How To Spot A Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

I will be concentrating mostly on the rather popular and most counterfeited bag which is undoubtedly the Speedy, introduced in the early 1930's and the famous monogram canvas updated in 1959 and unchanged ever since. In 1965, film star Audrey Hepburn made a special request to Louis Vuitton to make a mini version of their Keepall duffle bag just for her. After accepting, the Speedy 25 was introduced to the world and who would have known that it would be the most iconic bag still used today. But unfortunately it would become the most sought after bag to be copied for the fake goods market. With so many fakes produced and been sold as originals everyone out there who doesn't buy one at an official outlet has to be aware of these fakes and how to distinguish an authentic bag from a cheaper knock-off version. Hopefully i can assist everyone out there who isn't sure of how to spot fakery from the legitimate product. Below the monogram pattern.

The distinctive monogram pattern will always run in a sequential manner, irrespective if it's diagonal or horizontal, also around the center of the bag it can start with any of the four symbols, so don't think it's a fake if the LV symbol isn't at the center, don't worry this is normal. Because the pattern is symmetrical, this means that from looking at the top left corner of the bag, the first symbol starts with say a half a fleur des lis you should follow the line diagonally and it should finish with half a fleur des lis all the way until the seam at the end of the bag. Also going across, whatever symbol starts at the left hand side it should be the exact same at the right side at the join, any speedy monogram bag that doesn't show this is definitely a fake. because every Speedy bag only uses one piece of leather the other side the symbols will look upside down, many fakes use two pieces of leather and there will be a bottom to the bag with two seams separating the sides, this clearly shows a fake. Below is a diagram and example of an authentic Speedy 25.

Monogram canvas has been made using natural, vegetable-tanned vachetta cowhide leather, the authentic Louis Vuitton handles consist of a contrasting burgundy red not a bright red as on many fakes and starts out with a off-white tone and gradually darkens over time called patina, leaving a rich caramel or amber color due to the oils from your hands and exposure to the elements as the leather is oxidized which creates this effect. Many buyers prefer this used look to a modern looking or brand new bag as it exudes a certain presence and style, fake bags over time cannot really create this authentic look. Some fakes out there are starting to get a patina look so be careful and look out for other mistakes a fake possesses to be sure when buying, if a vintage bag has bright handles walk away from the sale, authentic with patina handles below.

The quality produced and executed by the company is exemplary, there should be no flaws in the bag, any such bag would never be allowed to leave the factory and would be discarded. An authentic bag will have perfect stitching and will be evenly spaced out with no defects, the stitching on the handles will be a mustard yellow, not the brighter yellow used in fakes bags and the fakes bags will have inferior stitching so look out for uneven or wrong angled stitching. There will also be five stitches across each of the tabs where the handles are secured on the Speedy 25, but the Speedy 30 Damier Ebene and has 6 stitches across the FC Speedy 30 does not really have 5 stitches.

Below Examples of Fake Compared to Louis Vuitton's Craftsmanship

photos by http://ellesexpills.blogspot.com

The Hardware

Louis Vuitton’s hardware is usually made from brass, golden brass or silvery metal, the oxidation of the brass metal will darken over time and produce a greenish look, which a fake will never do and the fake ones have a very bright, cheaper, golden tacky look. On the original the wording of Louis Vuitton will be perfectly shaped into a small circle with no errors, perfectly executed. Look at the quality below of the lock, the zipper and the buckle, all majestically crafted, for a Speedy LV, difficult for fakes to produce this quality.

Date Codes

All authentic Louis Vuitton handbags made from the early 1980's have date codes and letters with numbers that signify what country the bag was made in and when. Below is a reference guide explaining the system used, it's a bit confusing to start with but once you study it, it's not too difficult.

From the early 1980's: Three numbers with the first two numbers representing the year and the last number(s) representing the month. Example 827 = July 1982

From the early 1980's to late 1980's: Three numbers followed by two letters. The two letters signify which country the bag was made in. Example 886RA = June 1988 France. Additionally a bag made from the 1980’s can also have a date code in the from of four numbers followed by two letters. The first two numbers are the year and the last two numbers are the month of the year. Example a date code that reads 8902 V.I. means the bag was produced in February of 1989.

From 1990 to 2006 a different format appeared: Two letters followed with four numbers. The letters represent the factory, the first and third numbers represent the month and the second and fourth number represents the year. Example CE1015 = Italy November of 2005

From 2007-to present: Two letters followed with four numbers, the letters indicate which factory they were made, the first and third numbers indicate the week of the year, the second and fourth numbers indicate what year. Example CA3124 = Spain 32nd week, year of 2014

The Country Codes:

France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, CT, DU, ET, FL, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI

Italy: CE, SA

Spain: CA, LO, LB, LM, LW

Switzerland: DI, FA

USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD

Germany: LP

Due to the strength of the brand name and quality dispatched there are no discounts or sales in Louis Vuittons boutiques and stores, so if you are offered any reduced prices from any place selling them cheaper than the retail price, they're fakes. If buying used or vintage bags and cheap offers come your way avoid these bags too, it's very unusual for anybody to sell an authentic Louis Vuitton very cheaply, these bags are in high demand and last a very long time and retain their value so beware of way below normal prices, i highly suspect there are not many bargains too good to be true. If in doubt ask a friend or professional who know what they're doing to assist you.