Counterfeit items have always been a problem with luxury items, and that is not much different when it comes to Louis Vuitton items. Websites like eBay are often seen as hubs for fake bags, with a high percentage of these boasting the iconic LV logo. Find out how to authenticate Louis Vuitton in this in depth guide.
Scammers are constantly out there trying to take advantage of shoppers in search of vintage designer goods. So the best way to ensure you don’t fall victim and purchase counterfeit id is to know your brands inside and out.
Starting with the legendary Louis Vuitton Paris, of course. One of the most famous French luxury brands, its designer handbags and leather accessories are synonymous with style and quality.
Authentic luxury at its finest, Louis Vuitton is a luxury goods brand known for their exquisite bags, luggage and luxury trunks. While knockoff Louis Vuitton designs can be seen all over the world, there’s no denying that nothing matches the quality of an original Louis Vuitton item.
From meticulous hand-stitching to high quality materials and signature hardware details that are designed to last generations, few luxury fashion brands outshine this iconic luxury label. Plus, who wouldn’t love the classic luxury branding and logo?
Generally, when it comes to luxury goods, you get what you pay for; therefore when looking at a Louis Vuitton knockoff vs real product – it pays to have an eye on quality.
The iconic Louis Vuitton Damier and Monogram patterns can be found on many authentic products such as the Alma, Neverfull and Speedy. Yet they’re often imitated by unscrupulous sellers.
Here’s a detailed list made to help you identify authentic and fake Louis Vuitton handbags.
How to Authenticate Louis Vuitton – 7 Ways to Spot Real Vs Fake Louis Vuitton
The best way to make sure that you are buying an authentic LV bag is to purchase it from one of the Louis Vuitton stores. The company has more than 460 stores worldwide, which will provide you with a genuine Louis Vuitton receipt for all items.
However, if you are buying a vintage LV bag, you need to take extra precautions. Authentic bags have several characteristics that can be looked at to identify whether they are genuine.
1. Check The Stitching
If you’re wondering how to tell if a Louis Vuitton bag is real, start by checking the stitching. The number of stitches, the quality thereof, the alignment, and the color of the stitches can all indicate if it’s the real deal or a fake bag. Although vintage authentic Louis Vuitton bags at times don’t have perfect stitching, they will always be well-crafted.
The number of stitches should always mirror one another on the symmetrical parts of the Louis Vuitton pochette or bag. For certain bags, experts can count the exact amount of stitches in a certain place and tell if it’s a real bag.
Another example that is specific to the LV monogram bag, is that the stitching is always a certain yellow color on the trim and brown on the leather. So be sure to check if the stamps and side of the bag are well stitched.
2. Look At The Louis Vuitton Stamp
In all the authentic LV bags there is a heat stamp that acts as a mark of authentication. Unlike Chanel, which has authenticity cards that come with the purchase, these heat stamps are placed on the inside of a Louis Vuitton purse.
For a long time, these stamps were marked as “Louis Vuitton Paris” but since then their authentic designer handbags are also being made in other countries. You can find authentic stamps with Spain, America, and other countries marked on them as well.
The easiest way to identify whether the stamp is fake or not is to look at the letter. On a real Louis Vuitton bag, the L is a lot smaller than the O, the T’s are close to one another and look like they almost touch. Another telltale sign is the lettering which is always thin and crisp.
3. Check The Date Stamp
Similar to the stamps inside of the bags, you can check Louis Vuitton date codes to see if they are real. The letters represent the country they were made in while the four numbers represent when they were made. This acts as a model number.
On Louis Vuitton purses that date back anywhere between 2007 up until 2021, the first and third numbers represent the week of the year it was made. The second and fourth numbers of the Louis Vuitton date code represent the year it was made.
Fake LV bags can, of course, use these but be sure to compare the date stamp country to the country on the heat stamp that was mentioned above.
4. Check The Louis Vuitton Hardware
An easy way to see if luxury brand bags are real is by looking at the hardware, such as accent pieces or the zipper pull. Each metallic element should have a Louis Vuitton engraving.
On timeless, vintage bags like the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag, you can almost immediately tell if it’s an imitation. On this specific LV handbag, you simply need to look in front of the inside pocket. The hardware on an original LV bag should be in a D-like shape, but counterfeits tend to have those rounded.
5. Leather Strips
Looking at the leather strips that run over the bags and make up the handles is another surefire way to identify if it’s a genuine Louis Vuitton bag or a fake.
However, this can only be noted after owning a bag for quite some time or after buying used older bags. And it is specific to bags using pale-colored leather, such as a few pieces from the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag range.
These straps are made out of Vachetta leather and there is a distinct reason for this. On real Louis Vuitton bags, these straps, after time, will start to darken and turn into a more golden brown shade. If you own a bag or bought a used vintage bag and it stays the same pale-color, it is unfortunately a fake.
6. The Dust Bag
Another way to find out if a Louis Vuitton bag or wallet is genuine is by looking at the dust bag, the bag in which the item comes in. This is an easy way to spot fake Louis Vuitton bags, since it’s such a minimalist design.
Real dust bags have a soft tan color and feature the name, Louis Vuitton, or have the LV logo centered on the bag.
So if you purchase an LV purse that has any other details, such as a serial number, country code, or any other non-valuable information, then the chances are high that you’re holding a lookalike purse.
7. The Logo
A Louis Vuitton logo seems simple enough, but there is a distinct difference with fake logos. The letter L should always be lower than the letter V on authentic Louis Vuitton handbags. Be sure to check whether the letters are wonky or imperfectly aligned.
You should also look at the monogram patterns on Louis Vuitton wallets and bags diagonally. The order of the strips should be fleur-de-lis, a circle, fleur-de-lis, and then the LV logo.
Where Is Louis Vuitton Made?
Originally, Louis Vuitton bags were made exclusively in France. Many still are, however the brand now also has leather workshops in Italy, Spain and the United States. Therefore, if you see an LV bag that says Made in the USA, it could certainly be authentic.
What Is The Most Frequent Louis Vuitton Bag Color?
There is a wide range of Louis Vuitton bag colors, although the most famous color is dark brown. These days, it’s not unusual to find a blue Louis Vuitton bag or a pink Louis Vuitton purse.
Louis Vuitton handles and trimmings are often made from untreated Vachetta leather. It starts as a pale beige color and darkens with age and usage.
LV hardware is made from brass or silver, depending on the model. There are many different Louis Vuitton bag linings, such as red microfiber for Damier Ebene handbags.
Identify Genuine Louis Vuitton Bags with Confidence
With all the information presented above, you shouldn’t have any more issues with identifying real LV bags. Designer bags, especially from the Louis Vuitton brand make great self-spoils, as well as Valentine’s gifts for a lucky lady.
But you want to be sure you’re getting the bona fide product when you’re paying the price for an authentic bag. So use these tips when you shop to check if your purchase is legitimate, so that you can avoid counterfeit bags.
What Is a Louis Vuitton Authenticity Check?
If you find yourself struggling to identify fake Louis Vuitton bags, be sure to get in touch with a professional to make sure that your purchase is legit. There are specialist Louis Vuitton authentication companies which offer a designer handbag authentication service.
These specialized companies charge a fee ranging from around $30 for a basic authentificaton to around $50. An LV authenticator usually combines human knowledge with an image database of genuine Louis Vuitton items.
Of course, you should remember to be wary of each purchase and preferably go to a Louis Vuitton store to get your hands on an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. Make sure to keep any receipts in case you ever want to resell your bag at a later date.
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I think you missed one. The material is cut so the pattern is centered – both sides will be the same.
Good point John, we’ll add that