- How Can You Tell If A Prada Handbag Is Authentic
- How To Tell If My Prada Bag Is Authentic
- How Do I Know If A Prada Bag Is Authentic
- How To Tell If A Prada Bag Is Authentic
If someone tries to sell you a brand new handbag with a dust bag of this description, then it is fake. If the dustbag looks different to any of the above descriptions, or is not present with a new bag, the bag is not genuine. Remember though, if the bag is preloved, the cards and dust bag may not have been kept by the original owner. Look for the interior plaque. Some fraudulent designers will neglect to insert a label on the inside of the wallet. Authentic Prada wallets will have 'PRADA-MILANO' embossed on one side and 'MADE IN. Feel the Texture. You can easily tell the difference between a real and a fake Prada bag just. The workmanship is top-notch artisanal. One of the more common ways to know if a bag is.
Authentic Prada handbags are a luxury not afforded by everyone.
For those who seek the opportunity to purchase a designer item, knowing how to spot a ‘good’ fake from a genuine product is not going to be easy.
As an eBay trading assistant I have bought and sold many expensive products over the years and I have seen my fair share of really bad replicas and some quite good ones. The point being made is that the illegal producers of products are very good at polluting our online markets with counterfeit items, masking them to be the original.
How Can You Tell If A Prada Handbag Is Authentic
It is time to put an end to this; if we cannot ourselves stop the manufacture, at least let’s educate ourselves on how to spot a fake Prada handbag, or wallet or pair of shoes for that matter, so we no longer financially support these businesses.
Never get fooled again. Sure it’s tempting to take advantage of an incredibly low-priced, genuine ‘looking’ designer handbag like Prada. If you cannot afford to by brand new from a Prada flagship store, and you are searching for a preloved item that is 100% the real deal, equip yourself knowledge.
Here you will be able to learn to tell the very subtle differences between the real genuine article and a really good, or sometimes terrible fake. It could ultimately save you thousands of dollars and lots of heartache.
Certificate of Authenticity
All genuine, brand new, Prada handbags come with two authenticity cards. One will be paper and the other a plastic credit card-like card, typically in a small black envelope. The latter not only holds details of the bag style, but also its serial number.
Prada Bag Lining
Not only are the external materials of a Prada handbag of the utmost quality, but so too is the lining.
Authentic Prada bags have lining that can come in one of three materials:
- Prada signature fabric
- Smooth calf leather, or
- Satin
Regardless of the material used, the word ‘Prada’ and a symbol that looks like a sideways letter “S”, or figure 8, will always appear. This will be repeated horizontally over the lining.
Watch out for misspellings of the word Prada also.
Genuine Prada Dust Bag
Look out for a white dust bag to house your new addition in. This will be white and has a soft felt like feel.
The front of the bag will have a black Prada logo on it and it will have a drawstring closure.
The tag inside the bag itself should be labeled with ‘Prada’ and will also state 100% Cotton, and Made In Italy.
Be aware that older style dust bags were navy blue with Prada printed in gold. If someone tries to sell you a brand new handbag with a dust bag of this description then it is fake.
If the dustbag looks different to any of the above descriptions, or is not present with a new bag, the bag is not genuine.
Remember though if the bag is preloved, the cards and dust bag may not have been kept by the original owner. You can try asking for a receipt too.
Stitching
If any stitching appears to be loose, misaligned, messy or just all over the place it will definitely not be the real deal.
A genuine Prada product has perfect stitching, very neat, always aligned and nice and small.
Materials
Prada handbags are manufactured using the highest of quality materials and can include:
How To Tell If My Prada Bag Is Authentic
- Canvas
- Crocodile
- Lizard
- Buffalo Leather
- Deer Skin
- Wild Boar Skin
- Suede, Satin or Nylon
- Leather – patent, polished, textured, full grain
- and even Ostrich.
Hardware on a Prada Handbag
Hardware, or buckles and external additions typically come in three colours
- Silver-toned
- Gold-toned, or
- Rose- toned.
If you see a bag with a combination of any of these colors, or something different it is not genuine.
Logo Outside of the Prada Bag
A signature identifier of a Prada handbag is its triangle logo. This is usually placed in the middle of a bag in the front or on the side.
Pay close attention to the placement and spacing of the letters of the word Prada. They will always be evenly spaced on a genuine article, and if the logo is a plaque it will be engraved, not printed on.
Furthermore, the letter R in the word Prada will have its right leg curved a little. If it is a straight R is will be fake. If it has a little curve on the R just before it meets with the letter A, then it is authentic.
Logo Inside the Bag
There will always be a plaque on the inside of the bag, attached to the lining.
It will always state “Prada Made in Italy” and it will be metal.
- It will be firmly attached to the lining on all sides
- It will have 4 round corners
- There will be a piece backing material underneath the plaque which you will be able to feel
- The wording will be raised
- The color will match or be very close to the color of the lining
A plastic or fabric tag is a sign of a fake Prada. Also, it the tag says anything other than the phrase mentioned above, it is fake.
As always, the best way to ensure you are buying a genuine Prada product is to purchase it from a genuine flagship store, or a department store. And buy brand new. If you are looking for a preloved product and you are buying online try to follow the above-mentioned guide to ensure you are not buying a fake.
