Glam Slam: How To Spot A Knockoff Bag

Posted in 16 August 2011
by Admin.



Access Hollywood Glam Slam
August 16, 2011

If you are updating your Fall wardrobe, you may be in the market for a new bag.

Make sure you don't get stuck with a fake!

Emily Blumenthal, the founder of HandbagDesigner101.com, and author of the new book, "Handbag Designer 101" reveals these tips on how to spot a knockoff.

(Pictured: Jessica Simpson only carries authentic Louis Vuitton bags)

Smell your bag! Leather, (much like people) has a very pungent smell. Trust your nose – you will be able to smell the difference between a real leather bag and a chemically treated, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) made bag.

Skin is in! If you look closely at the texture of your bag. If it is actually leather, lambskin tends to be soft to the touch and will pickup the oils of your hand quite easily. Knockoffs however, mass-produced knockoffs are made from pigskin which are much grainier, which have a less-luxe look about them.

Clang-clang! The chain handle of a real bag would be lighter-weight or even gold-plated for some big name brands. The knockoffs are fully metal or plastic, which if you roll the chain in your hands, will be a red flag.

Zip it up! Zipper detail and the visibility of the zipper tape can always tip you off on the real versus fake. Knockoffs will typically have more zipper tape showing and won't have a high end branded zipper like a RIRI (the Ferrari of zippers…).

The Top Line! The top stitch detail can let you know if the bag is real or not-so-much. The use of the thread or even the thickness since higher end bags make the top stitch less subtle, where the fakes are more in your face to grab your attention.

The Magic Inside! The final tipoff is the interior lining. Check your real brands at the prominent stores and you will see that your brands tack their interior lining in and the location of the interior pocket and logo. Chances are that is the last detail that would have some discrepancy and the material is an inexpensive poly sheeting as opposed to a properly stitched and branded lining.

 

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Ryan Patterson is a Supervising Producer for Access Hollywood

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