Louis Vuitton is one the most iconic and best-known luxury handbag brands in the world.
Unfortunately, because of its well-known status and loyal following, there are a ton of fake Louis Vuitton bags out there.
In fact, Louis Vuitton is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. So today, I’m sharing how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag so you can easily spot the difference between a fake vs. real Louis Vuitton.
Many of us have to save up for designer bags and are now shopping the resale market for these handbags. So it’s important to be able to spot fake Louis Vuitton handbags. After all, who wants to spend $1K plus on counterfeit items that’s not actually real?!
Here, I’m sharing eight of the most common ways to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag below.
Shop Louis Vuitton Bags
Louis Vuitton offers many different lines of bags from the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag range, the Damier Ebiene canvas bags, the Speedy bag and many more. And though these are all different designs, spotting a fake Louis Vuitton purse is similar no matter what style bag you get.
Unfortunately, counterfeit bags are getting harder and harder to spot. Use this guide to help ensure that what you’re getting is the real deal.
Heat Stamp
The heat stamp that reads “Louis Vuitton Paris” on the inside pocket of the bag is a great way to spot an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag. Before we dive into the specifics of what to look for with the stamp, you also want to look out for authenticity cards.
Those are a big red flag when it comes to spotting a fake because Louis Vuitton doesn’t send authenticity cards. They may send some sort of card within the dust bag listing different facts about the bag. But it will never be about authenticity.
The heat stamp basically acts like an authenticity card in and of itself. The font will tell you a lot about genuine bags like:
- The horizontal line on the letter “L” has a short tail.
- The letter “O” is very round – NOT oval-like. It also looks proportionally larger than the “L”.
- The two “T” letters are almost touching.
- The lettering will be crisp and nearly perfect in how it’s aligned.
The letters will all be capital letters, too.
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Stitching
You get what you pay for with luxury bags, down to the stitching.
With genuine bags, the stitching is nearly perfect with no odd spacing, loose strings, etc. In fact, the same number of stitches should be found on each side of the bag.
The color of the string can also help you spot the real thing.
A genuine Louis Vuitton bag will have a muted yellow color or brown stitching on the leather.
A fake LV bag will sometimes have a very bright thread. This is typically a dead giveaway that you have a fake handbag.
Hardware
Another one of the best ways to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag is to look at Louis Vuitton’s hardware.
Authentic Louis Vuitton bags have hardware made of solid brass. The hardware is also evenly colored.
Because the hardware is brass-coated, it’s natural for it to change color over time. It can even take on a greenish hue!
The hardware includes things like the zipper, zipper pull and other accent pieces.
Real LV bags have the LV or “Louis Vuitton” logo on every single piece of hardware from the zipper, to the feet of the purse to the rivets. Even the hardware inside of the bag should have the logo.
Speaking of zippers, another critical thing to keep in mind is how well the zippers work. Try them out. If they don’t glide well, then it might be one of the telltale signs the bag is fake.
If you’re paying for a luxury brand handbag, that zipper better glide like butter.
RELATED: 9 Louis Vuitton Neverfull Alternatives to Try
Leather
The next way you can spot a fake bag is the quality of the leather.
A real Louis Vuitton bag is generally made of leather. Some types of LV bags are made of coated canvas or other exotic animals too. The leather is soft to the touch and high-quality.
Some Louis Vuitton bags are also made with one continuous piece of leather. So one side of the bag might have upside-down logos. Be aware of that if you think that doesn’t look like the real thing.
Louis Vuitton uses Vachetta leather for the trim of its bags. This type of leather naturally darkens, also known as patina, as the bag ages.
If the Vachetta leather doesn’t naturally darken, then you know the bag is probably a fake bag.
Also, look for the deep red/burgundy edge that lines the handles on an authentic bag. This will also change color over time, and shouldn’t be a bright red.
Lining
A real LV bag has high-quality materials all the way down to the lining. However, depending on the type of bag you purchase, depends on the color and material of the lining found inside the bag.
You can find a variety of colors from a deep red to tan with varying materials like leather and microsuede.
Before you purchase a real LV bag, be sure to know what color and type of lining that bag is supposed to have. That way you know what to look for.
RELATED: 17 Best Luxury Handbag Brands You Need to Know
Dustbags
Another important aspect on how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag is the dust bag that handbag comes in. An authentic LV bag comes in a dust bag that only has the LV logo or name on the bag itself.
There is nothing else on these like a model number, country code or letter code on the bag. It has a minimalist design and acts as a dust cover for your specific bag.
The dust bag will also be beige in color—not white. You can see the difference here in this photo.
The dust bag on the left is a fake LV dust bag while the dust bag on the right is much warmer and more of a yellow tone.
The font is also dark brown on the authentic LV dust bag while the fake one has black font. They may be subtle differences, but they’re still important to pay attention to!
The Logo
The easiest way and quickest ways to spot a fake Louis Vuitton product is by the logo. The LV logo is one of the most recognized logos because of its household name in the designer industry.
