Most brands in the fashion industry cannot stand fake copies of their bags. However, Prada believes replicas of its products are flattering.
As fashion enthusiasts, our heart skips a beat at the sight of Prada! We're obsessed with the high-end genuine Prada bags, including tote bags, wallet purses, satchels, and shoulder bags, which always stay in style.
And let's be real: we all want to carry original Prada bags, not fake ones.
Unfortunately, fake designer bags are unavoidable since everyone wants Prada, but not everyone can afford it. Everything about the original Prada bags is good, except the cost.
Want to know how to tell apart an original Prada from a fake one? Keep reading to know more about them and how to spot them.
How to Spot a Fake Prada Bag?
Even a preloved Prada bag comes at a high cost. To ensure you do not waste your hard-earned money on fake bags, our experts have compiled a list of 5 ways to spot a fake Prada bag.
1) Prada Logo
Prada is a popular high-end fashion brand with a very distinct logo! It is difficult for people to spot fake Prada bags by just looking at them. So, to help you with that, here is what you need to look for.
We all know that most minimalistic Prada bags have logos as the only form of branding.
If you spot an inverted triangle plaque attached to the exterior along the bottom seam on one of the side panels or near the top opening, it's Prada!
This inverted triangle logo is a defining characteristic of the bag's originality. It includes four lines: Prada (brand name), Milano (city of origin), DAL 1913 (year of origination), and the coat of arms.
The triangle plaque is very carefully secured in an authentic Prada bag. It should sit flat and tight, and you should not be able to lift its edges, wiggle it, or remove it.
2) Brand Lettering
Most luxury brands have a monogram or an archive of signature symbols, but Prada does not. This high-end luxury fashion brand is known for its distinctive design, which is carefully placed on the bags' interior lining, the triangle logo plaque, and the hardware.
Replicating every little detail of the logo is difficult, so you should have a keen eye for the Prada bag's logo letters. If they are slightly bigger or smaller than usual, it's a red flag.
The placement of these original elements is consistent in all the products. The tail of the letter "R" is longer, the letter "A" lacks a tail on the top, and the letters in "Milano" have equal spacing.
To wrap up the logo examination, look for small bolts used to secure the bag's plaque. Traces of glue or missing engravings indicate that the bag in hand is FAKE.
3) Hardware
Gold-toned or silver-toned are the typical two colors for all the hardware used on Prada, including buckles and external additions. Do note that Prada never mixes hardware colors on a real bag.
Check the zipper, clasp, grommet and bottom feet. All should be toned in one color, either gold or silver, and the color should be consistent throughout the bag. A combination of gold and silver hardware is an obvious tell of a fake bag.
The bag's zippers always have PRADA engraved unless they have a leather or nylon pull. However, there are other places where the zippers are marked on an original Prada bag. Prada mostly makes these zipper pulls but sources the actual zippers from manufacturers such as LAMPO, YKK, Riri, Opti and Ipi.
Authentic Prada bags will have the name of one of these manufacturers engraved on them if you flip over the zipper slide. There are noticeable differences in the shapes when comparing a Prada bag with a fake bag. The original zipper curves slightly upwards where the loop is attached.
Don't fall for it even if the seller says that this is a vintage Prada bag and they used to make it this way in the past.
In a brand new, original Prada bag, the hardware will be solid, covered for protection, and securely attached to the bag. Dents or chips on the metal indicate low-quality materials used to make the replica.
4) Quality Assurance Tag
The white square label on the Prada bag is the quality assurance tag, which is sewn near the bottom seam inside the bag with a precise stitching pattern. This factory tag features two or three digits indicating where it was made and that the final product has passed the strict quality test.
Additionally, the absence of a QAT indicates that the Prada bag is a fake. However, forgers have perfected their practices to include this tag over the years. So, while the tag should be an important method to check for Prada authenticity, you should use it with other indicators on this list.
5) The Brand Stamp
The brand stamp on a genuine Prada bag changes, reflecting when the bag was made. On a vintage Prada bag, this stamp should be two lines (PRADA on the first, and MILANO on the second) or three lines (PRADA on the first, MILANO on the second, and MADE IN ITALY on the third).
However, the brand stamp on newer releases has two lines: PRADA on the first and MADE IN ITALY on the second. Sometimes, MADE IN ITALY is placed on the interior lining of the bag's pocket. If you spot a bag with more than three lines, it's fake.
Final Words!
The forgers have practiced making fake Prada bags since the brand's existence, and they have gotten better over time, which is why it is challenging to distinguish an original Prada bag from a counterfeit bag.
Experts believe the placement of the logo on the bags is key because it is the only form of branding that highlights Prada’s otherwise minimalistic bags.
This designer bag has many elements that can help you identify an authentic Prada bag and avoid being scammed. The letter "R" has a signature tail in an original Prada Bag, while "A" has this on the top.
The original letters are engraved with high precision, thicker and closer. Also, the zipper is curvier, and the solid hardware is in the same color, gold or silver.
Worry not if you still need help separating an original Prada bag from a fake one. We have an expert team that can help. All you need to do is provide some photos, and our team will confirm whether the Prada bag is real or fake.
FAQs
Where can I find the serial number on my Prada bag?
When you purchase an original Prada bag, you receive a sealed authenticity card in a black envelope embossed with the branded logo. You will find a plastic authenticity card inside the envelope, just like a credit card, with a serial number printed. This card has all the important information, such as model, location, and date of purchase, which can be cross-checked on the Prada website.
How do you authenticate an old Prada bag?
All Prada bags come with an authenticity card and a care booklet. The authenticity card contains important information, such as the serial number. Moreover, vintage Prada bags come with a navy dust bag with a gold Prada logo.
Does a real Prada bag have a made-in-China tag?
Prada products are manufactured in Italy and China, so a real Prada purse can have a tag made in China. Leather bags are made in Italy, while nylon bags are usually made in China. Around twenty percent of the bags are made in China since the embossed jacquard nylon fabric is outsourced there.
How can you spot a fake Prada bag by inspecting the zippers?
The color and quality of the zipper, along with the engraved Prada logo, are the telltale signs of a fake product.
Do all Prada bags have a factory code?
All authentic Prada handbags come with a small white square tag with a sequence of numbers on it—that's the factory code. Some fake Prada Milano bags also have a factory code, so if one is present, that doesn't necessarily mean it's real.
