When shopping for a Louis Vuitton bag, it’s so important to authenticate first. Fortunately, spotting a fake Louis Vuitton purse can be straightforward if you’re aware of key aspects.
How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag
Professional Louis Vuitton authenticators say that the #1 way to spot a fake bag is to check the label stitched on the inside. It is never correctly replicated, according to our Expert LV Bag Authenticators.
1. Interior label
Authentic: Thicker text, with all letters placed at the same level.
Fake: Text is too thin and the letters are misplaced.
See how the “P” in “PARIS” is too far away from the rest of the letters on the fake bag.
Also, the fake “S” is too thick at the bottom.
Is it too hard? Reach out to our expert LV bag authenticators:
2. Date code
Date Code Verification:
Before 1980: No date codes.
1982 – Mid 1980s: 3- or 4-digit codes representing the year and month (year first).
Mid – Late 1980s: Introduction of letters for the factory, with the year first, followed by the month.
1990 – 2006: Country code letters at the front, with the first and third numbers indicating the month, and the second and fourth the year.
2007 – Present (as of 2021): Country code letters, followed by a week-based system (first and third numbers for the week, second and fourth for the year).
Matching the Date Code and ‘Made In’ Stamp:
Ensure the country indicated by the letters in the date code aligns with the “made in” stamp. If there’s a discrepancy, the bag could be a counterfeit.
Country Codes for Different Regions:
France: Codes like A0, A1, AA, AR, AS, BA, MI, VI, etc.
Germany: LP.
Italy: BC, BO, CE, MA, RC, RE, etc.
Spain: BC (2015 onwards), CA, LO, LB, GI, etc.
Switzerland: DI, FA.
USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, TX, etc.
Remember, if the bag is vintage (pre-1980), it won’t have a date code.
For more recent bags, matching the date code with the “made in” stamp is crucial. Also, familiarize yourself with the specific letter codes for various countries.
3. Handler
Authentic: Thicker, smaller, and generally boxier threads.
Fake: Thinner and longer stitches.
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.
4. Flap
Authentic: Slimmer, more subtle stitching.
Fake: Very thick and boxy threads.
5. Leather
Authentic: Textured, highly-detailed leather.
Fake: Smooth leather with no texture.
We’ve pointed out at this tab since it’s easier to spot this flaw on smaller tabs instead of the entire bag.
6. Bottom
Authentic: Bulkier stitching, with thicker and smaller stitches.
Fake: Thin and long threads.
7. Zipper
Authentic: Thick logo that comes out of the metal.
Fake: The “LV” logo is too thin — it doesn’t come out of the metal as much as the real one.
8. Strap
Authentic: Somewhat slimmer stitches than the fake.
Fake: The stitches are too thick.
On a side note, see how the real stitches are “curlier” and how they curve more than the fake.
9. Lock
Authentic: All letters have the same thickness.
Fake: The right side of the “V” is too thin.
10. Belt
Authentic: All letters are perfectly readable.
Fake: The “N” in “VUITTON” is missing — it should be visible.
11. Keychain
Authentic: Thinner letters — all with the same thickness.
Fake: The “LOUIS VUITTON” text is too thick.
12. Chains
Authentic: Powerful golden shine.
Fake: Dull, less shiny color.
13. Buttons
Authentic: Smaller “LOUIS VUITTON” engraving.
Fake: Bigger and wider characters.
14. Initials
You’ll find these on smaller bags like the LV Twist.
Authentic: Shiny and powerful reflection of light.
Fake: Doesn’t reflect light as much as the original.
Online Listings: How to spot fake Louis Vuitton bags
1. Research the Bag
Understand the specific model you’re interested in.
Look for its typical features, including the design, color, hardware, and dimensions.
2. Choose Reputable Sellers
Prefer official Louis Vuitton stores or authorized retailers.
If considering third-party platforms, opt for well-known luxury resale sites with authentication services.
3. Seller Reviews & History
Read customer reviews and check the seller’s history for authenticity and service quality.
4. Verify Authenticity
Look for detailed images of the bag, including the date code, stitching, hardware, and monogram pattern.
Be cautious of sellers who refuse to provide additional photos upon request.
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About the Author
David is the co-founder and co-CEO of Legit Check By Ch. David's experience: 5+ years of creating educational content in the fashion industry. 6+ years of authenticating luxury items. Currently, David is the Head Editor of the LCBC Library, where 1,000,000+ words have been published, in free guides, for over 1,000 items.
