Quick Answer

Fake Louis Vuitton bags use coated canvas, polyurethane (PU) leather, split leather, and plastic hardware. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags use coated canvas, vegetable-tanned leather, and brass hardware.

Canvas

Authentic Louis Vuitton Monogram canvas is a cotton fabric with a PVC coating. The coating gives the canvas a shine and makes it water-resistant. Fake bags use a similar coated canvas. Some fakes use PVC with fillers. The PVC layer can peel or crack. The canvas base may be polyester instead of cotton.

Some fake bags use PU (polyurethane) coating instead of PVC. PU feels softer. PU breaks down faster. The print on fake canvas is not sharp. The monogram pattern may not align at seams.

Leather

Authentic Louis Vuitton uses vachetta leather for handles and trim. Vachetta is vegetable-tanned cowhide. It starts pale and darkens with age. Fake bags use split leather. Split leather is the bottom layer of a hide. It has no natural grain. Fake bags also use PU leather. PU leather is a fabric with a plastic coating. PU leather does not age like real leather. It can flake.

Some fake bags use bonded leather. Bonded leather is leather scraps glued together. Bonded leather cracks and peels.

Hardware

Authentic Louis Vuitton hardware is brass. Brass is heavy. It has a gold tone. Fake bags use steel with gold plating. Plated steel is lighter. The plating wears off. Fake hardware may have sharp edges. The engraving on fake hardware may be shallow or off-center.

Lining

Authentic Louis Vuitton linings vary. Some bags use microfiber. Some use textile. Fake bags use polyester fabric. Fake linings may have loose threads. The lining may not match the bag color.

How to Check Material

  • Look at the canvas. Real canvas has a fine texture. Fake canvas feels plastic.
  • Press the leather. Real vachetta leather wrinkles. PU leather springs back.
  • Check the hardware weight. Real brass feels heavy. Plated steel feels light.
  • Look at the stitching. Real stitching uses linen thread. Fake stitching uses polyester thread.

No single material test proves a bag is fake. Use multiple checks.