Do you go thrift shopping often? The thrill of discovering new and used items can make heading to your local thrift store addicting. Every day, the inventory is different and you never know what you might find.
But what happens when you happen upon an item that you think might be authentic? It could either be a designer handbag or a limited edition home décor item.
That product you were so happy to find might actually be worth some cash. To know for sure if it's the real deal, let's go over how you can tell an authentic item from a fake one.
Here we go!
Clothes
While the clothing at the thrift store might have been previously worn multiple times, there are a couple of ways to know if it's really designer. For starters, look at the craftsmanship.
There should be no loose threads, especially at the edges. Often with cheaply made clothes, you can tell if was mass produced because the stitching will be undone after wearing it a couple of times.
Not only that but the stitching will be loose in the middle of the garment.
As for zippers, all of them should be placed well. That means no notches, no ripples, and if it's supposed to be an invisible zipper, it'll be just that---invisible.
Handbags
Picked up a bag with a designer name attached? You can tell it's authentic by paying close attention to a few details.
When it comes to the logo, it's best to make sure it's spelled correctly. It may seem like common sense but a lot of people have been fooled by misspellings based solely on the fact that they thought they scored a designer handbag at a thrift store.
Be sure to check nameplates and zipper pulls as well. Their name will be engraved, not stamped.
Don't take those little details for granted. Often times, the devil is in the detail.
For handbags, the hardware is often the star. No matter the metal, make sure it has a hefty weight to it. Real designer handbags don't use cheap hardware.
They finish the bag the same way they started it---with design in mind. So, it wouldn't make sense for a Chanel designer to place cheap hardware on a well-made bag.
Pay attention to the seams as well. With patterns or prints, designers make sure their seams line up correctly. With cheaply made clothing, manufacturers don't bother to line up a pattern correctly.
Jewelry
Luxury watches, gold, and sterling silver jewelry can all be found at thrift stores. However, jewelry is often times counterfeited. Sometimes even more so than jewelry and handbags.
For starters, luxury watches have some tells into figuring out if it's authentic. Let's use Rolexes as an example. There's only one model that has a ticking second hand and that's the Oysterquartz, which is no longer in production.
That said, if you spot a Rolex with a ticking second hand, it's fake. Authentic models will have a consistent motion.
Gold jewelry, on the other hand, is judged by its weight and its color. Real yellow gold will never fade. That means it won't develop green spots nor be dull in terms of vibrancy.
To tell if that chain you have your eye on at the thrift shop is real, ask to take a closer look at it. You want to feel it in your hands to determine the weight. Real gold will be weighty and if it's a chain, the links will be dense.
Sterling silver jewelry is another story. One easy and most known way to tell if it's real sterling is to make sure the numbers "925" are stamped somewhere.
However, these stamps can be easily faked as well. One way to tell is if it's only stamped once. Normally, authentic jewelry will have "925" stamped on the back of pendants, on the chain, and even on the clasp.
Home Decor
Vases, art, and other knick-knacks could be the real deal if you know what to look for. While all brands and designers differ, they mostly have identifying factors in common.
To tell if a handmade item is real, check for slight imperfections. Imperfections meaning an uneven surface. Anything handmade will show that it was made by human hands, not a machine.
If it's a handmade glass item, there might be tiny bubbles. Same goes for items made out of resin.
For designer or brand names, again, make sure it's spelled correctly. For vases and other flat-bottomed items, the name will often be located on the bottom.
If it's authentic, it won't have "-style" or "-inspired" after the name. Let's take Murano glass for example. If the piece you have in your hands says "Murano-style" then it's definitely a fake.
For pieces of artwork, it can be a little trickier. If you're looking for a specific artist, like Picasso, make sure to familiarize yourself with his work and most importantly, his signature.
Signatures from artists will be handwritten but in today's modern world, anyone could copy or forge a signature. It's important that you find something that has that artist's authentic signature. You'll then want to compare the two.
Even fakes can be convincing. But where they normally place their signatures and their handwriting will help you determine if the piece of artwork you found is authentic or not.
Furniture
Unfortunately, not all furniture is created equal. Nowadays, people are leaning towards more artfully crafted pieces that are not only beautiful but can stand the test of time as well. That's why the thrift store is the best place to find great antique furniture.
To make sure you're investing in an authentic piece of furniture, pay attention to the finish. As with designer handbags, the details will be impeccable.
For the joints, they shouldn't be held together with staples or glue. Most designer brands will use dowel joints. You also shouldn't be seeing any nails poking out underneath.
As far as the markings go, the piece can still be authentic even without one. Most people who have furniture will remove stickers that say the brand's name.
However, you can probably find the spot where the sticker was. There may be a glimmer where the glue held the sticker in place or a slight discoloration in the wood or metal.
