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How can you tell if the Gucci shoes that you are about to buy online are authentic? Some of the most widely imitated shoes on the market, CNBC reported in November 2019 that even products sold on luxury consignment store The RealReal are counterfeits.
The only way to be 100% sure you won’t end up with a pair of knockoffs is to buy your flats, slides, or sneakers from an authorized Gucci retailer like Farfetch, Neiman Marcus, or Nordstrom.
Gucci bag legit guide. Ultimate gucci buying guide: introduction; bag material; serial number (vintage) & gucci font; serial number (round tags – 90s) serial number (rectangular tags – contemporary) exterior details; hardware; zipper; lining; seams; vintage bags & gucci accessory collection; outlet bags ‘gucci plus’ case study: real vs. All modern Gucci bags have a number debossed into a leather tab in the interior of the bag. This number is often referred to as a 'serial number', however: 1. It is more accurate to label this number as a 'style number' and 'supplier number'. It looks fake to me-because there are no stripes.I have not seen a gucci hat without stripes before-although it could exist-there is normally the signature gucci stripes. Also like the other person said, check the serial number and look around online to try to see if you can find an authentic version of it.
Follow these 11 simple steps to ensure that you don’t end up with a pair of fake slides or sneakers. Also, make sure you check out our guide showing how to identify scam websites and how to tell if a belt is authentic.
1. Know your Gucci boxes inside out
Despite passing through the hands of one talented designer after another, the iconic Gucci boxes did not change much over the years. To this day, there are only two known box designs used by the brand: the black and white version, and the iconic brown one.
Make sure you know how to tell real Gucci shoes from fakes
For the former, the entire box should be in black apart from the cover. The cover will have a black frame around the white part which makes the packaging look more seamless.
A delicate ‘Gucci’ logo is typically placed on the bottom area. The white part should be stark and should feel slightly corrugated.
James Corden on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills shopping at the Gucci store on October 12, 2018
The brown box should have the ‘Gucci’ logo printed on the center of the cover. Most fake boxes use a tightly-spaced logo or print it too big – the original one will always look sophisticated.
The ‘GG’ emblem is embossed in a chain-like pattern all over the box. The box should feel strong and not flimsy.
2. Inspect the dust bags
As with the boxes, Gucci dust bags also come in black and white or brown. Dust bags are a bit harder to distinguish since they have changed several times over the years.
If you come across a dust bag that is unfamiliar, always check for the following: quality material, accurate print, alignment, and stitching. Luxury goods should get all of these perfectly.
Hilary Duff spotted Christmas shopping at the Gucci store in Beverly Hills, California, on December 16, 2016
The newer dust bags are usually white with black drawstrings. A small ‘Gucci’ logo should be on a gray background with a black frame. The material of the bag should be satin-like.
Authentic Gucci products should come with two dust bags (one for each shoe). Counterfeit Gucci usually includes only one.
3. Check the details of the sticker label
The sticker label on the box should match the details of your purchase. Most counterfeiters won’t bother changing the information so make sure to check this thoroughly.
An authentic Gucci label typically includes a serial number, description or model name, color, size, barcodes, and a line drawing of the product. Watch out for labels that have actual product pictures or handwritten information on them.
The label on the side should not be plastered on a separate piece of paper. It should be stuck directly onto the box.
4. Check for a Firenze 1921 card
Some Gucci shoes come with a Firenze 1921 card. These are brown cards with the ‘Gucci’ logo printed in yellow gold at the center and ‘Firenze 1921’ right underneath it.
Gucci Firenze 1921 card indicating authenticity
The ‘GG’ logo pattern is embossed across the card.
5. Familiarize yourself with quality material
It goes without saying that luxury goods connoisseurs should know quality materials from afar. The big two are hardware and leather.
Go window shopping and acquaint yourself with the feel, smell, and look of authentic leather. Know the weight and shine of quality hardware versus painted plastic ones. Read up, ask, and seek different kinds of luxury materials.
Gucci shoes are made from luxury materials
6. Know good construction
Luxury goods cost a lot of money for a reason. Apart from quality material, the main difference between originals and counterfeits can be easily spotted in their construction.
One of the basic things you must familiarize yourself with is stitching. Gucci prides itself on accurate construction so expect the stitching to be perfect. Be wary if you spot even one stitch out of place.
The stitching and lining of Gucci shoes should be perfect
Another thing to watch out for is glue. Luxury goods typically do not use glue and are instead stitched together from start to finish.
7. Check the lining
Counterfeit shoes often skimp on quality lining materials. An original Gucci shoe’s inside lining should be made of supple leather.
Meticulously inspect the logo for any sloppy lines or bleeding corners. The print should be crisp and clean. The bottom should always say “made in Italy” in lowercase.
8. Look for the 8-digit serial number
Each style has a corresponding serial number tucked somewhere within the shoe. It is comprised of two things: a six-digit style number and the sizing (eight numbers in total).
For sneakers, the number can usually be found at the heel of the lining. In some cases for women’s shoes, it could be outside of the sole just above the sizing number.
Double-check the shoebox label. The numbers should match the ones embossed on the shoe.
9. Get familiar with the Gucci stripes
One Gucci trademark that is habitually ripped off is their iconic stripes. The green and red hues are very unique: a Ferrari red stripe runs across the middle of forest green stripes. The width of the green stripes should be about 3/4 inch wide on each side.
