How to Spot Authentic Manolo Blahniks

How to Spot Authentic Manolo Blahniks



"Sex and the City" character Carrie Bradshaw's addiction to Manolo Blahniks inspired an international frenzy for the couture shoes--and now there's a whole industry of artfully designed Blahnik knock-offs. It takes a trained eye to determine whether Manolo Blahniks are authentic, but there are a few telltale signs identifying the shoes as fakes.









Step
1



Look for leather. Manolo Blahniks are always made with leather soles and full leather lining. Any sign of man-made material in these parts and you know the shoes are phony.




Step
2



Check out the label. Genuine Blahniks have two types of labels: one is the name Manolo Blahnik with a copyright sign printed in all capital letters in a simple font. The other is Blahnik's signature. Smudges, misspelled names and improper alignment are giveaways that the shoes are fakes.




Step
3



Make sure there are no serial numbers on the shoe. Authentic Manolo Blahniks never include these.




Step
4



Examine the box and dustbag. Both should be white with the name Manolo Blahnik printed in black, all capital letters.




Step
5



Compare the shoes you're judging for authenticity to shoes at ManoloBlahnik.com as well as those featured in magazines and sold at reliable retailers like Bergdorf Goodman. If you can't find photo of the shoes on these or other reputable sites, they are probably fake.







Tips & Warnings









Be very careful when purchasing Manolo Blahnik shoes off the Internet. Only buy from established websites like BlueFly.com, or from eBay sellers with extensive positive feedback.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2081636_spot-authentic-manolo-blahniks.html

How to Spot Authentic Jimmy Choos

How to Spot Authentic Jimmy Choos



Fashionistas with shoe fetishes can't get enough of Jimmy Choos. These haute couture shoes, adored by celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker, cost quite the pretty penny, making the knock-off business almost as hot as the original. Telling the real thing from Jimmy Choo replicas requires a trained eye and a crafty mind. You'll have to trick anyone wearing a suspected fake into going barefoot to get a good look.









Step
1



Check the soles. Note whether the sole seamlessly blends into the upper of the Jimmy Choo, or if it looks like it was slapped together carelessly. Any signs of glue, cheap stitching or less than symmetrical stitching indicate that you're looking at Jimmy Choo replicas. Authentic Jimmy Choos are meticulously constructed; the perfection is partly why the price tag is so staggering.




Step
2



Trick the suspected wearer of Jimmy Choo replicas into taking off her shoes so that you can continue your inspection. Some good lines to try are, "We go barefoot in my house, let me take your shoes," and "Oh wow, I love your shoes! Take them off so I can see them better."




Step
3



Inspect the label on the instep once you secure a closer look. If there is any visible stitching attaching the label to the shoe, it's a knock-off.




Step
4



Examine the font on the label. If the "OO" is even slightly italicized, you are looking at a Jimmy Choo replica.




Step
5



Take a picture of the suspected replicas. This is when those cellphone
cameras
come in handy. Compare the photo to the catalog shots on Net-A-Porter.com and JimmyChoos.com. Subtle details like the style of the slingback, the heel height or the fabric used on the upper will close the case.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2079625_spot-authentic-jimmy-choos.html

How to Spot a Shopaholic

How to Spot a Shopaholic



Shopping can be a magical experience for the true shopaholic. Finding great deals, scoring the season's must-have item and forging a personal relationship with sales associates at every store makes them positively glow with excitement. Trademark moves make shopaholics easy to spot, just don't volunteer to help carry their bags.









Step
1



Check to see if the suspected shopaholic is carrying a shopping bag every time you see her. On the street, returning from a lunch break or arriving home at night, a shopaholic is rarely spotted without a new item in tow.




Step
2



Pay attention to her wardrobe. The shoes, bags and accessories change with the season, and just as predictably, she won't wear an outfit more than once, and it's unlikely that you'll see the same sweater the following year.




Step
3



Ask about her favorite Internet websites. When he rattles off a list of shopping websites that offer everything from shoes, books to make-up, there is a good chance he's a shopaholic. Check the history of his web browser.




Step
4



Examine the contents of her wallet. A shopaholic's wallet consists of store credit and rewards cards, receipts for recently purchased items that she's considering returning and absolutely no cash.




Step
5



Follow his movements. This can be achieved by asking what are his plans for the evening or weekend. A shopaholic's immediate future includes at least one trip to a mall, boutique or thrift store.




Step
6



Ask about her favorite magazines. Subscriptions to "Lucky" or "Cosmopolitan" and especially "Vogue" means she's well on her way to becoming a full fledged shopaholic.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2107996_spot-shopaholic.html

How to Spot a Fake Vera Bradley Purse

How to Spot a Fake Vera Bradley Purse



Designer knock offs are everywhere these days and deciphering real versus fake can be pretty difficult sometimes. A lot of careful work has gone into mimicking Vera Bradley bags because they are so loved, yet a bit pricey compared to some equally popular bags on the market. Follow these steps to know if what you're looking at is a real or fake Vera Bradley purse. Read on to learn more.









Step
1



Look for it on the Vera Bradley Web site. If you can't find the design under Current or Retired patterns, then it's an absolute fake. Online auction sellers try to pass off knock offs as authentic, retired Vera Bradley bags all the time, so be sure to go straight to the official source.




Step
2



Examine the zipper pull. The official Vera Bradley scripted signature should appear on the pull. Even though the pull could be a fake itself, you know for sure if a bag is a knock off if there's no pull at all.




Step
3



Turn and walk away if the bag is unusually well-priced. There is a reason Vera Bradley bags cost what they do-they are well made and women are crazy about them. If you see a bargain priced bag (with the exception of Vera Bradley clearance sales at official retailers), you can bet it's not real.




