First off, why are we even talking about this? Well, Chloe totes, especially those Woodys and Fayes (and lets be honest, pretty much ANY Chloe bag) are major status symbols. They’re gorgeous, well-made (usually!), and scream “I have my life together…or at least look like I do.” But that price tag? Ouch. Hence, the thriving fake market.
Now, how do you tell a fake from the real deal? This is where it gets tricky, because the counterfeiters are getting smarter every. single. year.
One thing I always, ALWAYS check is the stitching. That T-shape stitching on the Faye? That’s a dead giveaway. The real deal has consistently dense stitching all over that T shape. Fakes? They’re often sloppy, uneven, or just plain *wrong*. Think about it – if they’re cutting corners on something so visible, imagine what they’re doing *inside* the bag.
Then there’s the ‘Chloe MADE IN ITALY’ engraving inside. For Drew bags (which, admittedly, isn’t a tote, but hey, related enough), the placement of this text is crucial. Fakes often mess up the spacing, the font, or even the spelling (you’d be surprised!). I mean, “Chloee” instead of Chloe? Come on, guys!
And the date code! Don’t forget the date code! It’s usually stamped somewhere inside the bag. The first two digits are supposed to correspond to the month or season it was made. Now, I’m not exactly a date code *expert*, but if it says something like “13”… well, unless they invented a new month, you know something’s up. Do a quick Google search to see what the real date code format SHOULD be for that particular bag and year.
Hardware is another big one. Chloe hardware is usually pretty substantial and feels expensive. The fake stuff often feels light, cheap, and sometimes even tarnished. Look closely at the zippers, clasps, and any metal detailing. Does it feel like it could break if you look at it wrong? Yeah, probably a fake.
But honestly, the best advice I can give? Buy from a reputable source. I know, I know, that’s not always possible, especially if you’re trying to snag a secondhand bag. But seriously, if it seems too good to be true (like, a Chloe Woody for $50 on some random website), it probably is. Use your common sense!
Oh, and a little personal opinion here: some of the Chloe *inspired* bags, the “dupes” if you will, are actually pretty darn cute. I mean, if you can’t afford the real thing, a well-made dupe can be a good option. Just don’t try to pass it off as the real thing! That’s just…tacky.
