The business of selling counterfeit designer goods is a lucrative one, and since apparently 80% or more of goods on eBay are counterfeit it would appear that business is certainly booming. People are buying these fake goods, whether deliberately or not.

For some, they may see people who shell out full whack for the real thing as mugs who are throwing their money away. Why pay so much money when you can get a perfectly passable dupe for an absolute fraction of the cost?

But the truth is, that you truly do get what you pay for. A true designer handbag, for example, will be made from superior materials and with exceptional craftsmanship, meaning it will last for years to come. You’re far less likely to have to endure the sort of issues you would with a cheaper bag or a knockoff such as ripped linings and broken zips.

Other people, on the other hand, may be completely unaware that they are buying a counterfeit product, being duped into buying fake fashion when they just thought they were grabbing a bargain. If you’re worried that might be you, then read on for our quick guide on what to look out for when weeding out the fakes.

Stitching

Check all of the stitching on any item, whether it is a pair of jeans or a handbag. Authentic items will have stitching that is straight, with no fraying, and stitches will all be of equal length. There will also be more stitches per inch on a real item than a counterfeit one, as the fakes are trying to cut corners.

Leather

Designer goods will usually use real leather, so unless you are deliberately buying a product that is supposed to be faux leather, you need to know what to look out for. We spoke to Lakeland Leather who told us “Real leather will have a subtle leather scent, whereas fake leather tends to have a rather strong chemical smell. Fake leather will also have a consistent pattern of pores, whereas the texture of real leather is much more irregular and natural.”

Zips and hardware

Look out for inconsistency with the details of designer bags, such as the hardware. For example, often the hardware will be plastic when it should be metal. You should be able to tell as it will feel too light, and won’t get cold.

Zips should open and close smoothly, and it should feel heavy. All of the hardware should be the same colour, and most designer brands will opt for a matte finish, while the counterfeits are usually a glossy finish.

Buttons

Check the detail on the buttons. Real designer items will be very securely sewn on, so if they feel loose it is likely a fake. Also find out whether the genuine item has a logo on the buttons, as knockoffs tend to lack these details.

Logos

Logos should be perfectly straight, and if they are stitched they should have the same number of stitches on opposite sides. Most designers will use metal logos, so look out for anything that is plastic or that isn’t straight or symmetrical.

Packaging and authenticity cards

Besides the item itself, look out for the packaging it comes in and whether it comes with an authenticity card. Counterfeiters fake the whole lot, but the packaging of a real designer piece will be of very high quality as well.

Also, the fact that an item comes with an authenticity card should not be taken as a sign that it is genuine. Compared with a genuine authenticity card you will often spot inconsistencies such as font size, the type, and in fact whether the official brand would even provide one. For example, genuine Louis Vuitton and Hermes handbags do not come with an authenticity card in the first place.