I am in love with two men, aside from my husband; Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin. What can I say? I love my French fashion powerhouse men.
Of course, since having children I neither have the funds nor the occasion to own or wear either. But that doesn’t stop a mommy from coveting and dreaming of herself walking around in her Louboutins with her Louis Vuitton on her arm as she wrangles little ones.
The only thing I love slightly more than Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin is vintage French fashion, especially if I can find it within in my meager budget for fashion. I’ve taken to vintage shopping at local estate sales and consignment shops. There is nothing quite like uncovering a hidden gem, like paying $3.00 for a hand stitched silk clutch from Paris circa the 1920’s in close to mint condition.
I may have actually squeed when the very sweet, old woman threw it in for $3.00 since I was buying her old pill box hats and gloves for my little girls to play dress up with.
So imagine how my head almost exploded when I was at my local vintage consignment shop and there on the shelf was not one but three authenticated Louis Vuitton bags for less than $250 per Speedy bag.
I think any fashionista worth her salt knows that you cannot get an authentic Louis Vuitton for less than $400.00 and that’s a pouchette accessory bag to store your beauty essentials. I need something that can hold snacks, sippy cups, a wallet and keys and birth control. I need something larger than a snack bag. Let’s be honest, I need a Tivoli GM. But I can live with a Speedy for the price.
Then I started thinking, how do I know it’s not a fake? I’ve seen some good fakes from NYC so I know they are out there. I don’t want to be duped. If I go to Chinatown seeking knock offs that’s one thing, but to be duped, walking around town swinging a fake is not acceptable. I did some research and found there are some ways to spot fakes.
- On the embossed stamp, the “TT†in Vuitton should be separate. It shouldn’t look like the cross on the “Tâ€s is one continuous line.
- The date code inside the bag (usually found inside the zipped pocket) should be two letters followed by four numbers. If it starts with an M and is followed by continuous numbers, chances are that you are holding a knock off.
- Louis Vuitton NEVER cuts off the LV logo.
- Always make sure that the monograms line up.
- Louis Vuitton bags are always made of vancetta cowhide leather, never vinyl. Never. Blasphemy.
- A red glue substance is used around the handles and all leather pieces to keep together.
These are just a few ways to distinguish if your Louis Vuitton is authentic. I’m headed back to the consignment shop with my authenticity checklist. You know what they say? If sounds too good to be true, chances are that it is.
If it passes inspection, I’ll be the new owner of a gently loved Louis Vuitton for the awesome savings of about $600.
What’s the best fashion bargain you’ve ever found?
 Photo Source: Louis Vuitton
