10 Steps to Authenticating a Chanel Bag

Hello Choelhn, thank you for your comment. We have updated the wording to make it clearer that genuine Chanel bags generally feature a higher number of stitches than counterfeit bags.

Your comments about “11 stiches” are not correct. According to the Chanel website (www.chanel.com), they show detailed screen shots of classic bags which do have 9 or less stiches on them. Numbers of stiches cannot be the standards of authenticating a geniune Chanel classic bag. Pls revise your post…..

I have a bag and everything adds up but i just dont have a serial number. Can you help id love to know if its the real deal. Thanks

How and where to authentinticate my purse that don’t have serial number?

I bought a Chanel bag from thrifstore,,and there’s no serial number or card include.
How would I know that the one I purchase is fake or real?

Hi baghunter….
I really have doubt in my bag . I bought in vintage collection chanel but is not write about manufutre made from where… possible like this?
Thank you to help me in advance.

I have what I believe is a vintage Chanel purse that was recently given to me and I am trying to find out if it is authentic. I looked over your guidelines and some fit and some don’t. Is there any way for me to send you a picture of it and you let me know what you think?

Hi I have a Chanel camera bag from the 1980s it doesn’t have a hologram or serial number. I has some wear and tear due to age but otherwise its in vgc how do I get someone to verfiy the bag?

I bought a pre-loved Chanel bag, it’s in great shape except the leather woven into the chains was badly damaged, I live NO WHERE near a repair shop so I took the leather out… how much does that depreciate the value of my bag?

Hi can you authentic the bag with the serial number?

I bought a vintage Chanel suede CC tote from a co-signment shop. I have a question on the authenticity card. The card matches the serial number on the bag #5501441 but the back of the card does not have the circle CC on the upper right hand corner. Is this because its vintage? When did the circle start?

I have a fur channel bag that belong to my mother,it has no numbers inside , it has the channel logo and made in Italy , the zip has a logo too but how do I know it’s real ?

Can you tell me if this is authentic, I don’t think so, I looked at all the things mentioned above, authenticity number 10218184, black leather channel bag

Hi, I brought a chanel jumbo double flap bag, caviar leather from a lady, Im not sure if it authentic because it has only 7 steaches for each panel diamond shapes,, number is 10218184 , and cc lock looks ok but doesn’t have any sighi infront of c,, can you let me know if it is real chanel please..

I am considering purchasing a Chanel bag from a consignment shop, but I’m a little hesitant BC the bag does not have a manufacturer sticker with a code AND the Chanel stamp inside is on the back side of the bag and made in France is on the interior front side of the bag. Should both the Chanel name and where it was manufactured be placed with each other…. Chanel and directly under the name, made in France? Please help, I dont want too get scammed/ripped off. Also do authentic vintage bags per 1984 come without the hologram sticker?

Can Chanel bag replicas serial code tags have a hologram as well as the authentic bags? Thanks!

Hi! Is there any way that I vould send you a detailed pic of the pre-love Le Boy bag that I’m planning to purchase? Please help me authebticate it. Thanks!

Hi, I have 2 Chanel bags which bought them from a lady friend. How to check the boutique price and how to check are they authentic from the authenticity card numbers?
1) Chanel Le Boy Clutch , AUTH carr no. 19485763.
2) Chanel Iridescent Calfskin Large Tote , AUTH card no. 16159192
Please advice me, thank you.:)

Hi, I have 2 chanel classic jumbo double flap bags purchased from Chanel boutique i am looking at purchasing another one just different colour hardware but pre owned however the thickness of the chain strap is different to my two it’s slightly thinner and not so heavy like mine is that normal?

Hi Sophia, thank you for your comment. A Chanel serial number beginning with 4 indicates the bag was produced between 1994 and 1997. You can find a full list of Chanel serial numbers and dates in our Authentication Guide – https://baghunter.com/pages/authentication-guide.

Hello Renee, thank you for your comment. Could you provide more information on the design, style and features of the bag? Chanel have produced numerous styles, limited edition bags, and designs over the years. You could also check on Chanel bag forums such as the PurseBlog Forum.

hi, can a chanel bag m with code starting with 4, be sold in early 20s? i bought a bag from a trustable lady; however since the code starts with 4; it should belong 1996-1997; but she says she bought it 10 years ago. is this possible? should the code year and selling year of the bag match? any propmt advise is really appreciated!!! Thanks.

hi i have got what i think is a chanel bag. i cant find this design anywhere, can you tell me if its real or not. i dont know how to find out. no serial number or card with it

Hello Dinara, thank you for your comment. The number of stitches mentioned in the guide refers to 2.55 bags. Authentic Chanel bags will always feature a high stitch count in comparison to replica Chanel bags with 10 and 11 stitches per panel the most common number for authentic Chanel bags, While 9 stitches per panel doesn’t automatically indicate a replica handbag, it should encourage you to check the other steps outlined above to confirm the bag’s authenticity.

