The Importance of Authenticating Chanel Bags The chic and fashionable designs and rising price tags of Chanel designer bags have long been a target of counterfeiters. It’s not just a matter of street vendors selling purported Chanel classic bags for $49.
At Maison Vivienne, we understand the allure and timeless elegance of a Chanel bag. However, with copyright items flooding the market, it's essential to know how to authenticate a Chanel bag before making such an investment. Here’s a detailed guide to help you confidently identify an authentic Chanel.
1929 Chanel designs her first handbag with short chain straps and jersey quilted fabric for herself.
This characteristic ensures that if you choose to sell your Chanel years later, you'll likely fetch a handsome sum. I previously owned the medium model, bought secondhand (almost new, complete with box and invoice), and even managed to resell it at a slight profit.
Like everything else Chanel does, the date code needs to look the part - if you see a cheaply put-together date code with funky writing, this is a red flag.
The first step in our guide on how to tell if a Chanel bag is real is to evaluate its overall construction. Every facet of the bag should reflect exceptional quality and balance. The flap should be balanced with the bag and not extend beyond the sides. The leather strap interwoven in the chain handles should not be so wide or stiff that it appears forced through the links. The diamonds fake vs real Chanel bag on the quilting should have a pleasing puffiness, neither too flat nor so puffy that they crease or strain. Recognize the unique qualities of the bag style.
Many buyers turn to Sotheby’s not only to discover the exact Chanel bag they’re seeking but also to avoid the lengthy wait and uncertainty associated with boutique availability. While we always recommend building a relationship with a Chanel Sales Associate, Sotheby’s can save you valuable time and streamline your Chanel acquisition process.
By familiarizing themselves with the nuances outlined in this guide, fashion enthusiasts can confidently authenticate their Chanel bags, safeguarding themselves against copyright purchases and ensuring an authentic Chanel experience.
As noted earlier, the prices for the Chanel Classic Flap Bag are consistently and alarmingly on the rise. Nevertheless, there are fantastic alternatives available in the realm of luxury pre-owned items.
While the Chanel Classic Flap bag is distinguished by its interlocking CC lock, that bag design came much later. The 2.55 bag featured a sturdy rectangular turn-key lock, ensuring that a woman’s private purse contents stayed private.
So, what should you look for in a genuine serial sticker? You should be able to find CC logo markings, evenly distributed gold specks, and an “X” shape cut out in authentic stickers.
Let’s say you’re authenticating a Chanel bag that has the serial number 28794237. Can you identify the date it was manufactured? It is an eight-digit number, so we take the first two digits: 28. Look that up in our Chanel date code chart, and you can see it was manufactured in 2019.
Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right). The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining.
Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of Chanel bags from its long established global network of sellers. As a leading marketplace, Sotheby's offers pristine Chanel bags in the most coveted colors and sizes, as well as Limited Edition Chanel pieces.