How to Spot a Fake Vintage Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM - Circa 2008.

14 Jun

This is the handbag I get asked about the most … “I cannot afford the RRP.. it’s too expensive… where can I buy a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM but be 100% certain it’s real?” Well my gorgeous reader, it is good & bad news.

Louis Vuitton is the most counterfeited designer handbag in the world accounting for around 32.8% of luxury fake submissions, according to a 2025 Entrupy report, Gucci is running a close second. In my opinion this is because of a few factors: popularity is not slowing down, price increase year on year, RRP is prohibitively expensive and LV has beautiful timeless coveted styles which have been around for years. I am so envious of how classic Angelina Jolie looks when she totes an LV around town or when the paparazzi catch her at an airport with a massive trolley full of holdalls. Unfortunately, due to the length of time this bag has been in production counterfeiters have been perfecting their forgery skills year on year. Super fakes are increasingly common, and it is getting harder and harder to spot the fakes.

Check out my post on ‘The Best Places to buy Pre-loved Luxury Online in 2025’. This will show you some of the places I shop, and trust the most.

In terms of cost: if you are looking for a bargain - then you need to go vintage. But, you have to be quick, good quality, vintage Neverfull MM’s do not hang around. I bought mine from The Handbag Clinic - 9 minutes after they uploaded it online.

I would add I think the quality of Louis Vuitton is declining. Therefore, if you buy pre-loved you are actually getting a better made bag! Win, Win, Win.

Read my full bag review here.

It is a great, spacious bag. The canvas is incredibly durable and makes for a brilliant work tote. It is very lightweight which is a massive plus because I load it up with a laptop, hairbrush, makeup bag, umbrella, notepad etc.

The below is designed to help you buy a real vintage Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM. The below does not go into the world of microchips and superfakes.

Note: My bag is dated 2008. This post is specifically for a vintage Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM from that period.

Let’s go.

1. Date Codes

The date code is located on a leather tab (this tab is the same vachetta leather used on the trim & handles. It is located under the interior pocket.

The leathers patina (colour) should not match the trim & handles as it has been kept out of direct sunlight and away from oils so the leather will have aged slower and will be lighter.

The date code is embossed

The tab measures 2.5cm (h) x 1.5cm (w)

Make sure the manufacturer letters in the date code match the ‘made in location’.

Remember the date code can be a real configuration and the bag still be a fake! So read on…

2. Stitching

Stitches are one of the biggest giveaways to me, on if a bag is fake or not. I love brand stitching intricacies and get really obsessed studying them!

Note: Louis Vuitton bags are not hand stitched. A sewing machine is used. A little trivia: They got in trouble with the ASA in 2010 for an advert which was deemed misleading to the public. The ASA ruled they were leading the public to believe the bags were hand stitched.

There are 7-8 Stitches per inch (2.5cm)

The thread is yellow in colour (not white/or pink). But, this is not just thread… this is Louis Vuitton thread. The thread is made from white linen which is then dyed yellow and reinforced with beeswax. (Run your finger over the thread – notice it is smooth and not fluffy – this is the beeswax playing its part).

The interior stitch colour is beige to match the interior canvas

The stitching to sew the handle in place when tilted to 45 degrees is apparently (according to blogs and forums) meant to look like an L (I don’t think it does). When sat upright it looks like a V. This is made up of 5 stitches along each side.

Notice: The four double stitches at the bottom of the leather.
Notice: The single double stitch where the edge stitch, meets the V stitch. This is replicated on all four of the leather handle attachments.

This is a REAL Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM from 2008.

The is fake - no double stitch….. and the thread is too yellow - but that is a whole other issue.

The Louis Vuitton stud which attaches the leather tab to the D-Ring has 4 double neat stitches to the side of it.

The leather loop that attaches to the D ring has 3 double stitches, and 2 double stitches along the bottom.

Louis Vuitton D Ring and 5 double stitches on the leather tab used to make the bag smaller if you wish (back)

The inside leather tab which has a D-Ring attached to the bottom is 3cm long and 1cm wide (measured from edge of leather trim . It is 5 stitches (H) X 2 stitches (W). This is mirrored on the opposite side of the bag. But, instead of a D Ring it’s a clip. This is designed to close your bag if you wish.

