Chanel espadrilles: how to identify a counterfeit?

A French luxury brand that cannot be ignored, Chanel has become a benchmark for elegance and refinement. Created by Coco Chanel in the 1800s, the brand has developed through a series of collections, each more emblematic than the last. However, Chanel products have not been able to ward off counterfeiters, who have been quick to replicate these products, including the brand's espadrilles. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for counterfeit shoes to be offered for sale on second-hand or unofficial websites, where they're sold under the illusion that they're genuine. That's why, in this article, we'll give you our tips on how to tell whether they're fake Chanel espadrilles or the real thing.

The midsole :

First of all, pay particular attention to the midsole of your Chanel espadrilles, and more specifically to the toe area. This tells you a lot about the authenticity of your shoes.

The midsole of an authentic Chanel pair is wide, lifting the feet slightly and making the whole look prettier. The same effect does not appear on espadrilles from replica factories.

The stitching on the midsole is also poorly done on counterfeits. They are not as tight and thick as on real espadrilles from the luxury brand.

On the left, a real pair of Chanel espadrilles, on the right, a replica.

The logo :

Now let's analyse the logo on your Chanel espadrilles. The double C must be perfectly symmetrical. The luxury brand attaches particular importance to this detail.

Swindlers, in their desire to make a profit, rush in and get this detail wrong. In fact, it's not uncommon to see that the C on the right is larger than the C on the left, or vice versa.

A genuine logo is symmetrical, narrow and clean.

The insole :

You should also look at the insole of the Chanel espadrilles you want to buy. It's worth taking a look at these to confirm the authenticity of the shoes.

The luxury brand's sole is slightly grainy, which prevents feet from slipping inside the shoes. The seams of the fake soles are also loose, which is never a good sign - they need to be tightened.

The brand lettering on the sole is also different. While the letters of the Chanel logo on the replica are bolder and thicker, those on the real espadrilles are thin and so golden that they reflect the light very well.

Left: authentic Chanel espadrilles, right: fake Chanel espadrilles

Curious to find out more about Chanel counterfeits? Take a look at our articles on Dad sandals and Chanel bags.

Leather :

Last but not least is the leather from which Chanel shoes are made. The luxury brand uses lambskin leather, which is easy to recognise because of its grainy, supple surface.

It is virtually impossible to achieve the same effect with any other type of leather.

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