Life's full of ups and downs, and the world is a big ball of chaos that can be cruel or kind to you at any given moment. An example of the world being kind to you is you buying one of our 100% authentic Chanel bags for up to 70-90% off. That's a level of kindness the world has given to you, and you should accept it, because you earned it. You found us and this is your reward. Enjoy!
But the world can be cruel. For example, you buying a Chanel bag that seemed like a good deal, or maybe even for no deal (!), only to later discover that it's fake. That's a level of cruelness from the world nobody deserves, and it's also a situation that can easily be avoided by shopping with us. We guarantee the authenticity of every item we carry, and we're able to offer you great prices through hard work and hustle! (Also, check out our return policy if you need that extra little push -- we've never sold a fake!)
But sometimes, it just seemed like a good idea to go for that somewhat suspicious deal, you know -- just because, maybe it's a sign from the universe! (It's not. Unless that sign was telling you to come to us, at Ja Fashion & Co.) And lo and behold, you receive your Chanel bag.
But a little part of your mind lingers on the question... did I actually buy a real Chanel? What if this is fake? Why didn't I shop at Ja Fashion & Co. instead for the peace of mind of a 100% authenticity guarantee?
No worries. Here are some tips on figuring out if your Chanel bag is the real deal or a big phony. Note: all pictures on this page are of authentic Chanel bags, so that you can compare.
The Art and Science of Authenticating Chanel Bags
With their chic designs and sky-high price tags, Chanel bags are prime targets for counterfeiters. We’re not talking about street vendors selling fake classic bags for $49.95. These days, counterfeits—particularly the “super fakes”—are impressively good and can fool even seasoned collectors. So, whether you’re buying your first Chanel or adding another to your collection, knowing how to spot the real deal is essential.
These luxury handbags aren't just eye candy; they're practically investments with a solid return on investment—if, of course, they’re the real deal. And here’s the kicker: knowing how to tell if a Chanel bag is genuine can make or break your investment strategy. Because let's be real, anyone dropping a hefty sum on a luxury bag should feel confident it's the real deal.
Key Features of Authentic Chanel Bags
Overall Appearance: The construction of a genuine Chanel bag screams quality. The flap should sit perfectly balanced, and the leather strap shouldn’t be so stiff it looks like it’s forcing its way through the chain links. The diamond quilting should have a delightful puffiness—not too flat, not too puffy. And don’t forget to compare the shape to the bag style—whether it’s a Classic Flap or a Boy Bag.
Leather: Genuine Chanel bags are made from premium leathers and fabrics. They’re soft, smooth, and have an exquisite luster. Even Caviar leather, with its pebbled look and feel, exudes quality. If the leather feels subpar, it’s not the real deal.
Quilting: The iconic diamond pattern quilting is a dead giveaway for authenticity. It should be perfectly centered and only feature complete or precisely cut half diamonds, and the diamonds on the back should line up exactly with the stitching on the pockets. If it’s off, the bag’s probably a fake.
Stitch Quality and Count: Look for perfection—stitches that are tiny and even are a hallmark of authenticity. Fake bags often use fewer, larger stitches. A real Chanel bag has up to eleven stitches per diamond.
Hardware: The hardware isn’t just for show; it’s another key indicator. All the metal bits—including the iconic interlocking Cs—should match inside and out. The hardware on an authentic Chanel bag has a refined, gold finish without a hint of brassiness.
Stamp and Serial Number: If the stamp says “Made in Paris,” it’s a fake. Chanel bags only come with “Made in France” or “Made in Italy.” The serial number should match the Chanel date code protocol—no nine-digit numbers here!
Authenticity Cards and Inclusions: Super fakes might include an authenticity card, but those are a red flag. Chanel started using microchips in 2021 to fight counterfeits. And the tissue paper? It should be soft, high-quality, hand-pleated—none of that machine-stamped nonsense.
Chanel Serial Numbers and Date Codes
Since the mid-1980s, Chanel has been including a serial number encoded with the date the bag was issued. But as mentioned in the section above, Chanel moved to a more technological method for validating their bags via microchips starting in 2021. However, for bags made before April 2021, knowing about those old serial numbers and how to read the date codes are crucial. Your bag's serial number should be seven or eight digits depending on the year -- if your bag’s serial number has nine digits for example, that's bad news.
|
Serial Number |
Year |
Serial Number |
Year |
|
30XXXXXX |
2020 |
14XXXXXX |
2011 |
|
29XXXXXX |
2019 |
13XXXXXX |
2009-2010 |
|
28XXXXXX |
2019 |
12XXXXXX |
2008-2009 |
|
27XXXXXX |
2019 |
11XXXXXX |
2006-2008 |
|
26XXXXXX |
2018-2019 |
10XXXXXX |
2005-2006 |
|
25XXXXXX |
2018 |
9XXXXXX |
2004-2005 |
|
24XXXXXX |
2017-2018 |
8XXXXXX |
2003-2004 |
|
23XXXXXX |
2016-2017 |
7XXXXXX |
2002-2003 |
|
22XXXXXX |
2016 |
6XXXXXX |
2000-2002 |
|
21XXXXXX |
2015-2016 |
5XXXXXX |
1997-1999 |
|
20XXXXXX |
2014-2015 |
4XXXXXX |
1996-1997 |
|
19XXXXXX |
2014 |
3XXXXXX |
1994-1996 |
|
18XXXXXX |
2013-2014 |
2XXXXXX |
1991-1994 |
|
17XXXXXX |
2012-2013 |
1XXXXXX |
1989-1991 |
|
16XXXXXX |
2012 |
0XXXXXX |
1986-1988* |
|
15XXXXXX |
2011-2012 |
Spotting Fake Chanel Bags
Authenticating Chanel bags takes a trained eye—deciphering dozens of tiny details isn’t for the faint-hearted. The most important things to look for? High-quality construction that lives up to the Chanel brand, perfect quilting, premium leather, and rich-looking hardware. The iconic interlocking Cs should actually interlock, the stitching should be immaculate, and the zippers should glide smoothly.
The Best Way to Make Sure Your Chanel Bag is Authentic
But of course, the absolute best way to ensure the bag you bought is authentic is to shop with us! Save yourself the hassle, the headache, the heart pain -- at Ja Fashion & Co., we take the authenticity of our Chanel bags very seriously. Every bag we offer is carefully authenticated through a rigorous process, and we're proud to say we've never sold a fake! We’re here to help you find the authentic designer bag of your dreams—because buying with confidence is always in style.
By reading this post, you've probably figured it's a whole process and a half to make sure your precious and pricey Chanel bag is authentic. So we say: why make life harder than it needs to be? We offer the most competitive prices for bags like Chanel, always 100% authenticity guaranteed, and if you're in LA or Orange County, we offer same day delivery on orders placed before 11 AM.
Our hope is that you will never need to utilize the tips in this post -- just buy through us! But if not, we hope this has been helpful, and keep us in mind for when you're feeling that itch for a new designer bag!