Spot Fake YSL Bag Like a Pro: What You Need to Know

 

Do you also love YSL like me? I’ve found YSL works really well for me because the bags are not fussy, they’re easy to get into, fit my things well, and just seem more low-key flex.

It’s no surprise that YSL bags are so popular; in 2023, YSL’s total sales reached about 3.18 billion euros, and leather goods made up 71% of that.

BUT, do you know how to spot a fake YSL bag?

If not, you could end up getting ripped off by some sketchy sellers who charge top dollar for low-quality fakes.

As someone who’s got both real and fake YSL bags, I’m going to show you how to spot the differences, from the materials and serial numbers to the logos, stitching, hardware, etc.

If you’re a luxury lover who couldn’t pull the trigger for auth bags anymore as prices are exorbitantly high for bags and looking to buy a pre-owned YSL, or searching for a high-quality replica as an alternative, stick around.

I’ll go through all the details you need to know to make sure you’re buying something that’s truly worth your money.

 

Here Are Some Common Signs of Fake YSL Bags:

Packaging that doesn’t look right Unreliable sales channels Unusually low prices Chemical smell Poor-quality, stiff faux leather The bag feels too light

Cheap hardware Messy stitching Low quality lining Outdated or non-existent serial number Logo stamp with the wrong font or size Incorrect details

 

Now, let’s talk about how to spot real and fake YSL bags with these specific points and comparison pictures. By the end, you’ll be able to spot the differences like a pro.

⚠️Note: When authenticating a YSL bag, you need to look at multiple aspects. Just because one thing doesn’t line up doesn’t automatically mean it’s fake. Make sure to check several more key points before you make your call.

Right now, the resale market is flooded with fake YSL bags, and some models, like this high-end replica Le 5 A 7 Hobo I got last year, are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

 

1. YSL Logo

The YSL logo is a significant feature and it’s usually front and center on the bag. When you’re checking if a YSL bag is real, definitely start by taking a good look at the logo.

1. Size of the Y’s Arms:

• On a real YSL bag, the “Y” has a thicker left arm compared to its right.
• Replicas make both arms of the Y the same thickness.

2. Overlap of the Y and S:

• The left arm of the “Y” should sit below the “S” and the right arm above it. This makes the logo look more three-dimensional and layered.
• Fakes usually mess this up, making it look flat and rough.

3. Overlap of the S and L:

• At the top, the “S” crosses over the “L” and then goes behind it.
• Replicas make it look stiff or mismatched, and can’t replicate this natural flow.

4. Curves of the S:

• The curves of the “S” are thinner at the top and bottom compared to the middle.
• Replicas have less natural curve transitions, making them look rougher.

5. Angle of the L:

• The “L” bends a bit less than 90 degrees, and the left side at the bottom of the “L” should be thinner than the right side.
• Fakes miss these little details, so the angle and thickness doesn’t match up with the real YSL logo.

6. Hardware Finishing:

• On real pieces, the hardware edges are smoothed out so they won’t cut you when you touch them.
• Fakes don’t polish these edges well, leaving them rough and sharp.

7. Mock Nail Heads:

Many YSL logo bags, especially from the Hedi Slimane era, will have four mock nail heads on the outlying corners.

• These aren’t functional and should appear somewhat A BIT flat when viewed from the side.
• On fake bags, these mock nail heads are often raised and rounded, looking like bulging hemispheres from the side.

⚠️Note: Some YSL metal logos don’t have mock nail heads, so whether or not there are nail heads isn’t a reliable way to tell if it’s real or fake.

Replica Knockoff YSL Logo

Fake YSL Logo

 

2. Material/Leather Quality

Saint Laurent uses a variety of high-quality materials such as lambskin or calfskin, suede, and other genuine leather, which feels soft and smooth and won’t come with a chemical smell.

The inner lining of real YSL bags should also be high quality and attached perfectly to the bag.

Some YSL dupe bags use poor-quality leather (or even fake leather), which can feel stiff, have an unnatural plastic texture, or lack a genuine shine. These are clear signs of subpar material quality.

 

3. Hardware

Keep an eye on the bag’s metal hardware too.

• Saint Laurent uses high-quality metals that aren’t just plated (mostly in antiqued or matte finishes), so they stay shiny and don’t chip or lose color.
• Also, a genuine bag has a chain that feels heavy and solid—lightweight chains or ones with uneven coloring are fake YSL.

For models like the Kate or the Envelope that have chain straps, these chains should be wide and thick.

• Other hardware parts, like metal connectors on the chain straps, metallic tassels, buckles, handle attachments, and padlocks, should all have clear engravings of the brand’s logo.
• The zipper should feel smooth as butter when you zip and unzip it, and it should also have a bit of weight to it.

Unlike the lighter, flimsier zippers you would find on some cheaper YSL dupe bags (like the ones on DHgate or Aliexpress), which often use aluminum or aluminum mixes to cut costs.

