~A Louis or an Ewwwwy?~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Morning my Stylish Sisters!

How are the fifty rinses working out for you? Are you glowing yet? If not, don't give up...you'll see soon and say "wow that Mujahada girl really knows what she's talking about!!"

Anyways, I have so many things to catch up on today so insh'Allah you won't mind if today's post is tres petite.  I will do my best to make it up to you wonderful women tomorrow insh'Allah.

So I thought today I would quickly explain the five easiest ways to be able to discern if that Fendi you got online is fake, or if that Coach is a counterfeit.  With more and more fashionista Muslimahs living busier lives it is very tempting to go online to buy that name brand handbag you've been pining over, especially when many times you can get them between 25-50% off retail price. 

BUT...beware!!  You have to be very careful about purchasing these items online. (or from the guy on the corner, or the lady selling them out of her car)  Sometimes these are stolen, and sometimes they are fake, but either way...if it's not the real thing then you should not have to pay the real price.

Real or Rip-off Rule #1:  Price
If anything in this life seems too good to be true, then it probably is...and that rule applies here.  Any site that is selling a brand new Louis for less than louisvuitton.com is selling a Phooey- not a Louis. (excluding department stores who may be having real sales)  And many designers don't sell brand-new items online at all (Chanel is one such design house) so they are probably either counterfeit or stolen, either way they are off-limits.

Real or Rip-off Rule #2: Pictures
Do not purchase a hand bag from a seller who is using stock photography. In other words: if the photo does not look like they took it themself, or if you see the same photo elsewhere stay away.  Always request specific shots of the bag you are buying, including close-ups of stampings, zipper heads, and date code/serial numbers.

Real or Rip-off Rule #3: Verification 
For example: On Louis Vuitton bags the manufacturing country along with the month and year of production is always provided, and you can look these up online to make sure they match up.  If the bag is stamped Made In France, but the code indicates it was made in China then it is a fake.  Also Chanel bags have a unique serial number that determines the age of the item, and you can verify those online as well.

Real or Rip-off Rule #4: Return Policy
Don't be embarrassed to ask someone what their return policy is, if they have a flexible policy then it shows that they have nothing to hide.


Real or Rip-Off Rule #5: Ask An Expert
If you are still in doubt you can go to Purse Forum and click on the Authenticate This section.  You can post pictures of the item, and their in-house pros will let you know if it's a Louis or an Ewwwy based on the symmetry, stitching, and hardware of the handbag.
 

Now, just for the fun of it. 

Can anyone tell me which of these is the Louis, and which is the Ewwy?

Bag #1

Bag #2

Well ladies, as usual it's been fun.  But I must be off to start my day, insh'Allah I will be back tomorrow with more modest musings and fashionable fun!

Ma'Salaama and Happy Shopping!

Fashionably Yours,

The Mujahada in Prada

I must give credit where credit is due: Lucky Magazine, March 2010 pg.72