Kate Spade Handbag Buying Guide

Hopefully this guide will help you spot fake Kate Spade handbags. It is always wise to buy from an authorized dealer, especially since fakes are getting harder and harder to spot. However, if you are buying elsewhere, there are some things to look for to avoid counterfeit bags.

First, make sure the bag you are looking at is actually a real style or print. Counterfeiters of all brands put out non-existing bags, but this is especially true with Spade replicas. There are far to many “creative” counterfeits to mention here, but some common ones are: Cherry print (very common for some reason), western themed- cowboys and cowgirls, American flags, pop culture figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis among others, and 99% of denim bags. There were early authentic denim collections, but these are incredibly rare. The multicolored striped styles are highly counterfeited and must be purchased with caution.

Another aspect to look at are the tags. There are many different types of tags depending on the bag and year. The tag found on fabric and nylon products is black with white lettering. It will say kate spade in lowercase letters, and underneath, New York in uppercase. In more recent years fabric bags sometimes come with a tag sewn on just the sides (left and right) rather than on all four. The stitching is precise and unique, giving the kate spade letters a sort of “digital” looking effect. There have been some variations on tags with regard to tag size, color and letter spacing. This link will take you to a comprehensive website dedicated to Kate Spade Handbags. There you will find detailed information and pictures of bags and labels, both real and fake for comparison.

Leather bags are marked differently. The logo can be embossed, stamped in gold letters, or be embossed on a rectangular plaque. Also, look at the placement of exterior logos; they are generally located high up on the bag and not in the center and should be aligned well with the seam.

Always make sure a bag has the proper lining. For instance, diaper bags from Kate Spade most often have a black nylon lining. Also, many fake bags have the incorrect gingham lining; there are however, some authentic bags that do have the gingham lining. It always pays to research the specifics of a bag you are interested in, as it will help you avoid counterfeit handbags.

Kate Spade purses and bags will not have fully detachable straps. Also, if you see a bag with very large feet, it is a fake. For good pictures of real and fake feet on Kate Spade Handbags click here.

As always, you want to look for any sloppy stitching or construction, as you will not find either on an authentic Spade handbag.