How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (2024)

Like us, if you’re also interested in designer handbags, you’ll know that Balenciaga bags make a good investment. Whether it is the iconic City bags, the All Afternoon bag, or the Hourglass top handle and Neo Classic City totes, this super-popular luxury brand has given us some really great pieces to add to our closets.

Since their bags are so coveted, there are bound to be plenty of fakes in circulation. We give you 9 ways to authenticate and spot a fake Balenciaga bag.

1. Compare the bag style number on the main label to the design

Balenciaga bags all have a style number that matches the style of the bag, etched in metal on the main label. With a quick Google search, you can check if the number is the one demarcated to the bag. Most times, replicas carry style numbers of another Balenciaga style or just digits put together!

How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (1)

Another check is the label. In 2005, the underscore between the words “Balenciaga” and “Paris” on the main label was changed with a period. Before 2008, the metal plates were made of sterling silver and were stamped “925.” Currently, they are made of nickel.

2. See the main interior label carefully

The inside label of aBalenciaga is a true indicator of age and authenticity. Some have etched metal nameplates, while others are stamped on leather. The stamping on an original Balenciaga bag is clean and crisp. The stitching of Balenciaga is black irrespective of the colour or style.

How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (2)

3. Notice the hardware of the bag

The hardware is one of the most important factors that make Balenciaga clutches and bags stand out. The pulls on the zipper should be soldered correctly, and they should have a marking of ‘Lampo’. The zipper of Balenciaga bags mostly matches the rest of the hardware and should have rounded bales on the shoulder straps. The hardware on a fake bag tends to be too shiny.

Here’s a quick list for referral of their permanent hardware styles.

  • RH- Regular Hardware made from brass.
  • FBH- Flat Brass Hardware (the oldest, hardly in circulation now)
  • PH- Pewter Hardware (2003-2004 bags)
  • RGGH G21- Rose Gold Giant Hardware
  • GSH/SGH G21- Silver Giant Hardware
  • GCH- Giant Covered Hardware (Metal covered with leather)

The sizes of the hardware, typically referring to the studs of the bag:

  • G21- This is the largest hardware size. Has been discontinued now and replaced with the G12.
  • G21- The Mini Giant Hardware, which is smaller than the G21, but bigger than the regular hardware.
  • RGGH G21- Rose Gold Giant Hardware, now known as Giant 21 Gold City.
  • GSH/SGH G21- Now known as Giant 12 Silver City.
    How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (3)

Remember that there has been no Balenciaga bag with rose gold hardware after Spring/Summer 2013.

4. Material of the bag

Balenciaga bags feature characteristic distressed leather, which ages well. The leather is super soft to touch and sturdy at the same time. All Balenciaga bags have a trademark veining- which can be felt and might develop some white marks. Fake bags might be uncharacteristically smooth, without any texture and the veins might be printed on. So keep an eye out for that!

5. Strap of the bag

An authentic bag’s shoulder strap should be made of one solid piece of material, with openings right at the end where the hardware is supposed to fit. The detachable shoulder strap should also be connected to the bag and not wrapped in plastic and tucked inside the bag. This is another sign of the bag being a replica.

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6. Handles of the bag

The bags of a Balenciaga bag are made of ‘sueded leather’ as the brand calls it, which has a raw appearance as compared to a finished or coated look. There is no protective coating on a genuine Balenciaga bag.

7. Construction of the bag

Notice the pockets of the bag carefully. Since 2005, the front pocket of Balenciaga bags are partially lined in leather. After unzipping, the black canvas which makes up the lining should not be visible.

8. Mirror

Most Balenciaga women handbags come with a mirror which is usually attached to the handle, stored inside the external pocket. The mirror has a leather frame around it, but when you get a new one, the mirror should be already attached, and not separately packed in plastic or a bubble wrap, stuffed inside.

How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (5)

9. Tassels on the zippers

The tassels which are connected to the zippers should be as soft as the bag. Fake Balenciaga women bags have tassels that are hard and stiff. If the bag you are considering buying has very short or few tassels, then it might be a fake. The colour should also exactly match that of the bag. There will, however, be extra tassels included with every bag which are wrapped in plastic and placed inside.

