How To Buy Authentic Designer Bags

The purchase of authentic designer bags is a big investment, so make sure you get what you are paying for.  Don’t get fooled into purchasing a fake!  After all, this is a handbag you probably have seen in a store, or perhaps someone you admire owns one – maybe a TV or movie star, or other celebrity.  You have thought about, maybe even dreamed about the time you will finally be able to purchase this handbag.  Whether it is a Fendi or Burberry or whatever handbag designer name – make sure it is an original.  Once you get that bag home, do you want to always have that little voice inside of you saying, “Is it the real deal?  Is it a fake?”  Let’s try and reduce your anxiety and the possibility of this happening (and help you sleep at night!) by looking at some steps to take to ensure you are purchasing an authentic designer bag.

There are several differences between authentic designer handbags and those knockoff bags.  Things to look for first of all are a certificate of authenticity.  Designers such as Prada, Burberry, and Fendi, as well as many other designer brands, put these cards in the handbags.  These cards are fairly plain and contain the basic information such as the name of the design and/or the model number and sometimes a bar code is included on the card.  Look inside the purses for this card; sometimes they are in an inside pocket, or zippered area.  Some of the handbag designers have gotten really creative with how they package these cards, (after all, they are designers!)  If you are intending to purchase a Fendi handbag, you may see a sealed foil bag that has the official card inside.  I like what Prada has come up with, which is a little envelope containing a card that looks like a credit card, but has the word Prada written on it.  This credit card looking authenticity card is on the inside and the Prada logo is on the little envelope on the outside. There is another card inside the envelope with the product style number and the details of the purse on it.

Another obvious red light to spotting your potential purchase is not an authentic designer bag is the price.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is (too good to be true.)  There are legitimate reasons some designer merchandise is more expensive than their no-name counterparts.  Some reasons why the price is higher is because of better materials being used for that particular item.  However, with that being said, let’s face it – part of why you would pay the higher price, is simply for that designer name.  Designers and their marketing professionals work very hard at “branding” the designer.  The name means something to the culture it appeals to.  This takes time to establish.  People who purchase items with true designer names do so because they are identifying with either what that brand represents, or with someone (usually a celebrity) who endorses, (or uses, carries, wears, has…) that designer’s products.

The logo of the designer is usually an integral part of the purse.  For example, a true Fendi handbag has the double “F” logo on it.  If you see logo that is metal and a triangle, you know it is representing the Prada logo.  When you see a brown background and a signature plaid you know you are looking at a Burberry handbag.  And of course, who can forget the “G” stands for Gucci; probably one of the most recognizable designer purse logos, in my opinion.  These logos are carefully developed.  Color, font, material, texture, research, all factor into a designer’s logo.  Purses that look like the logo is “…just not quite right…” probably isn’t.  Trust your instincts!  The logo means everything to a designer, and if you are holding a purse that looks sloppy, or the color isn’t quite right, you may have a fake in your hands.

More clues to whether or not your looking at authentic designer bags is to open them up before you purchase them.  A lot of the real handbags have linings with the designer’s logo weaved into them.  Fashion styles come and go, but when they are in, and a trend is strong, the shapes and sizes and colors can start to look similar.  Having their purse liners reflect their name, or logo, in a way for them to establish that you are buying their brand, (as opposed to another designer) without having to be obvious with the outside design.  Louis Vuitton handbags do this, as do many others.   Notice I mentioned the logo is “woven” into the lining.  If you are looking at a cheap imitation, the logo probably won’t be “woven” into the lining, but rather stamped on.  The texture of the true linings is really luxurious and smooth.  Don’t be fooled.

My last piece of advice is to be careful where you are purchasing the designer handbag from.  If the store is a little questionable, the merchandise inside probably will be too.  Shop from a reputable retailer, or even from the designer’s own store or website, and enjoy your authentic designer bags.