Fake Dior Bags: Detailed Guide to Identifying

 

Unlike other brands, when you search for “fake Diors” on Google, you’re more likely to find sneakers instead of handbags.

But does this mean there are fewer fake Dior bags out there? Definitely not.

If you’re thinking about picking up a preloved Dior handbag anytime soon, I suggest you learn a bit about how to spot fakes yourself first. It’s always good to be cautious.

When I was gathering information for this guide, I stumbled upon a Forbes article that mentioned The RealReal, as “a large and important player in the online luxury resale business”, actually had an unreliable Fake process. 

That led to this article headline: “The RealReal Sold Me a $3,600 Fake.”

Although the article was written four or five years ago, and I can’t be sure if things have improved since then, from my own experience, I still hear about resale websites selling fakes quite often.

Get back to this post’s topic, here are some effective tips to help you spot Dior reps (replicas).

 

How to Spot Fake Diors?

Leather Tag Heat Stamp Date Code Stitching

Lining Handles Hardware

Dior Oblique Embroidered Letters Authenticity Card Dust Bag

 

Leather Tag Heat stamp

When checking a Dior bag, make sure to look at the interior tag inside the purse.

Each tag should be rectangular with slightly rounded corners. If you spot a tag with sharp, straight angles, it’s definitely a Christian Dior dupe.

Also, keep an eye on the stitching. 

Older bags from before 1990 only have stitching along the top edge, but newer ones are stitched all around. However, some styles, like the Dior Book Tote, don’t have any stitching on the tag.

The heat stamp is right on the front of the interior tag. Depending on the bag’s model, it could have two or three lines that read:

• Christian Dior
• PARIS
• MADE IN ITALY  (or sometimes, though less common, MADE IN SPAIN)

💡Tip: Christian Dior stopped making handbags in France in 1990. So if you see any non-vintage bags labeled “MADE IN FRANCE,” it’s a red flag for a fake.

Authentic	Authentic
Authentic	Replica

A little logo tag can reveal a lot of details. It’s tough for Dior bags dupes to get it right, so if you pay close attention and compare, you can spot the mistakes!

• The “C” starts with a standout triangle and varies in thickness.
• The second stroke of the letter “h” starts at one-third of the vertical line, thinning from thin to thick.
• The “S” leans a bit to the right, with the ends thinner and the middle thicker.
• On the second “i,” the dot is off to the right, while the other two dots sit right on top.
• The “a” has a noticeable belly, and its tail curves downward.
• The letter “D” is wide and flat with significant changes in thickness, and its bottom serif is a bit longer.
• The letter “O” is thicker on the sides and thinner at the top and bottom.

“PARIS” is the smallest in the three lines of text, with wide spacing.

• The letter “A” in”PARIS” appears the largest and should have a pointed top.
• In “MADE,” “M” is the widest, flat on top, and the center reaches down.
• The “E” is the narrowest with all three bars of equal length.
• The “Y” has a big top with a short leg.

 

Date Code

The date code is usually found on the back of the logo leather label, along the edge inside the bag, or on a separate leather tag.

It’s a special mix of digits and letters, typically arranged like this:

• 00 XY 0000
  (2 digits 2 letters 4 digits)

Each part is separated by dashes. There shouldn’t be big gaps between the dashes and the numbers. Make sure the code is centered right in the middle of the tag too.

⚠️Note: On vintage Dior handbags, you might come across a date code that has two letters followed by four digits, don’t mistakenly think it’s fake Dior!

• The two letters in the middle stand for the place of manufacture.
  Common codes include MA, BO, and RU.

• The last four numbers indicate the month and year the bag was made.
  Specifically, the first and third digits are the month, while the second and fourth represent the year.
  eg. 1210=made in November 2020.

Also, pay close attention to the font and size of the date code. The font should be clear, even, and all in capital letters.

Real date codes look like they’re handwritten, not like the uniform, printed look you see on fakes.

• The number 1 does not have a raised head and its tip points downward.
• The center of the letter “M” does not touch the bottom.
• The middle bar of “A” is lower down.

A=Authentic, R=Replica	Fake Dior Date Code

⚠️Note: 

In some cases after 2020:

• The center of the letter “M” touches the bottom.
• The middle bar of “A” is more centered. 
• The number 1 has a raised head.

Remember to check the year first and then see if the font characteristics match accordingly.

 

Stitching

Look at the small details like the stitching. Crooked stitches, uneven lengths, or weird angles are clear signs it’s fake.

• The stitches should be even and evenly spaced.
• The threads should be as soft as the leather.

When you run your hand over the bag, it shouldn’t feel like you’re touching rough strings. Fakes often use rough synthetic threads instead.

If you’re looking at a Lady Dior, pay attention to its special cannage quilting.

The stitching on a real Lady Dior won’t be deep enough to damage the leather, but on fakes, the stitching often looks almost embossed into the bag.