Gucci Serial Number Search
Get to know Gucci’s iconic stripes
Some counterfeiters are sloppy when it comes to getting the colors right. Fakes usually have brighter greens and reds.
If you come across merchandise that uses glossy or loud textures for the stripes, be wary. Gucci typically renders their iconic stripes in a matte and muted manner.
10. The sole matters
For dress shoes, the soles are usually made of authentic leather. Knockoffs typically have soles wrapped in synthetic material.
Gucci’s soles are made of authentic luxurious leather
You can usually find the ‘GUCCI’ logo, ‘Made in Italy’ mark and the shoe size on the soles. Less traditional designs, however, may vary.
11. Be a smart shopper
Even the brightest of bright minds fall prey to ill-intentioned eBay sellers. Always buy from accredited vendors to avoid counterfeit goods from arriving at your doorstep.
Study official merchandise photos at Gucci’s official website and compare the item you are eyeing.
Have good discernment on the pricing. If a pair is originally priced at $400 is being sold for $89.99, it is likely fake. Watch out for items that come in high inventory as well.
It's important to know whether the Gucci bag you're holding is an authentic Italian luxury item or a cheap knockoff. Read our tips to find out more.
Gucci is “the hot bag right now,” says Alexandra Ridolfi of A Second Chance Couture. “If we have the newer ones, they fly off the shelves.” Since 2015, when designer and creative director Alessandro Michele first sent his youthful, fanciful visions down the Gucci runway, the 96-year-old brand is once again fashion’s darling.
But long before Michele, this heritage brand was a favorite of counterfeiters. The brand’s 2016 partnership with Trevor Andrew, a.k.a. GucciGhost, who made his name tagging New York City with his own take on the iconic Gucci logo, raised some eyebrows at the company — until it raised sales.
“The Real bag (above) was a rather clever take on the ever-growing market for counterfeit goods,” says Julie Zerbo, founder and editor in chief of the Fashion Law website. “It’s always interesting to see the law make its way onto the runway because, to be frank, the creative aspects do not exist in a vacuum, completely separate from legal and branding concerns.”
And what about your purchasing concerns? To help you avoid falling victim to the purveyors of fakes, we’ve compiled expert advice on identifying imposter Gucci bags.
Gucci Wallet Serial Number
Top: An authentic controllato card. Photo via ebay. Bottom: A fake card and accompanying materials from a site for replica Gucci bags.
![Gucci wallet serial number Gucci wallet serial number](/uploads/1/1/8/5/118509865/505800194.jpg)
Controllato Card
The controllato card comes with every new Gucci bag, evidence the bag was inspected after completion. (Controllato means “checked.”) While every new genuine Gucci bag will have one, its existence does not authenticate the item.
Counterfeiters who can copy a leather bag can also duplicate a simple paper tag. And it is simple; real controllato cards have the Gucci logo in the center, below that the word “controllato” in lower case letters and below that are the numbers 1234567890. Then again, a fake might have this, too.
Made where? Be suspicious If you can’t read a stamp. And note the boxier “G” and “C” fonts on the real tag at top.
Gucci Tag
Inside a Gucci bag, there should be a leather tag stamped with ®, Gucci and “made in Italy.” Check this stamp it carefully for the correct font, spacing, spelling and positioning (generally centered). Also, keep in mind clarity of the stamp itself; real Gucci heat stamps are clear and even, not muddled.
Serial Number
The serial number is on the reverse side of the leather Gucci tag. It’s usually made up of two numbers, one atop the other. (It may also be formatted in one continuous line.) On top is the style number and below is the supplier code. The number “corresponds to a style,” explains Ridolfi. “If you Google that number and what comes up is a totally different bag, that’s a red flag.”
For example, “if you have a hobo, and when you search for that number you get a wallet, clearly something is off.” The serial number should include a total of between 10 to 13 numbers. Because these are heat-stamped into the leather, they present a good opportunity for to assess quality. As with the tag, if the stamp is uneven, sloppy or hard to read, it’s time to reconsider.
For Gucci, every bit of hardware is a branding opportunity — one that won’t be wasted with sloppy, imperfect engraving. Image courtesy of E-Collectique Luxury Resale
Hardware
Cheap hardware is a common indicator of a replica Gucci bag. Real Gucci hardware is sturdy, solid metal, and most pieces — from the snaps to the zipper — are cleanly engraved with “Gucci.” Fake hardware may be lightweight, chipped, flakey or even rusted. Restorers are extremely careful with real Gucci hardware. “You would never want to put real Gucci hardware on a fake bag,” explains Anthony “Tony” Rago, of Rago Brothers Shoe and Leather Repair.
Know Your Gucci
Gucci offers a bounty of styles, which can make it especially challenging to spot a fake. Spend time on the website or in a boutique familiarizing yourself with what’s available and, importantly, with the details of each bag.
“You can find a really junkie one, and think, ‘How could someone have said this was a Gucci!?’” says Rago. Unfortunately, it’s not always so obvious. The pros look for everything from the stitching to “how the edges of the straps are folded or put together, as well as the length or width of the strap.” Counterfeiters use common penny-pinching tricks, too. For example? “They’ll cheat and put hardware on one side only to save money.”
(Article reviewed on the 9th of September, 2020)