Chloé bags have been around since the 1950s. The French luxury fashion house has grown to become a world-class luxury brand of bags, shoes, and apparel worn by celebrities such as Madonna, Emma Stone, and Cameron Diaz.
“Chloé clothes are my entry into a softer Jada,” Jada Pinkett Smith told The New York Times before attending the Chloé fashion show in Paris in 2015.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith attends the Chloe show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2016 on October 1, 2015, in Paris, France
“Usually, I like to dress with edge, with a lot of rock ‘n’ roll leathers, I like to appear tough. But these designs are so light and elegant, and they really speak to the more feminine side of me,” the wealthy actress added.
An authentic Chloé bag isn’t just a fashion statement – it’s a status symbol, and making sure the Chloé bag you’re buying is the real deal can be tough sometimes.
If you need help knowing where to buy your next Chloé bag, or finding out if the bag is genuine or not, then read on to find out how to tell a real Chloé bag from a fake one.
Where To Buy Chloé Bags
Like all the other expensive designer brands like Hermès and Gucci, the only places where you can find genuine Chloé bags are at official Chloé boutiques around the world.
They also operate an online store that is available in a lot of countries, so if you don’t live near one of their physical retail stores you can always purchase a Chloé bag online instead.
Kate Bosworth totes Chloé’s Mira crystal-embellished shoulder bag while celebrating the opening of the French luxury house’s first proper Los Angeles boutique on Melrose Place in 2009
Other authorized retailers selling authentic handbags include Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Farfetch, and Bloomingdale’s.
Buying from unauthorized platforms either results in you getting a second-hand bag or a counterfeit, as it’s unlikely that new, authentic Chloé bags are sold on these sites.
CNBC reported in November 2019 that many designer handbags sold on The RealReal, an online luxury consignment store, are fakes.
If you’re planning on getting a Chloé bag from third-party stores, it’s important to learn how to tell the difference between a real Chloé bag from a fake or a knockoff.
1. Examine the Leather Used
The leather of a Chloé bag is very high in quality. Soft and supple are the key characteristics of genuine Chloé leather, so check the texture and the feel of the bag to see if it fits the bill.
Dead giveaways of a fake Chloé bag are if the leather used feels cheap, stiff, and has an unnatural smell to it. If you can’t tell the difference, though, then be sure to check the color and design of the leather used.
Chloé’s iconic Marcie round saddle mini bag in small grain calfskin
Chloé bags don’t come in all shapes and colors, and you can compare the bag you’re planning on buying with similar bags found on the Chloe online store.
If you can’t find a matching model of the Chloé bag you’re buying, take that as a huge red flag.
2. Test the Hardware
Chloé hardware is tough and durable, and has the capability of lasting years on end without much wear and tear to it.
If the hardware of the bag you’re looking to buy doesn’t match any one of these descriptions, then the bag may be a counterfeit.
Counterfeit hardware generally feels easy to wear off, and are either too shiny or too dull than their authentic counterparts.
Like with the leather, it’s good to compare the bag with similar bags online and see if the hardware features (color, texture, design) look the same.
Small Aby Lock chain bag designed in the shape of the iconic padlock featured on the Maison’s original Paddington bag
Finally, a really useful tip to remember regarding their zippers is that Chloé exclusively uses YKK branded zippers in their products, though they usually don’t come with the logo.
So, if you see a Chloé bag that has any other kind of zipper, then it’s probably not the real deal.
3. Inspect the Logo
The Chloé logo isn’t as obvious as in other designer bags. It is generally found embossed in the interior of the bag.
Make sure to be nitpicky when inspecting the logo of the bag – is it in the dead center of the interior?
Chloé’s logo symbolizes a timeless and enduring form of value
Is everything spelled correctly, including the capitalization? Are the letters a bit too thin or a bit too thick compared to the logos found in Chloé bags? Does the logo look faded or smudged?
If you notice any lapse in the quality of the logo, it’s probably not a manufacturing mistake – the bag’s just likely a counterfeit.
4. Look for the Serial Number and Hologram
Each Chloé bag comes with its own serial number, usually stamped on a leather tab sewn to the bag’s interior pockets.
The numbers on the tab come in different fonts depending on the production date and model of the bag, so it’s important to do some research to determine if the font corresponds to its overall design.
It may take a while, but it’s a great indicator in separating the real bags from the fakes.
On real Chloé handbags, you will find a tab in the inside pocket with a lot number and a unique serial number that should match the accompanying authenticity card
Other than the serial number, a hologram can be found on the other side of the leather tab. The series of numbers and letters found on the hologram should match the authenticity card of the bag if it has one.
The hologram is a sticker, though, and can be peeled off over time, so if you’re getting a pre-loved bag then this probably isn’t the most reliable indicator for authenticity.
5. Check the Stitching
Designer bags have some of the best stitching found in a bag, and Chloé is no different. Expect quality stitchwork from a genuine bag, and that the stitches contain no irregularities or uneven patterns.
Large Marcie handbag with decorative saddle stitches on the front flap that tie in with the brass studs trimming the curved edges for an equestrian influence
Slanted stitching isn’t used in Chloé bags, so if you see the pattern on a bag, then it’s not Chloé.
Also, make sure to check for traces of glue as that’s only present in counterfeit bags, and never in an authentic one.
What is the most popular Chloé bag?
Introduced in 2009, Chloé’s best-selling Marcie tote has been released in numerous seasonal and classic iterations.
Small Marcie Leather Satchel, $1,750 at Nordstrom
A cult-classic bag with equestrian-inspired styling, this calfskin satchel features wrapped top handles, topstitched accents at the flap, and gleaming hardware
Voluminous and practical, this go-everywhere shape works for any occasion. Marcie’s detachable strap allows for casual, cross-body styling.
What is Chloé?
Chloe is a fashion designer brand founded by Gaby Aghion in 1952. The brand started off in Paris, France, and has grown to become a world-class icon for bags.
Since 1985, Chloé has been a subsidiary of the Richemont Group, which also owns A. Lange & Söhne, Azzedine Alaïa, Baume & Mercier, Buccellati, Cartier, Dunhill, IWC Schaffhausen, Giampiero Bodino, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lancel, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Piaget, Peter Millar, Purdey, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
How much do Chloé bags cost?
As Chloé is a luxury brand, their bags come at an equally luxurious price.
Their online store lists bags ranging from $750 to over $2000, so be wary if you see deals on Chloé bags any cheaper than this price range.
Where are Chloé bags made?
Chloe bags are mostly made in Italy. Some handbags and purses are manufactured in countries such as France, Romania, Bulgaria, and Spain. They are not made in China.
See by Chloé is a younger and more affordable wear-everyday collection from French luxury brand Chloé. Some authentic See by Chloé bags sold at Shopbop are listed as being made in India and Turkey. Shoes from the same brand are made in Spain.
Credit: WENN / Shaan Kokin