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Keep these points handy and make sure that theBalenciaga that you are buying is authentic and worth your hard-earned money!

How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (7)
Swati Talwar

Global Content and India Office Head

Seasoned lover of the written word. Travel junkie and Hogwarts alumni. Currently composing notes for the upcoming fashion week. You can also call me Licorne Magique (don't ask me why!).

How to Spot a Fake Balenciaga Bag: An Authentication Guide (2024)

FAQs

How do you authenticate a Balenciaga bag? ›

The inside label of a Balenciaga is a true indicator of age and authenticity. Some have etched metal nameplates, while others are stamped on leather. The stamping on an original Balenciaga bag is clean and crisp. The stitching of Balenciaga is black irrespective of the colour or style.

Can you check Balenciaga serial number? ›

BALENCIAGA SERIAL NUMBER

Balenciaga is engraved in the leather tag, with numbers on the back. Some Balenciaga bags have a metal plate with serial number. This indicator shows the year in which the bag was produced.

Do all vintage Balenciaga bags have serial numbers? ›

All Balenciaga bags will have leather tag inside with the Balenciaga name on the front, and embossed numbers on the back. Some bags will have a metal plate on the front tag, which will additionally have an alpha indicator at the end of its serial number.

How to read Balenciaga serial? ›

Oftentimes, there is a letter on the stamping of a Balenciaga bag that will date the season and year of the handbag. On metal tags (Balenciaga tags that have a metal plate), the letter following the first sequence of numbers will reveal the season and year of the bag.

How can I verify the authenticity of a bag? ›

Examine the bag for brand tags, authenticity labels, and serial numbers. Check to see if your bag has an inside tag with a brand name and a serial number on it (because almost all authentic purses will). The inside tags should be hand-stitched or stamped into the leather.

How do you check if the bag is authentic? ›

How to spot a fake designer handbag
  1. Check the quality of the material the bag is made from. ...
  2. Take a close look at the hardware. ...
  3. The stitch work is another area to pay careful attention to. ...
  4. A cheap lining is another clue to look out for. ...
  5. The logo is another easy slip-up area for counterfeiters. ...
  6. Check the pockets.
Sep 1, 2021

Can you authenticate Balenciaga? ›

Balenciaga began using an uppercase letter of the alphabet to correspond to the season/year of production in F/W 2003. The style number on the tag front will always match the style number on the tag back on an authentic bag. The rest of the code numbers are in-house information for Balenciaga and can be disregarded.

What are the numbers on Balenciaga? ›

The numbers on the Balenciaga Triple S sneaker are the size of the shoe. Where most shoes put this information inside of the shoe, Balenciaga puts the sizing on the outside of its shoes. This is also a good way to determine if a Balenciaga is fake or real.

What is the number on the front of Balenciaga's? ›

They feature a round toe, black and white lace fastening, the iconique Balenciaga logo on the side and the magic number 44 embroidered on the toe in white which cleverly reminds us what size our feet are.

Is my Coach bag fake if it doesn t have a serial number? ›

Not all real Coach purses have a serial number. Some examples of Coach purses that may not have a serial number include: the clutch, swingpack, and mini. However, most Coach purses will have a serial number, so if it's not one of the exceptions, then the bag should carry this identifier.

What's the difference between real and fake Balenciaga? ›

The size tag inside the tongue of the shoe is one of the best ways to determine fake vs. real Balenciaga sneakers. The label should clearly state where the shoes are made. It's worth noting that many Balenciaga sneakers are made in China.

How much does the Balenciaga bag weigh? ›

The bag itself is about 15 inches in length and 9 inches in height with a depth of 5 inches. It is quite heavy, around 1 pound or more, but it can hold a ton of stuff.

What year is Balenciaga? ›

Balenciaga SA (/bəˌlɛnsiˈɑːɡə/ bə-LEN-see-AH-gə) is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1919 by the Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastian, Spain, and based in Paris, France.

