Please note: Collective Will is not an authentication service, and we do not authenticate goods that have not been consigned with us.
If you're on the hunt and looking for a pre-loved Louis Vuitton bag, or are one of the chosen few who find them on athrift hunt, you'll want to ensure it's authentic. Below you'll find seven main traits to analyze.
1. Logo
The Louis Vuitton logo showcases interlocking initials, with the "V" slightly higher than the "L".
2. Monogram
The Louis Vuitton monogram includes:
- The "LV" logo
- A four-petal fleur-de-lys
- A four-petal fleur-de-lys inside of a square
- A four-petal fleur-de-lys inside of a circle
On an authentic design, whichever symbol begins at the seam, will end on the seam. For example, if a seam starts at afour-petal fleur-de-lys inside of a circle, it will end with the same symbol.
*Note: For theDamier Ebene canvas, you'll find a “Louis Vuitton Paris” inside of a square. You'll find it mirrored on the same line, on either side.
3. Stitching
As with all luxury bags, the stitching will be pristine. Louis Vuitton uses a waxy thread ina mustard yellow (nothing brighter or darker) for their Monogram bags and the saddle stitch is consistent in size and space all through the bag. Handles may have a smaller size but will be consistent with both handles. There should be no hanging threads, overlapping of threads or inconsistent spacing.
4. Date Stamp
Louis Vuitton uses a 6-character date code stamp for all handbags. The first 2characters should start with letters and the remaining 4 with numbers. The date stamp may not always be visible and should be stamped on a micro-suede type tab.
The first 2 letters tell us which workshop the item was made in, while the last 4 digits are for the month and year. During different periods of time, they may flip them and change the order of the month/year and year/month.
In the 80s, the date code was only three letters as there was only a handful of workshops.
Louis Vuitton does not and has never included authenticity cards.
5. Brand Stamp
If everything above has checked out, the two biggest tells with be the letters "O" and "R". The "O" should be an exact circle, not an oval "0" and the "R" should connect at a sharp angle, not a curve.
The most common origin is France, but Louis Vuitton bags are alsoproducedin the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain with their own unique codes.
6. Hardware
- Louis Vuitton hardware is made of metal brass painted gold, not plastic.
- If your bag includes a ring, it should be a "D" shape, not an "O" shape.
- All rivets will read "Louis Vuitton" around the facing.
7. Lining
Different Louis Vuitton styles come withdifferentlinings.
- Monogram Canvas - Typically a brown Cotton textile
- Epi Leather and Mahina - A suede-like microfiber
- Older styles - A washable cross-grain
FAQs
Coding. Since 1980, the majority of genuine Louis Vuitton bags have a date/location stamp located on the inside of the bag. The location for the stamp will usually be on a small tab inside an interior pocket, the inside where the handles attach, or underneath a small interior flap.
Where can I check my Louis Vuitton serial number? ›
What Is A Louis Vuitton Date Code? First things first: all modern Louis Vuitton items have date codes. LV bags do not have serial numbers, instead, Louis Vuitton handbags have "date codes" stamped on interior tags or directly on interior linings or in a hidden location on the exterior of the bag.
How do you tell if a Louis Vuitton on the go bag is real? ›
Most obvious is the color of the leather on the fake bag, which attempts to mimic the Louis Vuitton By the Pool collection; the color doesn't match the real deal. Another red flag is the stitching on the fake Onthego – it uses low-quality, overly shiny threads that don't meet LV's high standards.
How do you self authenticate a Louis Vuitton bag? ›
Authentic Louis Vuitton Bags always include a stamp that says “Louis Vuitton” and “made in France” (or another country if it was made elsewhere) underneath it. If your bag is missing this stamp, then it is likely a fake. Look for the stamp pressed directly into the leather of your bag.
How to tell if a bag is authentic? ›
Tips from an expert: How to spot a fake designer handbag
- Poor stitching. ...
- Suspicious packaging. ...
- Spelling mistakes. ...
- Lack of manufacturing and care instructions. ...
- Purchase from Unknown Sources. ...
- No unique identifier codes. ...
- Off-branding and incorrect fonts. ...
- Fabric and composition.
The code will either be on a leather tab situated along the seam of an interior pocket or pressed into the lining if made of suede. For suede bags, the code can also be located along the seam inside of the interior pocket, however, it can be trickier to see if faded over time.
What if my Louis Vuitton doesn't have a date code? ›
Features: As of March 1st 2021, all Louis Vuitton bags or small leather goods manufactured no longer include the LVMH tried and true, physical date codes. In lieu of their hot stamped or debased date codes, microchips have been introduced by the brand primarily to stop counterfeits and help with repairs.
Does Louis Vuitton come with authentication? ›
Unlike Chanel and Prada, Louis Vuitton has never issued authenticity cards with its bags. It does, however, include a cream-colored tag – printed with the bag's style name and a barcode. You may find this tag loose in the bag's interior pocket, but it will never hang from the bag!
How much does it cost to authenticate a handbag? ›
Handbag Authentication | Verify Luxury Brands $45 Per Bag.
How do you authenticate luxury bags? ›
Authentic dust bags are made from high-quality fabric with the brand's logo printed or embossed on them. Authenticate the Serial Number: Most luxury handbags have a unique serial number, authenticity code or date code. Make sure these codes are consistent with the look/feel, age, make and model of the bag.
The only individuals who have access to the date code information of your handbag are Louis Vuitton associates only. However, your phone is an RFID reader, and can scan to see if there is a microchip embedded into your handbag. The app you need is NFC Tools and can be downloaded from the App Store.
How do I know if my LV is original? ›
Look for the Inside Stamps
Louis Vuitton does not come with any authenticity cards. In order to tell if the bag is real, manufacturer places a unique stamp with a place and date code on the inside of the purse. Nowadays LV bags are not only produced in France, but also in the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain.
How to check Louis Vuitton serial number? ›
No, Louis Vuitton handbags do not have serial numbers; instead, they have "date codes" stamped on interior tags or directly on the interior linings. Therefore, you cannot check an LV bag by its serial number. However, we suggest checking the date code, in your process of authenticating your bag.
How can you tell if a Louis Vuitton travel bag is real? ›
Look Closely at the Stitching Quality and Pattern:
Authentic Louis Vuitton bags are hand-stitched. To be more specific; there should be a slight angle to each stitch – be wary of any bag that has perfectly straight stitches! This is a sign it was machine-made and an imitation.
How can I tell the model of my Louis Vuitton bag? ›
Style/model numbers often begin with the letter "M" or "N" and are followed by five numbers. The style/model number "M95397" seen below is an example of an authentic LV model number found on the bag's accompanying paper tag.
How do I know if my Louis Vuitton bag is in the store? ›
This option will be displayed on the product page with the button "Check in-store availability". Please note that due to frequent store inventory changes, an item's availability cannot be guaranteed. To guarantee a product's availability in your store of choice, we recommend placing a click & collect order.
