Louis Vuitton bags made in the early 1980s and after will have a date code inside. Make sure that the date code makes sense for that particular style of bag. For example, MB0951 means: MB for manufactured in France.
Home»Blog»7 Ways to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Speedy
![]()
Louis Vuitton started stamping some bags in the early 1980s. A date code from this time period could consist of 3 or 4 numbers. The first 2 numbers represent the year with the latter numbers representing the month of manufacture. Using the example up above (834), we know that the date code represents 1983 in the 4th month. The Date Code '8810VI' is read as October, 1989 from France. In the 90s, Louis Vuitton once again changed their Date Code format. The factory location code was moved to the beginning, and the first and third numbers now represented the month, with the second and forth numbers representing the manufacture year. Louis Vuitton Speedy bag – The date code is located inside. Lift up the internal pocket and you’ll see the code stamped on a leather tab. Authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Serial Date Code Under Internal Pocket. (AA2137 = Made in France on the 23rd week of 2017). The Bosphore will also have its date code located on an interior leather tab. On every Louis Vuitton bag, backpack or otherwise, the date code will consist of two letters and four numbers. The second number and the fourth numbers represent the year — 0 and 3 would be 2003, 9 and 8 would be 1998 — and the combined first and third digits will correspond to the month it was made.
We specialize in selling pre-owned designer bags, shoes, clothing and accessories. We want all of our buyers to feel confident about every purchase they make inside Sabrina's Closet. This is why we always ensure that all of our products are authentic.
When you think designer copies, Louis Vuitton handbags are probably one of the first to come to mind. There are tons out there. Some obvious, and some, well, a little trickier to catch. So, how can you tell if the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag that you are about to buy online is the real deal? We've put together a simple step-by-step guide to be sure.
Below, we have a photo of two monogram Louis Vuitton Speedy bags. One is authentic, one is a replica. Can you spot it?
The fake on is actually the one on the right. Hard to tell, right? Keep reading to find out the main differences we noticed between both bags when comparing them side by side.
1 | Heat stamp font on leather tab
One of the first things we always look at is the font of the heat stamp on the leather tab - specifically the 'O'. It's a quick giveaway. The 'O' must be a circle shape and not an oval shape. If this is not the case with a bag you are about to purchase, you can guarantee that it is not authentic.
In the picture below, you will see the differences in the font with the authentic (left) and the fake (right). You will also notice other subtle differences on the leather tab. The stamped logo on the leather tab is positioned closer to the stitching on the authentic Speedy compared to the fake one.
2 | Color of leather handles
Louis Vuitton leather handles are made from Vachetta leather, which darkens as the bag ages. When comparing the two handbags bags side by side, you can see a clear difference between the authentic leather handles and the fake ones. You will notice the leather handles on the authentic Speedy are visibly darker compared to the replica.
3 | Date Codes & Lining
Just because a Speedy bag has a date code, it does not necessarily mean it is authentic! Date codes on Louis Vuitton Speedy bags can be found behind the inner pocket on a leather tab.
The leather tab should be slightly oval, with the date code embossed and have brass hardware with 'Louis Vuitton' embossed. As seen in the photograph below, the fake Speedy leather tabs too long, is overlapping the stitching too much, and the positioning of the brass hardware is too high. Something we also noticed that cannot be seen in photographs is that the hardware on the authentic Speedy is convex (curving outward), whereas on the fake Speedy, it is flat.
There is also a noticeable difference in the color of the lining on both bags. An authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy should have honey-brown cotton canvas lining. The lining on the replica below has a duller brown color to it.
You should also not be able to pull the lining apart from the handbag - the lining should be one with the outside of the bag. In the fake handbag, you can pull it away from the outside of the bag at the base.
4 | Hardware
Don't forget to inspect the hardware. The hardware on an authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy is made from brass metal. When compared to a replica, authentic Louis Vuitton hardware has more of a bronze color and the replicas usually have a golden color.
The brass studs on an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag also have 'Louis Vuitton' embossed. Contrary to the heat stamp, the 'O' on the hardware has a more oval shape.
It may be hard to tell in the photographs below, but there are two notable differences in the shape of the hardware. The brass studs on the authentic Speedy are convex (curving outwards) whereas the studs replica handbag is more flat.
There is also a difference of the shape of the brass metal piece holding the leather handles and the leather tab together. On the authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy, it has a continuous round shape with no flat sides. On the replica, the edges of the brass piece are much flatter with distinct sides.
5 | Zipper
In the photos below, you can see a clear difference on the zippers of both bags. The back-side of leather tab on the authentic Louis Vuitton speedy is made from real leather and is much more frayed whereas the replica zip is not. When holding the bags side by side, the 'leather' handles and zipper pulls on the replica bag feel much more rigid and plastic.
6 | Size Stamp
The size of the Speedy should be stamped under the leather tab of the bag. For example, if you have a Speedy 35, the number '35' should be stamped.
7 | Overall Feel
The overall feel of an authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy feels soft, supple and light. The replica bag feel much more stiff and hard.
We hope this guide will help you make safer and smarter shopping decisions. Check out the selection on authentic Louis Vuitton items we have for sale, below:
More Posts
I used to sell my own belongings online, but that could only last so long. So, now I'm including all of you, helping you buy and sell authentic designer pieces online at www.sabrinascloset.com. Here, it all goes down-where we store, photograph, and ship our products worldwide, all from the same building in Montreal.