 

4. Button

Don’t forget to check the buttons. Replica Knockoff YSL bags will have “SAINT LAURENT PARIS” engraved on their buttons.

The “SAINT LAURENT” engraving should be:

• in all capital letters
• perfectly even
• and occupy just half of the button’s surface
• also unpainted

⚠️Note: The letters “N” and “T” should NOT be connected when engraved on buttons/clasps/grommets.

In contrast, knock-off YSL bags often get this detail wrong.

The text might be:

• uneven
• letters too thick
• or the entire look just feel off

Fake YSL might also extend the lettering beyond half the button, use black paint to highlight the text, and mess up the font style.

So, if you notice that the text on the buttons is hard to read, too bold, or just looks strange, you are dealing with a fake YSL bag.

 

5. Heat Stamp/Font

When it comes to the Saint Laurent stamp, fake YSL bags often have a hard time getting the fonts right, so it’s crucial to take a close look at the lettering.

YSL changed their font in 2012, so if a modern bag has the old font, it’s definitely a fake.

⚠️Note: Vintage-style labels might carry the old brand logo “YVES SAINT LAURENT.”

YSL bag with the old Yves Saint Laurent logo
(Clutch Bag Second Leather Off-White)

YSL bag with the new Saint Laurent logo
(Envelope Shoulder Bag Quilted Textured-leather Black)

Besides being stamped right onto the leather of the bag, you can also find heat stamps on leather labels that are stitched tight inside Replica Knockoff YSL bags.

Replica Knockoff YSL Heat Stamp

• The brand’s heat-stamped logo has three lines of text, with the first line being larger than the last two. The stamping layout should be large small small.
• The font on the real one is relatively flat, but on the fake, it’s thinner and more elongated.

In the fake, the third line “MADE IN ITALY” is too big, and the font is also incorrect.

The text should be all in uppercase letters, and without any serif details, the font should look neat and clear.

• In “SAINT”, the inner triangle of “A” and the ends of “S” are parallel.
• In both “SAINT” and “LAURENT,” the letters “N” and “T” should be connected.
• The horizontal line of “L” is relatively long.
• Also, the right foot of the letter “R” in “SAINT LAURENT” should be curved, while in “PARIS,” it should be straight.

Pay attention to the spacing between each letter and the size ratio between the brand name and the Paris tag.

• For example, the spacing between the letters in “Paris” is wider.
• The width between the edges of  “U” and “R” is the same as “S”.

 

6. Serial Number

Replica Knockoff YSL bags always have a serial number. If there’s no serial number, it’s a fake. You can find the serial number in these places:

• Near the top zipper
• On the interior material behind the logo panel
• Sewn on a small fabric tag inside the lining

The specific location can vary depending on the style and series of the bag.

Some bags even say “Saint Laurent Paris” on the front. Flip it over, and you’ll find the serial number engraved in a single row. If there are two rows, it’s likely a fake YSL bag.

• These serial numbers have 3 letters followed by 10 digits, separated by dots.
• The first 6 digits are the style number, which you can check on the official website to verify the style.
• The last 4 digits tell you when it was made: the first two are the month and the last two are the year.
• For older Yves Saint Laurent bags, the serial number should be 12 digits, split into two 6-digit numbers by a dot.

This serial number means the style is 620333, and it was made in September 2021. 👆👆👆

Also, some Replica Knockoff bags may have a “made in italy” label in either all lowercase or capital letters.

As I said above, the last four digits of the serial number represent the production date.

The first two digits are the month, so they should be between 01 and 12.  The last two digits are the year. As shown in the picture, 0721 means July 2021.

If the year indicated is a long time ago but the bag looks new, that’s a red flag.

Fake YSL bags also have serial numbers, but the numbers could be off, like nonexistent style numbers or incorrect dates. For example,  2020 wouldn’t make sense as a date.

💡Tip: Don’t forget to check the font, size, and depth of the serial number imprint. Like in the picture, the imprint on the fake is too shallow and hard to read.

 

7. Stitching

Pay attention to the stitching along the edges.

YSL uses this French technique called matelassé stitching, which is supposed to look like it’s been hand-stitched.

You want to see that all the stitches are evenly spaced and each row looks as neat as the next.

💡Here’s a pro tip: count the stitches on both sides of the bag. The numbers should match up perfectly.

There should never be any double stitching in the middle of a row or in any unexpected spots. If you spot any double stitching or any loose threads, those are big warning signs.

Make sure to check the stitching on the handles/shoulder straps, especially around the seams. Low-quality fakes that cost under a hundred bucks often cut corners in this area.

Knockoff YSL Bag Strap Stitching Issue

 

8. Quilting

The quilting is designed to subtly represent a “Y” shape, in reference to Yves Saint Laurent.

• Each quilted section should mirror the others in symmetry, spacing, and stitch work.

For bags that are fresh and haven’t been worn out, pay attention to the front flap.

The quilting here should line up pretty neatly with the quilting beneath it, maintaining that consistent, even look throughout.

