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How to spot a fake Marc Jacobs "The Tote Bag"?

  • 22 February 23

Everyone needs a 'tote' bag in their life, and Marc Jacobs understood this perfectly well when he created the 'Tote'. With a bold logo, a range of sizes and a choice of materials, this bag has become a fashion essential since its release in 2019. This large tote is the perfect companion for busy days. Unfortunately, such popularity has led to a lot of counterfeiting. So if you're buying it off the shelf, here are a few tips to help you spot whether it's a real The Tote Bag or a replica.

The right dimensions :

The first thing to do when you receive your 'Tote' bag is to check that it corresponds to the brand's official measurements. Here are the sizes given by the brand:

  • The large The Tote Bag :

    • Dimensions: 42cm W x 16cm D x 34cm H

    • Height of handle: 24cm

  • The Tote Bag medium:

    • Dimensions: 34cm W x 16cm D x 27cm H

    • Height of handle: 12cm

  • The mini The Tote Bag :

    • Dimensions: 26cm W x 12.5cm D x 21cm H

    • Height of handle: 11cm

Bag features :

Front of the bag :

Pay particular attention to the "Marc Jacobs" lettering on the front of the bag. There's a noticeable difference between a replica and a real bag. On a real tote bag, the brand logo should be straight and in a light grey colour.

On counterfeits, you'll see that the M and S are not aligned with the rest of the letters. As you can see from the photos below, the crooks also use a smaller, whiter font. What's more, the gaps between the different words are not respected.

On the left, an authentic Marc Jacobs bag, on the right, a replica Marc Jacobs bag.

The back of the bag :

Check that the brand name is printed on the back of the bag. Some replica factories do not bother to reproduce this label.

The shoulder strap :

Now turn your attention to the details associated with the shoulder strap. These are good indicators of the bag's authenticity.

The metal buckle to which this shoulder strap is attached is on the outside of counterfeit bags. In theory, it should be on the inside of the bag. Also check that the brand name is engraved on the shoulder strap fastenings, as some counterfeiters do not reproduce this small detail.

The zip :

The zip on this bag, as elegant as it is functional, should correlate with the colour of the bag. It should also be solid and fluid, with fairly thick teeth.

Buy your used The Tote Bag with Obvy :

If you want to buy your second-hand Marc Jacobs bag on resale platforms such as Leboncoin or Vinted, we advise you to use Obvy to secure your transaction.

With Obvy as a secure payment method between private individuals, you can avoid scams easily thanks to the escrow system, which keeps the transaction money safe in a safe until the transaction is finalised. Once you've received the parcel, you have 72 hours to confirm the authenticity of your second-hand bag. If necessary, you will be reimbursed without difficulty.