I came across this article and was very impressed with the detail that was covered. Here is what Vintage Designer Handbags Online said…

“Here are some brief points which we have accumulated over time dealing with authentic Chanel bags, and some tips we have picked up over the years.  These act as a guide, and we would advise to check out the real Chanel bags at the boutiques and really examine your bag and know it inside out so you know what you want.  Of course buying your Chanel bag from a Chanel store will always be the best way knowing its authenticity, but here are VDB we always vet our bags, and because they are always vintage or second hand this makes us more competitive in price! So the choice is yours and we hope this little guide will help ease your concerns.

QUILTING

The quilting on CHANEL bags should always align.  For example on the classic flap bag, the lines should even match up when the flap is closed, and should maintain the ‘diamond’ pattern.

But also bear in mind on flap bags the quilting doesn’t always align perfectly when the flap is closed because it really depends on whether the bag is stuffed or empty, or if it’s hanging correctly, etc. But it should appear to align.

STAMPING/LOGO

The stamping (on the inside of the CHANEL bag) of CHANEL and MADE IN ITALY / FRANCE should always match the hardware.

For gold hardware the stamps should be in gold. For silver hardware the stamps should be in silver.  Chanel bags are only ever MADE IN ITALY OR FRANCE never made in ‘Paris’.  Only when ‘Paris’ appears will be on the screw hardware which you see on classics, where ‘Chanel’ will always be on top and ‘Paris’ on the bottom with screws on left and right side.  The opening is always being oval shaped.

Also the screws on the back of the CC closure on classic flaps should be “flat head” screws (see above), which refers to the “flat head” screwdriver used to install the screws. They should NOT be Philips head screws. One exception is when the flaps have tortoise shell or plastic hardware, and then Philips head screws are used. Beginning in 2008, for the newer rounded CC closure, CHANEL is using 6 point / star shaped screws.

Ensure that the “Made in France” or “Made in Italy” is properly aligned under CHANEL on the interior tag.

HARDWARE

Regarding the interlocking CC’s on all CHANEL bags: The right C should always overlap the left C at the top and the left C should always overlap the bottom of the right C. Also on gold chain straps, overtime on the gold chain becomes more brassy or dullish.

On fakes the gold is ‘yellow’ gold and the chain feels ‘light’ and flimsy on authentic bags the chains have a real nice weight to them.”

What makes this article even better is the pictures and illustrations they provide. The pictures give accurate detail of all their explanations. I recommend you take a look before you buy a Chanel handbag, just so you know how to check if it is a fake or a genuine designer Chanel handbag, or go and buy one from the link below.

Article Source: http://vintagedesignerhandbagsonline.com/blog/chanel-news/vintagedesignerhandbagsonline-com-our-guide-to-spotting-real-and-fake-chanel-handbags

We should also mention the fact that different shades of navy blue are used to make leather handbags, so that you can’t get bored if you come across a more ‘specialized’ collection. Make sure the leather is hard or soft enough for the purpose of the bag, because that too matters to the wearer. All major handbag designers like Pietro Tucc, Chanel, Fendi or Jimmy Choo create navy blue leather handbags, but they are harder on your budget. If you prefer something easier on the purse, check out for online retailers with discounts.

You can still find authentic navy blue leather handbags that cost a fraction of a designer’s product. Lots of smaller companies produce viable and fashionable items that meet the needs of the average consumer who does not afford to break the bank on clothes and accessories, still who doesn’t want to get a fake product. The market has been flooded by fakes and replicas, and they don’t exactly make the best of choices. In general lines, except for the imitation, you don’t get much from replicas. Don’t be fooled by leather imitations either because that’s the kind of material that fakes are made of.

High quality navy blue leather handbags make a good investment for your wardrobe. Navy blue is a neutral color that you can match with equally neutral clothes like black, beige, white or blue, or with more daring colors such as pink, red and even orange. The stylish look of the clothes-handbag combinations also depend on the choice of the footwear and on other accessories like scarfs, jewelry, belts or hats. For the fashion-oriented woman, the attention to the detail that matters is defining.

