How to recognize an authentic Chanel bag
When you are shopping online for a Chanel bag, we can imagine that your biggest concern is the authenticity of the designer item.
You have to be sure you are investing in a real thing and not the copy. How to find out this bag of your dreams is genuine?
At Vintage-United we are committed to a zero-tolerance, anti-counterfeit policy and we guarantee absolute authenticity of every item sold on the website, so you can shop with confidence.
But for you own reinsurance there are some simple tips from various experts on how to distinguish an authentic Chanel bag from a fake one.
To be able to do that we have to go through every signature essential part of the bag, lets start with …
1. The iconic CC logo.
An ultimate sign for detecting authenticity of a Chanel bag is the position of CC logo. The right C should overlap on top, and the left C should overlap on the bottom. If it’s the other way around, it’s a fake. Whatever there can be exceptions. The width of the C should also match the width of the horizontal gap between the two CC’s
2.The turn lock closure.
The double CC lock is the most recognisable design on the Classic Chanel bag. This iconic lock was designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. The lock on the authentic bag must be flat in shape and wide in font type. Whereas the lock on the fake bag is thinner in font type and bulky, rounder in shape.
The lock designed by Coco Chanel herself is rectangular in shape, it was introduced in February 1955. In February 2005 Hous of Chanel released an exact copy of the original 2.55 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the original bag.
3. CHANEL made in… label.
The most simple tool to recognize the real Chanel bag from a fake one is just to look at the Chanel label inside of the bag. It should match the color of the handbag’s hardware. Analise the letters, they all must have the same size. Pay attention to E letter. The lower stripe of the letter must be slightly longer then the upper stripe.
4. Quilting and stitching
5. Chain straps
6. The zipper
7. The lining
8. Serial number cart
9. Serial sticker.
Font & Spacing: Numbers are evenly spaced, clean, and never blurry. No overlapping or misalignment.
Material: Authentic stickers are laminated and not just a paper label. They have a clear protective layer to prevent rubbing off.
Placement: Always found in a discreet corner inside the bag, usually on the lining or in a pocket.
Red Flags of Fake Stickers
Hologram that looks too shiny or rainbow-like.
Cheap plastic coating that peels easily.
Numbers misaligned, different fonts, or blurred.
Wrong number of digits for the year of production (e.g., 6 digits in a 2019 bag = fake).
Sticker placed loosely, not firmly embedded in lining.
Remember, the serial number must match the year of production and (if still applicable) the authenticity card.
10. The natural luxury odor.
This is the simple trick based on the long experience working with a luxury leather products. Gently smell on your hand bag, a specially inside the interior. That’s right…
A genuine Chanel bag, or any other branded bag has a very distinctive smell. It should have rich, natural scent; a warm, earthy, slightly musky aroma. Some people describe it as a mix of wood, natural oils, and subtle sweetness. In apposite a fake bag that often made from chipper kind of leather treated with a strong chemicals and glued. A fake bag often smells like plastic or strong chemicals, especially when new.
The smell of authentic leather bag doesn’t fade quickly; even older items will keep that natural undertone, whereas replicas tends to lose its scent over time.
