How to Tell If a Prada Is Authentic

Scrutinize your handbag purchase carefully.

Because Prada handbags are so popular, fabrications are produced with the goal of luring customers into buying fake bags. While some knockoffs can be spotted with ease, other duplications do a decent job of passing as an original to the untrained eye. Don't let the thrill of getting a deal leave you holding a fake Prada bag.

Instructions

1. Consider the asking price for a new handbag. Although prices vary according to factors such as the model of the bag and the current season, Prada bags are high-end merchandise and feature designer price tags. An authentic Prada handbag usually costs at least $700 and can easily surpass $3,000, depending on the style of the bag and the materials used to make it. Some limited-edition bags cost more than $5,000. If someone offers to sell you a new Prada bag for $19.99, you should expect to be presented with a knockoff.

2. Examine the stitching of the bag. Look for loose or uneven stitching when trying to validate the authenticity of a Prada bag. Prada is a premium brand and features neat and sturdy stitching on the body and handles of the handbag.

3. Scrutinize the Prada emblems on the bag. Notice the spelling of the word Prada. Spotting a variation such as Pradda or Prado is a dead giveaway that the bag isn't authentic. Look closely at the size and positioning of the letters, too, because an authentic Prada logo features distinctive lettering. Know that the Prada emblem is embossed on metal, and some fake bags feature removable or stitched lettering on cloth or plastic backgrounds.

4. Search for inconsistencies in the lining of the bag. Check the inside of the bag in question--authentic Prada bags feature a continuous string of the word Prada arranged in neat horizontal rows. The lining should also coordinate with the outside of the bag and have a metal tag with the words Prada Made in Italy embossed on it. Finding variations such as a plastic tag or missing words indicates that you're looking at a fake bag.

5. Pay attention to the authenticity cards and certificate. Realize that an original serial number is assigned to each new Prada handbag. Locate this number along with the model, color and style of the bag on each authenticity card and the accompanying certificate. Each card will also feature the distinctive Prada logo along with identifying bar codes. Finding that information is missing or doesn't match can signal that you're examining a fake bag. Note that each authentic Prada bag comes with two to three authenticity cards, depending on the material used to make it.

Tips & Warnings

• Give the same scrutiny to the dust bag that accompanies each new Prada handbag. This bag is made of white cotton and features a drawstring closure. It also features the word Prada on the front.

• Using a known authentic bag to compare to a bag of unknown authenticity can increase your confidence.

• If you're buying a used Prada handbag, researching the credibility of the seller can help you determine whether a bag is authentic. This is especially true if the bag isn't being offered with the authenticity cards or the original dust bag.

References

• eStyleSense.com: The Prada Guide