Therefore, the choice of navy blue leather handbags will be dictated by personal taste, fashion trends, budget, general outfit and necessity. After all, we all want to make good looks and practicality meet.

Lucky brand handbags come in a variety of styles, designs and colors. You can search through the older and newer collections and make a purchase according to your criteria, whether it be size, price, color, style or shape. From cross-body convertible bags to denim totes and hobos, you can find pretty much anything you like in the Lucky Brand handbags collections. The company started producing purses to complement their already successful lines of casual wear, particularly the Denim jeans. Have a look online to see which bags match your style for an excellent outfit.

As for prices, Lucky Brand handbags are not what we’d call cheap, as the lower prices start slightly above $150. The more complex the design and the higher the quality of the materials, the more you’re likely to pay. Let’s take for instance an example such as the macrame fringe hobo bag that costs $229. In addition to the texture leather, the bag comes with a macrame fringe that cultivates the rock ‘n’ roll edge. The hardware finishes as well as the other decorative details add a stylish touch to the product, but also increase the price.

Quality does not come cheap, that’s definitely a market rule that applies to Lucky Brand handbags as to most other products we purchase on a regular basis. If you decide that Lucky Brand is within your budget, you won’t regret having chosen them.

Lucky Brand handbags are very easy to clean. Water and soap are enough to wipe the bag and remove dirt. For optimal care, you should always pat the leather dry after you clean the handbag. Some users also want to maintain the shine of their Lucky Brand handbags, and they moisturize the leather with cream polish. Don’t use wax because it’s too heavy for purses. It is very important to follow the clean and care instructions on the tag. All Lucky Brand handbags come with maintenance recommendations.

They mostly focused on manufacturing accessories and quickly they would have returning customers who appreciated the higher quality of Coach handbag models and accessories. Since then, the company has expanded but has preserved its interest in offering high-quality goods to consumers. They speak of a true American taste due to the attitude that these goods and accessories inspire.

Coach handbags, shoes and other accessories, luggage and even jewelry boast to offer great durability due to quality leather, fabrics and raw materials, as well as due to design and manufacturing techniques. A Coach handbag is easily recognized because of signature style and lines which are constantly under development. The company wants to keep American and international customers satisfied with the brand, ensuring that their products will remain real competitors for other well-known designer brand items on the market.

In order to reach its customers, this company has opened more than 500 stores across the US and Canada and is keen on expanding their network every year. In addition to these stores, there are numerous boutiques that sell Coach handbags, wallets, shoes, jewelry and even travel bags in department stores and malls. The company has also gone online for more than a decade making their products accessible worldwide. International customers can also gain access to the Coach handbag models and other brand items in some select department stores in various countries as well as in duty free shops.

Unfortunately, like all designer clothes and accessories, Coach products are pretty expensive. For instance, a Coach handbag costs between $150 and $1,000. Despite these prices, a Coach handbag will surely last a long time and resist the wear and tear of every day. The design is utterly unique yet following the trends of the season. The latest techniques in offering modern effects to the leather and fabrics used in the manufacturing process are employed and craftsmanship is quite visible.

The handbags that are sold at huge prices are basically a piece of art and have most likely been made using some manual techniques. And like most handmade items, these bags are good value for money.

These alternative items closely imitate the design, pattern and feel of the original celebrity-worn ones and most of them are even good quality. As a result, there really is no point in investing hundreds of dollars in a bag unless your budget allows for such expenditure and your wardrobe contains numerous other designer clothing items to match the bags with.

Designer replica handbags can be found in numerous shops online and some of these stores even show a comparison between the original item and its copy. Customers can thus see whether there are differences in design or color and, if so, how big those differences are. The way you choose a designer replica handbag is probably based on your preferences in terms of designer items. The search starts from initially checking what novelties the designer line has come up with, figuring out what kind of clothing or accessories it matches and then analyzing whether the original item would match your every day style.

