Fake vs. Real Longchamp: How to Authenticate Your Bag

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Plus, learn where authentic Longchamp bags are made
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It’s important to look out for fakes when buying a Longchamp, especially considering their recent rise in popularity. Determining whether your Longchamp is real or fake is easy. By inspecting specific details, like the buttons and zipper, you can figure out if a Longchamp bag you’re looking at is authentic or counterfeit. In this article, we go over all of the different things to look for when authenticating your Longchamp, the different types of Longchamp bags and more.

5 Signs Your Longchamp Is Authentic

  1. Button: The branding is spelled correctly and the snap closes with ease.
  2. Zipper: The zipper pull is circular with a horseback jockey inside.
  3. Stitching: The stitching on real Longchamps is consistent and uniform.
  4. Material: Real Longchamps are made from genuine leather and nylon.
  5. Branding: On authentic Longchamps, the logo is embossed.
Section 1 of 5:

What to Look for When Authenticating Longchamp

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  1. Real Longchamp bags have buttons that feature the Longchamp logo and the date. The lettering on the button will be uniformly curved and there will always be a horseback rider in the center. The snap of an authentic Longchamp button always closes with ease and security. [1]
    • Signs the bag is fake: The button has misspelled lettering, is missing a logo or date and/or feels flimsy.
  2. 2
    Handle Make sure the handle is made out of thick authentic leather and has a diamond pattern. [2] On authentic models, the handles are practically thick leather folded in two. They should be fairly flat, while the handles on fake models are slightly rounded. Fakes also tend to be made up of plastic or light leather. On new models, the handles are stiff and become softer through prolonged use.
    • Signs the bag is fake: Flimsy, rounded handles made from cheap leather or plastic.
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  3. 3
    Material Authentic Longchamp bags feature high-quality, authentic materials. The leather on the handles and flap of an authentic Longchamp always has a diamond pattern. The edges are thin and painted, as opposed to fake edges, which are typically stringy and thick. The nylon on real bags is slippery and has a slight sheen. [3]
    • Signs the bag is fake: Rough plastic instead of nylon, thin faux leather and thick, stringy edges.
    • Leatherworker Mallika Sharma says that real leather has a natural animal hide smell that faux leather doesn’t have. Real leather has a rugged base and imperfect grain patterns, while fake leather seems more perfect and synthetic.
  4. 4
    Stitching On real Longchamp bags, the stitching is always consistent. Take a good look at the stitching at the end of the flap. A good way to tell if your Longchamp bag is authentic is by looking for three thicker stitches at the end of the stitch line. To ensure that the stitching stays together, the final three threads are sewed back inward on real Longchamp bags. [4]
    • Signs the bag is fake: Long, thin, inconsistent stitching.
    • The stitching on the inside flap is typically dark brown.
  5. 5
    Zipper Authentic Longchamp zippers always feature ‘YKK’ lettering and are easy to pull. The zipper pull should be a hollow circle with a horseback rider in the center. Check for ‘YKK’ lettering on the zipper pull connector, as inauthentic models often lack it. Check for misspelled information on the zipper pull, too. On a fake, ‘Longchamp’ may be spelled wrong. The metal may also be painted on fakes, while real zipper pulls are always nice, solid metal. [5]
    • Signs the bag is fake: The zipper is hard to pull and features inaccurate, misspelled lettering.
    • The zippers on real Longchamp bags only come in two colors: gold & charcoal grey. [6]
  6. 6
    Embossing On authentic models, the emblem is always embossed and raised and the specific details are clearly defined. On fakes, the emblem typically isn’t as embossed and may not be as detailed, especially around the hooves. Always check the quality of the embossing to determine your Longchamp’s authenticity. [7]
    • Signs the bag is fake: Weak embossing that isn’t raised and lacks detail.
  7. 7
    Branding The branding on authentic Longchamp models will always be spelled correctly and feature a horseback jockey in mid-stride. Check that the jockey appears on the zipper pull cased in metal and embossed above the button on the flap. Real models will also have ‘Longchamp’ branding on the back of your flap that says ‘Le Pliage Type “M”’ with the model type next to it. [8]
    • Signs the bag is fake: If the branding is misspelled or the jockey is inaccurate, you’ve got a fake.
  8. 8
    "Made In" Tag Real Longchamps are typically made in China, Romania or Tunisia and the ‘Made In’ tags reflect that. They usually won’t diverge from those countries. Authentic Longchamp tags are also smooth and opaque, rather than rough and transparent. Unless your bag is a special model, it typically isn’t made in France.
    • Signs the bag is fake: The Made-In tag has a country Longchamps aren’t typically made in, like Cambodia or Taiwan, or is missing entirely.
  9. 9
    Identification Number There will always be a serial number and an identification number on the tag of real Longchamp bags, so make sure to check that they’re valid.The identification number is towards the bottom of the tag and is indicative of the bag’s details. The first four digits determine the style, the next three determine the model, and the last three represent the color. [9]
    • Signs the bag is fake: An incorrect or identification number.
    • Look up the numbers on the tag to determine whether they correlate with your bag’s design.
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Section 2 of 5:

Where are Longchamp bags made?