Also, make sure to check the pattern. 

It should be centered on both the front and back of the bag—the mini should have three cushion diamonds, the medium five, and the large seven.

• The pattern should line up perfectly at the seams, and its scale doesn’t change with the size of the bag.

Counterfeiters might get the Cannage pattern right, but they often mess up the stitching.

• Dior’s classic Cannage quilting is done with small, even stitches using pretty thin thread.

💡Tip: The main rule for all classic models is that the stitching should be the exact same color as the bag’s leather (unless it’s a special edition).

Counterfeiters often struggle to match the stitching color perfectly.

In some really good replica Dior, they try to copy the stitching quality you see on real bags. That’s why it’s important to check the whole bag, from the handles to the interior, to really get a feel for its quality.

Authentic	Replica

 

Lining

The lining inside an Replica Knockoff Lady Dior bag should fit snugly against the bag’s inner walls without any overhangs.

You may find a cannage or Dior jacquard pattern on the lining, with the cannage pattern being more common. Some Lady Dior bags also have a plain leather or suede lining.

Most fake Dior bags don’t use the cannage pattern; they often go for the monogram oblique pattern with ‘Dior’ repeated all over it.

Authentic	Replica

 

Handles

Another tip for spotting Dior reps is to take a good look at the handles. This method shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for the handles on a Lady Dior.

• They should be stiff and structured.

Despite what some people say, the handles don’t always stay upright when you set the bag down. It’s pretty normal for them to tip slightly forward or backward.

• However, the handles should never fall to the side!

They stay fixed at about an 85-degree angle, which forms the two letters of the CD logo when you look at the bag from above.

Replica handles can move side to side easily and might even squeak. Plus, fake Lady Dior handles can be warped or not line up properly.

Authentic	Replica

 

Hardware

Trying to authenticate a Dior purse based only on its hardware can be tough.

Small details on hardware, like branded embossing, can vary with the style and size of the purse.

• The one thing all Dior hardware has in common is its outstanding quality.
• The hardware on Replica Knockoff bags isn’t shiny or cheap-looking; instead, it has a vintage feel.

On fake Diors, the gold coating tends to peel over time.

If you’re holding a real bag, the hardware will feel solid and heavy.

Let’s take a closer look at a few popular styles.

 

Lady Dior

Charms:

The letter charms are connected with rings that look like a figure 8. This design helps the charms lie flat against the bag, preventing their edges from scratching or damaging the surface of the bag.

The charm shouldn’t be able to flip completely over since it’s attached to the bag on a swivel loop, not a loose one, but it can still swing back and forth gently.

The surface of the hardware parts should be mirror-polished and very smooth, with each edge and corner well-rounded and finely polished. If you feel a grainy texture when touching it, it’s definitely a fake.

• The “I” doesn’t have sharp horizontal lines. Instead, it transitions smoothly into the vertical stroke.
• The ‘O’ charm is bigger than the others, so it should always be placed behind them.

⚠️Note: The ‘O’ charm should also rest against a round leather piece that only has ‘CHRISTIAN DIOR’ embossed on the back and nothing else.

If you see  “Christian Dior Paris” or “Christian Dior Made In Italy”, it’s a fake.

Since the charms overlap, they’ll usually get small scratches, especially if they are pre-loved.

 

CD Engraving: 

• The “C” in the CD logo is slightly smaller than the “D”.
• The two pointed ends are sharp and well-defined, with clear, crisp edges around the lettering.

Replica Knockoff Charms	Replica Charms	Replica Knockoff Round Leather Piece

A=Authentic, R=Replica	A=Authentic, R=Replica

 

Feet

Turn the bag over and check out the bottom, depending on the size of the bag, you should see four or five metal studs, shaped like tapered domes.

Look for four feet on the Medium, Small, and Mini Lady Diors, and five feet on the Large one.

Dior reps usually have studs that are either too flat or too pointy.

Also, the feet on the Mini Lady Dior are a bit more flatter than on the other sizes.

Authentic	Replica Knockoff (Mini Lady Dior)	Replica (Mini Lady Dior)

 

Zipper

The main zipper on the bag should have a puller with four chain-links: a small one followed by three larger rings, with a rounded zipper pull attached to the last ring.

This oval zipper pull should feel substantial in your hand and have “CD” stamped on it.

Newer ones have switched to a flap closure instead of a zipper. So, if you don’t see a zipper closure, especially on a Mini Lady Dior, don’t jump to the conclusion that it’s a fake.

 

Buckle: 

• The inner groove of the shoulder strap buckle has clear signs of secondary polishing, giving it a refined finish.

Grommets: 

• They don’t actually use real screws anymore; instead, the grommets just have these symbols that look like screws.

