The Italian luxury brand, which is currently getting a creative reboot under new director Alessandro Michele, boasts some of the most gorgeous bags and purses that any fashionista would want in her closet.
Gucci Dionysus Medium GG New York Yankees Shoulder Bag
Gucci’s global popularity makes the brand a target of counterfeiters. If you have been considering buying a Gucci bag from an unauthorized reseller, make sure to closely inspect the bag first.
In November 2019, NBC Washington reported that handbags worth over $2.2 million were seized earlier the same month at Washington Dulles International Airport. The counterfeited brands included Chanel, Prada, Dior, and Gucci.
“Counterfeit consumer goods fund transnational criminal organizations, are manufactured in unregulated facilities and with substandard materials that may potentially harm American consumers, hurt our nation’s economy, and steal revenue and brand integrity from U.S. businesses and trademark holders,” Casey Durst, director of Customs and Border Protection’s Baltimore office, said in a statement.
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While not all unauthorized online stores sell fake Gucci bags, you should always be on guard when buying designer goods online.
Where to Buy Authentic Gucci Bags
For fellow bag lovers who are looking to add a new Gucci handbag to their collection, the following retailers offer the best selection of Gucci products online.
To protect yourself from scammers, follow the seven steps below to authenticate a Gucci bag.
1. Check Dustbag and Authenticity Cards
All Gucci purses come with high-quality dust bags and authenticity cards. Typically, Gucci dust bags are colored light honeycomb or dark brown with a printed GG logo or the Gucci brand name.
While some counterfeiters also place their merchandise in dust bags, boxes or paper bags, the imitation packaging will exhibit signs of cheap materials and production. Check the symmetry and spacing of the Gucci label on the dust bag.
2. Logo Should Be Precise
The logo displayed on the exterior of a Gucci bag may differ depending on the style. The standard Gucci logo is the interlocking Gs, which are typically placed on the front of the bag, flap or closure.
Inspect the Gucci logo for accuracy
Some styles do not have this gold-plated GG logo. In some cases, the Gucci name is embossed or printed on the leather.
3. Monogram Pattern Should Be Clear and Symmetric
Gucci bags with the monogram style will feature the familiar pattern that has the double GG logo. Inspect the consistency and spacing of this pattern.
Fake Gucci bags often feature irregularities upon closer inspection
The G on the left should be forward facing and the G on the right should be backward and upside down. Fake Gucci monogram bags will have irregularities upon closer inspection, like different sized Gs and inconsistent spacing.
4. Body Made From Premium Leather
Authentic Gucci bags are made from the finest quality leather and materials. While fake leather may seem genuine from afar, there will be several signs of fabrication. Cheap, synthetic leather will look unnaturally perfect because it is machine-made.
Authentic Gucci handbags and purses are made from the finest quality leather and materials
Real leather, on the other hand, will have imperfections on its surface grain. Genuine leather also has a natural musty smell, while fake leather bags will have a chemical or plastic smell. Fake leather will also feel rubbery, instead of smooth and buttery.
5. Interior Tag Should Be Intact
Real Gucci handbags have a heat stamp or label stitched on the interior that displays the brand name with the registered trademark and the words “Made in Italy.”
Look for a heat stamp or label stitched on the interior
The underside of this label shows the bag’s serial number or production code, which is usually two sets of 6-digit numbers (for new models). On some bags, especially vintage models, the number sequencing may vary.
6. Hardware Should Be Top Quality
The hardware is an important part of any designer bag. Counterfeiters sometimes perfectly copy the look of the bag but fail to replicate the hardware.