Authentic Louis Vuitton logos have three distinct designs plus the logo. They will never be crooked, misaligned and always look symmetrical. Additionally, the three designs and logo are in the same pattern throughout the bag.
Date Code
Louis Vuitton handbags do not have a serial number but instead, each one has a date code. Especially if you are shopping for more vintage bags.
Since the early 1980s, Louis Vuitton began including date codes on each bag produced. They can be hard to find but usually are inside the bag. The date code tells you where and when the bag was manufactured.
The date code begins with two letters. These letters represent the country that it was made in. For example, if the beginning two letters were SF, that means that your bag was manufactured in France.
Following the two letters are four numbers. These numbers represent the date the bag was made. The 1st and 3rd numbers represent the week or month the bag was made.
Between 2007-2021, the 1st and 3rd numbers represented the week of the year. Between 1990-2006, the 1st and 3rd numbers represented the month of the year.
The 2nd and 4th numbers are the last two digits of the year the bag was made.
So for example, if the date code on a bag was SF0028 that means the bag was made in France in the 2nd week of 2008.
Confusing? Yah. You can try an authenticator service if you’re really concerned. Or an online date code authenticator like this one.
Beginning in March 2021, Louis Vuitton did away with the date code and began including microchips in the handbags that store information like what the bag is made of.
There is no personal information shared. Just specifically details about the bag. This chip can be scanned at Louis Vuitton stores and cannot be duplicated or modified.
With these eight basic ways to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag, I hope this helps you better determine if a bag is real or not!
Do you have a Louis Vuitton bag? If so, what kind of bag is it? Let me know in the comments below!
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FAQs
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag? ›
Authentic Louis Vuitton Bags always include a stamp that says “Louis Vuitton” and “made in France” (or another country if it was made elsewhere) underneath it. If your bag is missing this stamp, then it is likely a fake. Look for the stamp pressed directly into the leather of your bag.
How do I find out if a Louis Vuitton bag is real? ›Louis Vuitton does not come with any authenticity cards. In order to tell if the bag is real, manufacturer places a unique stamp with a place and date code on the inside of the purse. Nowadays LV bags are not only produced in France, but also in the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain.
Do real Louis Vuitton purses have red inside? ›Although Louis Vuitton may use different linings for different collections, Monogram canvas bags are generally lined in brown cotton and Damier Ebene Canvas bags are historically lined in red microfiber.
Do all Louis Vuitton bags have a serial number? ›Contrary to popular belief, Louis Vuitton handbags (excluding luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Rather, Louis Vuitton handbags have "date codes" stamped either on interior tags or directly on the interior linings.
Do all Louis Vuitton bags have upside down LV? ›Yes, it is very common for Louis Vuitton items to have upside down LV logos because their leather goods are often made with one continuous piece of leather. Some handbag styles, like the Louis Vuitton Speedy, use one large piece of leather wrapped round the exterior, resulting in upside down LV logos.
What does the lining of a real Louis Vuitton look like? ›Inspect the interior lining to see if it's brown canvas.
However, an authentic Louis Vuitton will be lined with a brown canvas material. Depending on the specific design, a real Louis Vuitton bag may be lined with other textiles, such as cross-grain leather, polyester, or microfiber suede.
The Louis Vuitton box boasts an iconic yellow shade that is officially called Imperial Saffron.
What if my Louis Vuitton doesn't have a date code? ›At the same time, if your bag is missing a date code, don't panic; the absence of a date code does not necessarily mean that the bag is not authentic. As of March 1st, 2021, these have been removed, in favor of microchips embedded discreetly in your LV products.
Do all Louis Vuitton say made in France? ›The Louis Vuitton leather goods collections are exclusively produced in our workshops located in France, Spain, Italy and the United States. Manufacturing our footwear and ready-to-wear collections takes place in France and Italy. Our watches are exclusively made in timepiece workshops in Switzerland.
What is hot stamped Louis Vuitton? ›The trademark heat stamp is the embossed Louis Vuitton label that will be on the outside or inside of a Louis Vuitton bag or accessory. If inside, the stamp can be found on the lining or, in newer styles, on an interior leather or cloth tag; if outside, it can be found on the Vachetta trim, detailing, or strap.
Why can't Louis Vuitton bags get wet? ›
LV bags are waterproof and fireproof. Canvas is used for waterproofing and PVC is used to fireproof the bags. This is one of the reasons why LV bags are so expensive.
Do Louis Vuitton bags have feet on the bottom? ›Contrary to popular belief, LV bags have upside down symbols in some of their models – like Papillons, Speedy styles, etc. Louis Vuitton bags are made with a single big canvas without seams anywhere, not even at the bottom of the bags.
Does Louis Vuitton use real gold? ›No, Louis Vuitton handbags do not have gold metalware. Louis Vuitton handbags use brass for their metal hardware and that brass is often plated, brushed or polished to have a golden or a silver appearance.
