Spotting a fake Michael Kors bag means noticing the counterfeit’s lack of craftsmanship and paying attention to details. Other telltale signs are easily recognized once you know what to look for in the many parts that go into the construction of this designer handbag.
An authentic Michael Kors bag is made of saffiano leather that is heavy and sturdy. The handbag side panel structure is firm and neatly tucked in. The side panels are one piece of leather. The thin rubber edging along the panel seam is one snug piece. The weight of the real Michael Kors bag is much heavier than the imitation purse.
What to look for in the bag’s hardware.
Like all good counterfeits, the imitation Michael Kors bag I received has the exact same size handles, but with plastic handles that have been wrapped with black tape. There are other details that give away a fake: The front piece is too flat. The top front flap is too narrow. The top flap is too long. Instead of ivory-colored stitching, the imitation Michael Kors bag has cream stitching. The top has been shaved down. The main clasp is silver instead of brass-colored. It’s hard to spot fake hardware when you first hold the bag but pay attention. Check the folding metal part where the folding top lock goes. Even if the strap seems to be legitimate, it might be made of thinner leather. Also look at the stitching for glue bumps, which are common on cheap knockoffs.
What to look for in the lining.
One of the first thing that you need to pay attention to when purchasing a counterfeit Michael Kors bag is the lining. Every brand uses the same ones, it is the external fabric that makes every bag unique. While every designer will be slightly different, it’s often the brand’s signature lining that we associate with the brand’s identity, and how many unique bags can you find that have the same, identifiable look? Always inspect the inside lining of the bag to make sure that it’s the brand’s signature, not the counterfeiter’s, and check how it is constructed. This usually involves some type of stitching with the brand’s logo in red, pink or gold, and sometimes, the bag itself will have details and design elements that relate to the brand, whether it’s a symbol, lettering or chain details.
What to look for in the bag’s strap.
Michael Kors has created many of their bags with adjustable straps, which is the main factor in their durability and wear. When shopping for the genuine Michael Kors brand, look for a handmade leather strap that will fit snugly around your wrist with a small amount of play, and it will remain like this for years to come. If it feels rigid, thin, has folds or holes, or doesn’t fit snugly, then it may not be genuine leather. What to look for in the liner. The liner of the bag is where the lining is secured, and it will feel tight and stiff, and will not be as forgiving as the strap. Pay attention to the pull, which is how easily the liner can be pulled off. A pull that is easy to open is more likely to be fake.
What to look for in the bag’s body.
Michael Kors says that authentic bags “are not wide at the bottom, as they are on the front of the bag,” though he recommends using your finger to feel for a seam on the bottom of the bag. If there’s no seam, look to see if the bag has a zip fastener, which is usually found on the side of the body of the bag. Michael Kors says that authentic bags “are not wide at the bottom, as they are on the front of the bag,” though he recommends using your finger to feel for a seam on the bottom of the bag. If there’s no seam, look to see if the bag has a zip fastener, which is usually found on the side of the body of the bag. The bag has a snap closure. The authentic Michael Kors bag is “beaded at a minimum with 100-percent genuine rhinestones,” recommends Mahoney.
