How to Repair Snakeskin Handbags

When Devi Kroell’s celebrated python purses appeared in fashion magazines in Spring 2004, snakeskin handbags emerged as a fashion favorite for the modern woman.

With a variety of luxe styles, shapes and fashionable colors, these must-have designer snakeskin handbags work double duty as sophisticated daytime or nighttime accessories.

A “designer snakeskin handbag” can be mesmerizing, but when this exotic purse needs restoration, a meticulous process of polishing, glazing and desalting stains is required to care for your designer handbag.

Because the scales of snakeskin bags dry out and shed with age and improper handling, simple repairs are necessary to extend the life of your designer handbag.

Things You’ll Need to Repair a Snakeskin Designer Purse:

• White Cloth
• Water
• Desalting liquid
• Neutral leather polish
• Designer snakeskin handbag leather conditioner
• Professional snakeskin handbag glazing

Determine the smooth sides of your snakeskin handbag scales.

Run your fingers along the skin of the snakeskin bag. The natural direction of the scales will be either smooth to the touch instead of rough.

Apply conditioning treatments, desalting liquids and neutral polish on the smooth portion of the snakeskin scales, which is the natural snakeskin grain, according to Snakeskin handbag repair experts VintageSkins.com.

Dislodge dirt from the snakeskin scales with a clean white cloth.

Dab the end of the cloth in cool water. Pat the scales down gently in the natural direction of the skin to remove the dirt.

Use water sparingly without soap. Too much liquid applied to the skin may discolor the scales permanently by reacting with the tannin applied during the modification of the snakeskin.

Remove salt stains from your snakeskin handbag with a desalting liquid.

Apply a teaspoon of remover on a small white cloth. Dab the spots gently. Air-dry away from heat. After the skin dries, apply a leather conditioner made specifically for snakeskin and exotics.

Apply neutral polish to combat fading leather.

Clear leather polish may restore aging snakeskin. Before applying polish on the handbag, patch test a small section. Avoid wax polish; it is too heavy. The polish will add extra weight to an exotic snakeskin handbag with scales.

Repair flaking snakeskin handbags with glazing.

A professional handbag restorer applies a clear glaze to the skin to return the scales to their original shine and luster. Costs to reglaze a small snakeskin handbag in 2010 may range from 100 to 200 dollars.

Additional Snakeskin Handbag Repair Tips

• Have your snakeskin handbag professionally cleaned once a year to maintain the bag’s shine appeal.
• If your snakeskin handbag gets wet, the leather may darken beyond repair, suggest the handbag repair experts at Gleni.

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Buying a well-made handbag is one of life’s greatest shopping experiences.

But most women want to avoid buyer’s remorse by purchasing the real designer handbag deal…instead of a fabulous fake.

From caring for your authentic designer purse to selecting the best handbag for your lifestyle, you’ll need some expert tips to make you purchase last beyond one season.

Using these simple steps, you can buy the perfect designer handbag that you will love and wear forever.

Avoid the trendy designer handbag. Invest in a designer purse that is classic and timeless.

Keep the weight of the purse in mind. Heavy hardware and details will add extra pounds to your purse.

Your designer purse needs protection. Ask for a dust bag when you purchase a designer handbag to protect your purse from dirt and dust during storage.

A short-handled bag with a bulky coat is a recipe for a fashion disaster. Avoid this outerwear and accessory combination.

A work handbag should be stylish but not intricate. Skip the embellishment and complicated closures for a simple design for everyday use.

A pebbled leather handbag, like those found in a few coveted Hermes handbags, won’t show scratches in comparison to smooth leather purses.

Select an evening purse in a metal mesh or durable fabric instead of silk and satin. One drop of water or champagne will destroy an evening bag beyond repair.

A few more tips when buying designer handbags and designer purses:

Think about when and where you will use your bag.A designer handbag must match your lifestyle.

For example: If you have children, a clutch is a nuisance. A busy executive will need a briefcase to carry large files and roomy enough to hide a small purse for makeup, wallet, keys and toiletries.

A purse is a part of your outfit that makes you look put together instantly. Before you buy a new designer handbag factor in the costs to clean, repair and maintain your handbag with the handbag purchase price.

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Buy Wholesale Designer Purses for Your Boutique or Bag Collection

A designer purse, whether designed by Gucci, Fendi, Chanel or Prada, is the first step to great style.

For those boutique owners and bargain shoppers wishing to buy designer purses wholesale, learn how to build a chic and well-designed designer bag collection in a few steps.