Hello Chloe, thank you for your comments. While the major differences between authentic and poorly counterfeited bags, such as the ones pointed out in that Lollipuff article, can be distinguished by photographs, more subtle differences are less obvious by pictures alone. We always highly recommend having an expert check your Chanel bag in person for true authentication. We do not offer our authentication service as a separate service and only authenticate bags which are consigned and sold through our website. Lollipuff, on the other hand, provide an authentication service to anyone and so have a lot to gain by publishing an article which adds to common misconceptions regarding authentication by photographs alone.

Hello!
I do not think that the number of stitches is a good indicator. My 100% authentic Chanel WOC has 9 stitches, a reissue has 7, small double flap has also mostly 9 stitches. All bought from an official Chanel boutique. I wanted to buy one bag online, since they do not have that collection in stores anymore. I looked at your guide and started freaking out after I counted the stitches on that bag and it was 9. But then I also pulled out all of my completely legit Chanel bags and they all had less than 10?

It is perfectly possible to authenticate Chanel from very good quality pictures. Lollipuff says is you can’t authenticate from good pictures, then you don’t know what you’re doing.
https://www.lollipuff.com/blog/133/pet-peeve-authentication-misconception

It is a common misconception that Chanel bags are only made in France, Italy and now sometimes Spain. There are speciality bags that are sometimes made elsewhere, for example there was a relatively modern range of knitted leather Chanel handbags that was made in England.
Dust bags are another important one, a lot of young bloggers ( I guess they aren’t big collectors) claim that Chanel dust bags were only ever black with white writing, or more recently (for the classic Chanel bags) with the Coco Sketch. The early Chanel dust bags until early 90’s were an ivory coloured felt, normally with a zig zag edge and a printed cc logo in a circle, with CHANEL written underneath.

Hello Iris, thank you for your comment. Chanel bags are manufactured in three countries; France, Italy, and Spain.

Hello Miss141, thank you for your comment. Genuine Chanel bags generally feature at least 10 (or more commonly 11) stitches per panel. We recommend that you follow the other steps in the guide and check if there are any other signs of forgery. If you remain doubtful, we suggest you contact the website from where you purchased the bag and ask for proof of authenticity.

Hello Lisa, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to verify the authenticity of a Chanel bag by pictures alone. We highly recommend you see the bag in person if you can before purchasing if you have any doubts. You can also follow the guide outlines in this article https://baghunter.com/blogs/insights/dangers-of-buying-hermes-birkin-ebay.

Hi are there chanel flapd made in spain

I just bought a Chanel patent leather Pagoda Flap bag diamond quilt (2016 cruise collection)from an online discounted luxury item site. They guarantee authenticity. However I have examined the bag and observed the stIch count is only 9 per inch!!! Can this bag be authentic? I have read that any Chanel bag with less than 10 stitches is not an authentic Chanel bag. Does this rule apply to all collections and leather type?

Thank you for this article but I am still having difficulty determining because all I have is a picture to go by. I haven’t purchased the purse as I am suspect of it’s low price. Yes, you should get paid with everyone asking you but do you suppose if I showed you some pictures if you could tell me whether the purse is genuine? There is not serial card just a small goldish tag on the inside that says CHANEL 088 Thank you in advance for any help! Sincerely appreciate it!

Hello Bumble, thank you for your comment. There are some styles of Chanel Hobo bag which do not feature leather on the strap. However, we highly recommend you only use trusted resellers with a history of excellent feedback when purchasing any Chanel handbag.

Hello Mia, thank you for your comment. While it is possible that the bag your purchased doesn’t have an authenticity card or hologram due to it being a pre-loved bag, we recommend that you bring the bag into a Chanel boutique if you are concerned regarding its authenticity. You could also follow the steps outlines above to see if there are any other possible defects throughout the bag.

Hi Michele, thank you for your comment. It is common to find Chanel Flap bags with different color chains compared to the other hardware. It is possible that someone wanted a mix of colors when they purchased the bag or that a replacement chain has been added to the bag. We recommend you check the other steps in the guide above if you have concerns regarding the authenticity of your Chanel bag.

Hi Nurul, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, we only provide our authentication service to clients who sell or consign their bags with us. If you are concerned regarding the strap we recommend you take the bag into a Chanel boutique and seek advice. Thank you.

Hello LindsayBay, thank you for your comment. While the stitching rightly set of alarm bells, it does not mean the bag is a copy or fake. However, we recommend you attempt to check the other features mentioned in the article above and to see the bag in person prior to purchasing if at all possible. It is impossible to authenticate a Chanel bag by photos alone and the best way to ensure it is genuine is to see the bag in the flesh.

