Remember that some genuine Chanel bags may have less than 10 stitches per edge, but this is usually true for smaller designs.

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Collectors Cage sells vintage designer bags and is based in Denmark. With us, you can always shop with confidence, knowing that everything is authentic.

You might be wondering whether Chanel still gives authenticity cards. In 2021, Chanel revised their serial code system and replaced stickers and ID cards with metal plaques that have microchips inside the bags.

It will either look like a sticker on the inside lining of the handbag, or it might be sitting atop a small leather tag sewn into the bag’s interior.

For instance, understand the differences between the Classic Flap Bag and the Boy Bag. Is the shape correct for the style of bag you have? The zippers should pull smoothly. The lining should lay flat. Chanel colors are rich and sophisticated, so confirm this is the case. Every detail should be just right. While experts look for tiny defects in specific details, if you discover any example of sloppy manufacture, that alone is a clear sign that the purse is not an authentic Chanel bag. In short, a Chanel bag authenticity check should first discover exceptional artisanship in every detail. The Leather

This keeps the bag sturdy and also prevents puffiness from the leather. Exact stitch count can vary with the type of Chanel bag, but if you see unusually low stitch count, it is likely a fake.

Useful Tip: Beware of fake authenticity cards, as they can be easily replicated and do not guarantee the genuineness of your Chanel bag. 

Weighing in on the iconography of Chanel bags, sustainability expert, fashion commentator and author of 

Chanel’s first bags had all-chain straps, but during the war while material was scarce, Chanel created in a strap with chain interwoven with leather ribbon.

The authenticity card is frequently counterfeited and should not be solely relied upon to verify the authenticity of a Chanel bag.

Since graduating in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in English and contemporary media, she’s worked as a feature writer for an independent publication and a contributor for Quill’s creator network. She now marries her passion for words and style, writing for some of the most esteemed fashion and lifestyle publications, Who What Wear history of the Chanel flap bag UK and Stylist.

Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right). The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining.

It used to be as simple as asking, “does the bag come with an authenticity card?” However, really good fakes, or “super fakes”, come with their own fake but very convincing authenticity cards.