Detecting a fake Michael Kors purse requires paying attention to details and recognizing the fake’s lack of handwork. Other obvious signs are easy to spot once you know what to look for in the different parts that go into the making of this superior designer handbag. Here are 11 ways to tell if your Michael Kors purse is fake or real.
1. Check the Material
The majority of genuine Michael Kors purses are usually made of Saffiano leather (with crosshatch pattern), which is heavy and durable. Originals are structured and sturdy, whereas synthetics are often floppy and soft. Genuine Saffiano leather usually has a slight sheen to it as well. Please keep in mind, nevertheless, that not all authentic Michael Kors purses are made with high-quality genuine leather. Many Michael Kors handbags are also made of synthetic materials or a combination of synthetic and leather materials.
Many counterfeit Michael Kors purses are made of pleather or other poor leather compared to Saffiano leather. Although the outside of the purse is usually textured, it folds easily, and some handbags might have wrinkles either on the front or back as a result of wrong storage.
Genuine Michael Kors leather bags will undoubtedly smell rich and earthy. So, if the purse smells like plastic and doesn’t have any polished look or smooth texture, it is most likely a forgery.
One of the most important considerations when determining the authenticity of a Michael Kors purse is the material. To ensure that your leather handbag is real, you can compare it with other authentic leather bags or refer to guides such as what materials are used for waterproof footwear to see if the material is genuine and of high quality.
2. Check the Two Official Metal Logos
Michael Kors usually employs two logos: the enlarged logo and the circle emblem.
The Enlarged Logo
The enlarged version must be accurately cut with sharp edges and uniformly spaced letters. Fake versions of this expanded logo usually stand out more out of the leather, whereas genuine logos are flawlessly centered and engrained into the leather.
The Michael Kors Circle Symbol
Genuine Michael Kors purses may have the MK logo emblazoned on a hanging metal ring. In addition, the logo can sometimes be written on the purse itself. What’s more, logo hardware should be heavy and significant, not feel like cheap coated plastic or flimsy.
Lean in for a deeper inspection at the Michael Kors lettering embossed on various pieces of craftsmanship. Also, check if the “Michael Kors” text is perfectly centered underneath the “MK” of the logo on the silvery or metallic logo.
Take note of the “MK” details within the MK logo. If the metal corners appear droopy and unimpressive, the purse is most likely a forgery. The genuine Michael Kors logo will always be made with sharp, incredible metal fabrication edges.
3. Check The Logo Heat Stamps
Original Michael Kors purses, with the exception of reversible bags, have two tiered heat stamps of the letter “MICHAEL MICAHEL KORS,” which are well pressed and suitably organized, with even spacing of the texts. Fake Michael Kors purses usually have lower-quality heat stamps with illegible and badly aligned texts. They also use the Michael Kors logo, which is usually located on authentic Michael Kors purses rather than bags.
Although Michael Kors retail bags frequently showcase delicately pressed heat stamps, it is not the only attribute that can be used to determine a bag’s authenticity. Greenwich totes and bags are now available with hardware rather than heat stamps.
4. Inspect The Manufacturing Tag
Genuine tags are usually made of high-quality leather, nylon, or gel and carry the name of the manufacturing nation as well as the style number. So, if the tag mentions a country apart from Vietnam, Italy, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, or Turkey, it is most likely a forgery.
The code just underneath this information is made up of two letters that distinguish the manufacturer where the bag was made. And this two-letter coding is typically followed by a hyphen and four numbers that indicate the bag’s production date. For instance, “1511” denotes that the purse was created in November of 2015.
To ensure that your Michael Kors purse is authentic, inspect the manufacturing tag inside the bag. This tag should include a model number and a batch number which you can search on the Michael Kors website to confirm authenticity. For more tips on spotting authentic designer bags, read our guide on how to spot fake vs real designer bags.
5. Check The Leather Tag
The older Michael Kors purses have leather tags on the inner lining rather than cloth tags. What’s more, Michael Kors’ word logo is usually heat-stamped on the tag. Besides, the Michael Kors logo, in its entirety or just the initials “MK,” should be displayed. So, make certain that the tag is of high quality and that the positioning and spacing are flawless.