Whether used to add a pop of color to a monochromatic outfit or worn as the latest designer “it bag”, a designer purse—if bought at wholesale—combines style, bargain prices and function in one sleek package.

Choose your designer bag style for purchase.

The types of designer purses vary by form and function. Designer purse categories include: hobo, clutch, drawstring, beach, tote, messenger, shoulder, framed and round-handle.

Select handbags that you can sell to your boutique or add to your own handbag collection. Determine the maximum wholesale amount you will spend for each bag and its profit margin for resale.

Investigate current retail purse prices.

Visit the leading fashion publications and retail industry magazines for the costs of the purses. Factor in the difference between the retail price and the wholesale price to determine the final cost of each handbag. The best prices should retail between 50 and 75 percent below retail prices.

Get retail licensing to buy and sell goods in your state.

Offline and online designer purse wholesalers will require a copy of your current business license, and a state’s sales and use form to purchase designer purses wholesale. Call the Sales and Use Tax units of your state’s Revenue department. Determine the costs and qualifications needed for these forms.

Peruse trade shows, auctions, online retailers and fashion discounters for wholesale bag deals.

Designer handbag and purse trade shows feature wholesale bags in bulk. Search online for “wholesale designer bags and purses” in your favorite search engines to obtain a list of online trade websites that feature the latest designer handbags for sale.

Websites like eBay.com and Alibaba.com sell wholesale purses and bags. Ask for pictures, product specifications and additional information about inventory before making a purchase.

Qualify for a wholesale buying program.

Before selecting wholesale purses, determine the criteria for making a purchase. Many online wholesalers demand a minimum order between 50 and 350 units for new customers looking for a wholesale process. Visit Apparel forU.com and RetailForum.com, to assess the requirements for wholesale purse buyers.

Before you fax or email your buyer’s order, call the sales representative for the wholesale handbag line for purchasing and unit requirements.

Place orders for your designer purses.

Identify the wholesale handbag minimums before purchase. Factor in shipping time and shipping costs to determine the total cost of the wholesale purses. Purchase all wholesale purses using a credit card with fraud and insurance protection.

Tips for Buying Designer Purses Wholesale

• Expect to pay anywhere from 50%-80% off retail prices, depending on when and where you purchase your wholesale purses.
• Ask the retailer if they sell sample packs of wholesale purses. Purchase these purse packs to examine the quality of the designer handbags before placing a larger order.
• Develop relationships with purse representatives for each handbag line to get major price breaks on large orders.
• Get on the mailing list for fashion shows to gain insider tips on future wholesale purse merchandise deals.
• Verify the legitimacy of the wholesaler, before you buy a wholesale purse online by speaking to the sales representative and asking for a comprehensive list of business references.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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5 Ways to Keep Your Handbag from Making you Sick

Do you want to carry a handbag filled with bacteria, virus and germs?

I cannot think of one woman who suspects that their everyday handbag is possibly covered with fecal matter, E Coli and diarrhea causing microbes.

Because everywhere a woman travels her purse is sure to follow, memorize my 5 ways to keep your favorite handbag bacteria free, so you won’t get sick.

Two handbag bacterium reports administered by microbiologists, Chuck Gerba for ABC News and Amy Karren for CBS found high amounts bacteria on women’s handbags.

Here’s a re-cap of both of their findings after testing 22 handbags:

1) Material matters. Cloth bags carry more dirt than vinyl or leather bags. The cloth surface has a tendency to grab not only dirt and grime, but bacteria and viruses as well.

2) Moms have dirtier, bacteria-filled handbags than single ladies. Mommies with kiddies have a higher incident of bacteria and germs than those women without. I imagine that all the diapers, runny noses, sippy cups and pacifiers are germ magnets.

3) The bottoms of handbags carry the most bacteria. According to the article,  Gerba found about 500,000 counts of bacteria on the bottom of one woman’s bag that she carried for an entire year.

4) Handbag waste not, we want not. Half of the bags tested in Gerba’s study had large amounts of animal and human waste.

Vigorous hand washing and  proper disposal of cat and dog waste, could eliminate the bacteria. But I suspect that most human poop particles come from the floor of the bathroom stall.

So how do we keep our designer handbags, bacteria free?

1) Clean your handbag with disinfectant regularly. Wipe off your bag with a mild detergent, especially the bottom of your bag. If you’re a germ-a-phobe, like me, Clorox bleach wipes work fabulously.

2) Remember, handbags, bacteria and food don’t mix. Keep handbags off kitchen countertops, restaurant and dinner tables and away from general eating and cooking environments.

