Update to avoid buying a fake handbag.
Signature fabric: The “C” pattern will be crooked. Except for some newer patterns, like the “optic” or my new preferred “scarf print,” the tip of the horizontal ”C” dealing with the other “C” should touch. Also, the pattern really should line up and start in the Center of the front panel of the bag (same with the back panel). The center seam should go straight down through the middle of the CC’s, and the pattern should be aligned horizontally and vertically. Also, the pattern should line up on any front or back pockets, so that it appears to be like there is no bust in the pattern. (Note: Sometimes the pattern does not line up on side seams as this is nearly Impossible to do.) The best way to tell is to go to the COACH internet site and look at the real point, and then examine it to what you’re hunting at and see if the pattern is distinct.
Sometimes the “CC” will really be a “GG” – how much more obvious can you get! And no, this does not imply it’s a Gucci! (I’m not as acquainted with Gucci products, but if someone is selling you a “COACH” bag which is imprinted with the letter “G” then logically it must be an imitation.)
Zippers: Although the zipper pull on a real COACH bag will be made of leather or a series of rings, the actual zipper mechanism which pulls the two sides of the zipper together should be embossed with the letters “YKK”. This is the highest-quality producer of zippers and COACH uses this brand. I saw that amazing handbag. Sometimes it’s hard to see, particularly on a photo. Even in person, you may need a magnifying glass to see the YKK, particularly with very small zippers. Note: I have certainly not witnessed a regular zipper pull on a Coach bag – in my knowledge, they are either manufactured of leather, a single ring, or sequence of rings. This is one of the terrific ways Coach makes their products exceptional, down to the very smallest detail! Let’s agree it is the tiniest hand bag.
Vendors: And remember – shop for COACH items in department stores and familiarize yourself with the outstanding quality of their products. It will then be easier for you to spot a fake one. I discovered this website about rare COACH hand bags where a lot of info about COACH authentics is offered. Also note that Coach does not sell products “wholesale” or through any vendor other than department stores, Coach retail or outlet stores, and the Coach web page.
You can click here for another Coach webpage. So if you run across a website declaring to sell authentic Coach merchandise, they are most likely counterfeits. These counterfeit websites will usually have some type of “disclaimer” stating that their products are “inspired by” Coach. This “disclaimer” is usually in fine print or on a separate page – but beware! – some websites do not have any such “disclaimer” and I can’t understand why they haven’t been shut down yet.
