How to spot if your designer handbag is really a fake

Most of us have been tempted to splash our hard-earned wages on a designer handbag. But, after taking one look at the eye-watering price tag, buying second-hand seems like a desirable option. 

However, you need to proceed with caution: designer totes are some of the most counterfeited items in the world and it's crucial to know you're getting the real deal.

Sabrina Sadiq is the Head Pricer and Authenticator at Designer Exchange - industry experts at separately the faux from the genuine thing. 

She told FEMAIL that the tiniest, seemingly insignificant details can help you tell whether the arm candy is real or a knock-off buy.

THE MATERIAL  

The devil is in the details and it's important to spend time examining the handbag before parting with your cash.  

Bags should be made from certain materials depending on the style and the brand. For example, Hermès use only certain leathers and they stop using particular ones after certain periods of time.

Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton use coated canvas with leather trims on their bags. If the trim is supposed to be leather, it should feel dry - not oily. 

Swot up: you need to know about the materials preferred by your favourite designer. 

THE PRINT  

Analysing signature prints is key to authentication. Brands like Gucci, Fendi and Louis Vuitton are know for their monogram patterns. 

See how the print sits on each different style of bag. For example, on the Louis Vuitton 'Speedy', if the print starts with the brand logo it should end with it too. 

The hardware should be heavy and the designer's name should be spelt correctly if it is printed anywhere - inside or outside - on the bag. 

THE STITCHING 

The stitching is one of the biggest things to analyse when it comes to authentication. 

Every designer will use a certain stitch that is unique to them. For example, on Chanel's timeless lamb skin bags they will use around a 10 to 12 stitch account. Hermès will use a saddle stitch.

The stitching shouldn't be frayed, knotted or change in colour. 

THE PRICE  

Never authenticate a bag on price. Every bag should be examined and thoroughly checked. 

At the Designer Exchange we have had people come to us with a £30,000 crocodile Hermès Birkin bag, only to find out it was a fake. 

Some people may have been gifted an item and only learned it was a fake when they tried to sell it on. The rule 'caveat emptor' always applies. 

THE BRAND

Céline bags are highly faked as they are a lot more simple in design. However, the brand use a specific leather, use particular zippers and stitch in a certain way. 

Louis Vuitton 'Neverfull' is one of the most counterfeited items on the market. Fake versions can be quickly identified by simply looking at the strap width. An authentic strap is only three eighths wide but most fakes, made from inferior materials, have to be much wider.