 

Saddle Bag

For the Saddle Bag, the key features to inspect are the D ring and the screws on the “CD.”

💡For more details, check out: How to Spot A Fake Dior Saddle Bag

 

30 Montaigne

The main things to check on the 30 Montaigne’s hardware are the CD hardware and the buckle.

💡For more details, check out: How to Spot A Fake Dior 30 Montaigne Bag

 

Dior Oblique Embroidered Letters

Since the popular Book Tote doesn’t come with any hardware, here are two extra tips specifically for authenticating the Book Tote.

Dior Oblique

The oblique motif is super important when it comes to spotting a fake Dior Book Tote.

Make sure to check how the letters are arranged, the color and thickness of the thread, and how well the embroidery is done.

• Make sure the Dior Oblique canvas looks sharp and clear.
• Even though the letters overlap, you should still be able to read each one clearly.

Also, don’t forget to check how uniform the stitching is. This detail can be easy to miss.

If the stitching strays from a straight 180-degree line, it’s a dead giveaway that the bag is fake.

Replica Dior oblique Book Totes often mess up the spacing, squeezing the “Dior” letters too close together.

You might also notice on a lot of Dior reps that the oblique pattern is just printed, not embroidered, or the embroidery could be too thin or too thick, not matching the quality and weight of the real bag.

Authentic	Replica

 

Embroidered Letters

Besides paying attention to the overall embroidery, it’s also important to focus on the font of the large logo on the bag.

• When you fill in the blank space within the letter “C”, it forms an “O”.
• For letters like “R” and “D”, expect to see the inner circle forming a “D” shape, with the top and bottom right corners having noticeable curved lines, not sharp angles.
• The sides of  “S” should not be a smooth curve but should have a straighter appearance.
• The inner corners of the “N” are sharp and distinct, while the “R” does not have sharp angles.

The word “PARIS” is clear and bold.

• The letter “A” has a pointed top.
• The “S” is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.

Authentic	Replica

 

Authenticity Card

Every original Dior purse includes an authenticity card, along with an envelope and a care booklet, especially when the bag is new.

On old authenticity card

• The certificate says ‘Christian Dior’ on the front.
• On the back, there are white rectangular spaces on the card that are often filled in by hand with info like when and where you bought the bag, and the style number of the bag.

On new authenticity card

• On newer cards, ‘Christian Dior’ has been changed to just ‘Dior.’
• The back no longer includes handwritten information or stamps, and instead of three languages, it now features six.
• There’s also a barcode in the bottom left corner.

💡Tip: Under a UV light, you’ll see the letter ‘D’ appear on both sides above the barcode.

Don’t worry too much if you don’t get a card when buying a second-hand bag. Most preloved bags don’t come with the card or the booklet.

Since it’s way easier to fake a nice card than a bag, always focus more on the quality of the bag itself rather than just relying on the authenticity card.

Top-Real; Bottom-Fake	Authentic: Top-Old; Bottom-New

 

Dust Bag

The style of Dior’s dust bags has changed over time, but they’ve always kept their high quality.

They’re made from cotton and might feature different logos or even a picture. Nowadays, most just have ‘DIOR’ written in gold on the front. The Replica Knockoff logo is reflective, while the counterfeit version is not.

If the dustbag is made of silk or any shiny, non-cotton material, that’s a clue the bag might not be authentic.

Older models might have a dust bag that says ‘Christian Dior’ with ‘PARIS’ underneath.

Sometimes, a beautiful Lady Dior even comes with a special dust bag that has a swan image on the bottom right side and the brand’s name on the left.

Pay attention to the yellow color of the jewelry on the swan’s neck.

The feather details on the neck are represented by black dots, which can vary in number. Fakes often lack these black dots.

 

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Alright, that wraps up our guide to spotting a fake Dior bag. Did you catch all of that?

Using these Fake tips above should help you weed out over 90% of the fake Diors.

To be honest, I do like Dior bags, but I’m not as passionate about them compared to some other brands. I usually add new bags to my wishlist when the brands release new collections.

For Dior, though, I mostly stick to the classics like the Lady Dior, Saddle Bag, and Book Tote… I think I have reached my purse peace. LOL

Plus, as I’ve mentioned in my “The 10 Designer Bags You Shouldn’t Invest In,” the resale value of Lady Dior isn’t that great, let alone other styles. 

So, most of my Dior bags are replica bags, haha.

Buying a brand-new Dior bag just doesn’t seem worth it, which is why many people turn to resale platforms.

To help everyone avoid getting scammed, I recently published a series of “SPOT THE FAKE” guides, including this one.

• How to Spot Fake Louis Vuitton Bag Like a Pro (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Spot Fake Birkin: Expert Tips from a Seasoned Collector
• Spot Fake YSL Bag Like a Pro: What You Need to Know

I hope they provide useful information and help everyone shop smart and stay sharp!