What percentage of designer bags are fakes?

[Heidi_x]

So it occured to me that it seems everyone has a Gucci, LV, or YSL on their arms these days, but I just wonder how many of these bags are authentic? I know in theory there is a huge market for fake bags, but I guess it just never occurred to me because I personally, nor my friends, have ever thought of buying one.

So i'm curious to hear people's thoughts - how many of the designer bags you see are inauthentic?

 

[Sferics]

I think it depends on where you try to do this statistic (e.g. Manhattan or a suburb of Munich or Side in Turkey etc.)...and on which brand:
When I look "around" my feeling is 70% of LV are fake but none of Loewe...

 

[Amazona]

Depends on the location, economical situation of the people there and the brands carried.
I've seen Loewe Amazona fakes as well as Mulberry, Chanel, Prada and LV, but the LVs have always been a major brand because of the wide availability.
It's pretty much impossible to say an exact percentage, but once I did some surveying in Helsinki one day and about half of the 15-20 LV bags I saw were obviously fake. I have no idea if the bags that seemed authentic were AA or AAA fakes so the percentage of fakes could have been higher.

 

[papertiger]

All popular models of all brands are faked, same with shoes, accessories, RTW, makeup and scent.

Even cross-brands (as Gucci hack Bal was inspired by) a brand-known specific shape with another's logo.

As for percentages, you'd have to do the maths. Bought doesn't necessarily mean worn so it's hard to tell, and of course fakes are disposed of more quickly.

I am shocked to see how many fakes I see on my very ordinary travels to & fro to work or just for fun. I thought it was amusing to see a guy compliment a girl on her fake LV when sitting opposite her was a woman with a real Saint Laurant (SdJ).

It's not even always mega-buck saving. I've stood next to fake Guess and Longchamps LP bags on the Tube. I mean, why? What's the point? There are some very nice new/preloved bags out there for not much money even if you can't afford a new LP.

 

[babypanda]

I see a lot of fakes carried around in my city. Some of them are hard to tell apart from the real until you get really close. But the one that made my jaw drop was a “birkin 25” with long strap attached to the bag through 2 holes in the leather on each side of the bag. If the strap and holes weren’t there I could have mistaken the bag for a real one as it was black with the small hermes, made in France stamp on the front. (The font was bigger than usual though). But who would drill holes in their birkin

 

[ElectricBoots]

I know there are plenty of fakes out there and I am sure it depends on where you are in the world. However, with sites like the real real and fashionphile luxury fashion is more accessible to many people. I would bet that the majority are not fakes just people having access to and prioritizing their money for luxury purchases.

 

[Joule]

Most of the luxury bags I see in my area are Louis Vuitton, and to be honest, I don't know enough about LV to be able to discern which are real and which are fake.

 

[jellyv]

Many to most, outside of major urban areas. However, this exercise is meaningless to me.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Most of the luxury bags I see in my area are Louis Vuitton, and to be honest, I don't know enough about LV to be able to discern which are real and which are fake.

Same

 

[Cinderelladress]

Mainly see YSL bags out at night in Toronto, and maybe some chanel.

I do side eye those who seem to have a chanel classic flap in every single colour, at the same time.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Mainly see YSL bags out at night in Toronto, and maybe some chanel.

I do side eye those who seem to have a chanel classic flap in every single colour, at the same time.

Why you doubt someone just because they have a variety of colors in a favored style??? tPF alone is is proof that many large collections of one style exist.

 

[Amazona]

Why you doubt someone just because they have a variety of colors in a favored style??? tPF alone is is proof that many large collections of one style exist.

This.

 

[Amazona]

I see a lot of fakes carried around in my city. Some of them are hard to tell apart from the real until you get really close. But the one that made my jaw drop was a “birkin 25” with long strap attached to the bag through 2 holes in the leather on each side of the bag. If the strap and holes weren’t there I could have mistaken the bag for a real one as it was black with the small hermes, made in France stamp on the front. (The font was bigger than usual though). But who would drill holes in their birkin

Someone who really, REALLY wants a long strap and has 20 Birkin 25s at home?

 

[Sunshine mama]

I just assumed everything I saw were real, except one time, I saw a woman carry a Sac Plat PM mono that was obviously a fake.

 

[lill_canele]

Like others have said, depends on location.
My area is relatively well off and I'm pretty sure 99% of them are real. Many of the carriers are wealthy young Chinese students or families. Not hard to spot, haha, they're always wearing designer or at least driving a BMW or Mercedes. Supercars are relatively common, I'll at least see a McLaren or Rolls Royce on the daily. (My neighbors have a Aston Martin ). I'm sadly so used to this that I don't even bat much of an eye. (I do get excited if I see a Brabus or Maybach lol).
Goyard and LV bags are for errand running and grocery shopping (though I'll still see someone carry a Chanel here and there lol).
It is not surprising to see a YSL or Chanel bag on the street or in a shopping mall/plaza. Sometimes a Celine or a Dior. (Where I am, people love Chanel haha, so I do enjoy seeing other bags being carried around. Like the variety .)
At specific locations, also not too hard to see a Birkin or a Kelly.
Many young people in my area are used to growing up with nice things and therefore, buying nice things.