How can you tell if a Chanel tote is real?

To tell if a Chanel tote is real, first check the serial number. Chanel began including serial numbers at the bottom of its bags in the mid-1980s. Between six and eight digits long, depending on the date of release as their formatting has changed over the years, the serial numbers indicate the bag style and year of manufacture. The number should correlate with the year that the particular style was released. A quick web search will provide detailed information about Chanel serial numbers as well as the release dates of various styles. Walk away if you find that, for example, a serial number indicates a 2005 manufacture date for a style that wasn't made until 2013. Also, look at the zipper. Chanel has used Lampo metal-tooth zippers for the past two decades, so the logo should be on the back of the slider. Shop a variety of Chanel totes on 1stDibs.