An authentic Chanel's chain, combined with the leather strap, should feel substantial in weight and maintain flexibility, distinctive qualities not found in copyright versions.

If you want to buy vintage designer goods, read our guide on what you should consider before taking the plunge.

Chanel is the French luxury fashion brand we all know and love. It was founded on 1910 by Coco Chanel and today it focuses on woman’s high fashion, ready to wear clothes, luxury goods, perfumes, accessories and leather goods. And Chanel’s most iconic bag is the Classic Flap Bag!

The location of the serial sticker can vary depending on the model of the bag; they can be found either on a leather tag or in the bag’s lining.

If you looked everywhere inside the bag and still find no serial number, it's not the end of the world! Remember, these are stickers that are constantly rubbing against the bag's contents, and they can fall off and fade with use. It could also be a vintage authentic Chanel crafted prior to 1986.

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

"X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.

Counterfeiters and their super fakes have made Chanel bag authentication far more challenging in recent years. But it still comes down to fully appreciating the extraordinary quality of the materials and artisanship. Overall Appearance of the Bag

When checking the authenticity of a Chanel bag, always examine the leather straps on the linked chain. The straps should be even with pelo bumps, and the stitches should be equal throughout.  

 Andrea Cheong states "I purchased my 1996 small classic flap in caviar leather second-hand in Japan. I paid about £3.8k and I do think it’s worth it. However, that’s in the context of really admiring the style and being interested in purchasing a Chanel bag.”

When verifying the authenticity of a Chanel bag, it's essential to check the serial number and authenticity card. Each Chanel bag comes with a serial number that corresponds to the year of manufacture.

A genuine Chanel authenticity card will have the serial number printed in perfect alignment , without any misalignment which could suggest a copyright card.

Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.

1984 Karl Lagerfeld redesigns the CC lock, creates the “Classic” flap bag how to authenticate a Chanel bag with an interlocking CC turn lock and woven leather/chain straps.