MCM backpacks have been a famous leather premium brand since the 1980s, although the brand has experienced its ups and downs, it has managed to make a perfect comeback in recent years and is now a first-rate brand.
Celebs such as Selena Gomez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber, Karrueche Tran, and Heidi Klum flaunt their MCM backpacks.
So, if you want to get a backpack that looks exactly like MCM’s, it is really crucial to know whether you are purchasing a genuine backpack or a fake one, particularly if you are not buying from the MCM’s official store.
You can identify a phony MCM backpack by looking at specific attributes that only a genuine one has. To determine the bag’s authenticity, you also need to thoroughly inspect it. And these tips will help you easily tell if an MCM backpack is real or fake.
Inspect the MCM Backpack’s Materials
MCM, like any other designer brand backpacks, uses only the highest quality leather. The texture, durability, as well as smell of high-quality leather are clearly recognizable.
Because animal skin is flawed, the rich leather is usually smooth and wonky. It also has a pliable and gentle feel to it. And at last, you can tell if the leather is genuine if it does not smell “manufacturing-made” or “fresh.”
If the leather is harsh, rigid, and smells kind of bad, you are most likely looking at a low-cost counterfeit MCM backpack.
When examining the MCM Backpack, check for the durability of materials used, such as the leather and hardware. If you’re unsure how to differentiate high quality materials from fakes, check out our guide on how to tell if Timberlands are fake or real. This guide provides useful tips to help you determine the authenticity of various materials.
Check the MCM Backpack’s Shape and Size
Checking the shape of the backpack itself is a simple way to immediately decide the authenticity of an MCM backpack. More particularly, you should remain aware of the backpack’s dimensions as well as if the backpack can stand up straight on its own or not.
Genuine MCM backpacks are always made of premium leather and materials, so they will never collapse if you put them straight up, even if they’re some kind of a backpack.
You can simply place the backpack on a level surface with no supports to see whether it can withstand its own weight.
Apart from that, if feasible, get the measurement results of the backpack itself.
You can also quickly find the measurements of the MCM backpack you are buying with a simple Google search. So if the back[ack is either bigger or smaller than mentioned online, consider it a clear sign of a fake MCM backpack.
Keep An Eye Out For The Logo Plate Or Logo
An authentic MCM backpack’s logo is easily recognizable at first glance. However, there are a lot of details in it that fake backpacks frequently miss. You can use these contradictions to evaluate whether or not the backpack is genuine.
In particular, the leaves of the original MCM logo are a good place to start when inspecting the logo. Always keep in mind that there are 8 leaves on the right and 9 leaves on the left. Any less or more is evidence of a phony backpack.
There is also a logo rule that all MCM backpacks follow, which is the MCM title, accompanied by MUNCHEN (from top to bottom) and the bay leaf logo.
Apart from the MCM logo’s design, search for distinctions in print quality as well.
If you are intimately acquainted with the logo on the backpack’s plate, you will easily notice that nothing appears to be too small or too big here.
Fake MCM backpacks might share the same format and design but the logo might be too small, too large, too thin, or too thick.
To determine if your MCM backpack is fake or real, check the logo plate or logo. A real MCM backpack should feature an MCM logo plate that is made of metal and is securely attached to the backpack. If you see a logo that is cheaply made, poorly printed, or not properly affixed, then it may be a fake. Learn more about logos and their importance in design at Hood MWR’s What Color Red and Black Make When Mixed? post.
Check the Accessories and Hardware
When inspecting the hardware of an MCM backpack, you can’t judge its authenticity by checking the quality only. As some of you might know, the premium design brand uses hardware that is simple to differentiate, which is awesome for knowing the difference between a genuine and a spoof.
To begin, inspect the screws that hold the logo plate steady. They are inserted (rather than star-shaped) and detachable from the plate.
But if the screws are just a part of the logo plate, it isn’t an authentic MCM backpack. In addition, you can check the zippers that MCM uses, which are sturdy YKK.
If you can’t differentiate an original and fake MCM backpack with just that, you can always look at the entire quality of the details or hardware.
In fact, designer bags like MCM backpacks have high-quality hardware that is not quickly scratched, will not really peel off the paint, and is typically heavy.
MCM backpacks’ hardware, in specific, has a golden tint, which should be a telltale sign in and of itself.
Search for the Company Label
As the last tip, look for the company label, which can be found on all modern MCM backpacks.
For those who don’t know, when Sungjoo Group acquired the premium brand in 2005, these labels were decided to add. Ever since, these labels have been produced inside the backpacks.
So, if you see the words “Made in Italy” or “Made in Korea,” that’s a positive indication because most authentic MCM backpacks are manufactured in these countries.
Furthermore, if you receive a backpack, it should have these labels, as MCM began launching them after they began adding labels to their apparel.
To ensure you’re buying a genuine product, always check if the manufacturer’s label is present and compare it with the brand’s official website. This method is also useful when verifying the authenticity of your Hunter Boots. For more information, check out our guide to spotting authentic Hunter Boots.
Frequently Asked Questions About MCM Backpacks
What exactly is MCM?
Michael Cromer established MCM Worldwide, a high-end designer label, in 1976 in Munich, Germany. It rose to protrusion in the 1980s and has recently experienced a spike in popularity.
In 2005, the Sungjoo Group, a famous Korean fashion retail multinational corporation, purchased the brand.
What exactly does MCM stand for?
MCM is an abbreviation for “Michael Cromer München.” This is the full title of the MCM Worldwide brand’s initial founder. During the brand’s early days, he worked as a model and actor as well.
Besides, MCM is an abbreviation for “Man-Crush Monday,” a common method to boost social reach when posting images of good looking men on Instagram.
What is the average price of MCM backpacks?
MCM backpacks, like many other famous designer brand backpacks, are pricey. Based on the different types of backpack you choose, only one MCM backpack can cost somewhere between $625 to $1000 or even more.
While MCM backpacks used to be more expensive than comparable Louis Vuitton bags in the 1990s, the brand now provides purses and backpacks at a variety of price ranges.
If a price seems too good to be true, the MCM backpack may be a fake. Authentic MCM backpacks typically cost between $700 to $1,000 depending on the style and materials used. Check out this guide to learn more about spotting fake North Face jackets and ensure you’re getting the real deal on your outdoor gear.
Is MCM less expensive in Korea?
The answer would be yes. You can get a great bargain on authentic MCM backpacks at duty-free retail stores, but the collection is frequently indeed very limited.
Based on an interview with Sung-Joo Kim, the MCM’s owner, published in The Business of Fashion, MCM is the second-largest luxury fashion brand in Korea by sales, trailing only Louis Vuitton.