After making a choice from the numerous models presented by the original manufacturers, it is time to look for the right designer replica handbag in the online stores that sell those replicas. After having performed the research on what the originals are like, it should be easy to decide which store and which replicas manufacturer is really worth addressing with an order.

As for those who are really better off and want to avoid a designer replica handbag favoring the originals instead, it is highly recommended to make sure that they order from reputable online stores which also have a full refund policy in case they change their mind. The serious stores which do not sell fakes always offer their customers the opportunity to return the items in case they decide they do not want them anymore. On the less reliable websites, customers generally have no refund policy to turn to if they want to claim their money back.

The advantage of purchasing Kathy Van Zeeland handbags, shoes, belts, glasses and so on is that you will not have to spend a fortune in order to achieve that cool trendy look you want. The prices are quite affordable as the company means to address women of all ages and incomes and has already created a wave of interest in the US. The official site of KVZ keeps consumers posted with whatever they bring new into the world of fashion while other retailer sites make it a complete event out of receiving models of Kathy Van Zeeland handbags or shoes that belong to the new collection.

The fervor of shopping for sophisticated items that make you look classy and modern at the same time has been associated with KVZ by many consumers. Reviews made by loyal customers have demonstrated how pleased they are especially with Kathy Van Zeeland handbags and shoes. The bags in particular are appreciated for the durability they present and for the special effects they have. The accessories are very pretty varying from stones to tins while the materials these bags are made from range from patent leather to various fabrics. The prints and patterns are also very creative and hook women all across America making them want to have a different look from the rest. Actually, Kathy Van Zeeland started out as a designer of handbags and intended to make every woman wearing her designs feel special and unique.

All in all, Kathy Van Zeeland handbags and shoes are true fashion assets for the young generation?s girls who feel the need to stand out from the crowd. The feminine and delicate side of each woman is brought to light by the choice they make when shopping KVZ bags, shoes or other accessories. And if we want to make sure that the designer items we buy are not fake we should look for the Kathy Van Zeeland logo, the brief description of the items and the collection the product belongs to, as well as the brochure with the wide variety of products that Kathy now sells to her avid consumers.

Such items are produced in third world countries, by underpaid workers (sometimes minors) and they contain low quality materials only. The resistance to wear and tear or the durability of the product is very reduced. Considering how cheap replica handbags really are, paying $40 on one is actually too much. They are still over-priced. The problem is that fake designs have been infiltrated in top positions on the market, and the replica industry has grown to such an extent owing to the fact that technologies have refined over the years.

It’s a crime punishable by law to manufacture fake products such as designer replica handbags. It’s an infringement of the copyright law, and consumers are partly protected against it. Yet, things may appear simpler than they really are. Numerous replica handbags are sold every minute at the price of authentic ones. In some stores, replicas have replaced genuine products without sellers even knowing it. There are higher quality fakes too, and sometimes you have to be really careful when spending $400 on a handbag, so that you get the real thing.

In order to avoid purchasing replica handbags, you should shop for highly reputed retailers, that supply their stocks directly from the manufacturer. Many designer’s websites also include online shopping facilities with national or international shipment. Moreover, such websites also provide lists with the authorized affiliates so that you have a supplementary guarantee that you get real accessories. For example, it’s financially wise to purchase from a store in the UK if you live in Great Britain, rather than order the same product from the States.

Therefore, explore your options carefully before you shop. If you are going to spend a lot of money on clothes, handbags and accessories, at least you have to make sure that they are authentic, and that your budget is well spent.

Vera Bradly handbags have names. It’s funny to say or think of purses in such a way, but over the years, this has turned into a form of public brand recognition of the popularity level. Thus, you can purchase the Hipster, the Vera, the Villager, the Betsy, the Morgan, the Hannah, the Handbag or the Amy. All of the collections have various patterns included so that you can choose the one that best suits your taste, personality and preferences. The predominant material in all the collections is quilted cotton, yet, they have also launched a Microfiber line too.