3) Keep your handbag off the floor, in public places. The public bathroom stall, movie theater floor or other public area are not proper receptacles or resting places for your handbag.

4) Old makeup and unwrapped food should be discarded and never placed in your handbag. Those old tubes of mascara and lip glosses  provide the perfect environment for bacterial growth.

Similarly, your handbag is not the best place to store any unwrapped food. Even that sandwich, wrapped in paper, can find unsuspecting bacteria to keep it company.

5) Handle everyday items with care, before you drop them into your favorite bag.  Remember, mobile phones, newspapers and money carry germs too.

Give your handbag the white glove treatment it deserves. Keep the bacteria far away from your handbag with a little disinfectant, a whole lot of love and a few sprinkles of common sense.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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To fashion fiends everywhere the designer handbag is the status equivalent of a Rolex timepiece or the Italian Ferrari.

A mouth-watering combination of whimsical excess, chic details and unquestionable luxury, the expensive designer handbag is a woman’s ultimate confidence booster. For the fortunate wearer of lavishly styled arm candy a designer bag screams to the world, you are the best.

Have you ever wondered what’s behind the huge price tags?

Is it worth saving your hard-earned dollars for another season’s expensive fashionable trinket? From designer handbag history to celebrity cache, here are 6 things every woman needs to know before buying the dream “it bag”.

Designer bag brand name matters: Both use a big H, but Hermes is certainly not Hilfiger.

Dear designer handbag lovers: you get what you pay for. Sorry Hilfiger,(I love you, Tommy. I really do.) but Hermes’ 100 years of craftsmanship and handmade quality trumps plastic, pleather and assembly line construction.

A Hermes Birkin handbag is expensive because of the reputation of the design house and its legendary dedication to craftsmanship and quality.

The Birkin is a designer bag that holds its value over time, women patiently wait years on lists to receive a special order Birkin bag which can cost in upwards of 100,000 dollars.

The celebrity affect : Stylist Rachel Zoe says, “You need this gorgeous bag.”

When Hollywood celebrities are photographed with designer bags in magazines; the value of the purse in the eyes of the designer bag enthusiast skyrockets.

Unbeknownst to the average shopper, celebrity stylists and publicists are hired to place the trendiest designer bags on the arms of starlets. The celebrities function as walking billboards and often receive these objects of handbag aspiration free of charge.

Iconic designer handbag status: Influence by the Designer Style Trinity raises the cost tremendously.

If the grand dames of the designer handbag trinity: Grace Kelly, Jane Birkin and Jacqueline Onassis carried it; women desire it.  But these 3 names do not come cheap.

As muses for legendary fashion houses Hermes and Gucci the relationship between the icon’s historic style and the design house’s royal reputation increases the public’s thirst for the items.

Symbols of everlasting elegance and glamour, attach these three legendary names to the origin and design of a bag and voila; everybody and anybody must have it. High demand + legendary glamour = high price.

Historic accessory of the elite: Bag snobbery is not a new phenomena.

Luxury brands like Cartier, Hermes and Louis Vuitton were founded to serve the French royal court in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Fashion house artisans spent hours designing these objects d’art for aristocrats, and in later years exclusively for notable American families.

Unlike today’s trendy it bag often banished to purse purgatory at the end of a season, designer handbags of the past were considered lifelong companions; accessories for royals and family heirlooms for the well-to-do.

Created for the wealthy European elite, these leather goods reeked of sophistication and elitism while the strict attention to detail justified the high expense.

Designer handbags have the best materials: Superior items cost more to produce.

Legendary craftsmanship makes the designer difference. Ornate clasps and rings crafted from palladium and gold. Zippers than never stick mixed with hardware that never tarnishes.

Combine premium leathers, suedes and exotic animal skins with the legendary artisanship of the designer bag emporiums and you’ve got a recipe for a luxury big ticket item.

Limited edition handbag status: Celebrate a fashion house’s anniversary with a new bag.

When Gucci celebrated their 85th anniversary in 2006, Creative director Frida Giannini reworked the classic hobo shape for designer bag lovers. The bags were only sold in Gucci stores from July through December of ’06 and were priced in the $4,500  range.

Sales associates were quickly selling these designer bags to women collectors regardless of cost. Labeling bags limited edition is a branding tactic that is frequently used to send designer bag aficionados into a bag feeding frenzy.

