How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Purses

When buying an expensive purse from a name brand like Louis Vuitton, it is essential that you know you're getting the real deal. You can spot most fakes by examining the appearance and quality of the bag itself. Other times, researching the seller is enough to give you a good idea about the purse's authenticity.

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How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Purses

When buying an expensive purse from a name brand like Louis Vuitton, it is essential that you know you're getting the real deal. You can spot most fakes by examining the appearance and quality of the bag itself. Other times, researching the seller is enough to give you a good idea about the purse's authenticity.

 

Steps

Tips and Warnings

Look at the Overall Design

The bag’s design should be your first clue about its authenticity. Some fake designs are obviously fake, but others may require a little more research to catch.

1. 1
   Find out if the bag is an authentic design. Odds are, if you do not recognize the design as a Louis Vuitton, it may not be. If you have any doubts, check the bag design through a boutique, on the official Louis Vuitton website, or in a catalogue to determine its authenticity.
   
   

   
2. 2
   Be aware of designs that are likely to seem real but are actually fake. Multicolor, Cherry Blossom, and Cerises designs are not available in all bag styles. Vintage pieces are also more likely to be scams.
3. 3
   If buying a trademark monogrammed bag, make sure the letters are clearly printed in gold with brown lines through the LV. Avoid solid colored monograms or monograms with a green tint.
   
   

   

Pay Attention to the Little Details

Your next biggest clue about a bag’s authenticity should be the little details, such as its zippers, interior lining, or date code. Every design is a little different, but there are many similarities between designs that will also help clue you in.

1. 1
   Avoid bags with an attached tag. Most official Louis Vuitton purses do not have the tag attached. Instead, the tag is separate, often slid into a pocket of the purse. Be especially wary of tags that look cheap and are attached with little more than a thin piece of string.
2. 2
   Pay attention to the interior lining. Most knock-offs use cheap plastic or suede to line their bags. A real bag may be lined with a variety of textiles, depending on the specific design, but most are lined with canvas, fine micro monogram textile, cross-grain leather, polyester, or microfiber suede.
   
   

   
3. 3
   Be wary of bags that have plastic wrapped around the handles. The oxidizing natural cowhide leather does not need this protective plastic, and bags that come with that plastic might be fakes.
   
   

   
4. 4
   Look at any clasps or other hardware. Legitimate bags use brass or gold metal, but many fakes use plastic with a layer of gold paint.
   
   

   
5. 5
   Look for zippers with the "LV" logo imprinted on the pull.
   
   

   
6. 6
   Check that "Made in" label. Originally, authentic Louis Vuitton bags were only made in France. For the past several decades, however, the company has also produced bags in the United States, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
   
   

   
7. 7
   Check the date code. The majority of bags made after the early 1980's have a production code stamped on the bag. Since the 1990's, the code includes two letters followed by four numbers. Before the 1990's, the code was a one or two letter code followed by three or four numbers. Some were also simple three number codes.

   • Look in the right place. Usually, the date code is located beneath the D-ring.
8. 8
   Know the specific parts of a particular bag. Even though there are many similarities from bag to bag, no two designs are exactly alike. Research what type of lining, feet, and base, among other details, a particular style of bag should have. Check on the company's website or ask your nearest boutique.

Check the Quality

Real Louis Vuitton bags are finely crafted.

1. 1
   Examine the stitches. This is best done in person, but if not possible, ask the seller for as many close-up photos as possible. Sloppy stitches suggest a counterfeit bag. Another indicator of a counterfeit footprint is the number of stitches per inch (SPI) of the seam. SPI (stitches per inch) refers to the number of stitches in a single inch of seam. A higher SPI count will translate into greater overall seam strength, (and therefore a higher quality handbag). Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will generally have a higher SPI count than many of the counterfeits on the market.
   
   

   
2. 2
   Walk away from bags with a tilted pattern. Legitimate bags have careful, even patterns that are well matched and proportionate. A bag with a tilted pattern that does not match up with itself is likely to be a fake.
3. 3
   Look for upside-down LV's on the back. Not all authentic bags have upside-down LV's, but many do, especially if the design was made with one continuous, seamless piece of leather that wraps all around the bag. This is especially true of the Speedy styles, Keepalls, and Papillons.
   
   

   

Know the Seller

The reliability and reputation of a seller can be as big a clue to a bag’s authenticity as the bag itself.

1. 1
   Research the seller, especially if purchasing a bag in an online auction or through a similar online venue. Check seller feedback. Look for sellers with an overwhelmingly large percentage of positive feedback with comments, and avoid sellers with negative feedback, zero feedback, or private feedback.
   
   

   
2. 2
   Avoid sellers who offer no return policy.
3. 3
   Read between the lines. If a seller's product description makes you hesitant to purchase the item, trust your instincts.
4. 4
   If you cannot see the bag in person, look for listings with thorough pictures. Only purchase a bag after you have seen, at minimum, a picture of the front, back, base, lining, date code, and the embossed "Louis Vuitton Made in" stamp.
   
   

   
5. 5
   Ask for additional pictures from the seller. They may be using pictures of real Louis Vuitton purses to sell fakes.
6. 6
   Look for deals, but be wary of sellers offering a bag at a considerably discounted price. A legitimate bag that retails in the hundreds will probably not sell for less than $100, especially not in new condition.
7. 7
   Avoid sellers that claim to have bags from a "new collection" not yet in stores.
8. 8
   Avoid sellers that claim to have bags from a "wholesale list" or "closeout liquidation." Louis Vuitton does not discount, have outlets, or do wholesale. Any seller that claims otherwise is not to be trusted.
9. 9
   Do not buy Louis Vuitton purses from street vendors, since the company does not permit street vendors to carry their merchandise.
   
   

   

   
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