Women often feel positive and optimistic wearing Vera Bradley handbags, simply because they are like a breath of fresh air, a break from the conventional look and the dullness of neutral colors. Nevertheless, the colorful pattern makes the handbags excellent for casual wear, yet, they do not qualify for formal wear. Some women can’t wear Vera Bradley handbags at the office, particularly if they depend on a formal look for their profession. It’s much more common to see Vera Bradley handbags with younger women, teen girls or college students who recognize the thrill of optimism in the bags’ design as defining for themselves.

Yet, we can’t identify real limitations for wearing Vera Bradley handbags. You see them, you fall in love with them, and you give them a try. This is not necessarily about a fashion statement or an attitude, but rather about the recognition of patterns that define a person in such a unique way that every accessory and apparel item becomes a way of telling an individual story. Therefore, Vera Bradley handbags do more than just appeal to young women for casual wear. Depending on the situation, accessories have this great chance of converting into fashion statements.

As for those of you who have not purchased replica Coach handbags, yet you are afraid you might be duped into an inconvenient transactions, here are a few tips to help you recognize genuine products.

Replica Coach handbags are sold at flea markets or at road side stands. Lots of people know what they are paying for: it’s cheap, yet they want to get the great looks, although they can’t afford to pay for real quality. It’s totally understandable! The blame however lies with the sellers that jack up the prices and try to sell replica Coach handbags as authentic.

The quality of the materials cannot be replicated. The high price tags in real designer’s items are justified not only by brand name, but also by the quality of the materials. Coach handbags are made from the most supple leather there is. It feels like butter, without any stiffness whatsoever. If it feels stiff, you might be purchasing replica Coach handbags, not an authentic Coach one.

The real Coach product has at least one stamp, on the lower end of one side or on the leather that attaches the bag to the shoulder strap. It should read ‘Coach’, ‘Leatherware’ and ’1941′, one beneath the other. If the leather stamp is sewn on or has stitching around, you can very well suspect a fake. Shop elsewhere!

Sometimes you don’t need to check all sorts of details to recognize replica Coach handbags. If the product looks fake, there’s hardly any arguing against that. Issues arise when the imitation is so close that you can’t really tell authentic replica Coach handbags from fake ones. The replica industry has specialized and refined over the last decades, and lots of consumers are still fooled and never suspect that they’ve purchased a fake model.

In order to be protected, shop from trustworthy sources that you find in the lists on the manufacturer’s official website. Or order directly from the producer if that is possible!

One of them and the most important is, of course, the price. The original item’s price can be even ten times as high as the alternative price. For instance, it would be quite silly to invest in anything other than designer alternative handbags unless you were very rich. The cost would not honor you considering that you probably buy the product on credit and then you would struggle for several months to pay it back. The struggle is not worth it in such a case.

Another advantage has to do with fashion seasons. Very many women choose to own a designer alternative handbag, clothes or accessories because they always try to buy and wear whatever is in fashion at a certain moment. In this postmodern world, trends mingle and change radically from one year to the next and the investment in original designer clothes, bags and accessories would not present any benefit.

The best solution for those who have already bought original designer items would be to sell them at a discount as used items and eventually get much less money for them than initially spent. As it all sounds, the deal is a pretty bad one for the fashion addicts. That is why designer inspired fashion items are a better choice. With a designer alternative handbag you can feel good without ruining the budget.

And let us not forget wear and tear. Like any other product, original designer items may indeed be of higher quality, yet leather is still leather and it can suffer damage due to wear. For this reason, owning a designer alternative handbag, item of clothing or even shoes can be really advantageous. Remember that things are not made to last forever and they will eventually end up forsaken on a shelf because they look old and used.

All in all, a designer alternative handbag, shoes, clothes and accessories are a smart way of keeping up with the dictates of fashion without getting overwhelmed by bills that you can’t pay. They cost less, they can be discarded without too many regrets and leave your credit untouched. Women who know these advantages have already decided on which retailers to rely on when shopping for their longed for designer-inspired items. These retailers also feel the pulse of the market and benefit from their choice of helping women follow the trends in fashion.