Can a fake bag have serial number? ›

There are thousands of fakes that won't have any of those numbers, and many fakes, especially newer ones, can have accurate serial numbers. Also remember that no one can say if a bag is genuine just from the serial number! Clear close-up photos of the inside and outside are always needed.

Is there an app to check fake bags? ›

With the sale of knock-offs on the rise, brands and buyers are using tech to differentiate between a real bag and a fake one. The Entrupy app, which uses AI to detect counterfeit bags.

Is there an app to check authentic bags? ›

Entrupy is an advanced AI based authentication service designed to authenticate designer handbags and accessories anytime, anywhere.

How do you know if something is authentic? ›

How to identify fakes and other IPR infringing goods
  1. Examine the quality of the product. ...
  2. Be wary of unusually low prices. ...
  3. Inspect the packaging carefully. ...
  4. Check if logos and trademarks are displayed correctly.

How are designer bags authenticated? ›

The authentication process is carried out by an expert at Royal Bag Spa, using the Entrupy's Authentication device to provide you with a double assurance. If applicable, manufacturer date codes and serial numbers are verified for consistency. Lastly, the item is also compared to on-hand authentic reference items.

Do Balenciagas have bubbles? ›

Crafted in Italy with the classic black knit upper and chunky, cushioned sole unit, it's equipped with a clear sole bubble to maximise energy return.

Are all Balenciaga made in Italy? ›

Some are. In general, Balenciaga's most expensive, top-shelf bags are made in Italy, while its less-expensive offerings are typically made in China. You can find the origin of a Balenciaga bag on the brand's website.

Does Balenciaga authenticate in store? ›

No, the boutique staff at Balenciaga stores and their retail partner stores are not trained to authenticate a Balenciaga bag. Always purchase Balenciaga bags from reputable sellers to ensure authenticity.

Does Balenciaga require signature? ›

IS A SIGNATURE REQUIRED UPON DELIVERY? For security reasons, a signature is required for all deliveries.

Are all Balenciaga made in China? ›

The user proceeded to clarify this via Balenciaga's customer service who stated that, “The Triple S were initially made in Italy but the manufacturer of the shoe was moved to China where they have a savoir-faire and capacities to produce a lighter shoe.”

Why did Balenciaga shut down? ›

Balenciaga was accused of sexualizing children in two controversial ad campaigns — and the backlash has been swift. Here's everything to know.

Why is Balenciaga so special? ›

A true fashion innovator, Cristobal Balenciaga radically altered the fashionable silhouette of women in the mid-twentieth century. With the methodical skill of an expert tailor, he created garments of fluidity and grace.

How is Balenciaga different? ›

Balenciaga branding

Balenciaga has a strong brand identity that is characterized by its innovative designs, attention to detail, and luxury appeal. The brand's logo is simple and elegant, featuring a serif font with the brand name in all caps.

Why are Balenciaga's called Triple S? ›

The History Of The Balenciaga Triple S

The 'S' in Triple S stands for sole. In other words, this shoe has three of them. Molds were taken from a running shoe, a basketball shoe and track shoe, which were then stacked to create the 6.5cm platform that gives the Triple S both its unique look and its name.

How many inches do Balenciagas give you? ›

Well by just looking at the shoe and owning a few pairs myself, the shoe definitely adds some height. The most you'll gain is an inch or an inch and a half in height though. The commericial claims you'll be taller, but in reality any shoe with a sole that big will make you taller.

Why does Balenciaga have 0 posts? ›

In an interview with British Vogue early last month, the Georgian fashion designer – and head of the brand – stated: “I think social media is boring, and dangerously addictive for some, as well as super manipulative… We need to find new ways of using it that are less harmful to society.”

Where can I check Coach authenticity? ›

The serial number is stamped into the fabric of the creed of an authentic Coach bag. If the bag is fake, it might contain a serial number that has been inked on. In recent bags, the style and productions codes have been attached separately from the creed. These are seen on a small white tag often sewn inside a pocket.

What is serial numbering system? ›

A serial number (SN) is a number assigned to each individual product in order to distinguish that product from all others. The serial number is sometimes used only for warranty control and sometimes used for both warranty control and for version control.

