So I
heard that the 5-4-5 stitch count rule for Speedys no longer apply. Some even
have 7-2-7, 6-3-6 and other weird combinations; and these bags were brought
from LV stores so there’s no doubt about their authenticity. Evidently, Louis Vuitton
seems to change their patterns more often lately because of the counterfeiters. The locations of the date codes change from time to time as well or so they say.
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An Authentic Speedy with 6 stitches on top |
I heard
that the bags that were produced recently have different stitch counts so
authenticating has become more difficult especially for those who buy from out
of the store. The good news is, minus the stitching, we can still authenticate
these lovely bags by just looking at the hardware, the quality of the leather
and the stitching overall.
Being the
most copied Louis Vuitton bag, the counterfeiters became more and more detailed
and a good replica Speedy, if one won’t look carefully is almost as good as the real
thing.
When
authenticating a Speedy, one should always look at the quality of the leather
first. It should be lightweight but shouldn’t feel weak. It shouldn’t be too
shiny or too matted. The monogram shouldn’t bee too contrasted with the bag’s
brown color. No, it shouldn’t be too bright. The bag should not stand on it’s
own because it’s leather should be of soft quality.
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An authentic Speedy hardware/rivet |
The hardware, overall, shouldn’t be too yellow. The hardware holding the handles shouldn’t be too
square and edgy but not too round either. They should be squarish with slightly rounded edges. As per the bag’s stamping, honestly,
I’ve seen too many authentic Speedys with different stampings. I wont say
they’re uniform, especially when comparing an old speedy to a newer one. The
only thing they have in common is the perfect “O” in Louis Vuitton. In my
opinion though, based on my observation, the older Speedys have got more appeal
than the ones that were produced recently. The leather seems sturdier but
softer and suppler in older Speedys. I’m not sure if it’s because the leather
is older or if LV has really changed their raw materials.
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An authentic Speedy's bottom |
Of
course, the basics that we’ve used as guidelines in authenticating change every
now and then. But there are still qualities in LV Speedys that are forever
there. The rivets are still the same, the zippers, the way they make sure that no
LV letters are cut; that the monogram should be symmetrical from side to side; that
the bag shouldn’t be stitched at the bottom; how the leather shouldn’t be cut
thus making the monogram upside down on the other side are still indicators for authenticity.
They say
it’s safest to buy from the LV store. But sometimes buying pre loved isn’t just
for saving some but also in it’s own way, a challenge. Happy shopping everyone!
For
authentic Speedys, visit this FB site: https://www.facebook.com/toopretty.tohate.3?fref=ts