Buying a genuine Hermes Birkin bag
Before purchasing a Hermes Birkin bag it is important to know if the Hermes Birkin bag is a fake.
Hermes Birkin bags are hard to come by, which is why even those that want to purchase a new Hermes Birkin bag are put onto a waiting list.
Many used Hermes Birkin bags are sold for more than the retail price and many are happy to pay these high prices if it is the only way of purchasing a Hermes Birkin bag. If you see a new Hermes Birkin bag sold for just about a couple of thousand dollars it can’t be a genuine Hermes Birkin bag just a good quality fake. A new Hermes Birkin bag sells for $6,000, or more depending on the style and materials used.
Below are tips on how to know if a Hermes Birkin bag is fake or authentic.
Examine the leather on the Hermes Birkin bag closely. If you have doubts about the quality of the leather, it is likely that you are looking at a fake Hermes Birkin bag. Hermes is very particular about the quality of leather they use; quite simply they only use the best leather for Hermes Birkin bags. There should be no flaws or defects on the Hermes Birkin bag.
Examine the shape of the Hermes Birkin bag carefully. The shape of an authentic Hermes Birkin bag is very structured and crisp. It is flat on both the front and the back with no bulges or lines. A fake Hermes Birkin bag will not be as crisp and may have slight bulges.
Look at the overall shape of the Hermes Birkin bag. The genuine article has slightly concave sides, giving the Hermes Birkin bag a hint of a waist. Fakes seem saggy by comparison.
Follow the lines of stitching to inspect the edges. On genuine Hermes Birkin bags these are rolled — that is, they are rounded and slightly fatter than the surrounding leather. Fakes omit this detail entirely. Study the stitching on the Hermes Birkin bag. On an authentic Hermes Birkin bag the stitching will be very even and tight. Also, the stitches on all Hermes Birkin bags are called “saddle stitches.” This is when two stitches cross over each other to create an “X” pattern.
Research Hermes Birkin bags through images that you can find online also catalogues and by observing a confirmed authentic Hermes Birkin bag. This will familiarize you with the look, feel, and even smell of an authentic Hermes Birkin bag and make it easier to discern a genuine Hermes Birkin bag.
Research the Hermes stamp that is present on the Hermes Birkin bag. Compare it to the bag you are trying to identify as fake or real. The stamp, if authentic, should be clearly legible. Research the lettering present on the hardware of the Hermes Birkin and refer your findings to the lettering on the hardware of the Hermes Birkin bag in question. An authentic Hermes Birkin bag will look delicate and intricate but clear. A fake engraving will have a more chiselled look with wider lettering and fonts.
Made in France” stamped on the inside of the Hermes Birkin bag. The stamp is clear and uniform as well. Look inside the Hermes Birkin bag an authentic Hermes Birkin has the words “Hermes Paris, fake handbags will have the same stamp on the inside but the stamp will not be as clear and defined.
Check the linings on the interior of the bag. Quality bags, such as the Hermes Birkin, will have clean seams without frayed edges and no loose seams or protruding pieces of thread.
Examine the hardware on the Hermes Birkin bag. An authentic Hermes Birkin has solid hardware, not hollow. In addition, the engraving on the hardware should be thin and the he letters should be below the surface rather than raised above the surface.
Check all spelling on all printings on the Hermes Birkin bag, including any tags, engravings or stamps. Be sure that the words and brands are spelled correctly. For example, “Hermes” should not be spelled any other way. Another example would be if “Birkin” were spelled “Berkin,” that would be a giveaway that the bag is fake.
Examine the Hermes branding, which you will find printed inside and engraved on the clasps. The quality of the printing and engraving should be excellent on a genuine Hermes Birkin bag with no blotches or spottiness while a fake will appear dingy, spotty or unclear.
Investigate the interior cut-out of the strap on the Hermes Birkin bag and compare it to your research. The seam on a Hermes Birkin bag will be clean and even while a fake will be rough and frayed.
Inspect the Hermes Birkin bags interior. This should be as crisp and well-finished as the exterior. If there is a drop in quality and detailing, then it is undoubtedly a fake.
All New Hermes Birkin bags will come with the signature orange dust bag, older used bags may come with a tan colored dust bag but they stopped producing those a while ago and are rare.