Authentic Louis Vuitton handbags are purchased by customers from all over the world everyday! This is a guide to help you find authentic Louis Vuitton bags at less than retail right here online. Remember, there is an unbelievable amount of fakes- both online and off. Louis Vuitton is doing what it can to remove some of them, but you need to protect yourself. We can only help you weed out the more juicy obvious fakes… and will do our best to help you defend yourself against the “better” fakes- which are getting closer and closer to the look of the real thing.
Was it ever made by Louis Vuitton? This sounds like an easy one, but it’s not! I am a Trading Assistant here on eBay and had an eBayer mail me a black vernis Louis Vuitton Houston to sell for her. She’d bought it on eBay and I could still see the glowing feedback she’d left the seller for the $495 transaction. One problem… Louis Vuitton has never done Vernis in black! Try your bag on at a boutique, check the VUITTON website, or Elux, buy a catalog- etc, but make sure that the bag you are looking for was ever made by Louis Vuitton. This is especially common in Multicolore bags- (there was never an Multicolor Backpack, Ellipse, Papillon etc), Cherry Blossom (no CB Speedy, Alma nor Cabas tote, Pegase), Cerises (no Papillon, Ellipse, Cabas Piano, Mezzo or Alto) or vintage pieces.
Know its parts: What is it “supposed” to be lined in? Should it have feet? What does the base look like? Should it have a d-ring inside? Where? Does it have a date code? Should it? Where?You can check the Vuitton website or your local boutique for this information… you can also purchase more detailed guides here on eBay that include such details… For example: If it is supposed to be lined in brown cotton canvas, it needs to be lined in brown cotton canvas. There have never been brown suede linings- even in the vintage pieces. Alcantara kind of looks like a suede-y material, but it isn’t suede and although is found in a greyish mushroomy color, it isn’t found in dark brown. A Speedy of any age should have brown cotton canvas lining, so if you see any other lining- you know it isn’t authentic.
Know its Monogram placement: Louis Vuitton has been in production since 1854! Their style is classic, and quality- phenomenal! The traditional Monogram Toile canvas that is so popular today- had its beginnings in 1896. The monogram itself can give clues as to authenticity. Louis Vuitton is very careful about the way that the monogram is placed on any piece. Most of its styles are the same today as they were when they first came out- with a few exceptions. The actual LV monogram is usually (with the exception of some vintage pieces) symetrical from side to side in all monogram styles (traditional, Multicolore, Cerises, Mini mono, Vernis etc.) as you can see in this Louis Vuitton Speedy (notice where the LVs are in relation to the handles, sides, quatrefoils etc)
Watch the stitching: Louis Vuitton is very careful with it’s stitching. Stitching should be very even and regular. The same number of stitches will be found in similar locations on similar bags… for example the leather tab that the handle attaches onto on any size monogram Speedy bag will always have 5 regular, even stitches across the top.
Watch the age: While vintage pieces follow most of the rules that I discuss in this guide, there are definite differences in vintage pieces. For example, all French Company pieces vary slightly… so if you are looking at a French Company Vintage Vuitton piece, it may differ a bit. For instance, the FC Speedy 30 does NOT always have 5 stitches across the top, does NOT have upside down LVs on one side, and does NOT have Louis Vuitton embossed in the hardware. I’m currently writing a guide to help with these vintage gems- so watch out for it.
Made in Spain? Yes, while it is true that authentic Louis Vuitton is made in France, for over 25 years, Louis Vuitton has also produced bags in the USA, Spain, Germany and Italy. It is not true that a Louis Vuitton bag has to be marked “Made in France” to be authentic.
What about the “Upside Down LVs”? People email me all the time about this one… Some styles of authentic Louis Vuitton WILL have “upside down” LVs on the backside. The reason for this is that Louis Vuitton uses one continuous piece of leather that wraps around from the front to back, without a seam on the bottom- and so, the backside has upside down logos. This is true on the Speedy styles (except French Company Speedys), the Keepalls, Papillons, and some similar styles. Most monogram pieces (any piece with a separate piece of canvas or leather on the bottom) will have the LVs rightside up on both sides.
What about the patches? It is true that many older fake bags had patches on the interior and exterior that simply were never there on authentic versions. Fake exterior patch followed by fake interior patch.
The Fonts: Louis Vuitton uses a very specific font. I’ve noticed that a few counterfieters have begun to do a better job at knocking it off… so be careful, but current LV fonts will ALL look like the one on the patch above. Notice the VERY round “O”s. Here is an example of two straps- one authentic, one a “better” fake.
Good Luck!
I’ve been able to acquire a collection of authentic Louis Vuitton handbags that would not have been possible just 10 years ago (before eBay was born)… OK, I’m wiping away a tear ;) Really, though… eBay is an amazing resource- the ONLY way possible for any non-Louis Vuitton employee to get authentic Louis Vuitton at anything below retail.
We all hear the nightmare stories about the scammers out there, the unbelievable number of fakes online, the increasing quality of newer fakes etc. etc., but if you follow the guidelines in my Top Ten Tips… you really should be able to avoid most fakes. Please be careful. Protect yourself. Do your homework and Enjoy the hunt!!!
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