Fakes Are Never In Fashion

From Louis to Gucci, we all have spotted the fakes in the bunch. The boosters and the hustlers bargain with prices to get every female trotting the streets to pick up an "authentic" designer bag for less. However, when the police come patrolling through, how quickly they pack up and wheel out giving you the wrong change? Ring too many bells? Well, while it is evidently unethical and illegal, just who's actually doing something about it? Harper's Bazaar has an ongoing campaign 'Fakes Are Never In Fashion' to help do something about the counterfeit handbags and designer items being produced and sold today.

Wondering if your new steal is legit? Here some tips straight from

Harper's Bazaar. . .

BUYER BEWARE

Spotting a knock-off is more difficult than you may think. Use the tips below as a checklist to avoid buying a fake.

1. Location, Location, Location. First and foremost, purchasing luxury goods at a brand’s boutique, website or authorized dealer is your best bet to insure buying a genuine product. Items at flea markets, home parties, from street vendors, or unauthorized websites are likely to be fake.

2. The Price is RightQuality and exclusivity account for the high price of luxury goods. Thus, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Construction SitesCraftsmanship is a main point of distinction with luxury goods. Sloppy stitches in less visible areas—such as the underside of a product or inside pockets—is likely the result of counterfeit production.

4. Package DealLuxury retailers meticulously package their products, including tissue paper, authenticity cards, product care information, superior quality boxes, and shopping bags. If you see a plastic wrap covering or a flimsy dust bag, it's probably a fake. For example, counterfeit manufacturers will often wrap the handles of handbags in plastic.

5. Spell-checkCounterfeiters will often misspell designer names. Check for letters that are swapped or a letter that is capitalized that shouldn’t be, and vice versa.

6. Check the HardwareWith most luxury accessories, you will find the logo on all the metal pieces, such as zippers, latches, snaps, and buckles.

7. Read the LabelIn a genuine article of luxury clothing, most often the label is stitched in, whereas counterfeit clothes are likely to have a less expensive hangtag. Also, check the country of origin on the label.

8. Timely TipsMakers of fake watches may not replicate unusual features, such as a helium relief valve. If the feature is available, often times it does not function.