How can you tell if a Louis Vuitton bag is real?

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This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff, based on our article: How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Purses.
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Daniel Gbenle
Daniel Gbenle
Sneaker Authenticator & Founder of Certisfied
05/13/25 6:21pm
When you look at a Louis Vuitton bag, look at the font of the text and the stitching. Everything should look crisp and not sloppy. Ultimately, everything should look aesthetically pleasing to your eyes. If you see any detail of the bag and think “Why did they do it like that?”, that's an immediate red flag for you. Additionally, the manufacturer of the bag will have put in a unique stamp with the place the bag was created and a date code on the inside of the purse. Nowadays, Louis Vuitton bags are not only produced in France, but also in the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain. Also, of course, with every bag, the materials should be thick and should feel high quality. Of course, there are different styles of LV bags, but the leather should be thick and it should feel like high quality. It should feel heavy. It should have Louis Vuitton on it or LV engraved in it. The zipper should glide in a smooth way and feel high quality. If you look at the zipper and the gold is fading off or looking rusty and it's a brand-new bag, that is an immediate red flag, too. Those are a few of the main things to look for.
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Nikita Chen
Nikita Chen
Fashion Authentication Expert
05/28/25 9:44pm
Louis Vuitton is one of the most counterfeited brands on the market – there are a lot of bad fakes, but also a lot of good ones out there, too. One of the primary recommendations I have for evaluating a Louis Vuitton bag is to look at the color of the logo and the font of the text of the label that is printed on the inside of the handbag. There should also be a serial number you can look at in the interior. I would also look carefully at the monogram pattern and the hardware engravings on the exterior. Some of the newer models have RFID tags inside, too, so you can scan it and see its’ authenticity. Finally, you can bring your bag to a Louis Vuitton store and ask for help with an employee to see whether this handbag is authentic.
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wikiHow Editorial Team
04/09/25 6:39pm
Here are the qualities to check for in a real Louis Vuitton bag.
  • "Made In" Stamp: Authentic Louis Vuitton bags always include a stamp in the leather that says “Louis Vuitton” and “made in France” (or another country if it was made elsewhere) underneath it. Look for a short leg at the bottom of the Ls, Os that are round and bigger than the Ls, Ts that are so close together they appear to be touching, and lettering that is thin and crisp.
  • Date Code and "Made In" Stamp Match: There is a date code inside of the bag, near its opening. The letters in the date code should align with the country stamped on the bag.
  • Stitching: A real Louis Vuitton bag will have 5 neat, mustard-yellow stitches across the top of each handle.
  • Even Pattern: The pattern should be an even mirror image of itself throughout the bag, and should never be at an angle. The LV logo will also never be cut off on an authentic bag.
  • Upside Down LVs: Louis Vuitton bags are made with one continuous strip of leather, so the logo should be upright on one side of the bag and upside down on the other side.
  • Hardware and Zipper Quality: The hardware and zippers should be real metal with a gold coating, not plastic. There should be no discoloration or tarnish.
  • Handle Patina: A vintage Louis Vuitton bag should have handles that have changed from their original bright white color to a brown or brownish red. This change in color is called the "patina" and is a result of the leather oxidizing and absorbing oils from the owner’s skin over time.
  • Brown Canvas Interior: A real Louis Vuitton bag will be lined with a brown canvas material, not a cheap plastic or suede.
How are you able to tell if a Louis Vuitton bag is real? Let us know in the comments below!
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Anonymous WikiBird
Anonymous WikiBird
04/20/25 4:49pm
Sadly yes , it’s fake! Hardware isn’t authentic, monogram logo looks printed on instead of painted , but did you get it checked out? Did you ever figure out if it’s for-sure fake or not ?
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