6. Inspect The Lining
The Genuine Michael Kors purses are made of a soft satin mix with leather trimming. So, when you touch the bag, you will notice a smoothness, softness, as well as a delicate rigidity. This characteristic is more likely to be found on Michael Kors outlet bags rather than Michael Kors boutique ones.
Having said that, this is not a broadly accepted rule to follow, since several Michael Kors bags, such as the Greenwich Tote collection, have no lining at all. Furthermore, purses from the Vintage Michael Kors collection are made of simple canvas, but no genuine bag has ever been produced without the logo on the inner lining. So, if you have ever seen one, it is almost certainly a forgery.
Until 2013, some genuine Michael Kors purses were manufactured with the legendary circle logo on the lining, but this is no longer the case. As a result, any purse stating to be a brand-new Michael Kors purse and containing such a logo must be regarded as a forgery. In addition, the fake bags occasionally feature slightly oval logos that appear to be a circle.
The lining’s logo is typically made of polished threads that shine in low-light conditions. On the other hand, the lining of counterfeit bags is shinier than the logo, making it more difficult to see.
Some authentic models from the 2015 collection feature large typefaces of Michael Kors all across the lining, whereas the late 2016 and 2017 collections feature Michael Kors’ writing. Fake Michael Kors purses are more likely to have honeycomb lining and incorrectly positioned logo letters.
7. Check The Stitching
In general, the stitching all around zipper(s) must be straight, nice, even, and smooth, with no uneven intersecting. In fact, the stitching is the most difficult for replicators to replicate. Usually, the stitching on knockoff Michael Kors purses almost always falls short due to the high demand for experienced, qualified workers.
Besides, the lining of a Michael Kors bag pocket is always stitched with double stitching. And at the end of the stitched line, a signature or trademark triangle is sewn.
Don’t forget to inspect the straps on the purse’s side to ensure that they are securely stitched to the bag. Rather than imbalanced, horizontal stitches, look for straight, vertical lines of seam connecting the strap to the purse. What’s more, underneath the buckle, take a glance for a short, horizontal line of four stitches.
When examining the stitching of your Michael Kors purse, make sure to look for consistent and even stitching. Any loose or uneven stitching could be a sign of a fake. For more tips on spotting fake designer bags, check out this article on how to spot fake Tory Burch bags, which outlines key things to look out for when assessing authenticity.
8. Check The Handles
A genuine tote’s handle should always be made of top-quality leather and should not wrinkle all around the foam tube. Four even and flawlessly proportioned stitches beneath the handle hardware are also another delicate clear indication. Although counterfeit Michael Kors purses do have the four stitches, they are mostly sloppy.
9. Inspect The Zippers
The zippers on genuine Michael Kors bags usually feature a metal finish and are typically equipped with an enlarged zipper pull. In addition, the zipper on an original Michael Kors purse always ends before the leather tab, meanwhile the zipper on a counterfeit one generally tucks into it. Fake zipper pulls will also have a rounded logo and be made of cheap plastic with a metal finish. Chipping, flaking, and breaking are all more likely with this type of fake pull.
When inspecting the zippers of a Michael Kors purse, make sure to check for the manufacturer’s name, brand logo, and the overall quality. If you’re unsure of what to look for, check out this guide on how to spot fake North Face jackets and apply the same principles to your inspection of the zippers on your Michael Kors purse.
10. Check The Hardware
All Michael Kors bags’ hardware is made as a single piece, with the trademark clearly embossed and smooth finished. Besides, the hardware will be all-metal. It is substantial and mirror-polished, with no cracks, flakes, or chips.
11. Check The Straps
An authentic Michael Kors purse has an adjustable strap with very well-bored gaps for buckle adjustments. In general, the straps have heavy, strong metal buckles with the embossed Michael Kors logo on the side.
Fake Michael Kors purses often have a far longer shoulder strap than genuine bags. Furthermore, the gaps are not punched the same distance apart, and there are also fewer holes than on the authentic Michael Kors purses. Lastly, the buckles are lightweight and do not have the embossed logo.
Michael Kors purses made recently, on the other hand, use buckles, grommets, and clasps while the majority of the shoulder straps on the newer models are detachable.
Hope with these tips, you can differentiate between a fake and real Michael Kors purse to avoid wasting your money on a counterfeit one.
