How do I know if my vintage Prada is real?

To know if your vintage Prada is real, examine the plaque. A genuine Prada bag has the inverted triangle logo. The plaque containing the logo on a real bag is the same color as the bag itself, so watch out for even tiny differences in hue. The plaque should be perfectly straight and securely attached — if it’s crooked, it may be a fake.

The plaque should also have three lines of text reading: "Prada," "Milano" and "Dal 1913." Prada plaques are typically ceramic on leather bags and leather on those made of nylon or another fabric. If a plaque is made of fabric or plastic, the bag could be fake. No matter how large or small the bag, the plaque will be perfectly readable.

The font for all the logos inside, outside and on the dust bag should look the same. If anything is misspelled, consider the bag a fake.

Another easy tell for a fake Prada bag — especially the nylon version — is if the plaque isn’t centered on the leather triangle it sits on. You have to look carefully, but anything off-center or not perfectly placed may be an indicator that the bag is a knockoff. The letter R in every logo on a genuine Prada bag has a bit of an outward angle to the right leg. If the R has a straight leg, you may have a fake on your hands. In addition, on a real bag, there’s a curved notch in the letter R between the round part and the right leg and a slightly bigger space between the R and the A. The A on a genuine Prada bag has a little cap, and the right leg goes slightly past the top.

If you’re not sure, check the logo on your bag against the website, and you’ll see the difference easily if you have a fake.

Verify that the R and A are correct in all instances and that all the logos on the bag are in the same font. If you need help with authentication, use the services of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert.

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