Dec 04 2015
12 Ways to Spot a Fake Chanel
We specialize in selling pre-owned designer bags, shoes, clothing and accessories. We want all of our buyers to feel confident about every purchase they make inside Sabrina's Closet. This is why we always ensure that all of our products are authentic.
When you think designer copies, Chanel handbags are probably the first to come to mind. There are tons out there. Some obvious, and some, well, a little trickier to catch. Sure enough, we received a beautiful black Chanel classic flap bag a couple months ago. At first glance, it looked great. However, after completing our authentication inspection, turns out, not so great after all - it was a fake. We must admit, they did a pretty good job at it. So, how can you tell if the Chanel bag that you are about to buy online is the real deal? We've put together a simple step-by-step guide to be sure.
Below, we have a photo of three classic Chanel Flap Bags. Two are authentic, one is a fake. Can you spot it?
The fake on is actually the one at the bottom. Hard to tell, right? Keep reading to find out exactly how we knew.
1 | CC Lock
The first thing we always look at is the CC Lock - it's a quick giveaway. The right C must always overlap on top and the left C must always overlap on the bottom. If this is not the case with a bag you are about to purchase, you can guarantee that it is not authentic.
In the picture below, the bag on the left is a replica and the bag on the right is authentic. As you can see, this replica bag we rejected passed the CC Lock test, however keep reading to find out how it failed on others.
Notice how on the authentic Chanel (right), the CC lock is centered. On the replica Chanel (left), it is positioned more towards the top than the bottom.
Replica Chanel CC locks usually have a rounded finish on the CC. Authentic Chanel CC locks have a flat edge finish.
The width of each C should also match the width of the gap between the two C's.
The back of the CC hardware should have two screws, with "CHANEL" embossed on the left, and "PARIS" embossed the right.
Authentic Chanel
Replica Chanel
2 | Duster Bag
When comparing the two duster bags side by side, you can see a clear difference between the authentic duster and the fake duster. The left duster is authentic and the right duster is fake. On the authentic duster (left), you can see that "CHANEL" is written in white, bold letters centered in the middle. On the fake duster (right), you can see that "CHANEL" is written in a faded grey color. It is also written in the wrong front, which appears to be thinner. The fake logo is also slightly off-centre on the duster.
3 | Serial Numbers
Serial numbers on Chanel bags indicate the bag model and year of manufacture. Do a quick Google search, and you will discover tons of guides online to help you find out what what year your Chanel bag was manufactured. Chanel does not produce bags with serial numbers of 9 digits or more. If this is the case, it's a fake.
On the Chanel 2.55, the serial sticker should be found on the bottom, left-hand corner.
4 | Zipper
Don't forget to inspect your zipper. The zippers they use change depending on what year the bag was manufactured. Check that the zipper on your handbag is consistent with the year it was created.
5 | Authenticity Cards
First, check that the authenticity card matches the serial number inside the bag. If it does, it's a good sign, but that does not necessarily mean it is authentic. Authenticity cards are very easily replicated.
Below, you will see two authenticity cards. The right card is fake and the left card is authentic.
Normally, you can tell if you have a fake authenticity card if it has a hologram, rainbow effect. Authentic cards never have this hologram effect. The fake card below is a good fake, since you cannot see the hologram effect.
Authentic cards must also have the consistency of a credit card. In the case below, the fake card felt very flimsy and was easily bent.
All the information must be straight and aligned.
Bags from 2005 and onwards feature a grey circular symbol at top right. As you can see in the picture below, the fake card symbol is more white, compared to the grey authentic symbol. If the authenticity card does not have a symbol at the top right, it means that it was made pre-2005.
You can also see a slight difference in font between the two cards.
6 | Chain Strap
To tell if the chain strap is authentic, a lot of it has to to with the weight. In our case, the chain strap on the authentic bag was much heavier than is fake counterpart.
A huge telling sign for us with regards to the chain strap was the stitching on the leather intertwined between the chain. On the authentic handbag (gold-tone hardware), you will see that the stitching is clean and seamless. You do not see any crooked lines or bumps.
On the fake bag (silver-tone hardware), there was obvious bumps where is was stitched (sometimes slightly unsewn), it was crooked and uneven. Below is a zoomed picture to get a better idea.
