Okay, so you’re scrolling through Vinted (or Depop, let’s be real) and you spot *the* bag. The Vivienne Westwood, orb-emblazoned, total *lewk* bag. But hold up! Before you smash that “buy” button and hand over your hard-earned cash, let’s talk about spotting fakes. Because, trust me, the counterfeit market is FLOODED with ’em.
First off, let’s be blunt: price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Like, a *genuine* Vivienne Westwood bag ain’t gonna set you back twenty quid. We’re talking serious money, even secondhand. Think hundreds, not pocket change. So, yeah, that super cheap “bargain”? Major red flag.
Then there’s the pictures. Are they stock photos? Are they the *same* photos being used on multiple listings? This screams scam! A real seller should have their own pics, showing the bag from different angles, close-ups of the stitching, the lining, the orb itself. If all you see is some blurry pic nicked off Google, bail.
Quality is Queen (or King, whatever floats your boat). Okay, so a real VW bag *should* feel good. The leather (or faux leather, VW does both, bless her vegan soul) should be supple, the stitching should be neat, and the hardware shouldn’t feel like it’s gonna fall apart the second you look at it funny. Keep an eye out for metal that’s *way* too shiny or edges that look rough and unfinished.
Now, this is where it gets tricky. Pay attention to the details! The orb itself is a big giveaway. Counterfeiters often get the details wrong – the shape might be off, the colors might be wrong, or the planets might be spaced incorrectly. I saw one once where the orb was literally lopsided! Hilarious, but not if you just dropped a load of money on it.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that give it away, too. Like, the font on the label inside the bag or the quality of the dust bag (if it even comes with one!). It can be hard to tell the difference, I know, but a bit of research can go a long way. Look at pictures of authentic bags online and compare them closely to the bag you’re thinking of buying.
