Liz Claiborne's full line of clothing, shoes and accessories are wanted by men and women all over the world. In particular, Liz Claiborne purses are in high demand, and as a result, there are those who have tried to capitalize on the line's success by producing knock-off purses. If you are in the market for a Liz Claiborne purse, beware of replicas. Make sure to carefully examine the purse and confirm its authenticity prior to purchase. The last thing you want is to get home and discover you have purchased a fake. Does this Spark an idea?

• Compare the bag to photos of authentic Liz Claiborne purses. If the purse has any different features such as a slightly wider shape or an extra pocket, know that it is a fake. All purses from a particular design will be exactly the same. Any differentiations signal a replica purse.


• Feel the material of the purse. If it feels thin or cheap, it is likely a fake. If you are looking at online photos and can't feel the purse, assess how it looks. Cheaper materials won't look exactly like the high-quality fabrics and leathers they are mimicking.


• Look for any loose threads. An authentic Liz Claiborne purse won't have stray threads from shoddy stitching. In order to save money on production, fake versions often feature poor stitching.


• Consider the price of the purse. If you are purchasing a brand new Liz Claiborne, the price shouldn't be dramatically lower than retail. While you can save money with sales, it's not likely that an authentic purse from the current season will be that much cheaper than those in authorized retail stores. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.


• Examine the purse's hardware for mismatches and poor quality. On a particular purse, all the hardware should be the same. This means the zippers, buttons, buckles and clasps will all be the same kind of metal. If the purse you're looking at has mismatched hardware, it is probably not authentic.


• Consider the place of purchase. If you are shopping at a high-end department store, the purse is most definitely authentic. If you are purchasing from an auction site like eBay, ask the seller to confirm the purse's authenticity. Also, read his feedback to ensure he has a good history of selling authentic purses.

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