I got started in the resale industry very young, at the age of 13, selling my mother's old Kate Spade handbags on eBay. After my first sale, I was hooked. There was just something about the quick turnover and the fact that they liquidated very quickly.
From that moment, I was like, "What else can I sell?" I've worked for Rebag, The RealReal, and other vintage consignment stores, and I have 20 years of experience in the resale industry. I've learned strategies that help me identify specific things about luxury bags, from their model to configuration, just by looking at a piece. But here are some things that someone not as experienced with designer bags can look for to determine if the bag they see in a vintage store is authentic.
Symmetry Overall, look for symmetry. Luxury brands take the time to lay out their pieces. For example, the quilting should be centered on a Chanel bag.
Look at the back pocket. The quilting should align with the bag it's sewn to. Then look at the front flap — the quilting should align on the front.
If it is, that's a good indicator that it's authentic. Gucci, for instance, takes the time to align its patterns, which are usually centered. The same is true of Louis Vuitton.
So, look for that alignment. If it's off-center, don't even bother. Hardware You have to ask yourself — does the hardware have a nice weight to it? Does it make a nice sound when you're opening and closing the bag or when you use the zipper? Don't even get me started on the super.