Look inside and check the lining. Is that bag as elegantly turned on the inside as it is outside? It ought to be. Put your fingers in the corners and push to see if the lining holds up and how well it sits in the purse. It should be flush to the corners.
Thirteen – Price
Oh, and also, if you got a $ 300 bag for $ 40 from a street vendor, chances are that it is FAKE FAKE FAKE.
Fourteen
Follow ALL these steps!! If you miss one step, you could have a knockoff on your hands. It could be a fucci, frada, furberry, or fuitton.
What do you think? Answer below!
Just look at the logos. A lot of the fake designer purses have a really shiny fake leathery look to them.
Usually you can tell by the look of the “leather” which is usually plastic on fakes. If you can’t tell the difference by looks you can definetly tell by the feel of it. Also over time they will discolor (like fake louie’s turn an orangy color)