You now understand why a designer handbag is so expensive. With the information above you can shop for a designer handbag with the Andre Leon Talleys and Nina Garcias of the world with complete confidence.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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6 Tips to Buy the Designer Handbag of your Dreams

Buying a new designer handbag is no easy feat.

Each season the glam gods and goddesses from Mount Fashion Olympus dispense the must-have list of designer bags for the faithful fashion followers.

Here’s why: Fashion editors from Milan to New York agree that the first step to great style is not pricey runway outfits—it is the purchase of a sumptuous and well-made accessory (like a handbag) will make or break your style profile.

Whether you have your heart set on buying a diamond-encrusted Louis Vuitton bag or Chanel’s latest quilted purse confection, here’s how to buy a handbag that fits your lifestyle, is compatible with your existing wardrobe and will never go out of style.

Best designer handbags to buy:

• A clutch or small going out handbag
• A straw tote or beach bag
• A tote for casual occasions
• A briefcase
• A sophisticated shoulder bag for daytime
• A medium size purse for everyday wear
• An evening bag
• A classic designer handbag: think Louis Vuitton Speedy or Chanel 2.55.

Step 1 - Purse size matters.

A contrast in purse size creates problems in dressing your silhouette. You want a handbag that enhances your frame, instead of magnifying your body flaws.

An oversized handbag will overwhelm a small frame and make a petite woman look shorter. In contrast, a small purse on a plus size frame will make a large woman look larger.

Step 2 - Slimming handbags do exist

A purse should be proportional to your figure and size. Handbags made of soft materials: cotton or suede handbags for example are more flattering to a petite or slim frame, than stiff or angular leather bags that cannot hug or conform to a woman’s body.

In contrast, a plus sized woman must avoid bags that are too rounded, soft or floppy, since these bags appear to expand a woman’s girth instead of minimizing it.

Step 3 - Examine skins, hardware and leather for cheap handbag clues.

A quality designer handbag has brass, silver or nickel hardware, pockets that open and close easily, and stitching that is even.

Authentic handbags constructed of the finest materials are not immune to damage, but will hide scratches better than cheaper leather or man-made materials. Leather combined with other materials (also known as reconstituted) looks cheap, cracks easily, and feels rough to the skin. Avoid these replica designer handbags at all costs.

Step 4 - Get functional. Buy a handbag with compartments.

Select a purse with easy access. It is important for accessories to look amazing and be fully functional. For all the things that you will need on hand: keys, cell phone, wallet, makeup bag, sunglasses, lipstick and other essentials, buy a designer handbag that is stylish, well designed and practical.

For inside protection, choose rayon, faille or vinyl linings in dark colors, to hide unexpected stains and spills.

Step 5 - Beware of shoulder straps

A handbag with longer straps will draw attention to your hips. A bag that hangs too low skims the body and brings the eye down, causing the wearer to look shorter. A large bag worn across the body will also bring attention to the hips.

A shoulder strap must fall between the bust and the top of you hips to flatter the body best. A huge tote with a skinny strap will cut into your shoulder, and be hard to carry.

Step 6 - Avoid back strain and slanting shoulders

Big bags are always fashionable, but the extra weight of a large purse can strain your back. Carrying an oversized handbag over your shoulder, can harm your posture and make one shoulder lower than the other for many years.

While handbags for women first entered the accessory lexicon in 1900s, purse collectors and enthusiasts know that a designer handbag is a timeless and ultimately chic addition to the well-dressed woman’s wardrobe.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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12 Tips for The Proper Care and Treating of Your Designer Handbag Collection

Worse than severely scuffed shoes or run down heels, a poorly maintained designer handbag is never in style.

From spots and stains to dust and grime, here are 12 ways to care for your handbag and maintain its’ eye appeal.

