Dooney & Bourke, established in 1975 by Peter Dooney and Frederic Bourke, is renowned for fashionable bags that have become equated with unrivaled quality and exquisiteness.
While Dooney & Bourke originally only sold colorful belts and straps, it soon expanded to provide a handbag line in 1981, with the official launch of the iconic tack case and equine bag.
The legendary All-Weather leather bag, which showcased the brand’s trademark duck logo with an engraved leather font, was launched in 1983.
Dooney & Bourke bags are still very widely known, with celebrities such as Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts wearing them. Fake Dooney & Bourke bags, like most other famous designer handbags with large followings, are on the rise.
According to an article from the South China Morning Post published in April 2019, fake imported products are valued at a truly astonishing US$509 billion, and it has become more and more difficult to distinguish forgery purses from genuine ones.
If you are wondering how to tell if your Dooney & Bourke bag is genuine, there are several ways to tell the difference.
One of the most vital things to keep in mind is to do a lot of research before buying a Dooney & Bourke bag, particularly if it is from a used store.
Whereas a lot of secondhand resellers go to incredible lengths to authenticate their Dooney & Bourke bags, phony variants can look almost exactly like the original ones.
Key Takeaways
- Imitation Dooney & Bourke bags might look almost identical to the genuine ones, so be cautious when searching for these bags.
- The Dooney & Bourke website, Dillard’s, QVC, Amazon, and Zappos are all popular and trustworthy ways to buy authentic Dooney & Bourke bags.
- When purchasing or selling Dooney & Bourke bags, consider the stitching and craftsmanship of the bag, including straight lines, zipper stitching, and matching tag stitching.
- Logos should be obvious and crisp, and tag stitching should be the same color as the bag.
- Purchase Dooney & Bourke items through approved channels such as the Dooney & Bourke website or authorized merchants to assure that it is 100% real.
- If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a Dooney & Bourke bag, you can examine resources like the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) or seek the advice of a professional.
And here are some simple ways to tell if what you are looking at is genuine:
Inspect The Stitching Carefully
If the seams on the logo label are not the same color as the rest of the bag’s stitching, it is highly probable a forgery.
Remember to look carefully because some really great fake Dooney & Bourke bags use seams that are just a color or two off from the rest of the bag’s stitching that seems very comparable to the remainder of the genuine Dooney & Bourke bag’s stitching.
The sewing quality must also include normal and clean stitching in parallel lines. Any clumsy sewing is actually a dead giveaway that the bag is not genuine.
Keep an Eye on The Hardware
Genuine Dooney & Bourke bags are made with the highest quality materials, including legitimate and premium brass for all brass hardware, such as button fasteners and zippers.
You will also be able to tell straight away if the Dooney & Bourke bag is a copycat by feeling the weight of the brass hardware, since counterfeits are typically made of lightweight materials that appear flimsy or effortlessly show evidence of rust and corrosion.
If The Price Appears to Be Too Good to Be True, It Most Likely Is Fake
Dooney & Bourke items typically range in price between $60 and $800.So, if you see a Dooney & Bourke handbag being sold at a lower price and it is not from one of the licensed sellers, it is a dead giveaway that the bag is a forgery.
A lot of people who deliberately purchase counterfeit bags rationalize their buying because of the far lower price points, so if the price of a Dooney & Bourke bag just seems too high for you, keep an eye out for seasonal promotional campaigns by the authorized dealers for amazing bargains.
I Love Dooney sells discounted bags, and there are also Dooney & Bourke retailers, factory stores and all across the country.
Take A Look At The Handbag’s Trim
Although it may appear to be a minor detail, the trim on a bag is one of the simplest ways to tell if your Dooney & Bourke bag is a cheap imitation.
Almost all authentic Dooney & Bourke bags have trims made of the brand’s signature British tan leather, so if the trim just looks and feels cheap or of poorer quality, be cautious.
The leather trim must match the color scheme of the bag’s handle, just like the seams and stitching.
Check The Serial Number As Well As The Guarantee Card
Whereas classic Dooney & Bourke bags would not have these features, all brand new Dooney & Bourke bags must come with a guarantee card.
This card comes with a one-year satisfaction guarantee, a serial number, and a verification guarantee.
Look for a white, blue, and red fabric tag with the words ‘Dooney & Bourke’ on it in the interior of the bag.
Turn that tag over to reveal the bag’s exceptional ID number, which you could use to sign up your bag on Dooney & Bourke’s official website.
You will then be required to put out all of these specifics, after which the bag’s authenticity will be affirmed and validated.
If you can’t find the bag’s ID number, you could also use the bag’s distinctive SKU code to search for the bag style on the Dooney and Bourke’s official website and see whether it matches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dooney & Bourke Bags
Is there a Dooney & Bourke store nearby?
The answer is definitely yes. 17 different factory stores can be found in New York, California, Nevada, Washington, Florida, Texas, Maine, Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, and Illinois. The majority of authentic Dooney & Bourke retail stores stock a full line of Dooney & Bourke products, including accessories, wallets, and bags.
Where are Dooney & Bourke bags manufactured?
Since Dooney & Boruker’s inception in 1975, the brand has been producing bags in Norwalk, Connecticut, with a group of designers and craft workers. Several manufacturers has also been outsourced. Besides, a lot of original Dooney & Bourke bags and purses are produced in Puerto Rico, Italy, as well as China.
Is Dooney & Bourke able to repair bags and purses?
Yes, the brand would repair any worn or broken accessories and bags. The repair cost might not be more than half of the current sale price for that style.
Is it true that I Love Dooney sells genuine bags?
The answer is absolute yes. I Love Dooney is a shop that sells genuine accessories and bags. Dooney & Bourke owns the website, and all items offered are covered by the basic one-year guarantee.
Is there a lifetime warranty from Dooney & Bourke?
There is no such thing as a lifetime guarantee. Whereas all items are designed to last a lifetime, the warranty only covers one full year of regular use.
What should I do if I’m unsure about the authenticity of a Dooney & Bourke bag?
If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a Dooney & Bourke bag, you can consult resources such as the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) or seek the opinion of an expert in the field. You can also purchase through authorized channels to ensure that you’re getting a genuine product.
How can I report counterfeit Dooney & Bourke merchandise?
You can report counterfeit Dooney & Bourke merchandise to the company by contacting them at (800) 347-5000 or through their website. The company actively prioritizes fighting counterfeit products and appreciates any assistance in this effort.