Let's get a little closer. You can see on the replica Chanel chain (silver-tone hardware), there is a double layer on the top flat part of the leather. One the authentic Chanel, there is no double layer on the top flat part of the leather. There is seamless, perfect stitiching.
Replica Chain
Authentic Chain
7 | Stitch Count
Authentic Chanel bags should have a high stitch count - more than 10 stitches per inch. Fake Chanel bags usually have a low stitch count, which creates an overall "puffier" look on the handbag.
8 | Leather
If you close your eyes and touch the caviar leather on both bags, you would notice that you feel the embossed pebbled caviar more on the authentic bag. The fake Chanel caviar leather did not feel as embossed and felt flatter and smoother. Take a close look and make sure the imprint is unique. On fake leather, the imprint is sometimes repeated.
9 | Quilting
The quilting should always maintain a consistent diamond pattern even when the front flap is closed. This also applies to the pocket on the back.
10 | Overall Quality, Structure
The biggest telling sign for us between the two bags was the overall quality. In the picture below, the bag on the left is authentic, and the bag on the right is a replica. When you placed both down, the authentic Chanel was much sturdier, structured and stood up straight. The fake Chanel did not stand straight, folded, and was clearly not as structured as the authentic. Chanel uses the best materials that are made to last - this should not happen, even with older models.
You can also see how the replica bag (silver-tone hardware) folds more from a birds-eye-view (it is thinner at the top). The chain straps also start further back on the authentic version.
11 | Lining
The lining is a good indication of the quality of an item. In an authentic Chanel bag, the lining fits snugly inside with no bumps. It is normally very difficult to separate the lining from the bag. When we compared this to the replica, the lining was baggy and loose and extremely easy to pull out from the bag.
12 | Stamping
Make sure that the "CHANEL" stamping inside the bag matches the color of its hardware.
We hope this guide will help you make safer and smarter shopping decisions. Check out the selection on authentic Chanel handbags we have for sale, below:
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Comments
I have chanel beige bubble small flap no serial 10501946..ori or fake
I recently purchased a Chanel medallion bag in black caviar. It came with an guarantee of authenticity by a known authenticator. However, I have some doubts. Should the stitching on the sides be symmetrical? If I look directly at the side of the bag, the seam goes down the middle but the shapes formed on either side of the seam are not identical /symmetrical. I do not see any comments regrading this on any authenticity site. Please advise.
I have a a Chanel Garment Bag “Vintage” quilted leather with gold hardware and tassel. There are not stamps inside or logos. The bag has a large CC logo at the top. I was told it is from the 80’s so hologram exist. I own several other vintage pieces but I am not 100% sure of this one. Please help. Thanks!
I found a Beanie with no tags .Chocolate brown with gold trim and design is like 4 leaf clovers .But the clovers don’t make the usual heart shape leaves. They look more like exclamations . The 2 C’s look fine but hard to tell on knit, The stitch is very small. Is there a way to post a picture? I have been searching for one to compare it with but have not found one.
Hi,
I noticed several versions of the CC logo on the red inner flap Some are flat surface and some are raised surface. The official website photos have raised surface. However, there are some websites that sells both. How do I tell which one is authentic? Does Chanel have both versions? if yes, then which country version it is?
Many thanks.
Hi
I am wondering if you could give me your opinion regarding this Chanel. It does not have serial numbers and I follow step your step your post to inspect, but I’m not completely sure about details like the zipper and the inside of the bag. I would really appreciate if you could help me. I really want this bag but i definitely don’t want to buy a fake. I can also send you a picture of the inside that has a plated gold tag Chanel Made in France in gold
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/59086443_chanel-cc-logos-fringe-shoulder-bag
Thank you so much
I acquired a shoulder bag from somewhere years ago and have no idea whether it’s authentic or not. It looks like many I see online, and can’t really tell. It has no Chanel stamp, but it has a stamped leather label on the inside that says CHANEL Made in France. The color of the printing is gold and the label is black. There is no number or coin attached to the zipper. The only thing I find different from bags online is that the CC is also on the bottom of the bag. I don’t see that on any others online. Is it possible that this bag is so old that they didn’t stamp on the bag and didn’t even number them? Is it possible they stopped putting the logo on the bottom of the bag? I would like to sell the bag, but I need to know if it’s authentic. Any advice? If you’d like to see a pictures, I can send them. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Hi, i really like this blog. Great information if looking for an authentic Classic flap. But if someone who does not know about Chanel or exposed to other chanel flap might think differently and might have an inaccurate insight. Because there are flaps with different metals that are heavy and light weight and different caviar like " chic caviar/shiva caviar".
