Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

What Color Is the Louis Vuitton Box

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

A pioneer in monogram bags, Louis Vuitton has produced countless handcrafted purses that women and men alike covet.

Even if their artisanal handbags come with hefty price tags, Hollywood celebrities to common folk want to get their hands on one (or several).

The classic Louis Vuitton logo embellished on monogrammed leather The classic Louis Vuitton logo embellished on monogrammed leather

This comes as no surprise thanks to their top grade Italian leather and precise craftsmanship. Each bag comes with a whole lot of time, love, and effort.

The Hollywood favorite Louis Vuitton "Keepall" duffel bag The Hollywood favorite Louis Vuitton "Keepall" duffel bag

Currently, Louis Vuitton houses Michelle Williams and Alicia Vikander as their main endorsers. Other under-the-radar LV faces include Jaden Smith, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Connelly.

Louis Vuitton showcases its "Manhattan" bag Louis Vuitton showcases its "Manhattan" bag

Unfortunately, with the rise of the brand's popularity also come the counterfeiters. Fake Louis Vuitton bags have dominated the e-commerce industry, resulting in numerous eBay sellers who offer knockoffs at ridiculously low prices.

In November 2019, CNBC reported that The RealReal, the world's largest online consumer marketplace for luxury items, has been selling fake luxury products. The same month, officials seized thousands of counterfeit designer bags at Dulles International Airport.

According to FOX 5 DC, the counterfeit cache included 2,601 coin purses, 459 purses, and three backpacks adorned with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Prada, and Hermes designer labels.

Louis Vuitton 2003 Pre-Owned Monogram Multicolour Eye Love Holdall, $36,040 at Farfetch

Louis Vuitton 2003 Pre-Owned Monogram Multicolour Eye Love Holdall

Don't worry – all hope is not lost. We have the know-how on busting those fake Louis Vuittons, saving yourself the money and hassle of falling prey to counterfeit bag predators.

Without further ado, we bring you nine easy ways to tell whether your LV is the real deal:

1. The workmanship is top-notch artisanal

One of the more common ways to know if a bag is authentic or not is to check its workmanship. Just like Gucci handbags and other luxury designer bags, an authentic purse will have perfectly aligned stitches that are the same length.

In fact, the artisans behind authentic bags are so skilled that the number of stitches on one handle matches the other.

Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will have perfectly aligned stitches that are the same length Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will have perfectly aligned stitches that are the same length

For Louis Vuitton bags, the stitching thread is more of a mustard color than a brighter yellow hue.

The leather pieces that make up the bag are perfectly cut and fitted with each other. If there are creases, bubbles, and misalignment due to bad fitting, you might want to put that bag down.

2. Hardware is beautifully crafted from brass

Bag connoisseurs know that the next thing to check for is hardware. Louis Vuitton uses top grade brass hardware that usually comes in shiny or matte. For shiny zippers and locks, do a reflection test – the brass should reflect as a mirror would.

 Louis Vuitton uses top grade brass hardware that usually comes in shiny or matte Louis Vuitton uses top grade brass hardware

The zippers should not snag when you try to unzip the bag. Louis Vuitton also manufactures their own zippers and does not use YKK or other branded zippers.

Hardware should not be covered in plastic. Counterfeit bag makers wrap the hardware in plastic to prevent them from tarnishing right away. Quality hardware will not tarnish and is usually uncovered.

3. Shell pattern should be neat and symmetrical

Another obvious thing to look at in monogram bags is the shell pattern. For Louis Vuitton, the classic LV logo should be symmetrical and the letter L should always be lower than the V. If the letters are wonky and not perfectly aligned, the bag is not authentic.

Louis Vuitton's classic LV logo should be symmetrical and the letter L should always be lower than the V Louis Vuitton's classic LV logo should be symmetrical and the letter L should always be lower than the V

It is also important to note the placing and consistency of the monogram pattern. If you look at the pattern diagonally, the order of one strip should be a fleur-de-lis, a circle, another fleur-de-lis, then the LV logo. The strip alternating it should contain only the fleur-de-lis symbol.

For logo embellishments, check that they are symmetrical and beautifully crafted. The Maison logo usually writes "Louis Vuitton Paris" in two lines.

4. Vachetta leather oxidizes and darkens over time

The leather strips that run across and make up the handles are called Vachetta leather. Vachetta leather is made out of natural, untreated European calf hide that darkens with oxidation over time.

Vachetta leather oxidizes and darkens over time Vachetta leather oxidizes and darkens over time

If the strips stay a pale color over time, it is fake. The leather should darken into a beautiful golden shade as it ages.

5. Handle trim should be a darker shade of red, not bright red

There are many great things about Louis Vuitton monogram bags that keep us preoccupied. To the hawk-eyed, one lesser-known detail is the red trim that runs along with the Vachetta leather.

Identify fake Louis Vuitton bags by studying the shade of the trim Identify fake Louis Vuitton bags by studying the shade of the trim

You can easily tell a fake Louis Vuitton bag from an original one from the shade of the trim. The authentic ones will run closer to burgundy (but not quite) while counterfeits will usually be a brighter shade of red.

Low-quality Louis Vuitton counterfeits will also have the trim peeling off over a short amount of time.

6. Date code should be found on the lining

Each bag comes with a date code, which is basically a little leather tag where letters and numbers are embossed to note where and when the bag was made.

Each Louis Vuitton bag comes with a date code

Unlike other bags, Louis Vuitton date codes are a little harder to find since they're tucked within the lining. One thing is for sure: an authentic LV will always have a date code.

In some cases, the date codes are stamped into the lining.

