How to Spot Fake Hermès Bags
The surge in popularity of Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags has inevitably led to the market becoming flooded with fakes. In fact, recent studies indicate that up to 90% of all Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags sold online aren’t the genuine article. This is worrying news for any woman who wishes to purchase her dream bag.
Another problem arising with fake Hermes bags is that they are becoming more sophisticated. As more and more fake bags flood the market, the ability to spot the difference between them as authentic Hermes bags becomes more difficult. However, there are always tells in fake bags that can be spotted if you know what you are looking for.
With that in mind, we have created this special insights guide to help women spot even the most subtle flaws in fake Hermes bags. Using this guide will help you avoid the extreme disappointment that comes with realizing you have bought a fake.
Stitching
Every Hermes bag is handmade and hand stitched, meaning that the sew lines should be flawless on an authentic bag. There shouldn’t be any stitches obviously out of place, out of line, crooked seams, or irregular patterns on an authentic Hermes bag. To inspect the stitches on a Hermes bag, follow the lines carefully with your finger (using a glove if you wish) and feel for any stitches that are out of place or crooked within the seam line. If you find any signs of sloppy stitching, this should immediately raise an alert in your head.
Handles/Bag Shape
The shape of the bag and the handles are an excellent indicator of whether the bag is authentic or fake. When standing, the bag should be neat and pronounced without any slouching or bulging in places. The same applies to the handles which should stand straight up and down. There may be cases where someone has stored their Birkin or Kelly in an incorrect manner, causing a bend in the handles. However, when holding the bag, you will be able to tell immediately if it is genuine. Also, fake Hermes bags can sometimes have misshapen or rounded handles.
Hardware
Authentic hardware on Hermes bags are always a genuine precious metal, usually either palladium or plated gold. The hardware also features small markings to indicate it is a precious metal and will feel heavy and of a high quality. The use of precious metals on Hermes bags also means that the hardware on authentic Hermes bags will not tarnish. When checking the hardware on a Hermes bag, feel the weight of the lock, keys, studs, and other pieces of hardware on the bag. If they feel light and cheap this should act as a red flag.
Toggle
The toggle on a Hermes Birkin is another way of testing the authenticity of the bag. Genuine toggles should have a smooth turn when you twist them, similar to the movement of a watch. Toggles fitted on fake bags tend to be much lighter in weight and feel grainy like sand when they are turned. Some may even be stiff when turning. If you feel string resistance when twisting the toggle on the bag, this is a red flag.
Zippers
Hermes make their own zippers which feature the Hermes name. However beware that counterfeiters can also produce zips with “Hermes” on them. So, there are some other ways to distinguish an authentic Hermes zip over a fake. Authentic Hermes zip pulls should not flop down or hang down at a 90 degree angle from the zip line. It should remain parallel to the zipper at all times. The mechanism is also a high quality design, created to lock the zipper pull in a parallel position. If the zipper pull is hanging, this should alert you to a potential counterfeit.
Lining/Interior
The lining and interior of every Hermes Birkin and Kelly bag is made with as much care as the rest of it. Many of these bags are lined with chevre leather, a goatskin that is grained and not smooth. There are Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags that feature other material as the interior or lining, but the material will always be of a high quality and in most cases made from a similar leather to the exterior. Another way to ensure the authenticity of the lining or interior is to verify the color scheme on the Hermes website and to ensure the stitching is neat and proper without loose threads.
Logo
The logo is a stamp on the bag that reads “Hermes Paris Made in France”. This logo is featured in a delicate and neat font that is not affected by the texture of the leather. On many fake Hermes bags, the logo will look irregular, big, and/or blocky. Ensure the logo on the bag is properly centered without being uneven, lopsided, or crooked in any way.
Authenticity Card
This is something that should raise a red flag immediately. Hermes do not issue an authenticity card. They never have and most likely never will. Many fake Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags come with these orange plastic credit cards that say “Hermes” on them. If the bag comes with one of these cards, it is most definitely a fake.
Dust Bag
For starters there should always be a Hermes dust bag with a brand new Birkin or Kelly bag. The dust bag is of a high quality, as the bag itself is, and will feature a high neat stitch count. The color of the dust bag is always light beige or orange with a dark brown Hermes logo on the material. Fake dust bags often come in a grey color and feature a burgundy colored stamp. Another point of note is that the drawstring on the dust bag is also brown and should be made of 100% cotton. Please be aware that with some used Birkin and Kelly bags the dust bag may have been misplaced and therefore this this only applies to brand new bags.
Price
Let’s face it, if a Hermes bag is listed for a price that seems too low – it’s probably a fake. Authentic Hermes bags can cost anything on the secondary from the very, very cheap at around $10,000 to the most exotic at around $150,000. There are many fake Hermes bags on the market which are priced at a couple of thousand dollars and are of a very high quality. However, think to yourself why someone would sell a genuine Hermes at such a low price when they could get many times more for it.
