How to Identify a Replica Coach Handbag

The Coach brand of luxury accessories has long been respected as a manufacture of quality goods. Coach purses are a staple in the fashion-savvy woman’s wardrobe as they always receive praise for their craftsmanship and beauty. It is inevitable then that knock-off vendors work hard to sell you a fake for half the price of an original. Here's how to tell the difference between a replica Coach bag and a Coach masterpiece.

Instructions

1. Check the famous "CC" logo. Many of the Coach brand bags are called "Signature" style bags, which means they have the "CC" logo printed on them. On replica bags, this logo may be distorted a lot or a little, and the two Cs look more like Gs. Carefully examine the signature pattern before you make a purchase. This is one of the easiest ways to spot a replica.

2. Check to make sure the Coach tag is attached to the bag. All Coach bags have a small leather tag attached to the bag by means of a metal chain with the Coach brand name stamped on it. This tag will be the same color and covered in the same material as the rest of the bag. Replicas usually don't come with the tag attached, or if there is one, it is attached with a ribbon or another material that Coach doesn't use.

3. Examine the stitching around the bag and inside the pockets. Are the seams straight? Does the thread match the rest of the bag? Are the stitches spaced evenly apart? Are any stitches loose? These are the important questions you should be asking yourself when checking out the craftsmanship of the bag. Many replica bags have sloppy or even missing stitching.

4. Consider the materials used to make the bag. Coach always uses leathers, fabrics and hardware of the finest material. Replica bags often are made with imitation leather, coarse fabric and plastic hardware. If at all possible, before purchasing the bag, try to feel the material. It's easy to feel the difference between quality and replica fabrics.

5. Think about where you are buying from before you put any money down. Chances are if you are purchasing the purse from a discount website or a self-sell website like Craigslist and eBay, you will pay big bucks for a replica. The safest places to buy Coach products from are your local Coach store, Coach's website or a trusted department store.