There is no doubt that Prada handbags are popular because they are made from quality materials and carry quality features.
Authenticity card, stitching quality, logos, matching colors throughout, engraved Prada name with a curved R and overall quality materials are all good signs that your product is genuine.
Remember also that if the bag is being advertised as new and has a ridiculously low price, ask a lot of questions before even considering buying this. No one, no matter who they are will ‘give away’ a genuine Prada bag for peanuts.
If you prefer to feel and inspect a Prada item before buying, scour local opp shops, or thrift shops. Some ladies who are fortunate enough to afford these kinds of designer bags often like to regularly donate their items as they buy new ones so you may just spot the bargain of the century in your local donation shop today. It will have more chance of being genuine than the stand at the local market that has a sign up advertising ’50 brand new Prada bags all for $20′.
A pioneer in monogram bags, Louis Vuitton has produced countless handcrafted purses that women and men alike covet.
Even if their artisanal handbags come with hefty price tags, Hollywood celebrities to common folk want to get their hands on one (or several).
The classic Louis Vuitton logo embellished on monogrammed leather
This comes as no surprise thanks to their top grade Italian leather and precise craftsmanship. Each bag comes with a whole lot of time, love, and effort.
The Hollywood favorite Louis Vuitton “Keepall” duffel bag
Currently, Louis Vuitton houses Michelle Williams and Alicia Vikander as their main endorsers. Other under-the-radar LV faces include Jaden Smith, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Connelly.
Louis Vuitton showcases its “Manhattan” bag
Unfortunately, with the rise of the brand’s popularity also come the counterfeiters. Fake Louis Vuitton bags have dominated the e-commerce industry, resulting in numerous eBay sellers who offer knockoffs at ridiculously low prices.
In November 2019, CNBC reported that The RealReal, the world’s largest online consumer marketplace for luxury items, has been selling fake luxury products. The same month, officials seized thousands of counterfeit designer bags at Dulles International Airport.
According to FOX 5 DC, the counterfeit cache included 2,601 coin purses, 459 purses, and three backpacks adorned with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Prada, and Hermes designer labels.
Louis Vuitton 2003 Pre-Owned Monogram Multicolour Eye Love Holdall, $36,040 at Farfetch
Don’t worry – all hope is not lost. We have the know-how on busting those fake Louis Vuittons, saving yourself the money and hassle of falling prey to counterfeit bag predators.
Without further ado, we bring you nine easy ways to tell whether your LV is the real deal:
1. The workmanship is top-notch artisanal
One of the more common ways to know if a bag is authentic or not is to check its workmanship. Just like Gucci handbags and other luxury designer bags, an authentic purse will have perfectly aligned stitches that are the same length.
In fact, the artisans behind authentic bags are so skilled that the number of stitches on one handle matches the other.
Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will have perfectly aligned stitches that are the same length
For Louis Vuitton bags, the stitching thread is more of a mustard color than a brighter yellow hue.
The leather pieces that make up the bag are perfectly cut and fitted with each other. If there are creases, bubbles, and misalignment due to bad fitting, you might want to put that bag down.
2. Hardware is beautifully crafted from brass
Bag connoisseurs know that the next thing to check for is hardware. Louis Vuitton uses top grade brass hardware that usually comes in shiny or matte. For shiny zippers and locks, do a reflection test – the brass should reflect as a mirror would.
Louis Vuitton uses top grade brass hardware
The zippers should not snag when you try to unzip the bag. Louis Vuitton also manufactures their own zippers and does not use YKK or other branded zippers.
Hardware should not be covered in plastic. Counterfeit bag makers wrap the hardware in plastic to prevent them from tarnishing right away. Quality hardware will not tarnish and is usually uncovered.
3. Shell pattern should be neat and symmetrical
Another obvious thing to look at in monogram bags is the shell pattern. For Louis Vuitton, the classic LV logo should be symmetrical and the letter L should always be lower than the V. If the letters are wonky and not perfectly aligned, the bag is not authentic.
Louis Vuitton’s classic LV logo should be symmetrical and the letter L should always be lower than the V
It is also important to note the placing and consistency of the monogram pattern. If you look at the pattern diagonally, the order of one strip should be a fleur-de-lis, a circle, another fleur-de-lis, then the LV logo. The strip alternating it should contain only the fleur-de-lis symbol.
For logo embellishments, check that they are symmetrical and beautifully crafted. The Maison logo usually writes “Louis Vuitton Paris” in two lines.
4. Vachetta leather oxidizes and darkens over time
The leather strips that run across and make up the handles are called Vachetta leather. Vachetta leather is made out of natural, untreated European calf hide that darkens with oxidation over time.
Vachetta leather oxidizes and darkens over time
If the strips stay a pale color over time, it is fake. The leather should darken into a beautiful golden shade as it ages.
5. Handle trim should be a darker shade of red, not bright red
There are many great things about Louis Vuitton monogram bags that keep us preoccupied. To the hawk-eyed, one lesser-known detail is the red trim that runs along with the Vachetta leather.
