Real Vs Fake Hermès Birkin: The Definitive Guide (2023)

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by Ch David

If you’re wondering how to spot fake Hermes Birkin handbags, you are in the right place.

Unveil the authenticity of your Hermes bag with a look at the interior “HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE” label.

Fake Birkin bags often reveal themselves through imperfect labels, stemming from subpar materials and equipment. Learn more in our guide!

Relevant read: See how to spot a fake Hermes Kelly with us.

We’ll stick with the Birkin for now.

How to spot fake Hermes Birkin bags

You can tell if your Hermes Birkin bag is fake by inspecting the interior “HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE” label. Counterfeit Hermes Birkin bags come with a flawed label because lower quality materials + equipment are used to produce those.

Let’s go in-depth.

1. Interior label

There are four main flaws found on the counterfeit versions.

1. “È” in HERMÈS

• The French diacritic (“accent”) on the letter “E” in the “HERMES” text is too thick
• The diacritic is thicker and bigger than the one found on the authentic handbag
• In other words: you’ll notice a lack of precision on the counterfeit version

On the other hand, the authentic bag presents a diacritic on “E” that is noticeably “slimmer” than the one on the replica Hermes Birkin.

2. “S” in HERMES

The second pointer is placed on the letters “S” in the “HERMES” print.

• The “S” character presents higher placement than the rest of the characters.
• On authentic Hermes Birkin bags, you will never see any floating letters
• Every letter on the genuine bag is aligned perfectly
• The “S” character is also presenting a different curvature (look at the extreme ends)

3. “S” in PARIS

• The fake bag’s “PARIS” inscription presents a more boxy and square-ish shape than the shape of the authentic print
• On the fake bag, the edges of the characters have sharp edges…
• … as opposed to the smooth edges present on the genuine Hermes Birkin.

You might be thinking:

“How am I going to spot these flaws with the naked eye?”

We understand that these might be very high-precision details that are hard to spot.

But it makes sense why this level of analysis is needed for one of the most prestigious bags on the market.

What we suggest is this:

• Don’t try to spot these flaws with the naked eye.
• (Unless you don’t have any other option)
• If possible, try taking a picture of these small details with your phone.
• Then place your phone next to your desktop, in an effort to compare the details.

This way, a side-by-side comparison (your item vs. our two versions on the tablet/laptop/desktop screen) might be more effective.

4. “F” & “R” in FRANCE

• Counterfeit Hermes bag presents “F” and “R” (in “FRANCE”) characters that are improperly placed
• These two touch each other
• Authentic Birkins will always present flawless prints (not only on the “FRANCE” text — but on every print)

2. Handler stitching

By handler, we’re referring to the part of the bag that you need to hold, in order to carry the bag.

2.1. Thickness

• On replica Hermes bags, the stitching is noticeably different.
• Counterfeit Hermes Birkins present stitches that are thicker than the stitches on the authentic bags’ handler

2.2. Angle

• Fake Birkin bags present invariable angles
• At best, counterfeit handbags angle at, at most, 14°
• On the authentic bag, the threads are more or less constant when it comes to angling.
• Authentic bags present stitches angled at 18°

3. Luggage tag

The usual stitching problem applies to the exterior leather tag too:

• The stitching on the fake Hermes Birkin bag is thicker than the stitching on the legit Hermes bag.
• Replica manufacturers have to make compromises so as to save money and offer a cheaper alternative.

4. Rectangular strap

Key Details to Check for Authenticity:

• Look for the angle of the negative space inside the piece of hardware.
• Authentic hardware presents more depth.
• Notice the element surrounding the hardware; you’ll spot more material around the authentic Handbag.

Additional Note:

• In the angles of the Hermes Birkin hardware, notice the difference in finishes.
• The hardware on the fake version appears “sharper”.
• The authentic Hermes Birkin has polished finishes.

A quick mention:

• The steps we’ve written so far are the BEST ways to authenticate this item
• The next few steps are still reliable methods…
• … but they apply to non-top-versions of replicas available for this item

If in doubt, we recommend double-checking the steps we’ve explained above this line.

5. Boxy metal strap

Screws on the Extremities:

• Authentic: Straight screws on the extremities.
• Fake: Curvier screws on the extremities.

Key on the Metal Strap:

• Authentic: Key has a normal shine.
• Fake: Key is excessively shiny.

6. Metal lock

• Authentic: Consistent stripes on the left, right, and middle areas.
• Fake: Different stripes on the left, right, and middle areas, with varying depths.

7. Zipper

• Authentic Hermes Bag:
  • “H” character on the zipper is perfectly shaped and consistent in font-weight.
• Fake Hermes Bag:
  • “H” character on the zipper is inconsistent in font-weight.
  • The right vertical leg of the “H” is crooked and thinner than the rest of the shapes forming the letter.

8. Dust bags

• Authentic Hermes Bag:
  • Color is true to the genuine Hermes bags.
  • Cream-colored.
• Fake Hermes Bag:
  • Color is darker than authentic Hermes bags.
  • Darker brown shade.

9. Code stamp

Each legitimate Hermes Birkin bag has a date/code stamp printed on the interior side.

• Authentic: Inscriptions are thicker.
• Fake: Code stamp inscriptions are not as deep.

10. Arrow patch

Find this at the base of the handler.

• Fake Bag:
  • Top-down line in the middle side of the patch is incorrectly built.
  • Thickness, manufacturing method, and placement are wrong.
• Authentic Bag:
  • Presents a constant line of stitching.
  • Thinner and more defined than the fake bag.

11. Strap stitching

• Fake Bag:
  1. Wrong thickness for the stitching.
  2. Imperfect stitches.
  3. Too much empty space between stitches.
• Authentic Bag:
  1. Stitches are perfectly done.
  2. No thickness or other flaws.
  3. No space between stitches.

12. Padlock

• Fake: All three inscriptions are too thin.
• Authentic: Text engraved on the bag looks thicker and more defined.

Shortlist: Verify your Birkin in ~30 seconds

Here’s a checklist to help you spot a fake Hermes Birkin bag:

1. Check the Hermes engraving (“HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE”). Look for font weight consistency and proper positioning.
2. Verify the stitching on the leather handler. Authentic bags have finely stitched handles.
3. Look at the exterior label for even and thin stitching.
4. Verify the rectangular metal strap for the width of the blank space.
5. Check the boxy metal strap for screw shape and key appearance.
6. Examine the lock for the depth of stripes.
7. Analyze the “H” shape on the zipper for consistent font weight.
8. Authenticate the dust bags for the correct color.
9. Inspect the code stamp for proper text thickness.
10. Check the stitching on the base of the handler for any irregularities.
11. Examine the stitching on the strap for even spacing.
12. Look at the text on the bottom side of the lock for correct thickness.

If you’re in a hurry to authenticate your Hermes Birkin bag, above is the 60-second solution for you.

Bolded the most important point for quick reference.

Expert Hermes Birkin authentication service

If you need assistance authenticating your Hermes Birkin bag, we’re here to help:

• Send us high-quality photos of your bag.
• We’ll provide results within 24 to 48 hours.
• You also get a complete with a detailed report on its authenticity.

This concludes our guide on how to differentiate between a real and fake Hermes Birkin bag.

Need our opinion on your item’s authenticity? It’s a service we provide.

Get a fully-detailed report for why you have a real or fake item. Takes less than 48 hours!

Alternatively, use our free resources: written guides and video tutorials.

Thank you for reading this,

Ch Daniel and Ch David