By
eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Look closely at the Coach "C" logos on the outside of the bag. They should all be symmetrical, especially at the seams. Notice whether any of the "C" logos are cut off at any of the bag's edges or seams. An authentic Coach bag does not display a logo that has been severed or partially sewn into a seam. No matter how slight the compromise may be, the "C" should be completely in tact.
Step2
Verify that all of the stitching is a uniform double-thickness. Any thin, single-thread or inconsistent stitching indicates a fake Coach handbag.
Step3
Check the lining on signature Coach bags. Signature bags do not have signature linings. Signature linings are used by Coach, but only in bags with solid-colored exteriors.
Step4
Check the bag for a lining. Leaving the lining out of a bag is an easy way to cut costs when manufacturing a fake bag. All authentic Coach handbags are lined, with only one exception. The Coach Classic is sold without a lining.
Step5
Look beyond the serial number or authentication code. Many designers use such codes and Coach is no exception. The difference is that Coach is very inconsistent with the use and application of these numbers. It is not uncommon to find Coach bags from different lines with the exact same number. Because of this, these codes are not a reliable means for determining authenticity.
Comments
luckyfind79 said
on 9/22/2008 American craftsmanship! ALL Coach bags today are made in China!
OMGemilyxo said
on 2/20/2008 My cousin tried to pass a fake coach off as real. I could totally tell it wasn't especially when she told me how much she paid. She said that two of them cost her $70. That was ridiculous and plus shes never even them before and you definately can not buy them where she lives lol. Till this day she still says its real though.
<33Emily<33
PrinczFiona said
on 2/19/2008 This is not entirely correct. On some Coach bags you will find that the logo does not line up at the side seams. What is most important is that on all Coach Signature bags the logo will always be symmetrical across the front and back of the bag. When looking at the front or back of the bag the C's will touch at the exact center of the panel. If there is a seam down the center of the front or back panel the pattern will match exactly across the seam. If there is a stripe then the pattern will be symmetrical on either side of the stripe, basically a mirror image. Also, regarding the serial #. It is true that you can not be guaranteed an authentic bag simply because the serial # patch is there. Most fakes manufacturers recognize the patch must be there. There are some Coach items, like wristlets, demi or other small bags that do not have serial #s but all the larger ones do. The Coach Creed
PrinczFiona said
on 2/19/2008 This is not entirely correct. On some Coach bags you will find that the logo does not line up at the side seams. What is most important is that on all Coach Signature bags the logo will always be symmetrical across the front and back of the bag. When looking at the front or back of the bag the C's will touch at the exact center of the panel. If there is a seam down the center of the front or back panel the pattern will match exactly across the seam. If there is a stripe then the pattern will be symmetrical on either side of the stripe, basically a mirror image. Also, regarding the serial #. It is true that you can not be guaranteed an authentic bag simply because the serial # patch is there. Most fakes manufacturers recognize the patch must be there. There are some Coach items, like wristlets, demi or other small bags that do not have serial #s but all the larger ones do. The Coach Creed
PrinczFiona said
on 2/19/2008 This is not entirely correct. On some Coach bags you will find that the logo does not line up at the side seams. What is most important is that on all Coach Signature bags the logo will always be symmetrical across the front and back of the bag. When looking at the front or back of the bag the C's will touch at the exact center of the panel. If there is a seam down the center of the front or back panel the pattern will match exactly across the seam. If there is a stripe then the pattern will be symmetrical on either side of the stripe, basically a mirror image. Also, regarding the serial #. It is true that you can not be guaranteed an authentic bag simply because the serial # patch is there. Most fakes manufacturers recognize the patch must be there. There are some Coach items, like wristlets, demi or other small bags that do not have serial #s but all the larger ones do. The Coach Creed