First off, and this is REALLY important, do your research. I mean, REALLY do it. Don’t just skim some random website. Go deep. Look up tutorials specifically for the Pandora. There are tons of them out there, and they’ll point out the little things that fakers always seem to screw up.
One thing I’ve noticed? The logo. It’s kinda like the fingerprint of a Givenchy bag. The “V” in GIVENCHY is a big giveaway. It has to have the right thickness and, like, the right spacing between the letters. Fakers often rush this part, so the “V” can look wonky or too close to the other letters. Also, that little dot over the “i”? Pay attention to it! It needs to be perfect.
And speaking of logos, be suspicious of anything that looks… off. Like, if the letters are blurred, or the emblem is distorted, or, god forbid, if they MISPELL the brand name (yes, it happens!), run away! Run far, far away! Real Givenchy is all about quality and attention to detail, so mistakes are a HUGE red flag.
Now, I personally think the font is a dead giveaway on a lot of fakes, especially on the buckle. Real Givenchy letters are *deeply* carved into the metal, which makes them look darker. Fakes, on the other hand, often have larger, less defined letters. It’s like the difference between a professional engraving and someone scribbling with a dull pencil. You know what I mean?
The Antigona, while not a Pandora, often gets used as a reference point in these “real vs. fake” guides, so it’s worth checking out comparisons between a real and fake Antigona. You might pick up on some details that translate to the Pandora too.
Honestly, the quality of the leather is a big tell as well. I mean, you can *feel* the difference between real high-end leather and some cheap pleather stuff. But that’s harder to tell online, so if you’re buying online, make sure you can return it if it’s not what you expect.
Here’s my totally unsolicited advice: buy from a reputable seller. Like, a REALLY reputable seller. A department store, a consignment shop that specializes in high-end bags and knows their stuff, or even Givenchy themselves, obviously. Yeah, it’ll cost more, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re getting the real deal.
