Introduced in the fall/winter 2014.

The Chloe Drew bag is a favourite amongst the cool, chic, boho, celebrity crowd. Think Poppy Delavigne, Blake Lively and Olivia Palmero. This isn’t a current ‘IT’ bag, but I believe it to be timeless. I love this bag – the hardware is fantastic, it’s a beauty and you can get a very reasonably (as reasonable as Designer can ever be) priced Chloe Drew Second Hand (rough prices Vestiaire Collective £400 – Handbag Clinic £625 – colour depending) . My go to for any Chloe is Designer Exchange in Knightsbridge. They are online and they also have an additional shop in Chelsea (and Manchester)– but the bricks and mortar in Knightsbridge is still the OG to me.

I found Designer Exchange for the first time, when a woman got lost on my street asking for directions to the shop – she was certain it was on my road. I assured her it wasn’t, and suggested maybe it had closed –I’d been here for four years and never seen it. I had nothing to do that Saturday and went exploring to see if I could find this mythical shop - Voila two streets down, tucked away and there it was – I’d never been in! and it was insane. (I hope she found it!)

What’s really good is when a bag isn’t as popular as say for example : the Louis Vuitton Neverfull’s or the Chanel Flaps– counterfeiters don’t try as hard to make superfakes, or particularly good fakes and that means the fakes are really easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. (as there are defiantly Chloe Drew fakes out there!!)

The below is Chloe Drew specific and won’t help you with other Chloe styles (though there is some cross over).

Also, like all designers they have made subtle changes to the bags over the years.

Contents:

1.Serial Number

2. Hologram Sticker

3. Authenticity Cards

4. Chloe Stamp

5. Interior pocket / lining

6. Stitching

7.Hardware & Pin Lock Closure

8.Hardware & Shoulder Chain

9.Dimensions

10.Leather

1. Serial Number

The Serial Number is always embossed and nine digits. [Remember I’m not talking about all Chloe’s they differ! Just the Drew]

Older Styles

Older Chloe Drew serial numbers follow a pattern of numbers ** ** ** ** * . it does not have any dots or dashes in-between the numbers. Just spaces.

The serial number can be found on a 3.5cm (W) 1.7cm (h) leather tab located on the left seam in the interior pocket. Unlike most designer bags the corners of the tab are 90 degree angles. They are sharp, not curved.

Newer Styles

Over the years, Chloe have moved their serial number locations. In newer Drew models it is sewn to the underneath of the interior pocket.

The newer season bag will have a serial number format as follows ******** - *

The tab will be secured by 11 stiches along the left hand side.

The serial number is on a larger leather tab measuring 3.5cm x 2.6cm.

I would say this leather tab has softer edges than its predecessor.

2. Hologram Sticker on the Leather Tab

Chloe has tried to implement measures to protect the brand from counterfeiters. In addition to the serial number, a hologram sticker is on the reverse side of the leather tab. This is a mirrored sticker with Chloe highlighted in a smaller dark grey box ,and a unique code, in a medium grey box underneath it.

When held and moved in the light – you see rainbow colours.

This code will match with an identical sticker on the authenticity card that comes with your bag.

It is not totally uncommon for these stickers to come off (but majority should still have them). Mine came with a sticker but since I’ve used it so much – its peeled off over time as I don’t think they use the strongest adhesive.

3. Authenticity Cards

Again, people do lose these! But incredibly helpful if you have them.

-The authenticity card is white

-It has Chloe on the front with CARTE D’AUTHENTICITE in thin black lettering underneath.

-On the back of the card. It features two text boxes, one for the sales assistant to write in the DATE of purchase and POINT OF SALE. Run your finger across these slowly – the boxes are matte and you can feel the difference in texture under your finger.

The sticker is 1.2cm wide and 0.7cm high.

It comes in a little white envelope measuring 7cm x 8.5cm. Chloe is embossed and raised to touch on the front in the brands signature light pink font.

4. Chloe ‘MADE IN ITALY’ Stamp

This is located under the flap of the bag, on the exterior of the bag.