Is replica original or fake? ›

Replica goods are considered to be legitimate copies because they do not bear the branded product's trademark. So, while a replica might have the same feature and functionality of a famous or branded product, it usually carries a different symbol or logo which is admittedly similar to the famous one.

How much is the average Balenciaga bag? ›

Classic Bags
BALENCIAGA CITY BAGCURRENT PRICE (JAN18)
Balenciaga Classic City Bag$2,190.00 (USD)
Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge City S Bag$2,390.00 (USD)
Balenciaga Classic City S Bag$2,050.00 (USD)
Balenciaga Classic Metallic Edge Mini City Bag (Gold, Silver)$1,890.00 (USD)
7 more rows

Do all Balenciaga bags have mirrors? ›

MIRROR, ZIPPER LINING, ZIPPER LINING, AND TASSELS

Most Balenciaga bags, especially the City, come with a mirror that's usually attached on the handle and kept in the external pocket. The mirror is enclosed in a leather frame.

Do Balenciaga bags hold their value? ›

Their bags are often minimalist and they're made from high-quality materials. Additionally, Balenciaga bags tend to hold their value very well over time. So if you're looking for a designer bag that will last you for years to come, Balenciaga is a great option.

What was the first Balenciaga bag? ›

Designed by then creative designer, Nicholas Ghesquiere, the Balenciaga First bag named after being the first of the collection - debuted in 2001. Its lack of structure and softness made it very different than popular bags of the time, which caused the design not to be produced.

Does Balenciaga use real leather? ›

Balenciaga is committed to meeting a target of 100% metal-free tanned leather in our collections and to reach 100% alignment with our parent company Kering's Standards for Raw Materials and Manufacturing Processes by 2025.

What is the Balenciaga font? ›

Balenciaga uses Utah Condensed Bold font for its logo. This sans serif font is simple and bold, inspired by public transport letting.

Where can I authenticate my Balenciaga? ›

On the interior of your handbag, you should find a metal nameplate or leather tag that reads either “Balenciaga_Paris” or “Balenciaga. Paris,” depending on the year of your bag, a number indicating the style number of your handbag, and an embossing reading “MADE IN ITALY.”

Do all authentic bags have serial numbers? ›

Finally, an authentic used designer handbag should have a serial number or other date code that verifies its authenticity. This tag will be located in different places and have different sequencing depending on the brand and bag style, but any luxury handbag should have this detail somewhere on the bag.

How to tell the difference between real and fake Balenciaga track? ›

First, examine the inside label on the shoe tongue. The real shoe has neat, thin font and even stitches. The replica on the other hand uses a bolder font and the stitching is messier. Compare the number "5" on both labels - this is where the inconsistent font is most obvious.

What do the numbers on Balenciaga mean? ›

1 Answer. The numbers on the Balenciaga Triple S sneaker are the size of the shoe.

How can you tell if a Balenciaga top is real? ›

One quick way to check if a Balenciaga shirt or other garment is real is to look at the care tag. The legitimate Balenciaga items carry their quality through the tag and will appear with crisp letters that are evenly spaced. Always purchase Balenciaga garments from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity.

Are real Balenciagas made in China? ›

Balenciaga shoes are made in Italy, France, and China – depending on the style. Before 2018, most Balenciaga shoes were manufactured in Italy, with only a small number produced in France. What is this?

Are Balenciaga made in China? ›

Most Balenciaga products are made in Italy, where the brand is soon opening a new factory, training its employees, and offering workers a fair, livable wage. The Triple S and Track sneakers are the only models to be made in China, using lighter, more expensive soles.

Do fake designer bags have codes? ›

That said, just because an item has a date code does not guarantee that it's authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code or serial number is just one of many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a designer handbag.

Do replicas have serial numbers? ›

Engravings. A watch's engravings can give you important clues about its authenticity. Model and serial numbers are etched in luxury timepieces with solid, very fine lines. If a replica has a serial number, it's usually made up of tiny dots, and therefore, it has a sandy appearance.

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