3. The Interior pocket

This pocket should be deep enough to touch the bottom of the bag. If it only falls half way down. STEP AWAY.

PS don’t worry about the maroon material zip. Prior to 2014 a few seasons of the Neverfull had this variation.

3. The Louis Vuitton Neverfull (MM) measures 31 x 28 x 14 cm / 12.6 x 11.4 x 6.7 inches (Length x height x width )

4. The handles are thin.

Measuring 1 cm across

5. No plastic authenticity card came with my bag

6. The interior LV stamp

Look out for: Louis Vuitton lettering being too thin. (Counterfeiters also do this with Celine I’ve noticed)

This is embossed (never printed) on the leather interior pocket (below the zip)

The ® sits above the LOUIS VUITTON. Perfectly centred – if you drew a line down from the R it would hit the top of the V.

The ‘L’ in LOUIS VUITTON has a short tail (bottom line of the L)

The O is perfectly round and actually appears larger to the eye than the other letters.

The top of the ‘TT’s almost touch each other. (But they don’t!! tiniest gap)

The ‘made in Spain’ has a lower case ‘m’. The place of manufacture has a capital.

The Interior logo printed on the pocket

The writing looks like flowing handwriting

The top of the O’s are not joined up.

The text is aligned 5mm from the outside edge.

Louis Vuitton, Neverfull MM, Interior Pocket

7. The Monogram pattern

To the touch - Monogram canvas feels rigid, durable and grainy - not soft and supple. This is not a smooth, soft, buttery leather bag!

I’ve noticed that a lot of fakes are quite shiny – again step away.

The monogram logo isn’t a block colour - you can *slightly* see the background colour of the bag coming through. Especially at the thicker point of the L.

PAY ATTENTION.

THE L – (2.4 cm (h) x 2.2cm (w)

The V – (2.5 cm x 2.5cm)

The circles with flowers in are 2cm.

The monogram meets at the side and never overlaps or gets cut off.

The tip of the flower petal uniformly edges the bottom of the bag.

-The Neverfull print will always be the same.

-There are 12 tips of the solid-colour flowers in a row.

-Followed by 13 alternating flowers (in diamond) and LV. (I’m including the ones that go over the seams)

-Followed by 12 flowers

-Followed by 13 flowers alternating (7 in a circle, 6 in a diamond)

-and then it continues.

8. The red edging

This gorgeous red glaze (better than any cinnamon bun glaze) that edges all the leather trim usually wears off over time.. and is definitely not bright red, it is more maroon! It is not Louboutin red. If your bag is meant to be 20 years old but has a bright red edge (unless it’s been restored – definitely STEP AWAY!!). a LOT of fakes have a shiny orange/brighter red.

My bag is from 2008 and notice how you only see glimpses of the red. I think the Iphone 15 has actually enhanced this!! It is not as vibrant in real life.

9. Hardware

Button Stud

Whilst not being gold the hardware has a gold tone and shine.

Look at how the Louis Vuitton is a different font. The letters are more square.

I personally find counterfeit hardware to be quite good. So it’s tricky to use as an identifier.

Zip

I think Louis Vuitton zips can feel very cheap and flimsy.

The back of the zip is blank.

10. Shape

The bag holds it shape pretty well! It’s a good robust bag - the canvas doesn’t slouch ( the material ballerina of the handbag world)

If you bag is slouching all the place. The bag is probably a fake.

*Remember I’m not an expert, just super passionate. This is JUST what I look out for….I just want to help people not pay £££s unknowingly thinking they have the real deal and then it turns out to be counterfeit*

Hope this helped xx

Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Neverfull MMVintage Louis Vuitton Authentication GuideNeverfull MM Circa 2008Fake vs. Real Louis Vuitton BagsHow to Authenticate Vintage Louis VuittonLuxury Handbag Authentication TipsAvoid Fake Vintage BagsIconic Louis Vuitton Neverfull MMDesigner Bag Authentication GuideVintage Designer Bags Pros and ConsHow to guide

alice scaysbrook

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