How to Spot A Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

While you may appreciate a good dupe, counterfeit bags don’t deserve a spot in your collection.
With so many look-alikes on the market, it’s hard to tell what’s real from what’s fake. One luxury brand that has had its fair share of imitations is Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton handbags are highly coveted, and for good reason. They are durable and timeless pieces that pair well with just about any look. Founded in 1854 in France, Louis Vuitton is one of the oldest fashion houses in the world. Their signature treated canvas and LV monogram design is unfortunately often replicated at a lower price point. With fakes ripping off even the smallest details, it’s hard to know if your bag is legit.

Real Authentication is the trusted luxury good authentication service for authenticating online. Our team of experts will work quickly and effectively to determine if your beloved Louis is in fact the real thing. Simply take your photos, upload them to the Real Authentication app and receive expert verification and certification within 24 hours. Click here to read more about how we authenticate Louis Vuitton.

When shopping for a Louis Vuitton bag, use this blog as a guide to determine whether or not you’re purchasing the real thing.

Louis Vuitton Uses Vachetta Leather

Louis Vuitton bags are made from canvas and a buttery-soft Vachetta leather. This full-grain authentic-cowhide, vegetable-tanned light leather darkens with time. The patina is a tell-tale sign that your bag is authentic. Replicas will likely use plastic or a lower quality leather that will not show wear in a similar fashion.

Check the Silhouette & Stitching

Look at the proportions of your bag. Ensure that the measurements are not vastly different from what’s listed for an original. A new bag should be strong, sturdy and symmetrical. There shouldn’t be any extensive slouching or creasing. Authentic bags are meticulously crafted with stitching done by hand and at an angle. Lookout for cheap yellow threads, loose threads, or overall sloppy construction.

Look at the Logo & Monogram

Pay close attention to the monogram canvas. Known for its durability, Louis Vuitton’s iconic canvas is difficult to replicate for imitation pieces. Authentic canvas has a grained texture and the sizing of the pattern is the same size all throughout. A fake bag will not have this defined texture. A real Louis Vuitton’s embossing will appear more pronounced and a fake’s embossing will appear flat.

Observe Stamping & Lettering

Check for any misspelled words and incorrect font size or style on your bag. Observe the leather label on the inside of your bag for spelling errors, spacing or subpar quality. The trademark LV monogram has an italic and capitalized L and V. The lettering throughout the bag’s design should not be too far apart or too close together. The O in Louis Vuitton should be round, not oval-shaped, the T’s are placed close together, and the words ‘made in’ should be lower case.

Review Authenticity Certificates & Date Codes

Verify when your bag was produced with the matching authenticity code. Every authentic Louis Vuitton has a date code which indicates the country and year of production. Learn the different codes used by Louis Vuitton and check if the code on the bag aligns with the expected format. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags do not come with an authenticity certificate. Remember bags made before 1980 do not have date codes and bags made after March 2021 no longer have this code. Bags recently made have NFC (near field communication) tags or chips embedded within.

Before committing to making the investment in a Louis Vuitton bag, pay attention to the logo, stitching, date code, materials and reputation of the seller. It’s always best to purchase your bag from an authorized retailer and undergo authentication to guarantee its legitimacy. Real Authentication makes it easy for you to know if your Louis Vuitton bag and other luxury finds are the real deal. Authenticate with us!

Disclaimer: Real Authentication is a 3rd party authentication service and is in no way affiliated with the brands it services.

About Real Authentication: Real Authentication’s mission is to provide individuals, dealers, and global brands with unparalleled confidence and peace of mind by leveraging our deep expertise and years of experience to deliver the most trusted and accurate luxury goods authentication service available. Follow this blog and sign up for our newsletter using the form below for more industry news, tips to spot counterfeits, and more! You can also connect with us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.