I got a chanel bag where the cc metal hardware has a stamp with 3 lines in it. I went on a site that said that if the hardware has a stamp that the bag inside should always say its made in france and if it has no stamp then it is made in italy. Well I think that info may be in correct? my bag has the 3 line stamp and inside says made in italy. serial number and card is in tact read 5764864. Can you please let me know if my bag is authentic??

Hi. I will be buying a pre-owned Chanel hobo bag..they said it’s authentic but I’m concern with the chain strap..there’s no leather in the chain..do some Chanel have no leather in the chain too? Please advise. Thanks

Hello! I just bought a Boy bag for Collector Square in Paris. However, there is NO hologram nor a authentic card, only the sellers own experts “authencity”. They said that sometimes Chanel bags don´t have holograms, if they are bought from “private sales” etc. Can this be true? The bag looks very authentic, logo, stitching, etc is ok but I feel that somethingś not right here. Thank you!

Found a chanel bag at an estate sale. Will the color of the chain ever be different than the color of the other hardware? Cc on front is gold and chain is silver tone. Purse is flap closure with no lock…just magnetic hold. Thanks.

my vintage chael bag has a weird chain..the leather strap does not link at one point..however other features seem matched. can you help me authenticate my bag..? i would really appreciate it..

Hi Baglover, I have an important to me question, I am considering purchasing a bag from a second hand consignment online store that is very reputable, and guarantees authenticity, even has a concierge service after the fact if you think that the bag is not authentic, but my concern is too fold, first the bag being offered is the new season Chanel Brand New Caviar Leather Flap With Handles Silver Hw Shoulder Bag , however, with all accessories, auth. cards, and tags attached, box, and even the flower from Chanel, however, when I went to count the stitching in the photo as you recommended, in the diamond quilting pattern there are only eight in each square, is this something new this year with the new line? Please advise, I don’t want to be ripped off and this is a beautiful bag and a great deal, Thanks for all of your help I really appreciate it!

Hello Linda, thank you for your comment. Chanel bags manufactured after 1984 should have a serial number. The number is generally found on the authenticity card or printed on a sticker inside the bag. However, if you cannot find a serial number it doesn’t necessarily mean the bag is counterfeit. As you are considering selling the bag you can contact us by sending us an email (info@baghunter.com) as we provide a free authentication service for all bags sold on our platform. Thank you.

I have a 1980 Velvet flap Chanel, it does not have anything written inside but it is made of Lambskin. I bought it so long ago and I don’t remember where. I am ready to sell it but I can’t find any info on it. Did they have authentic cards in the 80’s and/or did the print anything on the lambskin to say where it was made? Thank you.

Hello Agnieszka, thank you for your comment. Chanel bags are manufactured in three countries; France, Italy, and Spain. It is therefore possible that your bags could have “Made In” any of these three countries under the word “Chanel”. If you have any doubts as to the authenticity of your bags, we recommend following the guide above.

Hello Lane, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to identify the authenticity of a Chanel bag by pictures alone and we would recommend that you keep away from anyone offering that service. You can check the serial number of your Chanel bag against the table found in our Authentication Guide here – https://baghunter.com/pages/authentication-guide. If you are considering consigning or selling the bag we provide a full authentication service for all bags prior to their listing on our platform.

Hello, are you able to authenticate a chanel bag with serial number and pictures. Please let me know. Thank you Lane

Hi Tanya, thank you for your comment. Could you tell us how you came across the bag? Also, is there any authentication card for the bag? It is common for the tag to have fallen off on pre-loved bags so that shouldn’t be a major concern. However, we advise you follow the steps listed above if you have any doubts as to the bag’s authenticity.

Hi Tanya, thank you for your comment. We recommend following the authentication steps listed above. If you are still unsure about the validity of the bags you could brig them into a Chanel boutique and request an authentication check. Alternatively, if you are considering consigning or selling the bags we provide a free authentication service for all bags sold and consigned through out platform. Please email info@baghunter.com for more information.

Hi Terri, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, we do not provide an authentication service as a standalone option and only provide our expert authentication for items which are consigned or sold through our platform. Furthermore, we highly recommend that you do not attempt to verify the authenticity of the bag by photos alone. It is impossible to confirm whether a bag is genuine or not by simply studying pictures. Instead, we recommend you purchase your bag from a trusted vendor. Have you considered using our concierge service to find the bag you are looking for? Email us at info@baghunter.com for more information. We also recommend reading the following article about the dangers of buying on eBay and why a bag cannot be authenticated by pictures alone: https://baghunter.com/blogs/insights/dangers-of-buying-hermes-birkin-ebay