1. Zippers – Keep your zippers zipping.  Rub natural beeswax along the teeth of the zipper to maintain your fasteners’ grip.
2. Leather – Moisturize your leather.  Use a leather conditioning cream to stop cracks along the base of your bag and extend the look of your purse’s handle.
3. No Bag Stuffing – Carry necessities only. Leave the heavy loads to tractor trailers and U-haul. Your bag and its handles can be stretched beyond repair when you overload it with too many items.  Overstuffing can weaken bag stitching as well.
4. Weather Protection – Rain guard not needed.  Skip the silicone spray for weather protection. If you’re caught in the rain, dab the splashes. Don’t wipe the moisture away.
5. Suede – Suede is notoriously difficult to clean, so handle this precious leather with care.  If your handbag has  stiff leather handles, wrap them in cotton strips, to keep the leather away from the supple and fragile suede material. Never use a treatment on suede bags. A stiff suede brush can repair gentle scuffs, but leave the serious stains to professionals.
6. Beware of Beauty Products – Handbags and beauty products don’t mix. Cosmetics, perfume and lotions can cause bag discoloration.  Products that beautify your face and body often seep into the skins of your bag and age the materials.
7. Dust Bags Needed – A designer handbag is sold with a dust bag to protect your investment from dust, dirt and debris.  Don’t have a fancy-flannel-drawstring-pouch to store your purse? A cotton pillowcase works just as well.
8. Patent Leather  Handbags – Patent leather can be cleaned with a small dot of vinegar applied with a soft fabric. Isolate patent leather bags from dark colored bags to prevent discoloration.
9. Snakeskin and Exotic Handbags – Exotic handbags, like snakeskin handbags need special care. While you can clean these bags with a white cloth and a dab of water, serious repair should be left to the experts. In 2010, repairing a small snakeskin bag can cost you anywhere from 100 to 200 dollars.
10. Gimme a Handbag Break.  The everyday handbag is an oxymoron.  Just like shoes, bags need a chance to breathe. Don’t carry the same bag everyday. Select three bags for work and rotate these three purses weekly. If you follow this one tip, your bags will last longer…whether you paid 20 dollars or 3,000 dollars.
11. Fabric Bags Need Love Too.  Fabric bags attract dust more than any other material.  Rub them down with a cotton cloth and lint roller before storage. Refrain from using fabric pens and cotton stain sprays for blemish removal. Serious stains require the work of a professional.
12. Proper Storage Techniques.  Retain the shape of your bag with acid free-tissue paper or bubble wrap.  Keep bags upright in your closet on a shelf. Don’t pile bags on top of each other in the bottom of your closet. Never stuff newspaper or colored tissue inside your handbags. The newsprint and colored ink will discolor the inside of your purse.
13. Small Bags – Wrap small bags in tissue paper and place in paper boxes for storage. Chain handles should be tucked in bags to prevent creases and broken links. Bags with beads, sequins, swarovski crystals and jeweled ornamentation should be stored separately.

Articles on good grooming remind women to care for our bodies and clothes, but often neglect the handbag as an important image element for stylish women. If clothes make the man, immaculate handbags make the woman.

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You’ve just read about the latest designer handbag in Elle, Vogue or Harpers Bazaar.

You want it. Need it. And will do anything to get it.

Well, not anything: but if you are willing to stretch your budget to buy a discounted designer handbag online, there are a  few authentic stores where you can shop and save.

Online sample sale websites, eBay.com, Zappos.com, Craigslist.org and a few ritzy off-price retailers are selling cheap designer handbags everyday to bargain fashionistas from Miami to Maine.

For handbag lovers who have champagne tastes (but red bull budgets), you are only a few mouse clicks away from buying designer purses for cheap online.  Here’s how:

Discounted Designer Handbag Deal Tip #1 – Shop Overstock and Off-price e-tailers for designer handbag savings.

Babes on a budget can score cheap designer handbags at  Zappos.com, Overstock.com and Bluefly.com.

However, beware of the fake purse epidemic online. Multitudes of internet sites popping up everyday that hawk and pawn off replica purses and fake designer handbags as the authentic deal.

To be sure that you are buying a real designer handbag, shop at stores that purchase Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton’s as overstock goods from luxury department  boutiques and stores.

Discounted Designer Handbag Deal Tip #2 – Craigslist and Ebay don’t disappoint.

Use eBay and Craigslist as your designer shopping destination to buy a sweet designer handbag  for pennies. Even the Kardashians divas, (Khloe, Kim and Kourtney) have a tony eBay boutique where they sell their designer clothes and  handbags on the cheap.

If you are fortunate, you can also find a cheap designer handbag on at online thrift store  site like Goodwill for a steal of a bargain.

Discounted Designer Handbag Deal Tip #3 – Online Shopping Sales Sites have Designer Bags too!

Sign up for designer handbag shopping at online sample sale websites.  Ideeli, Gilt Group, and Hautelook  all sell cheap designer handbags with deeply-discounted designer purse bargains each week.

Discounted Designer Handbag Deal Tip #4 – Browse a designer consignment store for online deals.

Online consignment boutiques like Rodeo Drive Resale are a great place to buy discounted designer handbags. Most ritzy designer consignment stores have a fresh selection of Prada, Coach, Burberry and Fendi handbags from fashionistas who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same handbag twice.

