Jimmy Choo Handbag

[chokkie]

Hi to those fashionistas in AB ... a black leather bag (quite casual with soft leather) has just appeared in the window of our local BHF charity shop. I have been eyeing this up and it's still in the window today. It is a lot more expensive than regular items in the shop, of course, but there does not seem to be any authentication that it is actually a Jimmy Choo bag. Does anyone out there know what I should be looking out for, please. Apparently, it's in very good nick (including the interior of the bag), but I will have a proper look at it before purchase. But I just wanted to know if there is anything (apart from a metal tag on the bag saying "Jimmy Choo" to prove that it really is what it says it is.

And ditto for a gold/bronze Stefanel evening bag in the same charity shop window. Any idea of what I should be looking out for to prove it's really Stefanel?

Hope someone can help, cheers, Chox.

[joggerjayne]

Take a picture of a JC bag from the JC website, and compare the details. The finish quality on a JC bag is very consistent.

Look for these specific bits ...

Is there a zip pocket INSIDE the bag? If there is, open the internal zip and feel around the inside of the zip. The stitching and the finish will be smooth and even. It's that sort of hidden area where a fake bag would cut corners.

Then put your hand into the internal pocket and feel the stitching around the bottom. On a JC bag it will be flawless.

Look at the point where the handle meets the outside of the bag. Check that it has reinforced stitching and that the reinforced stitching is as good a quality as the stitching anywhere else on the bag.

Follow the stitched seams on the outside of the bag all the way round. There should be no uneven "finishing points" on the stitched seams.

Feel the bottom of the lining. The lining on a JC bag, even a soft bag, will be a perfect fit for the body of the bag.

Fel the metal tag itself. Has a lot of time been spent on making it perfectly cut and smoothed around the edges, and polished? The tag on a JC bag is exquisite. On a fake, it's likely to be a bit rougher. Check how the tag is attached to the bag. Are there any imperfections?

Look at the zips and buckles. Do they have any rough edges on them? The buckles on a JC bag will be ground and polished smooth.

If you have found a bargain, that would be fantastic. I do hope you have.

[chokkie]

Thanks for all this info JJ ... it's extremely helpful. If the bag is still there when I go down there on Saturday morning, i will give the bag a good "going over" and see what it's like. I have had a look on the Jc website, but can't find the same bag, but will have a look at some others of a simila size and get a pic of the finishings. The guy in the shop told me that the person who had brought the bag in had told him that it had been very well looked after ... but there's "looked after" and "looked after" of course!

Really appreciate your help - have you got any idea about the Stefanel bag? It's quite nice and not that expensive for a nice evening bag, so if that's still there too, I will buy that one as well.

I will, if you don't mind, try and remember to let you know what happens. Cheers, Chox.

[Elina]

Hi chokkie, take a look on eBay & see if either of the two bags match any for sale on there x

[chokkie]

What a great idea ... thanks Elina, will do that later. Chox.

[237SJ]

You probably won`t be able to tell if it`s fake from a photo. In Bangkok, Shanghai and other places, they sell really good copies. You would have to go over the bag with a fine tooth comb to tell the difference. I`d be tempted to contact Jimmy Choo or Stephanel to find out. Maybe purchase the bag with the undertaking that you can return it if it turns out to be fake.

[Retrochic]

Does it matter if its 'real' or 'fake'? If you like it then buy it.

[Mamyalynne]

My sentiments too - I have 2 'Designer' handbags from charity shops - yes they were pricier than their usual ones and even though no guarantee could be given, I bought them because I loved them.

[Dee Sa]

I have a "Jimmy Choo" bag quite a good imitation bought in Goa for £ 20, most bags are a tenner, I always bring 2 or 3 bags back with me. How much is the charity shop asking is it worth the gamble ?

[fairycakes69]

If they are saying it's genuine they should have had it checked out, Trading Standards are very strict with charity shops selling fake designer bags, they do go in and check and been known to take the bags to get them checked, BHF are unlikely to risk upsetting TS.

[chokkie]

thanks for your advice everyone. The bag was in the shop window when I looked there this morning (but the shop was still closed), so I am going to have another look on Saturday mroning when the shop is open. Will have a good look at both bags - they are asking £60 for the JC bag and £30 for the Stefanel bag. The latter bag looks genuine enough - they had the "dust cover" with the bag. Anyway, I will keep myh options open ....maybe I am having second thoughts .... but thanks again for all the advice. Chox.

[Elina]

Have you bought it chockie?

[Elina]

Chokkie