• The stitching that separates each quilted bit should be even and uniform.
• No weird gaps or stitches running all over the place.

 

9. Straps/Chain

Replica Knockoff straps should have either a leather stamp or a metal connector.

YSL bags can have a leather strap, a chain strap, or sometimes, they’ll have both. Here’s what you need to look for in each:

Leather Straps:

• They should feel and look premium, mirroring the bag’s stitching style all neat and uniform.
• There should be some embossed lettering that reads “SAINT LAURENT” or “SAINT LAURENT PARIS,” depending on how much room there is on the strap.

Chain Straps:

• The chain should be a curb chain, characterized by its flat-faced links.
• If the grommets (those little rings the chain goes through) are stamped with the YSL logo, those letters should be sharp and consistent.

For bags with removable straps, you’ll find two kinds of hardware: a metal clasp or a leather clasp featuring two peg-in-hole closures that fasten the strap under the flap. Even though they’re different, both types are authentic.

 

10. Dust Bag

Legit YSL bags come with authenticity cards and protective dust bags. If you’re looking at a vintage or used bag, it might not have these.

• Dust bags are typically in the color black. They feature the YSL logo in thick white lettering.

A real dust bag will have “Saint Laurent” or “Saint Laurent Paris” printed on the outside in the official font, and there should be a label inside that shows where it was made. (Older ones have ” Yves Saint Laurent”)

• The details on the authenticity card should match the handbag it comes with.
• Fake dust bags and authenticity cards often have incorrect info or poor-quality printing in the wrong color or font.
• The feel of the dust bag is also a giveaway. The real ones are made from a material that’s soft and feels luxurious to the touch.

On the other hand, you can tell they’re different just by looking at them because fake dust bags are usually polyester.

• Fake authenticity cards often have the wrong font, font size/color, or even a grayish tint to the card color.

⚠️Note: Authenticity cards are pretty easy to fake since they’re just pieces of paper, so don’t rely too heavily on the card to prove it’s real.

 

 

Other signs a YSL bag is fake

Besides checking the details on the bag itself, there are also some signs that a YSL bag might be fake.

1. The price is way below what you’d expect.

Watch out for heavily discounted YSL bags. Fake bag sellers often tempt buyers with big discounts.

Sure, pre-owned YSL bags won’t be priced like new ones, but nobody’s going to sell a luxury designer bag for peanuts.

 

2. Buying from unreliable platforms (that don’t have Fake services).

⚠️Note: It’s also worth mentioning that some websites would claim “100% authentic” or offer “Fake services,” but these claims can sometimes just be for show and not really reliable.

I wouldn’t recommend buying preloved bags from eBay, Etsy, or Poshmark. I’ve seen too many people think they’re getting a real bag for cheap on these platforms, only to find out later they’ve bought a fake.

🔶Experience Share: There was a reader named Nadia who shared her Poshmark scam experience with us before.

Just do a quick online search and you’ll find people sharing their bad experiences on those platforms.

 

So where can you trust to buy Replica Knockoff YSL bags?

There are many luxury resale websites out there. Go for those well-known and have good reviews, especially the ones that offer Fake services.

I hate it when people use discounts as a cover to sell fakes as the real thing. I don’t mind buying replicas, though.

In fact, I often buy high-quality fake bags, like the Le 5 A 7, Niki, Icre, and Sac de Jour I got. These high-end replicas meet my needs and help me save money.

Years of shopping have helped me pick out some pretty good replica sellers.

🔶Reviews: Replica YSL Bags

Le 5 A 7	Icre	Sac de Jour	Cassandre Tassel

 

3. No refund policy is offered.

It’s a big warning sign if the platform doesn’t offer refunds. When you’re buying a bag online, you can’t check it out up close. So, there’s no promise of getting your money back if the bag turns out to be fake.

When buying through online marketplaces that allow direct transactions between buyers and sellers, you should be aware that even if the seller tells you that you can return items if there’s a problem, there’s no guarantee they won’t go back on their word later.

If it’s not a policy of the platform itself, complaining to the platform about the seller might not always help.

4. Shoddy packaging.

If the packaging looks off, like it’s low quality or missing the right branding, that could mean the bag’s a fake. Legitimate platforms will carefully handle customer items and use proper packaging to prevent damage during shipping.

5. No proof of purchase.

When buying from resale platforms, don’t forget to ask for proof of purchase, like the original receipt.

Check if the details on the receipt match the item you’re buying. But remember, don’t trust these proofs completely because they can be easily faked too.

 

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Spotting fake YSL bags like a pro might sound tricky, but by carefully checking things like logos, fonts, stitching, leather quality, and serial numbers—and knowing the brand’s key features—you can really cut down on the chances of buying a fake.

Whether you’re shopping for an Replica Knockoff piece or a high-quality replica, knowing these tips will make it a lot easier to pick out a YSL bag.

Got any questions or want to share your own experiences? Feel free to leave a comment below and join the discussion!

 

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