How to Spot a Real vs. Fake Goyard Bag
One of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world is Goyard which was founded in 1853 by François Goyard. This brand is known for its unique designs seen across its handcrafted tote bags, luggages and even extends to its vast range of travel accessories.
What sets Goyard apart from other luxury brands that are in the same league? Well, Goyard is one brand that doesn't rely on advertising to make its brand known. As a matter of fact, you won't find a Goyard advertisement flashed across a billboard or even digital ads when scrolling through Facebook or any other social media site.
It's so exclusive, since they don't even sell the items online. However, this has led to a growing issue for the brand, and that is that counterfeit Goyard bags are often found in every nook and corner of the world.
If you're someone who is interested in owning a piece of this prestigious brand but doesn't want to fall into the trap of owning a counterfeit item, then this guide will provide you with the necessary information you need on spotting a fake Goyard bag from a real one.
Detailing of the Craftsmanship and Materials
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake Goyard from a real one is to take a close inspection at the materials the bag or even accessories is made from.
A real Goyard bag will be made from three distinct types of materials which are cotton, resin and linen. From feeling the bag, you can tell each material apart from each other especially if you come across a grainy texture. Moreover, these materials combined give Goyard the property of being water-resistant so if you come across a bag that isn't water-resistant, then you're most likely being sold a counterfeit item.
Aside from the materials, the craftsmanship can also be an indicator of how to spot a real bag from a fake one. The designs you see on a Goyard handbag or even a luggage item are hand-painted and not printed, so you can feel this texture. If you can't, then the design has been printed on, which reduces its quality and is a clear giveaway that it's a counterfeit item.
Distinguishing the Logo and the Patterns
Another distinct giveaway is the logo and the authenticity of the pattern seen on each Goyard item. Each bag is monogrammed with Goyard's signature Y-pattern. You'll be able to tell a real one from a fake one by seeing the intricate details of this pattern, which is that the chevron detailing across each bag is made from interlocking Y shapes. If they're not symmetrically aligned across each leather item such as a bag or luggage, then this is not an authentic Goyard piece.
If you come across a bag that has the interlocking Y pattern but the color is off, then this is also another indicator of a fake bag. That's because counterfeit items have the patterns printed on instead of painted on, and it's the paint that gives a distinctness to each bag as there can be slight color variations and textures.
Distinguishing based on Serial Number
Each luxury bag is branded to let consumers know where the brand was crafted. The same can be said for Goyard whose bags contain a heat-stamped logo authenticating each bag. This logo will have the phrase "Goyard Paris, Made in France" written. If any of the letters are not sharp or are slightly off, this is an indicator of a fake bag.
Another way to distinguish a fake from a real one is to keep an eye on the serial number of each bag, accessory, and luggage. This is not obvious at first as Goyard does a great job at discreetly hiding the serial number, but you can find it printed in the inside of the bag. Each serial number is unique given that it is a combination of numbers and letters, and if any one of these is missing, then you're most likely being sold a fake bag.
Distinguishing from the Accessories and the Packaging
If you want another way to check whether the bag you have is a counterfeit or a real one, you can also tell from the packaging and accessories. Almost all luxury bags, be it Goyard or any other brand, come in a dust bag and not just any standard dust bag. The dust bags with Goyard items have a yellow tint to them and are made from high-quality material meaning it is soft to the touch. You will also find a sharp black printed logo on it, lending to its authenticity.
If you see a dust bag that looks worn out such as faded in color and isn't the distinctive yellow of the Goyard dust bag, nor does it have the proper black logo on the dust bag, then you're being given a fake bag.
Moreover, if someone sells you a Goyard bag with a box and an authenticity card in it, it is a dead giveaway that this is a fake. This is because Goyard has its authority indicator in the form of its serial number and therefore doesn't require the need of an authenticity card or booklet.
So, with this guide, we hope it helps you distinguish between a real Goyard from a counterfeit one. However, it should be noted that truly authenticating a Goyard bag would require you to closely examine it and not just rely on one indicator.
You should thoroughly check the patterns, the serial number, the stitching, materials, and more. Keep in mind that there are no official online websites for Goyard as the brand sticks to its exclusivity status and sells only in certain boutiques.
It may be harder to distinguish a real from a fake these days, so even if you're purchasing from an authorized reseller, it's best to double-check by using some of the indicators we've mentioned here and if all else fails, consider getting your bag professionally authenticated to be sure.
