How to Spot Fakes?

By: hannef
April 20th, 2010 • Related • Filed Under
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We have finally decided to let go of our love for fakes. But what do we do about those fakes being disguised as the real thing? I have a friend who bid for a Prada clutch on eBay just to find out upon arrival that it was actually a ‘replica’. Yes, they use word like ‘replica’ these days. Maybe to make it sounds less obvious.

But not to worry because there are methods which can be used to spot the fakes.

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Fake Patek-Phillipe with the hand on the left sub-dial fallen off

1. The outrageously low prices. Like, hello?! You don’t get an original Fendi or D&G for 150 bucks for sure. The best thing to do is always check the price of the item from the official website of the brand. If the price offered to you is ridiculously low or lower than 30% of the original, it’s a surefire sign that you were about to add a counterfeit to your shopping cart.

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Original Louboutin with the trademark red sole

2. Check the material and craftsmanship. If the leather feels like PVC instead of lambskin, then it’s not the real thing. Look closely at the stitching as well as the lining. Brands like Coach for instance, have serial numbers stamped on the inside of their bags, but the counterfeit normally will either leave out the serial number or just paint them onto the leather without creating an indentation into the fabric. Aside from that, if your Coach bag doesn’t have the microscopic letters “YKK,” embossed into the zipper, I hate to say this but it is counterfeit.

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I can't believe they even faked Sharpie and iPod

3. This one is a no brainer. Just be careful with where you buy the item. Street market? Come on! You don’t go to the street market to buy original watch, bag and shoes. Unless they’re used, most designer items are only available at their boutiques and official websites. And brands like Louis Vuitton for instance, never sell discounted items because they don’t do discount! So, if a friend came back from a holiday with her ‘discounted’ LV bag. You can be sure that it’s fake.

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Original Birkin with its original orange paperbag

4. Most designer items come in proper packaging. Gucci shoes for instance, come with identification card, dust bag and original Gucci box. Counterfeit items on the other hand, always come in clear, cheap plastic bags.

5. And finally, always do your research. It’s best to go to websites like www.vogue.com , www.style.com and the official websites of the designers themselves to check the details of the product that you’re planning to buy. Style for instance, always have detail shots of handbags, shoes, and whatever new items showcased on the runway. Check the lining, stitches, logos, handle, buckle…everything! Just make sure that the thousands that you forked out is worth it.

Photos and additional info from: Wikimedia Commons, HERE and eBay

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There Are 3 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by kawaii
    9:52 pm on April 21st, 2010 :

    There’s nothing wrong when you buy the fake. Majalah 3 once documented about fake goods in Thailand mentioned that an LV manufacturer couldn’t differ his product with a fake one. Think, what makes it so overpriced?

    In the time of recession, even Karl Lagerfeld goes to Walmart. The state of the art designer, Yohji Yamamoto have filed for bankruptcy. ELLE magazine had stated, recession had undeniably change our lifestyle. Even the rich had to go for the fake these days. Just for the sake of dressing good to get the contract/tender/etc. Fashion is fashion, we have to dress, but spending too much for it is not worth it (unless you can afford it, GO FOR IT!!). However when it comes to skin products, I must buy the original one.

  2. Comment by Hannef
    2:17 pm on May 3rd, 2010 :

    It’s wrong. Every puchase of fakes that u make, support crimes that most definitely have some kind of connection to it. Imagine something that u design yourself and there are people making big bucks out of it. How does that make u feel?

    That’s why in my previous article, i suggested that those who can’t afford the originals to go for high-streets and local products or designers.

    And we don’t call Walmart fake darling. They’re just cheap but not fake. Like Giant.

  3. Comment by Zamani Sahudi
    3:15 pm on November 26th, 2010 :

    It is really wrong
    stop wearing fake stuff
    you should stand by your own level

    people should appreciate the designer..
    its about label..
    People hardwork making that kind of design
    and some of them easily copied one of those?
    and buying the fake one?

    Think about it

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