It is positioned 1.3cm from the top of the bag.

Pay close attention to the ‘MADE IN ITALY’ if it is crooked or looks wonky then its fake.

It is stamped in gold the same colour as the hardware.

The C stamp should be thicker where the letter curves in the middle and thinner at the ends.

The C, H and L are all serif font – meaning they have little feet.

5. Interior Pocket

The interior pocket is 12.4cm (h) and is 16.6cm (w) – it has no zip closure.

It does not run all the way to the bottom of the bag.

It is rectangular in shape.

The top right and left pocket corners have two small right angle stitched in.

These comprise of 3 stiches along each side and 4 stitches across the diagonal.

The lining of the bag is untreated rough leather.

6. Stitching

Stitched 7.5-8 per inch.

Pay close attention to the stitching on the back of the bag attaching the bag closure flap to the bag it is very heavily sewn in. If the stitch doesn’t feel really indented – question is this bag real?

7. Hardware and Pin Closure

THE BELOW APPLIES TO BOTH OLD AND NEW STYLES

The main bag closure and piece of hardware is 6.2cm high x 2.7cm wide.

Chloe is perfectly engraved and centred in the middle of the raised bottom block. This block is 1.4cm (h) and is raised 3mm from the hardware. This allows the top closure to snap shut seamlessly. When snapped shut there is a 1.4cm section of hardware at the top that does not overlap the hardware.

The gold hardware is very shiny. It is not matte.

The closure is magnetic.

The bottom gold toned panel is fixed onto the bag with four screws. If you look at the interior of your bag you will see these screws. They are not mock screw heads. You would be able to remove the hardware if you wished.

The pin of the pin lock closure feels quite heavy. (But not Lady Dior zip Charm – level)

Older Style Hardware

The hardware is fixed and does not move, you cannot rotate the lock closure. It is fixed in position for the pin to be inserted horizontally. Note: This was A/W 2014 ONLY. BY S/S 2015 THEY HAD CHANGED THE LOCK. I found a 2014 article in The Telegraph with Caroline Issa carrying my exact black Chloé Drew handbag with the old style lock.

The pin is attached with a closed (no break in the link) OVAL gold toned link to the rest of the chain. The chain has 11 links and is then attached to the bag with another closed OVAL link.

The magnet is wider than on the newer styles

Newer Style Hardware

The bag features a turn lock closure. The pin can be inserted vertically and then twisted horizontally to close the bag. This is a good addition as the pin falls out on the older model, exposing the interior of your bag - whereas this issue is now gone, as the turn holds the bag shut - regardless of if you put the pin in or not.

The magnet is smaller and features an additional two screw heads either side of it.

The pin is attached with an open (tiny break in the link) OVAL gold toned link to the rest of the chain. The chain has 11 links and is then attached to the bag with another open OVAL link. (this could be due to the bags rise in popularity, Chloe perhaps cut a corner? And stopped soldering the links completely shut?)

8. Hardware and Shoulder Chain

The shoulder chain is attached to the bag by two oversized gold toned metal rings.

The rings are attached to the bag by tiny screws. Again these are detachable.

The reason why hardware is able to be removed is so you can get your bag cleaned or repaired. A lot of counterfeiters cut corners and you can’t do this with less superior bags.

Shoulder Chain

The chain on a Chloe Drew is soldered into position. You should not be able to untie the knot and retie it. (see the pictures). I believe whoever owned my black bag before me broke it and then reknotted it.

It is designed to be worn slung over your shoulder (will hang very low)

Or crossbody.

Dimensions

- Width: 23.5 cm / 9.3"
- Height: 21 cm / 8.3"
- Depth: 8 cm / 3.1"
- Strap length: 52 cm / 20.5"

The leather

The leather is two tone in texture for my black bag – (2014 collection)

Smooth lambs leather for the flap and then small grain lambskin for the body of the bag.

The lining is refined suede calfskin

It is made from semi-aniline leather. This means its coated with a protective layer giving it enhanced durability.

The motto grey bag is small grain lambskin.

Refined beige suede calfskin lining