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How to spot a fake Chanel

by Claire Chanelle

FAKE BAGS UPSET ME.

I am on the hunt for a nice vintage Chanel bag. My very first Chanel was a vintage rucksack that I sold (biggest regret of my life) to one of my friends. I had to sell it because I was saving for my first Chanel 2.55 and needed to buy it quick before the price increased AGAIN. I regret doing this as my friend wears it a lot around me and it even got her into Style Hunter in Grazia magazine.

A few years on I have a few Chanel now, I think 6? I can’t wait to show you my Chanel Trunk, but that’s for later. I have most of the new styles I like, so I’ve moved on to find a vintage one with character and history. This got me thinking about FAKES! I hate fake bags. If I couldn’t afford the real deal then I would buy a nice vintage piece (non designer) to give me the unique, special feel. I have been asked before if my bags are fake, which I find offensive. These people obviously don’t know their brands. There is no such thing as an exact copy, there really isn’t. There is always a giveaway even if it is the smallest thing. Trust me I will find it! I can spot a fake easy even the good ones.

I have experience with genuine brands for numerous factors. Firstly I have worked at Harrods for five years now. I am surrounded most days with luxury products of all kind of brands, as you know Harrods sells everything. I touch the products, I handle them all day therefore know every detail. I attend lots of brand training learning how these products are made covering every tiny detail.

Secondly Its my passion to examine details of clothing and accessories. When I am looking at something at work or shopping I am taking in every aspect. So for me I know by heart the stitching, the feel and the logos. Obviously I have a few designer bags, consisting of different brands, I know what mine look like, I know they are real so if they’re different to mine then that will tell me a lot.

For me it’s not just the bag. I enjoy the purchase; the customer service I receive, the Chanel carrier bag I get along with some kind of book or brochure, the after care from the sales associate that sold me it, when I walk into Chanel (for example) and staff know me by name. I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when wearing my bag, the feeling of content that I spent so long saving and it’s finally mine. I also don’t need to panic, wondering if people know my bag is fake or it will fall part. You can hardly pass down a fake through the family can you.

For those of you that are buying your first…..let’s concentrate on Chanel, here are some useful tips to consider to ensure you buy a genuine second hand or vintage Chanel bag.

1

Authentic Chanel bags will have a serial number. The serial number will feature 7 numbers if made in the 1980’s and 8 numbers if made in the 1990’s. Newer bags have a plastic shield protecting the serial number; there is no shield in older bags. The serial number card should be black with gold trim and white or gold lettering

2

Authentic older Chanel bags will have a white sticker with gold CC’s on it.

3

The logo is a huge tip-off; original Chanel logos have interlocking CCs with the top portion of the right C overlapping the top of the left C, the same is true for the bottom Cs. Look for mispelling as well. 

4

All of the hardware will match on authentic Chanel bags, including the chains, zippers and eyelets. The logo stamp will also match the hardware; this stamp will indicate where it was made on the opposite side of the bag in block letters or in an oval.

5

On one side of the zipper there will be the Chanel stamp, the other side will have the logo.

6

The stitching on a fake will be uneven and sloppy.

7

The most common counterfit Chanel bags feature the serial numbers:#7244764, 8947749, 9316391, 9395451, 9395455, 9675223, 9777617: all made in the 1980’s.

#10218184, 10380486, 10501946, 10995820, 11062948 and 10803549: all made in the 1990’s.

Claire xx

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4 comments

natalie May 24, 2012 - 11:06 am

Thank you for posting this! I have been asked if my bags are real and it is really offensive!! There is no better feeling than going into a store and buying something expensive, especially Chanel as it something that you will keep our entire life! 🙂 xx

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Tas May 24, 2012 - 12:45 pm

Great post. When I bought my Chanel m/l flap in 2006 (for £850-not the crazy £2600+ it costs now), my friend bought one from @bay, for £300. Of course it was a fake and a really bad one at that!
Even though Chanels cost a lot, knowing that the only way is up with their prices, you feel somewhat satisfied that the bag will steadily increase in value and is a great piece to pass down.

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ugg boots September 8, 2013 - 4:39 pm

Hello, I read your blogs like every week.
Your story-telling style is witty, keep up the good work!

Reply
Chouquette September 9, 2013 - 9:33 am

Thank you! Comments like yours mean a lot to me. Did you comment on the Zara skorts competition? xx

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