How do you tell if a Louis Vuitton OnTheGo bag is real?

To tell if a Louis Vuitton OnTheGo bag is real, first look at the date code inside of the tote. All LV bags prior to March 2021 have date codes, which are a little different than serial numbers. Date codes help identify the year and country of origin of the bag, and you can find information about how to decode them on trusted online resources. If a bag was manufactured after March 2021, it will have an NFC tag, a type of microchip, embedded in the bag. It’s invisible to the eye and too small to feel by hand. It contains a unique identifier that can be scanned by Louis Vuitton personnel to reveal the information for each specific bag. Some counterfeiters, especially the really good ones, will be aware of this change, so never rely on the date codes or their absence as the sole proof of a bag’s authenticity. You can also consider the LV monogram logo. Perhaps the most recognizable feature of a Louis Vuitton bag, it was first incorporated more than a century ago in the hopes of staving off counterfeits. Louis Vuitton takes great care with the logo’s presentation, whether it is only on the hardware of a bag or all over. There is no tilting of the interlocked LV letters, nor is there smudging, blurred edges or greenish tints. On an authentic LV logo, the letter L sits lower than the V, creating a perfect overlay, and the letters should be continuous without breaks or interruptions. It’s combined with three distinct quatrefoil designs that repeat in the same order together with the LV monogram logo across the outside of the bag. If you notice irregular spacing, interruptions or a misaligned pattern along a seam, the bag is likely fake. For additional assistance with authenticating your tote, consult a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Louis Vuitton OnTheGo bags.