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  1. Longchamp bags are made in China, Tunisia, and other Eastern countries. Special edition or limited edition bags may be made in France, but they are typically made in countries like China, Tunisia and Romania. The Longchamp website says that their bags are produced in Western France, with six production sites across the Mayenne, Vendée, Orne and Maine-et Loire regions. [10]
Section 3 of 5:

How to Avoid Fake Longchamp Bags

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  1. To avoid the risk of buying a fake Longchamp bag, purchase your products from the Longchamp store or website. You can also buy a Longchamp bag from reputable retailers, like Nordstrom. You may be able to find an authentic Longchamp bag at thrift stores or on websites like eBay, but the chances of coming across a fake are higher. [11]
    • Longchamp bag prices tend to fluctuate by country. If you’re traveling and looking to buy a Longchamp bag, compare the prices by country to find the best deal.
    • To avoid getting scammed on eBay, Portuguese Langauge Teacher Israel Vieira Pereira says to check the seller’s details to see if their reviews are positive. Avoid negotiating with a seller outside of the eBay platform.
  2. 2
    Be suspicious of unusually low pricing and "deals." When you’re shopping for Longchamp bags, always be wary of pricing that is suspiciously high or low. Depending on the model of your Longchamp, prices typically range from $100-$275. So, if you come across an online listing that has a brand new Longchamp bag listed for $30, steer clear. It’s a fake! [12]
  3. 3
    Ask the seller for the identification number. Before you purchase a Longchamp bag, always ask for the identification number listed on the ‘Made In’ tag. This number can tell you the fine details about a Longchamp bag, including the color, model, and style if you look it up in a standard search engine. If your seller provides you with a fake identification number or–even worse, no number at all–run for the hills! They’re trying to sell you a fake.
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Section 4 of 5:

Different Types of Longchamp Bags

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  1. 1
    Toiletry Pouch The toiletry pouch is one of the smallest bags in Longchamp’s collection. It’s compact, but it can hold a good amount of materials. It is typically priced around $100, but there are more expensive options that come with a strap. The toiletry pouch is great for holding makeup, hand sanitizer, and other everyday essentials. [13]
  2. 2
    Medium Tote Longchamp’s medium tote is great for traveling, especially light day trips, as it can hold larger items like water bottles, cameras and umbrellas. It also helps keep your items dry in the case of rain. It can also be folded into a smaller size if you’re packing light. It is typically priced around $140. [14]
  3. 3
    Large Tote Longchamp’s large tote is also great for traveling, as it can hold larger items than the medium tote. It can fit your laptop, water bottle and other essentials. The large tote can also double as a work bag due to its durability and capacity. It is typically priced around $155. [15]
  4. 4
    Travel Bag The travel bags are high-capacity foldable bags. The small size can hold up to 30 liters (7.93 gallons), while the medium size can hold up to 42 liters (11.095 gallons). You can bring it as a personal item on an airplane, as it fits underneath the seat. It’s great for when you need extra storage on a trip, whether your bag is overweight or you want to split up your items to save room. It is typically priced around $ [16]
  5. 5
    Expandable Travel Bag While the expandable travel bag isn’t as compact as the standard travel bag, it makes up for it with its capacity. The expandable travel bag can hold up to 50 liters (13.21 gallons). It’s a great option for when you’re taking an extended trip and need to bring a lot of items. The expandable travel bag is typically priced around $275. [17]
    • If you choose to expand your expandable travel bag for a flight, it will be classified as your carry-on bag unless you’re able to comfortably fit it under your seat.
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Section 5 of 5:

Why are Longchamp bags so popular?

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  1. The Princess of Wales has been s long-time Longchamp bag wearer. Aside from her, the bag has been sported by celebrities like India Amarteifio from Bridgerton and Natalia Dyer from Stranger Things , making it a popular choice among fans, especially members of Gen Z. Longchamp bags are also a popular choice among members of Gen Z because they can be used as work bags, travel bags, and casual fashion accessories. [18]

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/eNv-LRW-IRU?si=dDwrL60pNGlccpOU&t=96
      2. ↑ https://hbr.org/podcast/2017/08/does-le-pliage-help-or-hurt-the-longchamp-luxury-brand
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/eNv-LRW-IRU?si=l00eGgxaQxntU8Oo&t=107
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/eNv-LRW-IRU?si=_ez_rXbuI-yiY6w0&t=89
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      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/eNv-LRW-IRU?si=YSdA9MFTScxzQlFy&t=69
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      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/jPQQje7b7ac?si=OPteHdIE1w-svTxZ&t=528
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/qJoH_b8Ec0I?si=v2W1XgaDBuSKKIt9&t=253
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/_JHjr7_s5co?si=r48kiE9u-we-Ga8e&t=129
      3. ↑ ​​ https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2021/12/shop-smart-and-stay-safe-season
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/OoocyjFOSOQ?si=KZtsR63HnoXQfRVn&t=59
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/OoocyjFOSOQ?si=cW8h9pYl5oyE-Qzf&t=274
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/OoocyjFOSOQ?si=zoqIGY4Jt1gWEzJC&t=360
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/OoocyjFOSOQ?si=IL6T6pvqqPWcQf0N&t=478
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/OoocyjFOSOQ?si=2p9dmoiA3UtSAkin&t=621
      9. ↑ https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/best-longchamp-bags
      10. ↑ https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2021/12/shop-smart-and-stay-safe-season

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