Identify fake Louis Vuitton bags by studying the shade of the trim
You can easily tell a fake Louis Vuitton bag from an original one from the shade of the trim. The authentic ones will run closer to burgundy (but not quite) while counterfeits will usually be a brighter shade of red.
Low-quality Louis Vuitton counterfeits will also have the trim peeling off over a short amount of time.
6. Date code should be found on the lining
Each bag comes with a date code, which is basically a little leather tag where letters and numbers are embossed to note where and when the bag was made.
Unlike other bags, Louis Vuitton date codes are a little harder to find since they’re tucked within the lining. One thing is for sure: an authentic LV will always have a date code.
In some cases, the date codes are stamped into the lining.
7. Know your dust bag and box history
Counterfeiters often get lazy when it comes to details. A good way to catch fake products is to know your history of Louis Vuitton dust bags and boxes.
Dustbags before 2004 are made out of beige flannel with the LV logo on it and brown drawstrings. Some of the older bags may have blue drawstrings on them, and some have felt-like material that has jagged cut edges.
Louis Vuitton Pre-Owned Special Order Monogram Amfar II Trunk Case, $20,578 at Farfetch
This brown leather trunk case from Louis Vuitton features a round top handle, a push-lock fastening, an all-over logo print, gold-tone hardware, a hanging key fob, an internal mirror, internal drawers, two removable logo-print bags, and two detachable shoulder straps
From 2004 to 2016, the beige dust bag is made out of flannel or linen. A perfectly symmetrical and centered LV logo is printed in brown on it. A small white tag saying where the bag was made can be found inside.
In 2016, Louis Vuitton revamped their packaging. All their boxes are orange with navy blue text. The dust bags followed suit, turning into a cream color with navy blue writing.
8. Use your sense of smell
This one takes some time to practice. It’s good to know what authentic leather smells like so you can easily set it apart from synthetic ones.
Also, if the bag reeks of chemicals, you might want to reconsider your purchase.
9. Common sense, really
If you have a bag that retails for $1,000 and is being sold to you at $100, there is much reason to be wary. Research the original retail price online before considering a purchase.
Louis Vuitton Pre-Owned x Comme Des Garçons Burned Holes Monogram Tote, $8,696 at Farfetch
This dark brown and beige leather tote from Louis Vuitton features a monogram pattern, gold-tone hardware, round top handles, an internal logo patch, a hanging luggage tag, a drawstring closure, and a removable lining
Louis Vuitton also lists the retailers where their bags can be purchased. The brand also limits online resellers, so be careful of purchasing bags over the internet.
Louis Vuitton Questions and Answers
Why are LV bags so expensive?
One reason is the high manufacturing cost. The luxury brand produces its handbags in workshops located in France, Spain, and the United States, and does not outsource manufacturing to cheaper locations like India and China.
Cynthia Bailey carries a large Louis Vuitton tote at LAX on March 5, 2020
How Do I Know If A Prada Bag Is Authentic
In addition, the company spends billions of dollars every year on marketing. According to Reuters, in 2018 Louis Vuitton spent 5.6 billion euros ($6.3 billion) on marketing, reaching 12% of group revenues.
Does Louis Vuitton have a sale?
No, Louis Vuitton doesn’t have sales that are open to the public. Instead of discounting, the company will burn or destroy unsold stock. In some countries, the company organizes secret sales for its employees.
Why does Louis Vuitton burn unsold bags?
While burning handbags helps maintain the exclusivity of their goods and stops them from falling into the hands of illegal counterfeiters, environmentalists have criticized the company for this wasteful strategy.
Some myths:
1. “The leather will never cut off at the LV logo.”
Some have claimed that pieces of leather will usually not cut off at the LV logo, but that is not necessarily true. For smaller bags, the logos are cut off at the edge.
One thing that you can check for, however, is if all the logos cut off at the same point. This means that the pattern is symmetrical.
2. “Louis Vuitton does not invert their logo.”
Again, this is not true. For models that use a single continuous leather piece such as the Keepall, one side will have inverted logos on it.
Louis Vuitton is continuously coming up with designs outside of the classic ones, so it’s good to know their bags well. A great way to familiarize yourself is to study their photos online.
If you’re in doubt about a purchase you made, you can call Louis Vuitton for help in authenticating your product.
Celebrity Fans of Louis Vuitton Bags
Some of the celebrities who go gaga over Louis Vuitton include Selena Gomez, the Kardashians, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Miranda Kerr. Check out more celebrities who love their LV’s below.
How To Tell If A Prada Bag Is Authentic
Miranda Kerr, Selena Gomez, and Rihanna love their Louis Vuitton purses
Hilary Duff gleefully strolls through the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with her two-piece Louis Vuitton luggage
Cherries, pinks, and furry things: Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Kelly Osbourne prefer their Louis Vuitton with a dash of cuteness
Taylor Swift dresses up her casual outfit with a Louis Vuitton x Christian Louboutin “Shopping Bag”
Alicia Vikander, Dita Von Teese, and Christina Milian pick out variations of the infamous LV monogram
For more tips on busting the fake LV’s, watch the video below to see how a fake $169 bag compares to a real $1,850 handbag: