Solving the Mystery: The Solutions to My Last Blog Post’s Game

In my last week’s blog post, I put your ability to recognize luxury goods to the test with a fun quiz. I showed you a series of images featuring both real and fake luxury items, and asked you to spot the authentic ones. The quiz received an overwhelming response, with many of you taking up the challenge.

Well, the wait is over! In this week’s blog post, I’m excited to share the results of the quiz with you. I’ll reveal the correct answers, as well as provide some insights and tips on how to identify real luxury items from their counterfeit counterparts. So, stay tuned and find out if you were able to ace the quiz!

1. Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 handbag

Distinguishing between a genuine and a fake Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 based on colour alone can be difficult, as the colour of a genuine handbag can change over time and the Damier print can have a green undertone. It is easy to assume that an older or different looking luxury bag is a fake, but this is not always the case.

A bag’s stitching can be a giveaway, as inauthentic ones are often poorly and unevenly stitched and pressed too tightly into the material, making them look cheap.

When examining a Speedy 30, it is important to look for imperfections or inconsistencies as these can be a warning sign. For example, on a fake LV bag, the leather flap of the zip may have extra fabric, and the gold clasp that attaches the flap to the zip may not be as tightly attached as on a real bag.

2. Christian Louboutin pumps

It’s not easy to identify fake Louboutin pumps just by looking at the colour of the sole, as the shade of the iconic red sole has changed slightly over the years. However, the sole of an authentic Louboutin shoe should be made of glossy leather, not plastic.

Also, pay attention to the stamp, with the loop of the “L” almost touching the rest of the letter on an authentic shoe. The sole of a genuine Louboutin shoe should also display the European size number, and half sizes are available, while replicas often come only in full sizes.

3. Gucci belt

To recognise a genuine Gucci belt, look for the leather, which is of a higher quality and has a more matte appearance than the leather of fake ones. Also look for the stitching, which should be straight and without flaws on an authentic GG belt. Finally, pay attention to the colour of the buckle emblem. A real Gucci belt is slightly more bronze than the golden hue of an inauthentic one.

4. Balenciaga Speed trainers

To spot fake Balenciaga Speed trainers, look for the “Balenciaga” lettering on the side of the shoe, as the lettering on fake trainers is usually larger and thinner than on the real ones. Another indication is the central stitching on the back of the shoe, whereas the real ones have deeper stitching and better quality side stitching. In addition, counterfeit Speed trainers lack the famous heel bump, which is a sign of a weaker structure.

5. Cartier Love bracelet

To recognise a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, look for hallmarks such as the engraved name “Cartier” on the clasp. Also check the craftsmanship, as authentic bracelets are made with expert precision and high-quality materials, and misaligned links or uneven engravings are a red flag.

The stamping is another indication. A real Cartier Love bracelet will have crisp, level and easily legible stamping, whereas the counterfeit ones will look uneven and sloppy. The colour of the Love bracelet is also important, as genuine Love bracelets come in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum.

6. Chanel Boy Bag

Spotting a fake Chanel bag can be difficult as imitations can look almost identical to the real thing. The best way is to look for clues on the inside of the bag. However, in some cases, there may be visible differences between a fake and a genuine Chanel Boy Bag.

When examining the bag, pay particular attention to the stitching, pattern and colour of the hardware. Fake Chanel Boy Bags often have more gold hardware than the slightly faded gold chain straps found on the authentic ones. Also examine the leather shoulder strap and the two adjustable buttons. On a real Chanel Boy Bag, the buttons should be on the left side, while on imitations they may be on the right.

Results

Last week’s results show that it was particularly difficult to distinguish between Balenciaga Speed trainers and Gucci belts, with the votes evenly distributed. However, for all other luxury items, there was a clearer divide in votes, with the majority of participants able to tell the authentic from the fake. Congratulations to everyone who participated, as you all did an excellent job, regardless of how many you got right.

I hope you had fun playing my game last week about spotting real vs fake luxury items. It was a great opportunity to test your knowledge and challenge your senses. Now that the game is over, I would love to hear about your experience. Did you do well? Do you still remember what you voted for each item? Let me know in the comments section below.

Don’t let my blog posts pass you by!

Catch up on all the latest content below!

• Chic on a Budget: Exploring the World of Preowned Luxury Fashion
• Friends Spill the Tea on Preowned Luxury Fashion
• Shop Smarter, Not Harder: A Guide to Buying Preowned Luxury Items
• Spot the Difference: Can You Tell Real Luxury from Counterfeit?