Determining the Authenticity of a Vintage Gucci Handbag

There are a great number of luxury designers in the world that manufacture and sell top-quality handbags that have become status symbols over the years. It is also fairly commonplace to counterfeit these luxury designs, but that does not mean that it is an accepted practice. Counterfeit luxury goods hamper the status of an authentic piece, and at its very core is an insult to large fashion houses that have put time and effort into creating authentic and unique luxury designs for the upper class.

One of the brands that suffer the most from counterfeit products is Gucci. Gucci has been in operation since 1921, and although they initially dealt with saddlery products, the brand name has since become synonymous with fashion, especially handbags. The trademark handbag sporting the bamboo handle was first manufactured in 1947 and the Gucci shoulder bag was launched into the fashion halls of fame when the former first lady of the United States, Jacqueline Kennedy, wore this statement piece with a long strap. After her debut with the shoulder bag, this type of Gucci style became known as the Jackie O bag, with the O being reminiscent of her surname, Onassis, after she married the shipping tycoon post the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy.

Today Gucci has a wide range of iconic handbag makes and models and are positioned at the top of luxury handbag designers alongside such heavyweights as Hèrmes, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Gucci has a flair for unique, stylish, and timeless designs that incorporate high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, and signature add-ons like the iconic bamboo handle, equine bit closures, and the always representative GG monogram logo.

Determining the authenticity of a Gucci handbag is important to ensure that you’re getting the real deal, especially when buying from resellers or when buying a vintage or pre-loved bag. The second-hand luxury market is booming, and many fashion-conscious individuals are opting to buy pre-owned items that are still in good condition, as opposed to new. Although this practice is fine and has seen a significant increase in recent years, it is still important to determine whether the bag is real or fake.

The first and most important authenticity marker is the serial number tag on the inside of the bag. It will be located close to the zippered pocket on the inside and will be a rectangular tag made from leather with sharp angles on every corner. It should be positioned across from the front closure of the bag in question. An authentic tag will have three lines of heat-stamped text on the front and the serial number on the back. The tag should have a trademark ® in the top line, the name GUCCI in capitals stamped below it, and “made in Italy” all in lowercase below that. The “Gucci” font should be authentic and justified in the middle of the tag.

It is important to note that this rectangular leather tag displaying the serial number can be found on Gucci bags manufactured from the late 90s and onward. Vintage Gucci handbags that date back to before 1960 will also display the model number of the bag on this tag. In the 1970s, Gucci moved to a tag that included no model or serial number and just had the Gucci logo in cursive writing. From 2016 and 2017 onwards, Gucci also added a black fabric tag on the inside of the bag that displays a QR code to help battle fakes. You can simply scan this code with your smartphone to determine the authenticity of the bag in question. Although Gucci varied the design and detail of their tags over the years, if you’re buying a newer model and the bag lacks a tag completely, it is most likely a fake.

Rewind Vintage prides themselves on the pre-owned luxury designer handbags that they carry including a wide range of pre-loved Gucci items. Their expert team can also help determine the authenticity of any handbag, including Gucci. From their early days in 2010, they quickly established themselves as the unbiased vintage specialists in the UK. With over 15,000 items sold over the years, they have been featured and awarded in UK and International Media, and on TV, and have an unparalleled knowledge when it comes to pre-loved high-end fashion. Everything they do evolves around accessories, clothing, handbags and other pre-loved items. They value, source, buy, sell and customise a wide variety of items. For more information on Rewind Vintage and their Gucci range or authentication services, please visit https://rewindvintage.co.uk/.