7 Differences Between Real and Imitation Designer Bags

by Paris Liandre

Designer bags are very fashionable, but with the high price also come the reality that there are folks out there trying to make big money off of a cheaper imitation bag. So how can you tell the authentic apart from the fake? Sometimes it's hard to tell, but here are some things to look for.

Designer bags are very well made and the fake bags are not. The patterns don't match up, the hardware is flimsy; the lining is often cheap.

Designer bags are made to strict standards in their colors, sizes, and shapes. If you know exactly what color and dimension you are looking for in a designer bag, it can help you spot the real from the fake.

The fake designer bags, including higher priced replicas are generally made in China. You'll find that these bags tend to run in the range of $100-$300 each.

Fake bags will have liners made from much cheaper materials and the inside lining will not be attached to the frame as securely. The fabric design and color can also be used as evidence of a fake bag.

A real authentic designer bag is made nearly to perfection. Even the zippers, buttons, handles and other hardware are made of such high quality materials that they're unlikely to fall off or not work well.

A non-authentic handbag will likely be stiff and often will smell like chemicals used to treat the leather. In a real designer bag, the leather smells like leather.

Interestingly, you can rest assured that if you end up unknowingly with a non-authentic designer bag, you may have something of worth anyway! Counterfeit designer bag shopping has become a sport and in some groups, it's considered even more fashionable to carry a fake bag rather than a real one!