Chloe handbags are some of the most premium and desired bags on the market. Fashion-forward, classy and timeless, these bags are not only an accessory but an investment. By ensuring your bag is a legitimate designer piece, you guarantee resale value and save yourself from overspending on an imitation.
Visit your bag. Go to a store that you know to be selling authentic top-quality Chloe handbags, and take a close look at the item. Note the details of stitching, placement of identification tags and the serial numbers; you can even request to see the dust bag. Arm yourself with a physical description of the Chloe bag you wish to authenticate. If you are not able to locate a retail store, have a look at the official website or the archives of well-known fashion magazines. Printing out detailed images from the official Chloe website is a good way to establish your reference point.
Consider the source of your Chloe bag. Where you buy your Chloe bag can be the first indicator of its authenticity. Being offered a money-back guarantee, store receipt or authenticity card does not ensure you are buying an authentic Chloe. If you are considering buying from an online source or a site that offers bidding, find out how many bags are for sale, and if possible, read the satisfaction surveys of previous customers. If your seller has a large number of the same item for sale, this should raise some red flags. If you are buying in person, comparing the seller's name to an original (nonhandwritten) receipt can be a good way to authenticate the bag. Make a call, and ask for the record of purchase.
Check the dates of your bag's release. If you are authenticating a Chloe bag from a past collection, ask the seller when she acquired the bag. If the collection is no longer for sale, this can give you a good idea of the answer you should expect to receive if the bag is a legitimate Chloe.
Find out the different variations of the Chloe bag you wish to purchase. During different seasons and different years, Chloe releases particular colors and designs. If the seller claims the bag you are considering buying comes from a certain era, make sure the design was offered in that shape and style during that particular collection.
Examine the bag for authenticity. Compare your notes on the authentic bag to the Chloe you are authenticating. Everything should match, from the placement of brand names and details to the type of stitching and the angles of the material. If you took photographs from the website or store, you should compare them to reinforce your conclusions. Fake Chloe bags can be very convincing, and it will help if you examine minor manufacturing traits, like the positioning of key holes if the bag has a lock, the exact angles of the stitching and the type of fabric lining.
If you are still not sure if your Chloe bag is authentic, take it on a visit to a Chloe store. If you are able to bring the bag in to an authorized retail shop for a second opinion, it is a good way to clear up any doubt about whether your bag is real or a fake. If you have recently purchased the bag and have a money-back guarantee, be sure to do this before that guarantee expires.
Tip
Ask a friend for a second opinion when authenticating a Chloe bag; ask if they notice any details that you may have missed.
Writer Bio
W. Nicole Barclay has been writing and editing professionally since 2004, focusing on the fashion and retail industry. She graduated from Parsons the New School for Design and holds a Bachelor of Science in history, international affairs and archeology from Northeastern University. She has completed master's degree work in public policy and nonprofit administration at Northeastern University and The American University in Cairo.