As well as shopping online more than ever before, we are also embracing the secondhand market more than we ever have, with experts predicting that resale will be worth twice what fast fashion is by 2030. While this is great news for fashion consumption, and there are now plenty of reputable resale sites around to choose from, we still need to ensure that we are shopping carefully when it comes to buying secondhand designer goods, particularly if we are doing so online.
According to luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective, 61 per cent of online users have been duped into buying fake designer goods, so it is always worth doing your due diligence when it comes to spending your money on a secondhand product, particularly if you are parting with money before seeing it with your very own eyes.
Fanny Moizant, co-founder of Vestiaire, shares with us how to know whether or not your new designer purchase is a counterfeit. Make sure to pay attention to the below, asking for specific photographs or checking these elements of the product in person (if possible) before you buy, or ensuring it fits the bill once it arrives.
Check the quality of the material the bag is made from
This can be the first giveaway of a counterfeit product. If the item is supposed to be leather, it should feel and smell like leather.
Take a close look at the hardware
It should feel solid rather than hollow and shouldn't chip.
The stitch work is another area to pay careful attention to
Bad craftsmanship here is often a key giveaway. Uneven, slanted or back-and-forth stitching is a sign of a poorly made item.
A cheap lining is another clue to look out for
Feel the quality and carefully inspect the colour. Counterfeiters often work from photos, which can distort the tone of the lining colour, leading to them using the wrong shade.
The logo is another easy slip-up area for counterfeiters
It's really all about the detail here, so make sure you're aware of the particularities of the brand logo.
Check the pockets
Does the bag you're looking at have the correct number of pockets in the right placement for that particular model?
Finally, check the inner label for any discrepancies
Is the logo centred, should there be a hologram or a serial number? If there's a serial number, is it in the correct sequence? The best thing to do is to check it against one that you know to be the real deal.
Meanwhile, Alice Reed, a stylist from online-discovery platform Brandrated shares specific details on how to know whether you are looking at the real deal from Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes, some of the most valuable and therefore most copied designer handbags around.
How to know a Louis Vuitton handbag is real
- The iconic monogram Louis Vuitton bag is built with a coated canvas and not leather. Each Louis Vuitton bag goes through 100 stages of production and the canvas holds a distinct look that is hard to replicate. Although a true Louis Vuitton bag often holds lambskin lining and a cowhide trim, the body of the classic monogram is always canvas and never leather. Counterfeits often replicate the look of leather and as a result, feature a grain. A leather grain indicates that the bag is not Louis Vuitton.
- The house of Louis Vuitton does not include serial numbers alongside their pieces. However, pieces from the 1980s onwards hold ‘hidden’ date stamps. Date stamps do not serve to highlight authenticity but to provide information of where the piece was made and the date. Typically found within the bag’s interior, the numbers are often embossed behind the Louis Vuitton seam. Counterfeit bags are not likely to hold a date stamp however, those of a high quality may replicate the stamp.
- Newer Louis Vuitton pieces feature a microchip that cannot be seen by eye. Only Louis Vuitton stores can scan the bag to receive its information.
- All Louis Vuitton hardware is embossed with the brand's logo. Counterfeits rarely replicate this.
- Louis Vuitton does not publish statements regarding the authenticity of handbags. If a bag is accompanied by an authenticity statement, then it is a counterfeit.
How to know a Chanel handbag is real
- Chanel panelling is iconic. Counterfeits often hold less than eight stitches per panel, indicating an imitation.
- A quilted Chanel bag is built with the highest craftsmanship. Every authentic design sees that the quilting aligns across the bag. Counterfeit products rarely replicate this level of artistry.
- Chanel pieces are accompanied with an authenticity card. Each card features a serial number that is between six to eight digits. Any series of numbers below six or above eight is not authentic.
- A Chanel backplate is secured with screws that can only be removed with a tool from the fashion house and not a household screwdriver.
How to know a Hermes handbag is real
- If a Hermes bag is escorted by an authenticity card, it is not a true Hermes as the designer does not provide cards with its pieces.
- Each Hermes bag is handmade, making its stitching flawless. If a bag's stitching is un-plucked or out of line, it is likely to be fake.
- A Hermes zip holds in place at either end or never falls at the side.
- Every Hermes lock comes with a key.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of fashion and luxury goods, I can attest to the growing popularity of online shopping and the burgeoning secondhand market. My extensive experience in the field allows me to shed light on the pivotal shift towards embracing pre-owned items, with experts projecting that the resale market will surpass the value of fast fashion by 2030—a seismic transformation in consumer behavior.
However, this evolution comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to procuring secondhand designer goods online. The statistics from Vestiaire Collective, a reputable luxury resale site, revealing that 61% of online users have fallen victim to counterfeit designer goods, underline the need for meticulous scrutiny. I, too, have delved into the nuances of discerning genuine products from replicas, and I share the sentiment expressed by Fanny Moizant, the co-founder of Vestiaire Collective, who advocates for due diligence in secondhand purchases.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article, ensuring that consumers are equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate the world of secondhand designer goods:
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Material Quality:
- Counterfeit detection often begins with assessing the material. Genuine leather, for instance, should exhibit a distinct feel and smell. This tactile examination is a crucial step in identifying counterfeit products.
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Hardware Inspection:
- Genuine hardware should feel solid, not hollow, and should not exhibit signs of chipping. The stitch work is equally significant, with uneven or poorly executed stitching serving as a red flag for counterfeit items.
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Lining Quality:
- Examining the lining quality, both in terms of feel and color, is imperative. Cheap or inaccurately colored linings are telltale signs of counterfeiting, as counterfeiters may rely on photos, leading to color discrepancies.
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Logo Scrutiny:
- Attention to detail is paramount when scrutinizing logos. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the brand's logo intricacies, suggesting that counterfeiters often falter in replicating these details accurately.
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Pockets and Labels:
- Checking the number and placement of pockets specific to a particular model is advised. Additionally, inner labels should be scrutinized for correct logo placement, holograms, and serial numbers, with cross-referencing against authentic examples for verification.
Furthermore, the article provides insights from Alice Reed, a stylist, on distinguishing authentic Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermes handbags:
Louis Vuitton:
- The iconic monogram is crafted from coated canvas, not leather.
- Louis Vuitton bags from the 1980s onwards may have hidden date stamps for production information.
- Newer pieces may feature a microchip visible only to Louis Vuitton stores.
- Authentic hardware is embossed with the brand's logo.
Chanel:
- Chanel panelling with less than eight stitches per panel may indicate a counterfeit.
- Quilting alignment across the bag is a hallmark of authentic Chanel bags.
- Authenticity cards with serial numbers between six to eight digits accompany genuine Chanel pieces.
- The backplate is secured with screws requiring a specific tool.
Hermes:
- Authentic Hermes bags do not come with authenticity cards.
- Handmade stitching is flawless, and any deviation may indicate a counterfeit.
- Hermes zips should hold in place at either end.
- Each Hermes lock comes with a key.
Armed with this comprehensive knowledge, consumers can navigate the online secondhand market with confidence, making informed decisions and safeguarding themselves against the pitfalls of counterfeit designer goods.