Above all, do your homework to save money and avoid buyer’s remorse.

Because a few seedy and unscrupulous sellers online attempt to pass off fake designer bags as the real deal, use these last tips to buy your cheap designer bags safely.

• Peruse the websites of your favorite designer bag purveyors before shopping online.
• Before buying a discounted designer bag, contact the website owner to determine return policies and authenticity of the popular purses.
• Look for free shipping and online coupon codes to save extra pennies on your online purchases.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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“Online Buying Tips for Authentic Louis Vuitton Handbag Lovers“

Spotting a fake Louis Vuitton handbag is hard work.

Counterfeiters are now incorporating signature details into fake Louis Vuitton bags that are difficult for the untrained eye to see.

With the brand’s imitated logo plastered on 99% of all LV bags in the marketplace, there’s a big chance that web retailers are selling fake Louis Vuitton bags beyond New York’s infamous Canal Street.

Despite the sales of fake handbags linked to organized crime, illegal sweatshops and child labor, designer handbag lovers are still looking for that elusive authentic Louis Vuitton bag at the end of the web rainbow.

If you’re still willing to take a chance on an online deal sight unseen, here are the internet’s best fashion tips for spotting a fake Louis Vuitton bag and where to buy real ones.

1) Only Louis Vuitton guarantees 100% authenticity.

There’s really only one way to avoid buying a fake Louis Vuitton bag; purchase it from the source. Genuine LV products are sold via the exclusive distribution network of Louis Vuitton stores.

2) Become familiar with the Louis Vuitton purses and the history of the handbag collections.

If you can’t tell a Speedy from a Pouchette or Epi Leather from Murakami, you’re in trouble.

Counterfeiters are notorious for mix-matching styles from each collection and creating a hodge-podge handbag disaster.

Knowknockoff.com has a fake Louis Vuitton Bag Hall of Shame with pictures of famous copies gone wrong.

3) My Poupette.com has a list of fake-bag-Ebay-selling-sites that you should avoid.

Established in 1999 as the world’s largest and oldest designer authentication company, My Poupette has a list of online Ebay sites that sell fake designer bags. Memorize this list and double check these web pages before purchasing.

4) Bag Bliss’s list of Fake Louis Vuitton handbags is thoroughly begging for a bookmark.

BagBliss.com has a detailed resource of how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag. Their website compares pictures of fake bags alongside the real ones.

5) Get Louis Vuitton Purse tips from the leading fashion magazine with over 140 years of editorial wisdom.

At Harper’s Bazaar ’s Elite you can find tips on how to avoid buying a fake designer bag, and learn what you can do to help spread the message that fakes are never in fashion. Click on “Buyer’s Beware” for HB’s list of tips to avoid buying a fake Louis Vuitton bag.

6) Newsflash: Fake Louis Vuitton bags, although some contain a large portion of vinyl,  do not smell like leather.

Whether the Louis Vuitton bag is a vintage Speedy or the latest handbag confection from the brilliant mind of Marc Jacobs, a portion of the purse will smell like leather. If you are purchasing a vintage bag, that does not retain it’s leather smell…drop that purse. It it a fake.

Make sure you can answer the following questions before buying a Louis Vuitton bag online:

1)    What color is the bag’s interior for my particular handbag?

2)    What is the proper placement of the date code?

3)    Is the bag properly priced? A bag that retails for $1300 dollars will not be sold for $500 dollars.

4)    Can I trust the seller? Is there any positive seller feedback from numerous buyers?

5)    What type of packaging will accompany the bag? Louis Vuitton has very strict presentation and packaging standards for their luxury items.

6)    Does the handbag come with a dust bag? And if so, is the dust bag authentic?

7)    Is this a limited edition bag?

8)    What hardware is included with the bag? Is the bag missing locks, keys and metalware?

9)    Can you verify that the sales receipt is authentic? Buyers beware. There are counterfeit sale receipts floating around the internet.

Do extensive handbag homework before purchasing any luxury items outside  authorized retailers. If it looks like a fake, seems like a fake, and is considerably below retail, it probably is counterfeit.

Consider treating yourself to an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag. After all these hours spent becoming a fake Louis Vuitton bag expert, you deserve to splurge on the real thing.

Mechele Pellebon reports on fashionable finds, designer bag trends and deals for the modern wardrobe. From the urban sophisticate living the glamorous life to the mom who wants to pamper herself with a special purchase,  she’lll help you find a handbag that will be a treasured addition to your collection and that you will wear and love forever.

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