Our handbag specialists are dedicated to sourcing the most desirable Chanel bags from collectors around the world.

If you want to buy vintage designer goods, read our guide on what you should consider before taking the plunge.

Another critical element in how to authenticate a Chanel bag is the hardware. Authentic Chanel bags feature high-quality hardware that is weighty, with engraved logos. The “CC” logo on the lock should be perfectly aligned, with the right C overlapping the left at the top.

Chanel serial numbers vary based on the year the bag was made. Check your serial number against the table below to see when your bag was made:

One of the first steps in learning how to authenticate a Chanel bag is to examine the craftsmanship. Chanel bags are known for their flawless stitching and high-quality materials. The quilting should be symmetrical, and the stitching should be consistent without any loose threads.

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If you'd like a taste of luxury without breaking the bank, opt to borrow a Chanel bag from a subscription service like Cocoon Club. It'll also enable you to try the designs before investing.

While many vintage Chanel handbags may not possess an authenticity card or serial number , it is essential to inspect the quality of material, stitching, logos, and hardware to ascertain authenticity.

All the hardware on an authentic Chanel bag matches inside and out. The iconic logo, zippers, and even the screws that hold the plates in place should all be the same color metal. Knowing how to tell if a Chanel bag is real when the hardware is gold entails being able to identify brassiness.

Interior Lining: The burgundy/garnet leather in the original 2.55 was the color of the Chanel serial number guide uniform that Chanel had to wear at the Aubazine orphanage where she was raised.

Coco had an affinity for horses, stable style and polo player Arthur Edward Capel – this affinity is reflected in many of her pieces.

It’s also said that the double-chain shoulder strap was inspired by the caretakers at the orphanage Gabrielle grew up in. She chose the same chains that the nuns used to dangle keys from their waists. Regardless of the origin, Chanel wanted the chain straps to look like jewelry with the convenience of a satchel for the modern woman.

Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right). The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining.

A chain shoulder strap, inspired by the orphanage keychains from Coco Chanel's childhood, adds a unique touch. Even the bag's interior reflects her orphanage memories, in a deep burgundy reminiscent of the children's uniforms.