The Art of Authenticating Designer Handbags: Spotting Real vs. Fake

It’s not uncommon for fashion enthusiasts to collect certain garments or accessories. While some have an affinity for scarves, others are into watches. Some stock up on as many pairs of sneakers as their closets — and wallets! — can handle. Many boast an array of designer handbags, collecting pieces that not only reflect fine craftsmanship but also reflect their style.

However, there’s one hurdle that often makes curating an impressive designer handbag collection difficult: convincing knockoffs. Whether you’re a seasoned purse collector or just dipping your toe into the pool, it’s important to know how to verify a handbag’s authenticity.

Why Does Authenticity Matter?

At first, you may be tempted to dismiss a designer lookalike as no big deal. But think about it more deeply, and you’ll find that authenticity truly matters in the fashion industry, especially for collectors. This is true for several reasons, the first being that authenticity guarantees a product’s value and integrity.

Imagine getting your hands on the designer bag of your dreams. You pay a pretty penny for it, and, after wearing it only one time, it begins to fall apart. You discover it was a replica. You’d be pretty frustrated, no?

This example sums up why authenticity matters well. Yes, an authentic designer handbag is costly. However, you know that, when you’re paying that price, you’re not just getting a bag; you’re getting assurance that the brand put real effort and care into crafting it, which means it’s more likely to last long enough for you to get your money’s worth from it.

Authenticity doesn’t just benefit the handbag’s purchaser; it benefits the seller, too. Circle back to the previous example, and think of who you’d likely be initially frustrated at. Yes, the brand that made the bag! At the first signs of damage or distress, it wouldn’t be uncommon for you to wonder why the designer couldn’t have made something of higher quality so you didn’t waste your money. That anger is directed at the brand, who, in this instance, isn’t at fault at all — that’s just not fair.

Tips for Verifying Authenticity and Red Flags to Watch For

The good news is that each respective designer handbag brand has a unique set of characteristics you can look for to determine if the product you purchased that bears its name is the real deal or a pale imitation.

The bad news, though, is that many counterfeiters have gotten quite good at imitating designer brands’ work. That means collectors have to be diligent in inspecting their bags for authenticity, especially when they purchase the product indirectly from the brand.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you verify a designer handbag’s authenticity.

Examine Materials and Craftsmanship

The materials and craftsmanship with which a bag was made are key indicators of whether or not it’s authentic or not. Luxury products have high-quality fabrics, leather and hardware sourced from top-tier suppliers. Knockoffs are made with lower-cost, lower-quality materials that can pass for the real thing from afar but fall short the second they’re examined up close.

Start by taking a look at the packaging in which the handbag arrived. Genuine luxury items are nestled into premium-quality packages. On the other hand, counterfeit items are often cheaply packaged, or worse — not packaged at all!

Then, shift your focus to the stitching and hardware. If the thread is frayed or stitches are inconsistent, the alarm bells should begin to sound. It may be difficult to immediately deem something real or fake just by eyeing the hardware. Give it time, and the knockoff will reveal itself. Authentic hardware is durable and won’t fade, chip or rust; cheaper alternatives are prone to breaking or discoloration over time.

Don’t forget to look at the fabric and other materials used to make the purse. Imitation leather looks and feels different than genuine leather. While fake leather is plastic-like and non-stretchy, real leather is soft and stretches a little. Real leather also has a distinct earthy smell, while its fake counterpart usually reeks of chemicals and plastic.

Check the Price Tag

A low price tag is usually cause for celebration, and, in the designer world, that’s the case sometimes; you might have stumbled upon an excellent sale.

However, when the price is too good to be true — when it significantly undercuts the typical price for the same or a similar item — that should clue you in that what you’re eyeballing is probably inauthentic.

Look for Serial Numbers and Product Codes

Some items come with a certificate of authenticity, but others do not. If the product doesn’t have any authentication documentation, look for a serial number or production code. For instance, Michael Kors bags have serial numbers inside the bag. Louis Vuitton does not; instead, the brand stamps a date code — a combination of letters and numbers that indicate where and when the bag was manufactured — on an interior tag or hidden somewhere on the exterior.

Shop With Trusted Retailers

Don’t get caught with a counterfeit if you’re searching for the real thing. Authenticating designer handbags can be difficult, but rest assured, it’s not impossible. You can spot a fake before accidentally adding it to your collection as long as you learn what to look for.

Of course, there are ways to eliminate the chances of ending up with a replica, and one of them is to purchase the bag directly from the source. However, that may not work for bag collectors on a budget or who are passionate about sustainability and purchasing gently loved products.

Those who fall into the latter camp can find a reliable retailer that authenticates pre-owned luxury goods before allowing them to be sold, such as The RealReal. Founded in 2011, The RealReal puts all of its goods through a rigorous authentication process to ensure its members are only getting the best. If it’s a counterfeit, The RealReal rejects it, refusing to let a knockoff enter the market through the platform.

That kind of thoroughness makes the luxury consignment shop a safe place to begin your search for an authentic designer handbag. The company does all of the authenticating for you, leaving you free to worry about nothing else but what shoes to pair with your new-to-you designer handbag.