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Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Don’t get duped! How to spot a fake Hermès bag!
If you’re wondering how to authenticate your Hermès bag or how to spot a real vs a fake Hermès bag keep reading. When shopping for Hermès bags, especially pre-owned, checking for authenticity is key. Replicas keep getting better and better and with so many fakes out there, it’s crucial to know how to spot a genuine Hermès piece. I recommend buying only from places that offer a lifetime authenticity guarantee. However, even then it’s good to check for yourself as well known companies, I won’t name names but you can Google, have let fakes slip through the cracks. So I’m sharing expert tips and tricks on how to tell if it’s a real Hermès and help you authenticate your Hermès bag and wallets with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time buyer, it’s always good to learn more.
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5 ways to authenticate your Hermès bag and tell if it’s real or fake
How do I know if my Hermès bag is authentic? Here are some essential tips and steps on how to authenticate a Hermès bag and to tell if it’s real or not. With the rise of counterfeit products, knowing how to spot a fake Hermès is crucial when investing in a bag, wallet or leather goods that you didn’t purchase from an Hermès boutique.
I’m covering key features to look for to tell if your Hermès is real, including:
- Quality craftsmanship and materials.
- Identifying authentic logos and stamps.
- Common signs of counterfeit Hermès bags.
Whether you’re considering a purchase or just want to learn more about Hermès authentication, I’m sharing valuable tips and insights to help spot a real vs fake Hermès bag.
1. How tell if your Hermès is real? Check the stitching
Hermès wallets, handbags and leather goods are hand-stitched using saddle stitch which is a small, regular, and slightly angled stitch. It’s the stitch on which the Hermès reputation is based. It can’t be replicated by a machine, as it requires two needles simultaneously passing through the same seam which makes it harder to fake.
The major benefit of the saddle stitch is that if it’s done correctly it will never unravel. Fakes are typically machine-sewn with a straight stitch, have matching stitching or loose threads are also a dead give away that it’s a fake.
2. Quality leather and hardware
Hermès quality isn’t just limited to the leather but also the hardware. Your zipper should run smoothly, the snap and the clasp should be easy to use and neither the leather nor the hardware should peel, look or feel like plastic.
3. Check the Hermès heat stamp
There are a few things to look for with the Hermès heat stamp and it should look like the photo below:
- Everything should be in capital letters.
- The text should be center justified.
- Each line should get progressively smaller.
- Check the grahve over the E is going in the right direction.
- In the word FRANCE on the last line, the R and the A are connected if you look closely.
4. How to tell if a Hermès bag is real | Check the wheels
Like I said, it’s sometimes the smallest details that get overlooked on fakes vs the real deal. Check the wheels on the carriage pictured on your dust bag and box. The front right wheel has 10 spokes and is slightly smaller than the rear wheel which has 12 spokes.
5. Does it have an Hermès date stamp
The Hermes date stamp has been on every real Hermès piece since 1945. So if you have Hermés leather goods produced after that date and it’s missing this, the chances are it’s a fake.
More ways to tell if your Hermès is real
There are other ways to check if your Hermès bag is authentic or not. Some more good ‘How to tell if your Hermès is real’ guides include Madison Avenue Couture, Christie’s and Legit Grails. If in doubt try to take it for a second opinion at either an Hermès boutique, Pawn shop or anywhere else that offers an Hermès authenticity check.
I hope this has helped you confidently authenticate your Hermès bags and avoid any fakes.
Shop pre-loved/pre-owned Hermès bags
These are some of the most trusted reseller stores for Hermès bags:
