When it comes to the world of luxury bags, Hermes is undeniably second to none. It tops the list of French fashion houses for bringing refined and distinctive luxury bags to the table. Renowned for producing astoundingly low quantities of its well-loved products, Hermes has blooming customer demand. Limited products, reduced accessibility, and growing demand have provided the perfect opportunity for sellers to put out Knock-Off Hermes bags in the market. Knowing how to spot fake Hermes bags is getting harder as they keep getting more indistinguishable from the real thing.
Things You Should Keep in Mind: How to Spot Fake Hermes Bag
We’ve done extensive research into the nitty gritty of how to differentiate between authentic and copied Hermes Handbags so that your purchase is not compromised and you get your money’s worth. Keep scrolling to find out how to spot a fake Hermes bag.
A quick peek into the article:
Size and Shape
The first thing to look for is the size and proportions. Measuring the length of the base helps in telling the authenticity of a Hermes bag. In an original bag, the base stays entirely true to its size. A 30 Birkin should always measure 30cm across the base; a 40 Birkin should measure 40cm and so on. If sizes don’t match, it’s a fake.
In addition, each Hermes bag has a unique shape. For example, the Kelly Retourne, due to its inside stitching, has a soft and relaxed look whereas the Kelly Sellier has visible stitching and looks sharply angular and geometric. To spot a fake Hermes Kelly, analyze the shape. If your Retourne is bulky or your Sellier is slouchy, consider it a red flag.
The Birkin is structurally rather extra rigid and heavy due to the additional “clou” on which it sits. The handles are significantly rigid enough to stand upright on their own.
Inspect the Logo Stamp
To an amateur, logo stamps on knock-off bags can easily mislead. An authentic Hermes bag logo is heat-pressed with no visual flaws. It says “Hermès Paris Made in France” which can be easily felt when running your finger across it. It has a perfectly consistent, centered, and even-spaced font that gets smaller across each line. The stamp is present just beneath the stitching. If the brand stamp is off-center, irregular looking, pressed deeply into the leather, or is way below the stitching, then you’ve spotted a fake Hermes.
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Examine the Stitching
A Hermes bag is the result of hours of tedious and fruitful work by skilled artisans who use real leather and apply every stitch by hand in a precise, repeated manner. They employ an exceptional kind of stitching called “ The Saddle Stitching” in their bags that have two needles crafting double rows of stitches in a single row of holes. An authentic Hermes bag gives a durable and neat look.
In a replica, the stitching is done by a machine that looks perfect and straight and is a definite giveaway.
Analyze the Hardware
An original Hermes bag is adorned by pure brass metallic hardware that adds the extra sparkle and luxury element. It is generally either gold-plated or palladium. Each piece of hardware has a pleasing weight that gives a rich and luxurious feel. The Kelly and Birkin hardware have the words ‘Hermes-Paris’ and ‘Hermes’ engraved on them with a crisp, concise, and elegantly spaced font.
For the Hermes authenticity check, see if these fine details are compromised. Light and cheap hardware with engravings that are blurred or cramped indicate a counterfeit. Additionally, the original hardware may scratch or tarnish with use but will never peel or flake off like cheap plating.
The Zipper Details
Genuine Hermes zippers glide open with a special smoothness and richness and close with ease. In the early 2000s, a distinctive metal ‘H’ was added to each zipper at the opposite end of the zipper pull. The mechanism used is such that the zipper is held in place parallel to the zipper line. An authentic Hermes bag zipper is made of brass with a smooth, matte finish.
If the zipper is floppy, requires too much pulling, and is plated with shiny, flashy metal then it is a fake.
Hermes Padlock and key
The padlock and key serve as signature hardware on Birkin and Kelly. To differentiate between real and fake Hermes locks, all Hermes bags have serial numbers engraved on them that correspond with those on the keys. They also have the brand name engraved on the front to ensure authenticity. The clochette houses the key and is meticulously crafted from a single piece of leather.
To spot fake Hermes, notice the lock and key will lack the inscriptions. Furthermore, the clochette might be made from two pieces of leather sewn together or have the key not fully concealed within.
Verify the Date Stamp for How to Spot Fake Hermes Bag
Also called the ‘Blind Stamp’, these date stamps simply denote the year of manufacture and the code of the craftsman who built the bag. Generally in a Hermes Birkin, the stamp code is hidden behind the plaques or in an interior pocket. The stamp has distinct numbers and shapes that signify the year the bag was crafted according to Hermes Date Stamp Handbooks.
In a counterfeit bag, the date stamp will either be absent or will not be according to the handbook guide. Sometimes the cut isn’t trimmed neat or is too deep in the leather.
Dust bag
The dust bag will be made of soft and lush cotton with beige tones. Vintage authentic Hermes bags are made of tan velour while newer versions are made of orange cotton flannel. The stitching is closer to the bottom. The details of the Hermes logo are precisely similar to that on the bag in a genuine version. The number of rings on the logo design varies, some of the earlier designs have one circle while some have two. If the logo is poorly designed with printing that comes off or is blurred then it’s a red flag.
Hermes Pricing
Simply put, a Hermes bag will never be sold cheap. The prices range from $10,000 to $50,000. Even pre-loved bags in premium condition are rarely sold below $10,000. The Himalaya Niloticus Diamond Birkin 30 is infamous for being sold at a whooping sum of $380,000 at an auction. So, if someone is selling their Hermes bag to you cheaply, consider it a no-no.
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To Conclude
Hermes handbags are a product of rigorous labor and craftsmanship. If you’re looking to buy into the exclusive experience of owning a Hermes handbag, some sellers might fool you into buying a fake. Therefore, being aware of the fundamentals of signing an authentic Hermes bag is essential before making a purchase.
At Sell Your Bags, our experts do a comprehensive search to justify the authenticity of our bags. We help make your purchase worth every penny. Scroll through the collection at Dallas Designer Handbag and let us know which bag makes your wishlist.