Why is the inside of my Louis Vuitton bag sticky? ›Unfortunately, when exposed to high heat or humidity, Vuittonite begins to deteriorate and peel away from the edges of the bag. Over time, it becomes increasingly sticky, forming a residue (which, in extreme cases, is black in color) that transfers to anything placed inside the bag.
What is the original Louis Vuitton pattern? ›1888. Louis Vuitton went on to create and trademark the Damier Canvas pattern for its range of luggage and trunks. 100 years on from it launch, the Damier Canvas pattern was reintroduced as the Damier Ebène.
Are all Louis Vuitton bags symmetrical? ›A few rare vintage pieces aside, the Louis Vuitton Monogram pattern will always be symmetrical from left to right in whatever material is used.
Do real Louis Vuitton zippers ever have a YKK on them? ›Louis Vuitton Zippers
All Louis Vuitton bags manufactured since 1991 make use of its heritage gold brass hardware with the “LV” logo. Old zippers are often Swiss-made or ECLAIR, among others. Modern Louis Vuitton bags, especially with colored zippers, may have a YKK branded zipper.
The interlocking L and V with floral pattern was designed by Louis Vuitton's son, Georges Vuitton, in 1896 as a way to brand his nascent box and luggage business, and in the 120 years since, it's become one of the most recognizable marks in the world.
What is the square Louis Vuitton print called? ›The design of Louis Vuitton's Damier canvas was invented by Georges Vuitton in 1888. A little over a century later, the pattern was reintroduced as the Damier Ebène in 1998, and it has been one of the biggest successes of Louis Vuitton since.
Where is Louis Vuitton authenticity code? ›A Louis Vuitton handbag with its date code embossed on a leather tab attached to the interior lining of the bag. With the exception of older models made before the 1980s, date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other accessories like sunglasses.
What is the 3 digit date code for Louis Vuitton? ›
Louis Vuitton started using 3- or 4-digit codes to indicate the year and month in which the item was manufactured. The first two numbers show the year, and the last one or two numbers show the month.
What if my Louis Vuitton does not have a date code? ›At the same time, if your bag is missing a date code, don't panic; the absence of a date code does not necessarily mean that the bag is not authentic. As of March 1st, 2021, these have been removed, in favor of microchips embedded discreetly in your LV products.
How can you tell if a luxury bag is real? ›- Check the quality of the material the bag is made from. ...
- Take a close look at the hardware. ...
- The stitch work is another area to pay careful attention to. ...
- A cheap lining is another clue to look out for. ...
- The logo is another easy slip-up area for counterfeiters. ...
- Check the pockets.
Currently, you can only view model numbers on the Louis Vuitton website if the item is still available or on the paper tag that came with the bag. Style/model numbers often begin with the letter "M" or "N" and are followed by five numbers.
Where do I find my LV date code? ›Louis Vuitton Date Codes
A Louis Vuitton handbag with its date code embossed on a leather tab attached to the interior lining of the bag. With the exception of older models made before the 1980s, date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other accessories like sunglasses.
Fake Stamp: The six-digit date code can be used to identify where and when a Louis Vuitton handbag was manufactured. It tends to be printed on a leather tab, and can be found in the following locations: Embossed into the leather tab and stitched into the lining of the bag.
Does Louis Vuitton have authenticity card? ›Real Louis Vuitton bags do not come with a certificate of authenticity. You may find a cream colored card with the style name of the bag and a bar code inside, but never a certificate. Many fake bags come with a certificate, leading consumers to believe that they are real.
Can a fake bag have serial number? ›Keep in mind that just because the bag has a serial number doesn't mean it can't be a fake; counterfeiters often use legitimate serial numbers on their bags, too.
How can I tell if my bag is real leather? ›Sight: Check the stitching on seams or zipper. Real leather holes will have slightly uneven, rough edges that look like suede. Fake leather stitching holes are identical and uniform. If you can see the edges of the purse where two pieces are stitched together, leather will be rough and raw-looking.
How do you know if a brand is original? ›- Examine the quality of the product. ...
- Be wary of unusually low prices. ...
- Inspect the packaging carefully. ...
- Check if logos and trademarks are displayed correctly.
What does SP mean in Louis Vuitton? ›
Date code decoded: SP = France, 06 = 6th month, 05 = 2005. 1980s – 1990s: Beginning in 1982, Louis Vuitton added codes to every item to indicate when and where it was made. During this time, the date code format changed regularly. In the early 1980s, date codes were only three or four numbers.
How much is Louis Vuitton bag worth? ›The price range of Louis Vuitton is from around $1,100 to about $6,000. Vintage purse prices vary depending on the condition of the purse and how popular a collector's item it is.
Do Louis Vuitton bags have a chip? ›Louis Vuitton uses small radio frequency identification (RFID) chips. These are already really tiny and thin as film. So, even if you will be trying really hard to locate the microchip, chances are that you won't. RFID microchips are simply too tiny to locate by hand.