10 Ways to Authenticate a Classic Chanel bag | Bagista

One of our in-house experts at Bagista explains 10 ways on how to authenticate a classic Chanel bag.

1) Leather Type (0:11 secs)

Chanel uses two types of leather for their classic flaps. Caviar, and Lambskin.

Lambskin is smooth to the touch and carries a buttery feeling. Due to the delicate nature of the leather, it can be more prone to marks, but it looks luxurious and carries a beautiful shine. With fake bags emulating lambskin, it will lack softness and shine.

Caviar is grained calfskin leather, and you’ll be able to feel a texture when touched. It is a popular choice due to its longevity, and hardwearing ability. Fake caviar tends to sit on top of the surface, rather than truly engrained in authentic pieces. You should be able to spot this visually and to the touch.

2) Quilting (0:35 secs)

The diamond quilting is iconic to the Classic Flaps, and each individual diamond should be consistent in shape. They should also be pattern matched around the rear pocket and similar areas. Fake bags tend to miss these details, and the shapes may be irregular.

3) Stitching (0:55 secs)

Chanel is incredibly precise with their stitching, and the count varies from model to model. They usually have 11 stitches per diamond and each individual stitch will be the same length. Counterfeit products may have wider stitch lengths, or they may be uneven in length. The stitching should line up when attached to other panels of the bag.

4) CC Lock (1:08 secs)

The CC lock on genuine pieces will always lie the same way, with the left C sitting under the right C at the top, and the left C over the top of the bottom C. This can be easy to replicate, so pay good attention to the quality of the hardware, as fake pieces will tarnish easily and fade over time. They can also be more round in shape, and some older pieces will have a stamp on the top left-hand side.

5) The back of the lock (1:26 secs)

The back of the lock will read “Chanel Paris” with the Chanel sitting on the left side of the plate. If the plate sits the other way around, this could mean the plate has been replaced, repaired or that the bag may not be genuine. Pay attention to the font and lettering, and that all the letters are level, and the same size. It’s important to note that the font can differ depending on the year of production, so you may want to search other examples of products from that same year. The slotted screws used are always flat to avoid denting the leather.

6) Logo (1:40 secs)

With authentic pieces the logo will be embossed into the leather, rather than sitting on top like a lot of fake bags. Ensure the logo is circular in width and height, and that its sitting central and horizontal. Counterfeit logos will rub off easily and fade over time, and may

7) Authenticity card (1:56 secs)

Firstly; assess the strength to the card. Genuine cards shouldn’t have much bend to them, whereas fake cards can feel flimsier or like cardboard. Note the font and specific text on the front and back of the card, as the fakes won’t pay attention to these details. After 2005 Chanel date codes contain 8 digits, with the first two digits corresponding with the year of production.

8) Chain strap (2:16 secs)

Ensure the leather strap fits neatly inside the chains and isn’t too wide. It is normal for the strap to be sewn or attached within the chain, but make sure the stitching is neat and straight with no bumps or threads.

9) Zipper (2:32 secs)

Zips within the newer generation of Chanel bags are made from metal teeth rather than plastic and will open and close smoothly due to the care in the zip placement. The most notable types of zip are DMC, YKK, EP LAMPO, and some older models may be unmarked zippers. They will feature a small leather tab in the matching leather of the bag, whether caviar or lambskin.

10) Shape (2:52 secs)

Fake Chanel pieces are normally constructed poorly and can carry a boxier shape with more rounded corners. Take a look at the side view and ensure that the flap isn’t gaping away from the bag, and that the front flap is sitting horizontally across without appearing skewed. Genuine pieces should sit up straight, unless particularly aged or stored incorrectly.

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