Talk about staying power. Louis Vuitton has been around longer than some countries, and, as a result, the company’s signature LV monogram is arguably the most recognized (and most loved) logo in all of fashion. And perhaps the most imitated. Seriously, you can’t shake a stick these days without seeing a fake Louis Vuitton handbag on the arm of some unassuming fashion victim. Okay, so maybe she didn’t know the purse was a knock-off. And if that’s the case, I obvious hope she’s reading this because she won’t be able to plead ignorance again: Friends shouldn’t let friends carry a fake. Here are the telltale signs of a spurious Louis Vuitton handbag:
Mismatched monogram is a dead giveaway. Look closely. If the bag has interlocking L’s and W’s all over it – or just Ls – you know right off the bat it’s not real. Case closed. Another red flag is underneath the bag. Pick it up: If there’s a seam on the bottom, drop the bag and walk away. Authentic Louis Vuitton handbags don’t have seams that don’t match-up. A prime example of this is The Expeditiously. The style of this handbag is reminiscent of an used doctor’s satchel and doesn’t have a seam on the bottom.
If the metal on your bag can be scratched off with your fingernail, what further proof of shoddy craftsmanship do you need? Pay close attention to the bag’s hardware. The rivets and padlocks of an authentic Louis Vuitton always have the name Louis Vuitton or an LV engraved on them.
Coloring is another detail to watch. (I realize this is a difficult task if you don’t have an authentic Louis at your disposal to offer a comparison; I highly recommend visiting a Louis Vuitton boutique to ogle a valid Louis handbag in all its glory.) The classic Louis Vuitton monogram is an unmistakable combination: slightly golden lettering against a brown backdrop. Not green with yellow lettering or orange with cream lettering.
Now, I’m about to enlighten you a story that demonstrates the holy grail of Louis Vuitton fakery. I once worked with a woman who told me about a friend who allegedly purchased a Louis Vuitton purse on sale from a store in New York City. (First of all, that store was probably Canal Street, also known as the largest parade of knock-off goods on Planet Earth. But visiting Canal Street is not the biggest offense here.) The cardinal sin is believing a person when they tell you that they got their Louis Vuitton bag on sale. Louis Vuitton handbags do not go on sale. Ever. (And this is no doubt part of the reason why the Louis Vuitton brand holds its value so well.) If you acquire a person when they say they know where to get a Louis Vuitton on sale, then I have some oceanfront real estate in Florida to sell you.
So there you have it, ladies. Don’t shoot the messenger for dashing your hopes of scoring a Louis Vuitton on the cheap. And don’t despair. Good handbags are like pebbles on the beach: If you know how to go about it, you can find one almost anywhere. (Please perceive my other articles.) In the meantime, support saving your pennies for a real Speedy.
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