Step
4



Find the green Vera Bradley tag if the bag is brand new. It's usually attached with a green string and tucked inside a purse pocket.




Step
5



Compare the bag to one on the Vera Bradley Web site to be sure the pockets are the exact same. Knock offs have an out-of-place pocket, zipper or strap.




Step
6



Turn the bag over in your hands to really get a feel for the fabric. It should be soft like a real Vera Bradley. Some fakes have a scratchier feel to them. Also examine the stitching closely. Fakes often have wider, less durable stitching than the real deal.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2104577_spot-fake-vera-bradley-purse.html

How to Spot a Fake Kate Spade Purse

How to Spot a Fake Kate Spade Purse



Kate Spade purses are notorious for being copied and sold cheaply. Sometimes a fake Kate Spade looks nothing like an authentic one, so if you're familiar with Kate Spade's lines, you'll know when you see an aberration. Other times, the copy is nearly identical to the original, aside from a few subtle changes only a trained eye would notice. Here's how to spot a fake Kate Spade purse.









Step
1



Look for fabric tags sewn or glued on leather purses. This is a sure sign that you've got a fake. Kate Spade always embosses her name on leather rather than using the fabric tag she uses on microfiber, cotton or other fabric bags.




Step
2



Pay attention to the shape and size of the letters on the label. Go to the Kate Spade website to view authentic labels and compare the font on the suspected fake (see Resources below). If the letters vary in any way, your suspicions are justified. Kate Spade only uses one style of lettering on all of her purses.




Step
3



Be suspicious of color block purses, bags with two small front pockets and backpacks. While Kate Spade did design bags like these, they were all produced over a decade ago and are hard to find. Most often, bags with these attributes are fakes.




Step
4



Look out for large metal feet on the bottom of Kate Spade purses. Big, pointy metal studs or ones wider than the size of a dime are signs that you're not looking at a real Kate Spade purse.




Step
5



Question any Kate Spade purse that looks like another designer's work. Purses that seem similar to ones made by Dior, Burberry, Coach and other high end designers yet have a Kate Spade label are definite fakes. Kate Spade has a very distinct style and never copies her competitor's lines.




Step
6



Rule out purses with a single large black stripe on top, sunflower prints, toile, camouflage, tie-dye or prints with the faces of celebrities. These are very popular fakes-and not at all similar to any authentic Kate Spade designs.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2106617_spot-fake-kate-spade-purse.html

How to Spot a Fake Diamond

How to Spot a Fake Diamond



With so many high quality imitation diamonds, it can be difficult to detect a fake. What's more, some dishonest jewelry dealers sell fake diamonds, but charge consumers a high price. Finally, there are several ways to spot an imposter.









Step
1



Ask about the stone. A knowledgeable jewelry dealer should be able to provide information on the stone. Ask whether the stone is a diamond or moissanite. Moissanite stones closely resemble a diamond, and it can be hard to distinguish between the two. Plus, some retailers have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. With this said, inquire about the stone.




Step
2



Check the setting and mounting. Fake stones are typically set in substandard metals. Ask about the silver or gold metal. Is it gold or silver plated? While a jeweler may claim a stone's genuineness, they may unknowingly acknowledge an inferior metal. Cheap settings usually mean a cheap stone.




Step
3



Check stone for scratches. Diamonds are extremely durable. On the other hand, cubic zirconium and moissanite stones scratch easily. Before buying a diamond, carefully check the stone for scratches and other imperfections. Ask the jeweler for a small magnifying glass. Multiple imperfections indicate a fake.




Step
4



Have the jewelry appraised. Persons who question a diamond's genuineness after a purchase should have the stone appraised by a trusted jeweler. Professionals can effortlessly spot a fake diamond.




Step
5



Get a certificate for the diamond. If a diamond is real, the jeweler or dealer will willingly issue a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America. This organization examines diamonds and provides a grade report. Consumers can obtain a report upon purchase of a diamond.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2111348_spot-fake-diamond.html

How to Spot a Fake Designer Handbag

How to Spot a Fake Designer Handbag



Buying a designer bag can be a dream come true for some women. For every designer bag, there are at least twice as many fakes. Some fakes may even be decent quality. Don't waste hard-earned money on a

handbag


that is a rip-off. Follow the tips below for spotting a fake designer handbag.









Step
1



Purchase from an authorized seller. Most likely this will be a small boutique selling designer goods or an upscale department store. Make sure the store is well-established and reliable, with a good reputation. Avoid buying online, where the bag really can't be seen well or touched.




Step
2



Look closely at the hardware of the handbag. The metal should be a good quality metal, and should somewhat match the color of the purse. Look closely at the zipper. The zipper pull usually has the logo on it.




Step
3



Examine the fabric liner. Not only will the fabric be good, but very carefully placed so that designs in the fabric will not overlap, or even be sewn into the seams. The liner fabric in designer bags always goes along with the overall design of the bag and should be neat and aesthetically pleasing.




Step
4



Feel the quality of the leather. Designer bags will always be made of good quality leather. It will be fine, soft to the touch and have a distinct smell. Over-processed leather is often shiny, hard and stiff.




Step
5



Look for the logos. The logos will never be printed uneven, or cut off anywhere. Logos are also placed in many areas on an authentic handbag. Look for them in and out of the purse, on the zipper pulley, even engraved into the metal pieces.




Step
6



Know what price to expect and what price is too good to be true. If someone is selling an authentic Louis Vuitton, it should cost well over a thousand dollars, not only a couple hundred.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2053773_how-spot-fake-designer-handbag.html