When it comes to luxury brands, there are few that are as well-known and revered as Louis Vuitton. The French fashion house has been creating beautiful, high-quality products for over 150 years, and their iconic designs are sought after by fashionistas all over the world.
Unfortunately, the popularity of Louis Vuitton also makes it a prime target for counterfeiters, and fake LV bags are becoming increasingly common.
Counterfeiters have gotten very good at replicating Louis Vuitton’s signature style, so it can be tricky to spot a fake LV bag if you’re not familiar with the brand’s designs. Here are a few things to look out for when trying to spot a fake Louis Vuitton:
- The stitching on genuine Louis Vuitton bags is always even and precise. If the stitching is messy and irregular, or if it’s unevenly spaced, then it’s probably a fake.
- The LV logo on real Louis Vuitton bags has a metallic finish on all lettering. The logo should be straight and centered over the seams of the bag.
- The LV monogram canvas is stitched twice on all Louis Vuitton handbags. The pattern should be exactly the same on both sides of the bag.
- If the bag has a zipper, make sure that it has two metal pulls and not just one plastic one.
Check the embossing
When looking at a Louis Vuitton bag, one of the things you can check to see if it is real is the embossing. The name “Louis Vuitton” should be embossed on the leather in capital letters.
If the letters are not evenly spaced or if they are not capitalized, then the bag is most likely fake. Also, make sure that the “O” in Louis Vuitton is not a perfect circle
- It should be slightly oval-shaped. If the embossing looks off in any way, then the bag is probably not authentic.
- If the bag does not have an embossed logo, then it is probably not authentic.
- If you can barely see the embossing, then there is a good chance that it is genuine.
Check the material and hardware
When looking at a Louis Vuitton bag, it is important to check the material and hardware to ensure that it is not a fake. The most common material used for fake Louis Vuitton bags is polyurethane, which is a cheaper alternative to the genuine leather that is used for authentic bags.
The hardware on a fake bag will also be made of cheaper metals and will not have the same weight or feel as the solid brass hardware on an authentic bag.
In addition, the stitching on a fake Louis Vuitton bag will not be as precise as on an authentic bag. To be sure that a bag is authentic, it is important to touch and look at the material and hardware to check for quality.
When looking at a Louis Vuitton bag, it is important to check the material and hardware to ensure that it is not a fake.
The different types of fakes
There are many types of fake Louis Vuitton bags on the market. The most common type is the replica, which is a copy of an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. Replicas are usually made with lower quality materials and construction, and may not have all the features of an authentic Louis Vuitton bag.
Another type of fake Louis Vuitton bag is the counterfeit, which is a knock-off made with the intention to deceive consumers into thinking it is an authentic Louis Vuitton bag.
Counterfeits are often made with higher quality materials and construction than replicas, and may even have some features that replicas lack, such as a watermark or embossed logo.
The third type of fake Louis Vuitton bag is the vintage inspired bag, which is a new bag that takes design cues from older Louis Vuitton bags. Look at the details, authentic Louis Vuitton bags have many intricate details, making it hard to duplicate them accurately.
Why people buy fake Louis Vuitton bags
There are several reasons why people might buy a fake Louis Vuitton bag. Maybe they can’t afford the real thing, or they like the style but not the price tag.
Or perhaps they simply don’t care about the brand and just want a good-looking knockoff. Whatever the reason, Louis Vuitton bags are popular targets for counterfeiters.
A fake Louis Vuitton bag might be a good choice if you want a designer bag but don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on it.
Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that fake Louis Vuitton bags are big business. In fact, according to a recent report, counterfeit goods make up for 3.3% of global trade, which comes out to about $509 billion annually.
Of course, buying a fake Louis Vuitton bag comes with its own risks. For one, you can never be sure of the quality you’re getting. A fake Louis Vuitton bag is likely to fall apart much quicker than the real thing. And then there’s the ethical issue of supporting counterfeiting. Also;
- They’re cheaper
- They’re more accessible
The consequences of buying a fake bag:
- It’s illegal
- Buying a bag that is not real is, in fact, illegal.
- It could be hazardous to your health
- Some of the counterfeit bags are made with toxic chemicals such as lead paint, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.
- Your bag will not last as long
- The fake bags are poorly made so they won’t last as long and will have to be replaced sooner than the real thing.
- You could support organized crime
- Buying a fake bag means you’re likely to be supporting criminal organizations. It’s illegal, and buying it is supporting something that is inherently wrong. If you wouldn’t buy drugs or stolen goods then don’t buy a fake handbag!
Conclusion
Be careful when buying a Louis Vuitton bag. A Louis Vuitton bag can be a beautiful, luxurious and timeless statement piece. So if you are going to buy one make sure that it is authentic.
Don’t fall for the hype that LV bags are cheap, because they’re not! If you want a genuine Louis Vuitton bag then make sure that you’re paying for the quality.