Stay Connected@insidesabrinascloset on InstagramLike us on Facebook
We have to give it to brands like Louis Vuitton – one, for creating legendary pieces, and two, for the efforts they put in to uniquely ratify their merchandise. Ironically, LV is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. Counterfeiting is also so rampant because most of us (read #louisvuittonlovers and #louisvuittondreamers) cannot distinguish between a fake and an original. We are also oblivious to the fact that LVs never go on sale and other little details (like stolen or damaged products are not resold locally) that are supposed to make a product a Louis Vuitton (*cringes, and regrets all the shopping from Chinatown). Yes, I had no clue either and lived with that regret for a long time. There’s this and a lot more to know about ensuring you get an authentic Louis Vuitton. How, though? Read on to find out all about it.
How To Know If You Have An Authentic Louis Vuitton
Instagram, Instagram
There are some brand basics we need to know to save ourselves from embarrassment, if anything. You don’t have to be an authenticating agency to understand any of this. Here are four easy ways to if you have an authentic Louis Vuitton in a jiffy.
Louis Vuitton uses the best materials of the finest quality, which is quite apparent. So, when you look at a bag and know that something is off, it must be. Trust your gut. If you are purchasing from an online retailer, it’s quite a tricky situation, so do not pay in full unless you get hold of the bag. Ask for more pictures. The signature materials are Monogram canvas, Damier Ebene, and Damier Azur, which are all perfect canvases for handbags because they are waterproof, durable, and can be cleaned easily. Louis Vuitton Empreinte leather was introduced in 2010, and was an instant hit. Monogram Vernis Leather, Electric Leather, Damier Carbon are all additions to the classics. So, if you are buying from a retailer and want to know if it is legit merchandise, ask these questions. You’d have your answer.
Inspecting the hardware is the easiest way to figure out if a product is fake because you will know if the zipper, etc., are made of plastic or other fiber materials and coated with gold color. Plus, the brand name is embossed on it, which counterfeit editions fail to duplicate because they cannot achieve that kind of precision with the materials they use, and also don’t have the technology to do so. Also, Louis Vuitton uses hardware of the highest quality, which is invariably strong, heavy, and sturdy. Other details like the cut of the D-rings to fit the specific hardware that sits perfectly on the leather interlocks without allowing too much space for movement are unique characteristics of the brand and its bags.
Dare codes are another unique feature of Louis Vuitton merchandise, and these are different from the serial number categorizing that most brands follow. The date codes are a rather new invention, and thus you won’t find date codes on vintage bags made before 1980.
The newest of its collection goes like this – two letters, followed by four digits. For example, FL2079 – where FL stands for the factory it was manufactured at in the United States; the first and 3rd numbers represent the week (25th week) it was manufactured, while the second and fourth numbers represent the year, which is 2009.
Before 2007, it used to be two letters followed by the month of manufacturing and year. The first and third letters represented the month, and the second and fourth represent the year. So, FA1102 would mean it was made in a factory in Switzerland, in October 2012.
The early 1980s – numbers preceded the letters – anywhere between three to four numbers followed by two letters. So, if the code goes 8211CA – it means that it was manufactured in November 1982 in a factory in Spain.
However, a lot of knockoffs might try and randomly replicate this information, so doubly check if the condition of the bag, the design, model, series, and hardware are all in sync. I know it might sound like too much work, but hey, if you are investing on these, and not walking into an LV store or dealer, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Stitches on LV bags are even, regular, and consistent. Even at the crevices of the handle tabs, the number of stitches on the bag are exact on both the sides of the handles. If the finish of the stitches looks sloppy, count them on either side, and that will give you a clear picture.
Other interesting trivia – if you look closely, you can easily spot a fake.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Do all LV bags have a serial number?
No, they have date codes. LV bags do not have serial numbers, and that is what puts them apart from a lot of brands, plus it is easy to identify a fake. They have date codes, which follow a nomenclature that cannot be messed with. The date code should be aligned with the ‘Made In (country)” tag. So, if the date code says SA (Italy), the tag cannot say Made in France or Spain.
What is the date code?
Date codes are unique manufacturing codes about products of brands. These help customers authenticate bags if they are not directly purchasing from Louis Vuitton stores or a very trusted reseller.
How can I authenticate a Louis Vuitton bag if I’m buying it online?
Ask your seller to share pictures, and a lot of them. Now that you know how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton, insist on their sharing photos of some of the most intricate details – usually, the stitches, the shade of the canvas, the embossing of the logo, handles, hardware, tag, logo or monogram. They are quite telling if you look closely. And, when your gut tells you that something is not right, it probably isn’t.
What if my Louis Vuitton bag does not have a date code?
Some of the older versions do not have date codes, and on some old materials, the date codes may have faded out, so, look for other details to validate it.
So you think all of this is too much to know? Well, you will be thankful someday. Try and get some of your basics right and do not fall for a fake. For, an LV addict knows a fake when she sees one. Have you ever fallen into a trap like this? Or, do you have any other authenticating hacks? Let us know by dropping in a text in the comment section below.
Banner Image Credits:Instagram
Recommended Articles:
Was this article helpful?
Lv Date Codes ListsRelated
Lv Date Code Meaning
After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, Pratima Ati jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing. She’s now a full-time Fashion & Lifestyle writer and has never looked back ever since. She sleeps early, reads often, and when she can't, she finally gives a closure to all the characters living in her drafts. Sometimes, they pass off as poetry too! That, and her training in Indian classical music and playing (learning) the veena keep her sane, civil, and bearable.
Lv Date Code LookupLATEST ARTICLESComments are closed.
|
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |