Are you planning to own a Goyard handbag? If yes, you have a delicious taste and an eye for subtle sophistication. Goyard bags have been on the wishlist of bag connoisseurs for decades, and here’s why:
What Makes Goyard Bags So Sought After?
1. Exclusivity & Scarcity
Unlike brands that heavily market and advertise, Goyard maintains an air of mystery by not selling its bags online and limiting distribution to select boutiques worldwide. This makes owning a Goyard handbag a mark of privilege and insider luxury.
2. Discreet Luxury Appeal
Goyard caters to those who appreciate understated luxury rather than flashy logos. The iconic Goyardine pattern is recognizable among fashion connoisseurs but remains subtle compared to monogram-heavy brands like Louis Vuitton.
3. Timeless Craftsmanship
With a history dating back to 1792, Goyard prides itself on handcrafted bags, traditional techniques, and durable materials. Their signature Goyardine canvas is not just stylish but also lightweight and water-resistant.
4. Celebrity & Influencer Endorsements
A-list celebrities and fashion icons—including the Kardashians, Pharrell Williams, and Meghan Markle—have been spotted carrying Goyard totes, increasing their desirability.
5. Customization & Personalization
Goyard offers hand-painted monograms and stripes, allowing owners to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect their personality. This bespoke touch makes each bag feel even more special.
6. Goyard Investment Value & Resale Demand
Due to their limited availability and high demand, Goyard bags hold or even appreciate in value over time, making them a luxury investment piece rather than just another handbag.
Unlike most luxury brands, Goyard has always maintained an aura of mystery, making their bags a rare find. Their limited availability and high demand have led to a rising wave of counterfeits. But fear not! With a discerning eye and a few insider tips, you can distinguish the genuine from the faux.
Fasten your most fashionable fedora hats, grab your magnifying glass, and channel your inner Sherlock Holmes; let’s begin our “bagvestigation.” It’s time to uncover the truth behind the high-stakes case of a Goyard bag that says I am authentic, but maybe it is lying! Is it a rare treasure, or is it a cleverly disguised counterfeit? Let’s decide.
A Goyard or a Go-back?
Clue #1: The Canvas Conundrum
The first step in any investigation is to analyze the evidence—starting with Goyard’s signature Goyardine canvas.
✅ Authentic: Goyard’s canvas is a luxurious blend of cotton, linen, and hemp, hand-screened for a slightly raised, textured feel. You’ll notice a unique depth and richness when you run your fingers over it.
🚨 Fake: Counterfeit versions often use printed, flat materials that lack texture. If the canvas feels suspiciously smooth or plasticky, that’s a red flag waving at you!
Investigator’s Tip: Hold the bag under good lighting. The real deal has a slight sheen but never looks overly glossy or synthetic. Goyard’s pattern is also hand-painted, so minor variations in print are normal.
Clue #2: The Stitching Snare 🧵
Luxury brands are meticulous about their stitching, and Goyard is no exception.
✅ Authentic: Even, tight, precise stitches, often with white thread (except for black Goyardine bags, which have black stitching). The edges of the leather trims are perfectly aligned, without any irregularities. On a real Goyard Saint Louis tote, the stitching is typically square-shaped. A replica can have it rectangular or any other pattern.
🚨 Fake: Uneven, loose, or messy stitching is a classic sign of a poorly made replica. Some fakes even have double stitching where there shouldn’t be any!
Investigator’s Tip: Count the stitches on symmetrical areas—if they don’t match, it’s a fake! Authentic Goyard bags also use high-quality threading that doesn’t easily fray.
Clue #3: The Serial Number Cipher 🔢
Every real Goyard bag has a serial number, but not all serial numbers are created equal.
✅ Authentic: A discreet serial number with three letters followed by six digits (e.g., CCC MYYYYM). This code provides traceability and includes the following:
- CCC: Goyard’s internal code (e.g., AAS, ABA, ADM).
- MYYYYM: Indicating the year and month of manufacture.
The placement of the serial number varies by model and production year:
- Older St. Louis Totes: Inside the interior pocket.
- Newer Versions: On the leather strap connecting the detachable pouch to the bag.
- Wallets/Card Holders: Inside the front pocket’s side seam.
The embossing is subtle, with a clear, sans-serif font, and should not appear overly conspicuous or deeply imprinted.
🚨 Fake: Missing, smudged, or sloppily engraved numbers? Case closed—it’s a counterfeit. Some counterfeits copy serial numbers from genuine bags, so checking placement and font style is key.Investigator’s Tip: Genuine serial numbers are never printed—they are only embossed into the leather. If it looks inked on, beware!
Clue #4: The Weighty Evidence ⚖️
One of the biggest giveaways of a fake Goyard is its weight.
✅ Authentic: Genuine Goyard totes are feather-light. For instance, the St. Louis PM tote measures 11″ x 5.9″ x 13.4″ and weighs a mere 8.81 ounces.
🚨 Fake: A heavier-than-usual bag suggests the use of cheaper materials. If your bag feels like it’s been sneaking snacks, it might be a counterfeit.
Investigator’s Tip: Compare it with a verified authentic Goyard—real ones are shockingly light! Fake bags use thick, subpar materials that weigh them down.
Clue #5: The Pattern Puzzle
Goyard’s iconic chevron pattern isn’t just a design—it’s a carefully crafted signature that sets the brand apart. Every ‘Y’ in the pattern is a crucial piece of the puzzle, and even the slightest misalignment can be a telltale sign of a fake.
✅ Authentic: The pattern is meticulously aligned, forming a seamless, symmetrical look. Each ‘Y’ shape is uniform and slightly touches the next, creating a flawless, continuous pattern. The dots forming the pattern have subtle variations, as they are hand-painted using a screen-printing technique. You must run your fingers over the pattern—real Goyard canvas has a slightly raised texture due to its hand-painted nature, while fake versions often feel flat or too smooth.
🚨 Fake: Misaligned patterns, irregular spacing, or ‘Y’ shapes that are off-centered and don’t connect properly? Are the dots too uniform or missing in some areas? Does the pattern look too perfect or completely inconsistent? Fake, fake, fake; clear sign of machine-printing and mass production. Someone didn’t do their homework when faking this one.
Investigator’s Tip: Observe the sheen in the pattern—a genuine Goyard bag has a subtle, elegant sheen, whereas counterfeits may look too glossy or dull.
Clue #6: The Hardware Heist 🔗
Luxury brands don’t skimp on quality hardware, and neither does Goyard. All metal components—zippers, clasps, rivets, and engravings—are carefully designed. Here’s how to distinguish the real deal from a fake:
1. Material & Finish – A Smooth Criminal?
✅ Authentic: Genuine Goyard hardware is made of high-quality, polished metal, often with a palladium or gold-tone finish. It’s smooth, sturdy, and resistant to tarnishing.
🚨 Fake: If the hardware looks excessively shiny or rough or has a cheap, lightweight feel, it’s a counterfeit giveaway.
Investigator’s Tip: Run your fingers over the hardware. Authentic Goyard metal has a cool, solid feel, while fakes often feel hollow or overly light.
2. Engravings & Branding – The Fine Print Matters
✅ Authentic: Any engravings, such as the Goyard Paris logo, are exactly vertical, precisely etched, crisp, and never exaggerated.
🚨 Fake: Counterfeit versions may have shallow, smudged, or poorly aligned engravings.
Investigator’s Tip: Use the magnifying glass—yes, please. If the letters look uneven or rough, the bag is an imposter.
3. Zippers & Clasps – The Smooth Operator Test
✅ Authentic: Goyard zippers glide effortlessly without snagging or stiffness.
🚨 Fake: A rough, sticky, or wobbly zipper is a telltale sign of a fake.
Investigator’s Tip: Open and close the zipper multiple times. If it catches, resists, or makes a grinding sound, you might be dealing with a knockoff.
4. Rivets & Studs – Stability means Sincerity
✅ Authentic: Goyard’s metal rivets and studs are perfectly symmetrical and securely fastened.
🚨 Fake: Poorly attached, misaligned, or uneven rivets are an instant red flag.
Investigator’s Tip: Gently press on the rivets. Real ones stay firm, while fake ones may shift or wiggle.
Clue #7: The Lining For The Inside Story
✅ Authentic: Goyard bags have a plain cotton-linen interior that feels smooth and high-quality. The fabric being natural has an uneven weave with small hollows and knots here and there, and the colour is unbleached instead of white. Many Goyard bags use a striking mustard yellow lining (see below)- a signature Goyard colour.
🚨 Fake: If the lining has a synthetic feel, a cheap finish, or a flashy pattern, you’re dealing with an imposter.
Investigator’s Tip: The interior should have a minimalist, refined look—never printed or monogrammed. Besides, it is really lightweight.
Clue #8: The Handles To Grip the Truth
✅ Authentic: Made of smooth calfskin leather, Goyard handles are sturdy yet lightweight, offering a soft, luxurious finish. They stand up straight instead of flopping over.
🚨 Fake: Fakes often have rigid, plasticky handles that feel overly stiff or too soft to flop over.
Investigator’s Tip: Gently bend the handle—it should flex slightly but never feel flimsy.
Clue #9: The Dust Bag’s Protection or Deception
✅ Authentic: Goyard’s dust bags are yellow- a typical mustard color with a crisp black logo, made from thick, high-quality fabric. The dust bag includes a yellow cloth, a Goyard book, and tags. Here it should be noted that older Goyard bags had a brown dust cover that matched with the brown box.
🚨 Fake: If the dust bag is made of polyester, is flimsy, overly bright, or has faded printing, it’s likely fake.
Investigator’s Tip: Check the font on the logo—real dust bags have sharp, clean lettering.
Detective, you are equipped with all the tools and the understanding to spot a fake Goyard bag. Wasn’t it smart? Now, if you want to buy an authentic Goyard bag, you must either visit its boutique or contact a reliable and reputed reseller? But in case you want to have it without paying full boutique prices, yes, it’s indeed possible. Enter The Luxury Closet, your trusted destination for pre-loved luxury bags.
Looking For Authentic Goyard Bags at Affordable Prices: Look No Further Than The Luxury Closet!
Whether investing in your first Goyard piece or adding to your collection, shop smart and trust The Luxury Closet.
🔹 100% Authenticity Guaranteed: Each Goyard bag is thoroughly vetted by in-house experts.
🔹 Competitive Prices: Find rare and classic Goyard pieces at significantly lower prices than retail.
🔹 Luxury with Confidence: Buy with peace of mind, knowing that your investment is real and valuable.
Want a St. Louis tote, an Artois bag, or a Goyard passport holder, browse through our curated selection of authentic pieces and find your coveted Goyard at unbeatable prices. Secure your next luxury statement piece right now!
Know More About Goyard Bags With These FAQs:
- How much is a Goyard bag?
Goyard bags vary in price based on style and size. Prices typically start around $1,200 for smaller items and can go up to $6,000 or more for larger totes and limited-edition designs. Due to their exclusivity, prices also fluctuate in the resale market.
2. Does Goyard provide certificates of Authenticity?
No, Goyard does not issue authenticity cards. Authentic bags, if bought from a boutique, come with only a dust bag and a purchase receipt.
3. How can I verify a Goyard bag without going to a boutique?
You can check the material, pattern alignment, stitching, and serial number placement. Alternatively, use a trusted third-party authentication service or buy from a reputable reseller like The Luxury Closet.
4. Do all Goyard bags have a serial number?
Yes, all authentic Goyard bags have a discreetly embossed serial number. If it’s missing or printed, it’s fake.
5. Where can I buy a real Goyard bag online?
Goyard does not sell online directly, but reputable luxury resale platforms like The Luxury Closet offer authentic pre-loved Goyard bags at great prices.
6. Is Goyard Tote genuine leather?
Goyard totes like St. Louis and Artois feature a signature Goyardine canvas, a blend of cotton, linen, and hemp coated for durability. However, the trim and handles are genuine leather, specifically high-quality Chevroches calfskin.
