Louis Vuitton bags are an iconic fashion accessory that is the most counterfeited in the world. Louis Vuitton is known throughout history from the 1800s, where it has been a fashion statement for the rich and famous. They are the true definition of luxury, and if you don’t own one, you probably are dreaming of buying or saving up to get one for yourself.
With the popularity and success of the brand, it’s not surprising that you will find so many fakes in the market made by people who will dupe unsuspecting buyers. The price of a replica Louis Vuitton bag may be a few dollars but can’t be compared to an authentic design that comes with the brand’s credibility and unique artistry. If you want to buy a Louis Vuitton bag, read on because we give you the tips to ensure the Louis Vuitton bag you are purchasing is the real deal.
Do your research
It is essential to know and research the reseller you want to buy from. This tip also applies to those who wish to buy preloved Louis Vuitton bags. You need to do your due diligence and ensure you are buying from a trusted reseller. This is essential so that you don’t fall for a fake and lose your hard-earned cash. Here are some red flags you can use to spot a fake Louis Vuitton seller.
Louis Vuitton does not come with authentication cards – to tell if the Louis Vuitton bag you want to buy is genuine, the bag has a unique stamp on the inside of the bag with a date and place code. And nowadays, Louis Vuitton is also produced in countries other than France, so every country has its unique code watch out for those.
Watch out for shops that claim to have brand new Louis Vuitton bags. The fashion brand house does not have an outlet because they sell all the fashion accessories from Louis Vuitton boutiques, directly from their website or from a few select department stores. Therefore, if a seller tells you they have brand new Louis Vuitton bags and don’t fall under any of the categories mentioned above, then know they are fakes.
You cannot purchase Louis Vuitton wholesale. So avoid shops that claim to have the bags at discounted prices, especially on limited editions. Louis Vuitton doesn’t have sales because once they reach the sale target of a particular design, they stop the manufacture of that bag.
Pay attention to the details.
Sometimes telling whether a Louis Vuitton bag is fake is easy. If the seller doesn’t claim to sell an authentic one or sell at a low price, you know that’s not an original Louis Vuitton bag. You can always spot such bags in the market stalls, displayed on the streets by vendors and the like.
However, the challenge is when the seller tells you that they are selling the real deal. Nowadays, manufacturers of fake Louis Vuitton bags have upped their game and are making well-crafted replicas that, if you are not careful, you may fall for the scam. So when you see such copies of Louis Vuitton, you need to pay attention to the details such as;
The packaging – Louis Vuitton’s bags don’t come with any hanging tags or plastic wrap around the handles.
Stitching – every Louis Vuitton bag is meticulously handmade and crafted. Therefore, the stitching on an authentic bag is exceptional. If you notice any loose ends or fraying, then that bag is fake. Louis Vuitton uses linen thread strengthened by beeswax to avoid such imperfections.
The hardware – the zippers and clasps found on Louis Vuitton bags are always of the highest quality. They are made of brass and will not fade. You will notice that fake bags mostly use metal or plastic painted a golden color that usually fades over time.
Checking the date codes
Any Louis Vuitton bag manufactured after 1980 will always have a date or location stamp found on the bag inside the small pocket or a small tab. Here is a look at how the date code format has been throughout the years.
The early ‘80s – codes from this time consists of three or four numbers representing the year and the last number representing the month the bag was made. For example, if you see 853, then it means the bag was made in February 1983.
Mid to late 80’s – during this time, the brand changed its coding format to add the manufacturing country at the end. The first two numbers represent the year, the last two months showing the month, and the last two letters showing the country where it was made. For example, date code 865VI means the bag was made in May 1986 in France.
The 90’s to 2006 – during this time, the brand changed the date code once again. They moved the factory’s location to the beginning, and the first and third numbers represented the month, with the second and fourth numbers the manufacturing year. For example, BA0915 reads January 1995 made in France. They used this coding format until 2006.
Check the flower pattern.
Louis Vuitton is recognized by its distinctive LV logo and flower pattern. When checking if a bag is fake or not, these are among the things to check. For example, if you see a flower cut at the seam of an authentic bag, it will match the fabric on the other side. The flower will also be cut off at the same place as the other side of the bag. You also notice that the seam will never run through the LV logo.
An original Louis Vuitton bag is crafted from a single piece of leather that wraps around the bag; therefore, the LV logo found on the front is usually right side up, and the back is generally upside down.
Once you get your authentic bag, don’t forget to take care of it and learn how to clean Louis Vuitton bag to maintain its classic look.
