Hailed by some as the ultimate wardrobe staple, Chanel 2.55 Flap Bags have been around since 1955. With a hefty price tag, owning one is like being part of an elite sorority. But with so many fakes doing the rounds, it’s important to know how to spot an authentic Chanel when you’re buying second hand.

Screw type

Chanel use a certain kind of screw on their bags – either flat head or star shaped depending on when and where the bag was made. Chanel will never use Phillips screws. Also, beware of any tarnished screws and clasps, as a real Chanel bag’s hardware shouldn’t change color, rust or fade.Interior Stamping
The color of the Chanel logo and stamp should be examined. It should be stamped in a clean manner in a metallic ink that matches the color of the hardware of the item. For instance, a bag with gold hardware should have a gold stamp. Similarly, a bag with silver hardware should have a silver stamp.

Serial Number
All Chanel leather goods manufactured from the late 1980s onwards have a serial number located on a sticker. The number will either be seven or eight digits long depending on the year the item was made. Items made before 2005 will have seven digits, whereas items made after 2005 will have eight digits. It’s also important to examine the font used on the sticker as well as the placement of the numbers.

Stitching
The quilted stitching should be neat and precise – if it’s vintage it’ll have a minimum of 10 stitches per inch. It should also be noted that the front flap of an authentic Chanel bag has no stitching around the edges. This is one of the easiest ways of spotting a fake. Furthermore, the quilted stitching on the back pocket should line up perfectly with the rest of the bag.

Chanel Logo
The signature Chanel interlocking C logo is a very notable point to examine for authenticity. When looking at the logo the right C should overlap the left C at the top, and the left C should overlap the right C at the bottom. If this is somehow flip flopped, this is a surefire sign that it is a fake.