I bought a black suede Chanel shoulder bag which I believe is from 1986-1988 according to the serial number. On the inside, in addition to being stamped CHANEL it is also stamped COCO. I can’t find any information about the additional stamp. Can you shed some light on this please? Thank you.
Good fact to share with..thank you for the explanation..
hi there, can anyone help me out with attempting to verify the authenticity of this chanel flap bag from ebay? it said that rhe purse has been used. thank you ! http://m.ebay.ca/itm/132204859950?&ebay-mobile-status=success
I have a Chanel Bag that I think is a fake or really old. Can I send you a photo for you to review? The diamond pocket design is very different and has a different clasp then over 1000 bags I have seen on Ebay. The pattern is cross stitching and every other diamond is a pocket. The chain shoulder strap has a leather piece for comfort that I have seen only on an older handbag. Thanks for your time.
There’s a Chanel Classic Flip Bag advertised on Kijiji for $700. The pictures that are attached to the ad look authentic. I’m concerned of it’s authenticity because of the sale price. I checked out your authentic/fake notes and I did notice that the picture of the dust bag doesn’t look the same as the ones you posted. It’s white with black quilt pattern in black. The ad also posts a black Chanel box. Does an authentic Chanel box have a white flower on it? one last question, do all authentic serial numbers have 8 numbers? or could it have less than 8 and be authentic?
thanks for your help
I recently was given a Chanel tote bag. I am unsure of it’s value or wheather it is real. Everything I review is geared more toward smaller bags. Is there a way to find out more about the totes?
Hello. I have, what I think is, an authentic Chanel quilted tote with the original tag and a date of 98002. I think this is the date, but could be an item number. I’m not sure. I also have a bar code of 4-780816875789 and Made in Paris on this paper label attached to the tote. The CC on the front does overlap left and right as you had mentioned in your article. Protective feet on the bottom, it’s pink quilt with black double handles. Silver hardware. It also comes with a Chanel booklet in French, English and Chinese I believe. Can you help me to determine what kind of bag this is if I send you a picture? Thank you. Micheline
Hi I just have a question why do some of the Chanel double flap classic bags have made in France and some say made in Italy?
Also if the bag says made in Italy on the inside leather on the burgundy flap, then shouldnt It read Chanel Italy instead of ChanelParis on the little metal plate on the inside of the bag
Hope that makes sense. Just wanted that clarified before I make a purchase
Kindest regards
Laura
Hi I think I bought a replica Chanel . TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE MOMENT anyway the zip mechanism does not have the manufactures stamp and this black quilted bag has the traditional gold chains but this one has a long pearl strap as well the handles are also pearl as is the cc logo. Has Chanel made any such bag do you know!
Thanks Kym
Stamping is not quite right. I bought a medium classic red Chanel at Chanel store with silver hardware, product year 2014. However, the authentic card stamp is light gold, not silver.
Did Chanel ever have any bags made in China and did Chanel ever make a black canvas rucksack?
Thank you soooooo much!!!! What an eye-opener. I have an authentic Chanel and I also have what I’ve been told is a good fake. The areas of concern were pointed out to me. I recently purchased a “Chanel Hobo” from Ebay. The color and shape were just what I wanted…the leather was total…CRAP…pardon my language. The handbag arrived from Kyoto, Japan and the box in which it was shipped looked like it had been in a train wreck. When I returned the handbag, I packaged it very carefully, and placed pieces of the owners box inside to make my package sturdier. The owner, in Japan. wanted the handbag returned by a certain date. I went to our local post office and mailed it Express which cost me $82. I hope I get reimbursed for that, as well as a refund for the FAKE Chanel. I will NEVER purchase from Ebay again. Live and learn…and Buyer Beware!!!!