How to Identify an Authentic Vintage Gucci Bag

Fake vintage Gucci bags are often sold online.

For the conscientious fashionista, Gucci is a prized designer name. Founded by Italian designer Guccio Gucci in 1921, Gucci is now one of the most identifiable names in the fashion industry. High-end apparel and finely crafted leather goods, such as purses, clutches and wallets, are the company's major output. They also produce smaller accessories such as jewelry and sunglasses. Vintage Gucci items remain attractive to consumers, but they often demand a high price tag. Avoid wasting your hard earned money on a fake by ensuring its authenticity.

Instructions

1. Locate the cloth Accessory Collections tag on the inner lining of the bag. The Accessory Collection, produced by Gucci in the 1980s, was a popular line of bags now considered vintage. Bags from this collection will have both the cloth Accessory Collection tag and an accompanying paper authentication tag.

2. Check the bag's strap or upper interior for a golden "Gucci Made in Italy" stamp. Many bags from the 1950s to the 1970s bear this authenticity stamp. Some bags from this period may also have a golden metal plate which simply reads "GUCCI" on the interior.

3. Inspect the stitching on the outside and interior of the bag. If the bag is in relatively good condition, the stitching should appear professional, with no loose, fraying strands or crooked lines.

4. Feel the outside of the bag. If your bag is crafted from leather, it should feel warm and supple to the touch. Fakes made from imitation leather will feel cold and synthetic. Authentic leather also gives off a woodsy, rugged scent which can be helpful in identifying a true vintage Gucci bag.

5. Look closely at the bag's hardware. If the gold plating or paint is chipping off of the strap buckles, zippers or decorative pieces, the bag is likely a fake. The metal hardware on authentic vintage bags will take on a dark patina with age, while the plastic hardware on most fakes will chip or crack over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless you can physically inspect the vintage Gucci bag you're planning to buy, avoid purchasing it.

• If you still cannot tell if your vintage Gucci bag is authentic, take it to a Gucci storefront or fashion appraisal service for assistance.

• Avoid paying high prices for bags that are marketed as vintage Gucci on the Internet.

References

• Gucci: Gucci History
• Glam Browser: How To Spot Replica Gucci Handbags