Tips
- Always buy from trusted dealers. This can’t be stressed enough as it is a way of guaranteeing you are buying a genuine Hermes bag. A trusted site such as Baghunter.com which uses a meticulous authentication process for each bag before it is shipped to the buyer grants peace of mind. If you decide to buy from individuals online via auction sites, proceed with extreme caution. It is not recommended to make any purchase without first having the bag authenticated by a professional.
- Inspect every detail. If even one of the details listed above seems off about a Hermes Birkin or Kelly, trust your instinct. It may be the tiniest of details such as the quality of the stitching, the weight of the zipper the stamp, the logo, if the price seems too good to be true etc. However, if you have any doubts, trust your gut feeling and get a second or even third opinion from a professional.
- Take a suspect bag to Hermes or use a trusted authentication service. If you have purchased a Hermes bag and you are unsure about its authenticity, take it to a Hermes store and try to have it repaired. If it is fake, Hermes will refuse the repair and you will know immediately. Alternatively, to save the embarrassment of being told by Hermes, avail of a trusted authentication service such as that provided by Baghunter.com.
Sarah
November 13 2017Hi Team
My bag has an X on the small tab inside, what year would it have been made, please?
Thanks
Rhonette Cullinan
November 08 2017My Hermes bag has made in China. Is it fake. Got a present of it.
Tramy Nguyen
October 15 2017I think the company should show us the two picture , one real and one fake so easy for us to know . Thanks
Gabriele
October 01 2017Thanks for doing this but where is Your advantage from this ?
Best regards Gabriele
Vienna
Ann
September 25 2017I have a black leather Birkin, not sure if it’s genuine or a very high quality fake. I’ve checked everything as mentioned above and just found a P in a square and K6 stamped on the back of the strap going across the front of the bag. Would this possibly be an indicator to the authenticity?
Carrie
September 25 2017How can I tell if a Garden Party is authentic?
Rachel Freedman
September 12 2017I received this bag as a gift and believe its real Hermes bag but I’m still unsure. I went to a Hermes store and asked if they could check for me but their policy states they aren’t allowed to check. I would really like to know if its real or not.
Esmeralda
August 24 2017The seller showed me a receipt that stated she bought her black 32 Kelly in year 2013 Paris at 4500euro. Would that be real ?
Millie
August 13 2017Hi, I was given a bag as a gift and someone notified me it’s Hermes. Is there any way of telling its real Hermes? Like sending a picture or something? I’m just curious as to how much it’s worth. Thanks
MAGELYN
July 08 2017Does Hermes bags put plastic on their hardware?
Baghunter
July 07 2017Hello Melissa, thank you for your comment. Yes, Hermes have used an oval design on their logo many times. In fact, you can see this design on the current Hermes Evelyn handbags range which features a “H” inside an oval on the front of the bag.
Melissa McClure
June 30 2017I found a vintage Hermes bag in which the logo is pressed or embossed into a leather oval. It appears to be a very old bag—possibly from the 1970’s. did they ever produce such a logo?
Baghunter
June 16 2017Hello Ashley, thank you for your comment. An “L” inside a square indicates your Birkin bag was crafted in 2008. You can find more information in the “Brand Stamps” section of our authentication guide here – https://baghunter.com/pages/authentication-guide.
Baghunter
June 16 2017Hello Cher, thank you for your comment. The Hermès Country Garden Party range generally features a canvas or fabric interior lining. If you are unsure about the authenticity of the bag you are looking at, we recommend making sure you are buying from a genuine reseller who is accredited and has a strong history of genuine Hermes sales.
Baghunter
June 16 2017Hello Michelle, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee the authenticity of a bag by looking a pictures alone. We highly recommend that you only purchase Hermes bags from reputable sellers who have a history of selling genuine and authentic handbags.
Ashley
June 15 2017Hi, I was wondering if I could find out the year my bag was produced. When my mother passed I inherited all of her authentic bags one of which is black Hermes Birkin bag. It looks brand new, still in dust bag. The code is 25S and letter w/ square around it is L. Any help would be great! I don’t even Remember her purchasing this bag, she loved her bags!
Cher
June 10 2017I am looking at a Hermès Country Garden Party 36on a website but it has a cloth lining I am not sure if this is real
Michelle
June 03 2017If I share an ebay link, can you authenticate if it is a real KellyTogo bag?
Baghunter
June 01 2017Hello T.Gordon, thank you for your comment. Depending on the leather/skin and year of manufacture, a Hermes bag will feature a blind stamp on the strap and additional numbering or letters next to blind stamp which identifies the person who crafted the bag.
T.GORDON
May 31 2017WILL IT HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER ON IT ANY WHERE IF ITS REAL.??
Dee. Myers
May 27 2017I came across your site and wanted to thank you.I was quickly able to figure out my gorgeous green Birkin by Hermes is a fake. I suspect a well made expensive knock off .Thank you.
