If you love Gucci bags, it can be helpful to know the basics of how to distinguish a real one from a fake. While it’s not always easy to spot the differences, you can arm yourself with the knowledge you need to authenticate a Gucci bag. Although selling anything that’s counterfeit is illegal in the US, it does happen, probably more than many people realize. Some counterfeits look very similar to the real thing, but that’s not always the case. So start by looking at the workmanship.
Differentiating between a fake and real Gucci Bag
When you’re shopping for a Gucci bag, the first thing you’ll want to do is look at the cardigan. There are several types of cardigans, so you can typically tell by the stitching on the inside that it’s an authentic Gucci bag. While most of the bags will have the same stitches, there are a few types that are slightly different. You’ll find the double-faced shoulder bag and the single-faced shoulder bag, both of which have multiple sides. If you can’t tell the difference by the cardigan, you can usually identify it by the cross-body strap. The genuine ones have a leather strip that runs down the middle, whereas the fake ones don’t. When you find a fake, make sure the strap doesn’t look too tight, or the real ones won’t stay on.
Material: While all Gucci bags are made of taffeta, leather, or python, the authentic ones are made from one of the three materials in the company’s history, which includes taffeta, python, and now canvas. However, the type of material, which refers to the base type, does not always appear on the labels.
To make the best judgment call when purchasing a Gucci bag, you have to do some research. Take a good look at the bag, at its design, and at the materials and stitching that make up the bag’s composition. Generally speaking, a real Gucci bag has rounded edges and a smaller shape with a more curved upper portion. These characteristics suggest that it’s a knockoff. There’s also the small pattern of the signature Gucci “G” stitched in the underside of the bag. This pattern is unique to the Gucci bag and should never be seen on counterfeit bags.
Another thing to note is that the three- or five-row pattern of the closure usually includes a loop or eyelet. Check this too to make sure the real thing has the loop in the top and a button in the middle. Here, too, a counterfeit will have a button
Spotting Fake Gucci Bags
Maintaining authenticity is essential for any designer. First and foremost, you’ll want to look for the label. Take a close look at the bag’s “sticker.” Look at the edge of the label on top of the Gucci logo (this is the part where it gets tricky). Sometimes you may see the letter G spelled out in reverse. Is this the logo or the manufacturer’s emblem? If you’re not sure, check the sticker to find out for sure. Finding Fake Gucci in Malls Malls are a popular place for counterfeit Gucci bags, as well as the counterfeit belt buckle, which is an even easier way to spot a fake. Another thing to be aware of is the number of signatures on the bag. It’s pretty standard for designers to have three, or maybe four, prominent signatures on each bag. A lot of fake bags have several extras.
How to Spot a Fake Gucci Bag
There are three key components to a quality bag, according to VintageHollywood.com. These components are leather, print, and color. “Bag manufacturers such as Gucci are known for using top-quality leather, and have incredibly durable inks,” according to VintageHollywood.com. “When in doubt, check the bottom of the bag for the logo ‘Gucci’ which will be stamped in black on the underside of the leather. Likewise, the ‘A’ in the monogram should be in red.” Check the bag for markings to see if it has the following markers: Where the words “Gucci” and “Saint Laurent” are spelled out on the label or the back of the bag. Where the name and phone number of the bag’s distributor is written on the inside of the flap.
What to do if you find a fake Gucci Bag
If you suspect you’re dealing with counterfeit Gucci, you should avoid any action that would get you into legal trouble. So before you take any action, make sure you know what to look for.
