How to avoid buying a fake designer handbag
By Alex Barbieri • Bankrate.com

A savvy designer handbag connoisseur can spot a fake from the back of the line at Starbucks. To avoid the whispers and rolling eyes that accompany being spotted with a fake, here are some tips to make sure you're buying the real thing.

Do your homework: First, research what you want online and in magazines. Know what the colors, patterns and design should look like.

The store: High-end product is sold at high-end stores. If you see a designer bag on the street or at a flea market, it's probably a fake.

The colors: Generally, colors on a counterfeit are not as vibrant as on the original.

The details: Inspect zippers, buckles and straps. Any shoddy construction suggests a fake.

The design: Patterns frequently are not quite correct on a reproduction.

The label: If the label is a sticker or pin, and not sewn on or attached, it's probably a fake.

The leather: On a knockoff, inferior grain leather will look uneven and "puckered."