How Do I Know My Coach Bag is Genuine?
In order to determine whether a Coach bag is genuine, look for these five features: Stitching, Metal hangtag, Style number, and Condition of stitching. Coach uses experienced, expert craftsmen to produce their bags. You’ll notice that Coach never uses cheap thread, unfinished stitches, or other signs of poor craftsmanship. If you notice poor stitching on a Coach bag, it may be a replica. In addition, Coach hardware is usually made of brass or nickel, and never plastic or plated metal. Authentic Coach hardware should be solid and heavy, while replicas use inexpensive metals.
Stitching
The smallest of details may give away a fake COACH bag. Check the creed patch and serial number. A COACH bag is never authentic unless the creed patch has a rounded top. Look for capital letters and a C shape in the lettering. These features should be consistent from one bag to the next. If the creed patch is not present, contact the seller to get a photo of the actual item.
The study tag inside the bag should have the Coach brand name on the top and a paragraph about the bag’s history. If the study tag is missing, the bag may be fake, but it should still have a style number. Look for a small white tag inside the pocket with a style number and the year of manufacture. The serial number should start with No and end with a letter and number.
The centering pattern on the CC should line up with the horizontal “C.” The horizontal “C” should touch the opposite CC. The center seam of the CCs should go through the middle of the horizontal CC. If it does not, the bag may be a knockoff. Once you find this, you can confidently buy your own COACH bag. Once you’ve decided that the pattern on your bag is authentic, it’s time to check the materials.
The logo on the bag is stamped on most of its metal hardware. This can vary from vintage to newer styles. Some older styles might not have the COACH logo stamped on nickel/brass hardware. You may find that your current bag is not an authentic one, so be sure to check photos of authentic Coach bags before purchasing. Moreover, some counterfeits are made of lining, so be sure to check the serial number of the bag to see if the serial number matches the one on the fake.
Metal hangtag
One of the best ways to ensure that your Coach bag is genuine is to look for a tag stating “Made in USA” or “Made in China”. Some fakes might have the Made in China tag. In order to spot a fake Coach bag, look for two Cs on the interior leather tag. Faux Coach bags will only have one C. A crooked pattern is another sign of a fake. An authentic Coach bag has a perfect vertical and horizontal alignment of the C pattern.
Another way to spot a fake is by looking for the creed, a brief description of the bag that’s stitched onto the bag’s exterior. A Coach bag will also have a serial number, which is usually written in capital letters. Before the 1970s, there wasn’t a serial number on a Coach bag, but in the 1990s, they started including them.
Another way to identify a fake is by looking for the style number and the year of manufacture. These are found on the original price tag. In addition, check the serial number, which should be stamped on the bag’s exterior. Fake Coach bags often have a serial number that’s inked. If the serial number is inked, the bag is probably not authentic. In such a case, it’s best to stay away from fakes altogether.
Another way to tell a fake is to look at the photos of the bag. Make sure the photo is of an actual item. Check for blurred or inaccurate photos. Stock photos are usually taken from the COACH website with a white background. If possible, contact the seller and ask for a picture. The seller’s explanation should also be genuine and detailed. If the seller can’t provide a picture of the bag’s genuine condition, this should be a red flag.
Style number
The Style Number of Coach bags is one of the most important pieces of information to look for when buying a handbag. This is the unique code that gives each Coach bag its unique style. The serial number is usually four digits long, followed by a dash. However, since the mid-2000s, the style number has changed. Style numbers have now become five digits long, with a dash at the end. However, you may find a Coach handbag with a previous style number.
If you’re unsure about the style number of your Coach bag, look for it on the inside flap. The last four numbers of the serial number are called the style number, and if you don’t see one, there is a high chance that it’s a fake. If you can’t find the style number, try searching online or on the original price tag. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to find the name of your bag.
The logo tag on your Coach handbag is another way to verify its authenticity. Normally, a beaded chain is attached to the top of the bag, but it could also be made of metal, so make sure to look at the tag before buying. While metal tags are a cheap, sturdier option, be on the lookout for a beaded chain tag. It should match the trim of the bag and have crisp, uniform letters. Make sure the “A” on the tag is pointed to avoid the fakes.
Before the early 2000s, Coach started assigning style numbers to each bag, though this was optional. Until that point, the style number had nothing to do with authenticity. Then, in the mid-1990s, Coach switched to a serial number format, with letters instead of letters. Hence, two different styles could have the same style number. However, the serial number does not necessarily mean anything. It is simply a convenient way to identify the age of a coach handbag.
Condition of stitching
One of the easiest ways to tell if a bag is genuine or a knockoff is the condition of the stitching. A real Coach bag has evenly spaced stitches with a uniform length and shape. The stitching is also consistent. A genuine Coach bag doesn’t have overstitched edges or corners. Likewise, a knockoff will have one stitch that’s out of place. In addition, counterfeits often lack stitching altogether.
One of the easiest ways to determine if your Coach bag is authentic is by inspecting the creed. Typically, the creed is stamped inside the bag, but you can find embossed gold font if you look hard enough. Make sure the font is easy to read, and the stitching is even and straight. The creed should be centered on each line. The creed should be inscribed with the Coach name and date, and should be easy to read.
Another clue that the bag is a fake is if the photos are blurry. Stock photos are simply cut and pasted from the COACH website with a white background. When you see a blurry photo, contact the seller immediately to ask for a real photo of the bag. If it is, the seller has probably used stock photos from COACH’s website. Hence, a blurred photo should not be the only thing you look for.
If the stitches on the exterior are uneven, it’s most likely that the bag is not authentic. Make sure the stitching is even on the interior as well. The “CC” pattern on an authentic Coach bag should always have two rows of fabric, one vertical and one horizontal. The horizontal “C” should also match perfectly with the vertical “C” on an authentic monogram bag. Authentic Coach bags will always have perfectly aligned stitching on the center seam.
YKK zipper
Genuine Coach bags have a YKK zipper. YKK stands for YKK quality, and the brand stamp on the zipper pull should read YKK. However, it is important to note that fakes use a different type of zipper pull, and some will have local brands instead. You can verify this by asking a COACH rep for the serial number. If you don’t have one, you can always purchase a knock-off from the Internet.
Another important detail to look for is the YKK zipper. Genuine Coach bags have this zipper, while fakes don’t. If your bag does not have a YKK zipper, it is not genuine. If you want to know for sure if your bag is real, you can check its photos to see if the one you are looking at is genuine. YKK zippers should be stamped on most metal hardware, including the handles, so you can identify the one in your possession.
Another way to tell if your Coach bag is authentic is to check the pattern. When it comes to fakes, the C’s aren’t lined up, or they’re off-center. The c pattern on the back should match the YKK zipper. In addition, the stitching should be uniform. Make sure that the tag is centered on the bag, as well. The YKK zipper should be lined up on all the pockets and the side seams.
Another common clue to spot an authentic Coach bag is its YKK zipper. The brand is renowned for its dependability, and the YKK logo is printed on both sides of the zipper head. YKK zippers are usually the best choice, and are available in coil, metal, or vislon. They will not break the bank. However, some counterfeits don’t feature this detail. YKK zippers are not easy to spot, so you should be extra careful when purchasing your bag.