Baghunter
May 26 2017Hello Heather, thank you for your comment. The “L” with a square indicates the year of production on your bag as 2008 so it would be approximately 9 years old. The “48A” is most likely the craftsman ID stamp which is usually found beside the date stamp. We hope this information helps you!
Heather Maynor
May 19 2017This might be a crazy question but the bag I was looking at had a serial number: 48 A then to the far right was the letter “L” with a square around it. The seller told me she got it about 10 years ago. This may not be enough info for you to tell but does that sound authentic??
Baghunter
May 19 2017Hi Andreea, thank you for your comment. The weight of the hardware can be a red flag if there is a noticeable difference between your Jypsiere bag and your Lindy bag. Are the hardware types the same for both bags? (i.e. both palladium or both gold). If you have major concerns regarding the hardware on the Lindy bag we advise you to contact the retailer from whom you purchased the bags for further proof of authenticity.
Baghunter
May 19 2017Hello Huong, thank you for your comment. Some Hermes handbags feature a “blind stamp” on the strap which identifies the craftsman, year the bag was made, and if the bag is crafted from exotic skin. You can find out more about the blind stamp by reading our Authentication Guide here: https://baghunter.com/pages/authentication-guide.
Andreea
May 17 2017I have a Jypsiere purchased at a flagship store. The hardware is quite heavy. I recently purchased a Lindy from a trusted consignment retailer, and the hardware is very light compared to the one on the Jypsiere. Should that be a red flag?
Huong
May 13 2017Hi..have anyway to check is authentic by data on the strap ??
Baghunter
May 12 2017Hello Riba, thank you for your comment. The absence of a stamp does not necessarily indicate the bag is fake. Did you purchase the bag from a repeatable reseller? Are there any other indications that the bag is not authentic?
Riba
May 11 2017I bought large Hermes Evelyn. It does not have Hermes made in Paris on strap also does not have stamp letter under the flap which located on top of circle with H. Is it fake
Baghunter
April 28 2017Hello Janet, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, we require more information to provide a date and value for the bag. If you are interested in selling or consigning your bag, please email us at info@baghunter.com and we will provide you with more information. Thank you.
Baghunter
April 28 2017Hello Iris, thank you for your comment. We advise you use the guide above to authenticate your Hermes clutch. Inspect all areas of the bag closely and if you remain unsure about the bag’s authenticity you can bring it into a Hermes boutique and ask the staff to inspect the bag for you.
Baghunter
April 28 2017Hello Jan, thank you for your comment. Could you please expand on what you mean by “There is no Paris”? Do you mean there is no “Hermes, Made in Paris” stamp on the bag? Thank you.
Janet Ramage
April 24 2017My Hermes bag I believe is COSTANCE? Large H on front (losing color around the edges of the H). The zipper says “IDEAL”. Other than that I don’t see any other markings. Can I have a date and value please? Thank you.
Iris
April 17 2017I have a Hermés clutch and I don’t know if it is real or fake.
Jan chadwick
April 11 2017My bag has the H on and the catch has a "uk pat 1519245 and uk D873682 there is no paris
Baghunter
March 30 2017Hello Diane,
If you follow the advice in the guide above you will gain a good indication of whether your Hermes bag is genuine or not. However, as counterfeit productions become more advanced it may be difficult to know for sure unless you acquire the services of an expert. Should you wish to sell or consign your bag, we offer a full authenticity check for all Hermes bags sold via our platform. However, if you do not wish to sell your bag we recommend bringing it into a Hermes boutique and inquiring about the authenticity of the Hermes bag.
Diane shiwram
March 05 2017I have a Hermes bag and I want to know if it is fake or real!!!
Baghunter
March 01 2017Hello Arleen, thank you for your comment. Currently, our authentication service is only available for bags listed on our site for sale and for bags which we have consigned. If you are interested in selling or consigning your bag with us, we will authenticate it before listing it on the site and again using a second expert upon a successful purchase of the bag. If you would like more information, please message us using the form on the “Contact Us” page.
Arleen Cohen
March 01 2017How can I get someone from your company to authenticate my bag?
Baghunter
February 28 2017Hello Sandy, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, a “Made in China” tag on a Hermès bag is a major red flag for indicating the bag is a replica and not genuine. We recommend using the bag as you see fit and if you ever wish to invest in an authentic Hermès handbag feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to assist in finding a bag perfectly suited to your tastes.
Sandy Hamilton
November 29 2016I received a bag as a gift. The silky lining inside the bag has a small tag that reads; “made in China” I never thought that this bag was authentic… please confirm. Large black bag with white top stitching, lock and key on face, zip pulls “hang down”… (red flag, yes?)… may be 8-10 years old… no sign of wear. It’s beautiful! Do I use it or keep it on a shelf to impress my girlfriends? Or, should I sell it? If so, how much? Thanks for your help. 72 year old great grandma…
Mary Gleason
September 24 2016Thank you for an excellent analysis and description of the Real and fake Hermes. You provide a wonderful service to the uninformed purchaser!