7. Know your dust bag and box history

Counterfeiters often get lazy when it comes to details. A good way to catch fake products is to know your history of Louis Vuitton dust bags and boxes.

Dustbags before 2004 are made out of beige flannel with the LV logo on it and brown drawstrings. Some of the older bags may have blue drawstrings on them, and some have felt-like material that has jagged cut edges.

Louis Vuitton Pre-Owned Special Order Monogram Amfar II Trunk Case, $20,578 at Farfetch

This brown leather trunk case from Louis Vuitton features a round top handle, a push-lock fastening, an all-over logo print, gold-tone hardware, a hanging key fob, an internal mirror, internal drawers, two removable logo-print bags, and two detachable shoulder straps This brown leather trunk case from Louis Vuitton features a round top handle, a push-lock fastening, an all-over logo print, gold-tone hardware, a hanging key fob, an internal mirror, internal drawers, two removable logo-print bags, and two detachable shoulder straps

From 2004 to 2016, the beige dust bag is made out of flannel or linen. A perfectly symmetrical and centered LV logo is printed in brown on it. A small white tag saying where the bag was made can be found inside.

In 2016, Louis Vuitton revamped their packaging. All their boxes are orange with navy blue text. The dust bags followed suit, turning into a cream color with navy blue writing.

8. Use your sense of smell

This one takes some time to practice. It's good to know what authentic leather smells like so you can easily set it apart from synthetic ones.

Also, if the bag reeks of chemicals, you might want to reconsider your purchase.

9. Common sense, really

If you have a bag that retails for $1,000 and is being sold to you at $100, there is much reason to be wary. Research the original retail price online before considering a purchase.

Louis Vuitton Pre-Owned x Comme Des Garçons Burned Holes Monogram Tote, $8,696 at Farfetch

This dark brown and beige leather tote from Louis Vuitton features a monogram pattern, gold-tone hardware, round top handles, an internal logo patch, a hanging luggage tag, a drawstring closure, and a removable lining This dark brown and beige leather tote from Louis Vuitton features a monogram pattern, gold-tone hardware, round top handles, an internal logo patch, a hanging luggage tag, a drawstring closure, and a removable lining

Louis Vuitton also lists the retailers where their bags can be purchased. The brand also limits online resellers, so be careful of purchasing bags over the internet.

Louis Vuitton Questions and Answers

Why are LV bags so expensive?

One reason is the high manufacturing cost. The luxury brand produces its handbags in workshops located in France, Spain, and the United States, and does not outsource manufacturing to cheaper locations like India and China.

Cynthia Bailey carries a large Louis Vuitton tote at LAX Cynthia Bailey carries a large Louis Vuitton tote at LAX on March 5, 2020

In addition, the company spends billions of dollars every year on marketing. According to Reuters, in 2018 Louis Vuitton spent 5.6 billion euros ($6.3 billion) on marketing, reaching 12% of group revenues.

Does Louis Vuitton have a sale?

No, Louis Vuitton doesn't have sales that are open to the public. Instead of discounting, the company will burn or destroy unsold stock. In some countries, the company organizes secret sales for its employees.

Why does Louis Vuitton burn unsold bags?

While burning handbags helps maintain the exclusivity of their goods and stops them from falling into the hands of illegal counterfeiters, environmentalists have criticized the company for this wasteful strategy.

Some myths:

1. "The leather will never cut off at the LV logo."

Some have claimed that pieces of leather will usually not cut off at the LV logo, but that is not necessarily true. For smaller bags, the logos are cut off at the edge.

One thing that you can check for, however, is if all the logos cut off at the same point. This means that the pattern is symmetrical.

2. "Louis Vuitton does not invert their logo."

Again, this is not true. For models that use a single continuous leather piece such as the Keepall, one side will have inverted logos on it.

Louis Vuitton is continuously coming up with designs outside of the classic ones, so it's good to know their bags well. A great way to familiarize yourself is to study their photos online.

If you're in doubt about a purchase you made, you can call Louis Vuitton for help in authenticating your product.

Celebrity Fans of Louis Vuitton Bags

Some of the celebrities who go gaga over Louis Vuitton include Selena Gomez, the Kardashians, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Miranda Kerr. Check out more celebrities who love their LV's below.

Miranda Kerr, Selena Gomez and Rihanna love their Louis Vuitton purses Miranda Kerr, Selena Gomez, and Rihanna love their Louis Vuitton purses

Hilary Duff gleefully strolls through the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with her two-piece Louis Vuitton luggage Hilary Duff gleefully strolls through the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with her two-piece Louis Vuitton luggage

Cherries, pinks, and furry things: Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon and Kelly Osbourne prefer their Louis Vuitton with a dash of cuteness Cherries, pinks, and furry things: Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Kelly Osbourne prefer their Louis Vuitton with a dash of cuteness

Taylor Swift dresses up her casual outfit with a Louis Vuitton x Christian Louboutin "Shopping Bag" Taylor Swift dresses up her casual outfit with a Louis Vuitton x Christian Louboutin "Shopping Bag"

Alicia Vikander, Dita Von Teese and Christina Milian pick out variations of the infamous LV monogram Alicia Vikander, Dita Von Teese, and Christina Milian pick out variations of the infamous LV monogram

For more tips on busting the fake LV's, watch the video below to see how a fake $169 bag compares to a real $1,850 handbag:

Credit: Louis Vuitton / KOKOPIX / Will Alexander / Ivan Nikolov / WENN

What Color Is the Louis Vuitton Box

Source: https://handbag.yournextshoes.com/fake-louis-vuitton/