There is a Gucci bag for everyone. Whether you favor a Marmont or a Dionysus, an Ophidia or a Jackie, Gucci is one of those universally loved luxury brands. The house has been through a number of eras, from the Tom Ford heyday to the maximalism of Alessandro Michele.
Whichever bag is on your wishlist - or already in your collection - you might be wondering how to tell if it is authentic. Due to its popularity and designer price point, Gucci is one of the most counterfeited luxury brands.
If you’re going to carry a Gucci bag, you want it to be the real deal. More niche details will be hard for an untrained eye to be able to spot, but there are some more obvious signs you should look out for.
How To Tell If A Gucci Bag Is Real?
While the best way to tell if a Gucci bag is real or not is to get it checked by an expert, there are some easy signs to highlight whether your bag is fake or real.
1. Stitching
Paying close attention to the stitching on Gucci bags can help you identify a fake from a real one. The stitching is done by hand on Gucci handbags so it shouldn’t appear to have been done by a machine. If the lines are too straight, it could be a fake. Fake bags also might (but not always) feature much thicker stitching.
2. Hardware
The hardware on fake bags won’t be as high quality. One way to really notice the hardware is on the zips. Some zips on Gucci bags might have logo engraving, so look out for that, too.
One of the easiest ways to tell if a Gucci bag is real is to pay attention to an intricate hardware detail. This could be the Dionysus hardware on the front of the bag, as that is a difficult feature to replicate.
3. Logo Detailing
Whether it’s a Gucci logo plaque or engraved logo lettering, this can be a good sign of the authenticity of your bag. The logo plaques should be made meticulously, notice if any areas are thinner or chunkier than usual. For logo engravings, make sure that the spacing is correct and that it is properly placed.
The same can be said for the box and dust bag that the bag originally came in. Check for small details in the logo print.
4. Interior Logo Tab
The front of the leather tag inside the bag should have three lines of text made by heat stamp:
- The top will have a ® symbol
- The middle is the 'Gucci' font
- The bottom should say 'made in italy' in lowercase
5. Serial Numbers
Note how the serial numbers are displayed. Inside contemporary Gucci bags, you'll find a leather label inside with a serial number debossed on the underside. The top numbers represent the style code, while the bottom is the supplier code. There should be a total of 10-13 numbers.
Bags produced prior to 1990 will have a different layout of numbers, so make sure to check for the specific era of your bag.
6. Final Step - Check With An Expert
While the steps above are a good place to start, there are some fakes that are harder to pick out than others. You could have a very convincing fake, but there are many reasons why you want to avoid purchasing fake designer handbags.
A fake designer bag might look very similar to the real deal. However, you may have overpaid for it and it won't be worth anywhere near an authentic bag. It certainly will not be the same high quality.
Gucci's authentication process provides each modern Gucci bag with what is known as the 'controllato' card. However, these cards can be fairly easily copied, or an authentic card could be added to a fake bag when trying to fake its authenticity.
The best thing to do is to google search for luxury authenticators in your area. Or, if you're looking to sell your Gucci bag, a resale company such as myGemma with a stringent authentication system will do this as part of the process. This is one of the best ways to know for sure that you are dealing with a genuine Gucci bag.
The Top Gucci Bags
Over the years, there have been so many different Gucci bags to love. These are some of the current favorites and most popular bags today.
1. Marmont Bag
The classic Gucci Marmont bag is the shoulder version, but the line-up does include backpacks, bucket bags, and belt bags, too.
The Marmont has been in production since 2016, meaning there have been many different iterations and colorways. Some of the most sought-after colors are black and red, which are much more affordable on the resale market.
2. Dionysus Bag
One of the brand’s more ornate designs is the Dionysus. The intricate hardware detail on the front is a signature feature, with two tiger-head embellishments.
The bag is named after the Greek god Dionysus, who was said to have crossed the river Tigris while riding on a tiger. The sliding chain-link strap allows the bag to be worn on the shoulder or crossbody.
3. Ophidia Bag
Most of the Ophidia bags from Gucci are made from the signature GG canvas and are often embellished with the Web stripe.
The collection is extensive, which means there are different styles and different features, however, each one is punctuated with the Double G logo plaque for a recognizable look.
Where To Buy Authenticated Gucci Bags?
Now that you know what the tell tale signs of a fake versus authentic Gucci bag are, you might wonder where you can source real Gucci bags.
The first obvious place to buy a Gucci bag is from a Gucci store. However, there are many benefits to looking elsewhere.
Some of the benefits from shopping on the resale market is that you can find discontinued and limited edition styles that are not available firsthand. Another advantage is the price point: you can buy Gucci bags and accessories for less.
When shopping luxury resale, it is normal to be wary of whether you are buying counterfeit items and how you can be sure.
The answer? myGemma has a team of luxury experts who authenticate each and every product before it goes onto the website, offering guaranteed authenticity.
myGemma has a wide range of luxury goods, from Cartier watches to Chanel handbags and everything in between.
How To Sell A Gucci Bag Online?
The great thing about myGemma is that everything is in one place. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, the journey is easy and secure with myGemma.
myGemma buys your luxury accessories from Rolex watches to designer handbags from brands such as Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.
Selling is made easy and quick. The entire process can take as little as 24 hours, from price quote to payment. This is because we buy your items directly, no middle-man or waiting for us to sell on your behalf, and no commissions deducted from your final offer. To get started, simply fill out the online form and we will be in touch with your price quote.