I have a Chanel that is all black with no hardware. It is very soft to the touch and has the embellished cc n the side and bottom. I can tell that this Bag is well loved but has no tags inside. You can tell there was a tag at one point. It has a snap closure but the clasp is worn on both sides and I can’t make out anything. Please advise. I’m clueless. Ty

I have 2 Chanel purses and i am not sure how to get them authenticated and who to use I live in southeast Oklahoma. These purses were left to me by my mother in law when she passed away. One of them has sticker inside and authentication card the other does not and we can’t find receipts. I really need someone I can trust and that knows a real purse from a fake purse I followed what u said and they both look real to me. My mother In law was very picky about her clothes and purses she spent a lot of money on all her stuff, please help me

Hi how can i send a photo of a channel bag im thinking of purchasing to see if u think its fake. Plz

Hello Svet, thank you for your comment. The only stamp which indicates the gold hardware on a Chanel bag is the hallmark on the top left (or occasionally top right) of the “C”. Chanel continues to use gold on their handbags today. However, there are some other small indicators on the gold interlocking "C"s you can check for authenticity:

- Screws at the back of the closure run from north to south when the etching is located at the top left of the “C”, and run from east to west if the etching is located at the top right of the “C”.
- The left “C” should overlap the right “C” at the bottom, while the right “C” should overlap the left"C" at the top.

Hello Tanner, thank you for your comment. Can you please describe the Chanel tag? Chanel do not use hang tags inside their bags, however, it is possible that there is no stamp on the inside due to wear and tear or usage of the bag. If you suspect a bag is fake we advise you to steer clear of using that particular seller and to only use accredited businesses. We have a wide range of authentic Chanel bags for sale and we are more than happy to help you find the perfect fit. Drop us an email at info@baghunter.com and we will assist you in every way we can. Thank you.

Hi, I’m planning to buy a pre loved lamb skin medium classic with 24 k gold hardware. Is there any specific sign for gold plated Cc? Is there any stamp that it’s gold plated except regular left up corner of the left C? Is that correct that Chanel stopped gold plating in 2009? If so than what digit the serial number will start with? Thanks S

I am currently looking at a bag that seems authentic but there is no stamp on the inside. Instead it has a Chanel tag. Is that common?

Hello Gillian, thank you for your comment. The quilting should match up perfectly in all places on the Chanel tote bag. However, if the bag is pre-loved and has been used regularly, it is possible that it has become misshapen and that would lead to an irregular pattern. We recommend you inspect other elements of the bag to confirm its authenticity and if you remain unsure you should contact Real Real.

Hi! I just purchased a quilted Chanel Tote from The Real Real consignment site and they guarantee authenticity. However, the quilting on hte front does not match up to the sides. Is it possible to have a real Chanel bag (tote in this case) where hte diamond stitching does not match up? Thanks!

Hello Lane, thank you for your comment. It is possible for some Chanel flap bags to feature an embossed CC on the flap. However, if you are uncertain about the embossed logo you should inspect the stitching using our guide above to ensure it has been performed correctly.

Hello Kit, thank you for your comment. Our advice is to carefully inspect the bags using the guide above. If any of the authentication steps listed above fail you should attempt to contact Chanel again and request an authentication service. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee authenticity of a Chanel bag by photos alone and you would need to have the bags physically inspected if you have any doubts. Alternatively, if you wish to sell or consign the bags, we offer a free authentication service for anyone who uses Baghunter prior to listing their bags. For more information, you can contact us using this email address – info@baghunter.com.

Hello Mary, thank you for your comment. The stitching on the CC lock should match the stitching found elsewhere on the bag. Chanel are extremely careful to maintain consistency when applying stitching onto their handbags. Our advice would be to bring the bag to Chanel for authentication if you have any doubts.

Hello Mary, thank you for your comment. You can use the serial number on your Chanel bag to check the year the bag was manufactured and also as a method of determining the authenticity of the bag (depending on the script used for the serial number). You can find more information and a serial code table here – https://baghunter.com/pages/authentication-guide

Hello: I have a question regarding the classic Chanel bag. Should the bag have the embossed cc’s on the flap? Just curious. Thank you

I do have a few preowned Chanel bags that came thru an auction. I’ve done all the research and believe they are Chanel bags. I spoke to Chanel but they are not authorized to authenticate and unable to go back to the original owner. Is there no way to authenticate these bags? I have pictures Thanks in advance for your response.
Kit

Hello, I have a question regarding the stitched CC lock on a leather bag. Is it possible to have the CC stitched with zig-zag stitching? I’ve only seen CCs with straight line stitching. The rest of the bag looks authentic. Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

Is there a way to check the serial number online to find out the style and retail price of a specific chanel bag?

Very good information that I needed to know thank you for the info

Is it possible to have a Chanel jumbo with no stamp of Chanel inside?? The rest all matches perfectly. Thanks for letting me know.