Jacquemus has been one of the most popular brands in recent years. Their infamous ‘Le Chiquito’ bag is becoming as famous and recognizable as the Balenciaga ‘City’, Louis Vuitton ‘Speedy’, or the Mulberry ‘Lily’ bag.
If you’re looking to add a modern icon to your closet, a Jacquemus bag is one option that you don’t want to overlook.
French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, the founder of the Jacquemus fashion label, pictured with Bella Hadid outside the Jacquemus store in Paris on June 28, 2021 (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
If you’ve landed on this article, the chances are that you’re considering making an investment in a Jacquemus bag. These sleek and minimalistic designs are a streetwear staple.
We can’t open our Instagram feed without seeing another celebrity or influencer showing off their latest Jacquemus haul.
Jourdan Riane totes a black Jacquemus Le Chiquito mini top-handle bag in London on September 16, 2021 (Credit: Mario Mitsis / Avalon / WENN)
We’re sharing everything that you need to know about Jacquemus – from spotting fake bags to the finer details about the brand, including their materials and country of origin. This guide is your reference point of things to know before buying a Jacquemus bag.
Why Are Jacquemus Bags So Expensive?
With Jacquemus infamous mini bags, it’s easy to be confused by their hefty price tags.
Most of us assume that smaller bags are more affordable, while larger bags have a higher production cost, making them more expensive. Jacquemus proves that this theory isn’t always true.
There’s good reason for the Jacquemus mini bags being so expensive – and it’s not just to boost the profile of the bag. Every new bag or small leather good (SLG) is made using a new piece of leather, thus increasing the production cost of the bag.
The Jacquemus Le Carinu shoulder bag (L) retails for $900 and the Jacquemus mini Le Pitchou circular bag is priced at $195
While most of the price tag is made up by the allure of the now famous ‘Jacquemus’ name, it’s easier to understand why these bags are so expensive when you look at the materials used.
The Materials That Jacquemus Use
Jacquemus typically uses vegetable-tanned leather to craft their bags, including the iconic ‘Le Chiquito’.
It’s worth considering the fact that the natural treatment on the leather means that it can be easily marked and will be sensitive to scratches, making it show signs of wear and tear.
French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus makes his popular mini bags with high-quality leather
The brand’s smooth craft leather is handcrafted with artisans creating the synonymous structured shape of the cult-famous bags.
You want to consider the fact that Jacquemus bags are made by hand by skilled artisans using high-quality leather. If a pre-loved bag doesn’t look like it fits this bill, it’s likely a counterfeit.
How to Spot a Fake Jacquemus Bag
Like every luxury brand, Jacquemus is the victim of counterfeit products. With the popularity of their ‘Le Chiquito’ bag, it’s no surprise that Jacquemus is becoming one of the most popular bags to be counterfeited by scam artists.
If you’re considering purchasing a Jacquemus bag from the pre-loved market, you want to educate yourself on how to spot a fake. The images below are of authentic bags that you can purchase at Farfetch, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In the age of ‘super fake’ and so-called ‘1:1’ bags, it’s becoming more difficult to spot a fake vs. real Jacquemus bag without seeing it in person.
To authenticate a Jacquemus bag start by checking the quality of the material the bag is made from
We’re rounding up a few of the tell-tale signs to look for when authenticating a Jacquemus bag.
The shape of the bag should be structured with sharp edges and a perfectly straight flap. Jacquemus bags are made by hand, meaning that they shouldn’t have a loose or uneven shape.
Look at the sewing on the handle of the ‘Le Chiquito’ bag. You’ll see that the handle attachment itself is fairly oversized, but the stitching is the pain thing to focus on. It should be perfectly stitched. If the stitching looks questionable, it’s an instant red flag.
The gold hardware is one of the most recognizable features on a Jacquemus bag. It should be wide and vibrant. If it looks pale or too round, it’s another warning sign.
Uneven, slanted, or back-and-forth stitching is a sign of a fake Jacquemus bag
Another area that you want to pay close attention to is the flap. The letters spelling out ‘Jacquemus’ should be big, dark, and narrow. You shouldn’t be able to see more than a minor gap between the letters, which virtually touch each other.
The letters that spell out Jacquemus should be in the brand’s signature font and give a 3D illusion.
The only way to guarantee that you’re buying an authentic Jacquemus bag is to purchase one brand new from a registered stockist, such as Mytheresa and Net-a-Porter.
If you’re purchasing pre-loved, look out for the features above and only buy from a reputable reseller with a track record of selling genuine luxury items.
Where Jacquemus Bags Are Made
Jacquemus bags are all made in Italy and Spain using the finest quality materials to create a luxury accessory that will stand the test of time.
Although the brand was established in France, most of the production occurs in Italy and Spain. You should expect high-quality finishes that are synonymous with a ‘made in Italy’ or ‘made in Spain’ label.
Why Jacquemus Bags are So Popular
Jacquemus is so popular because it was the right brand in the right place at the right time. Their ‘Le Chiquito’ bag jumped in popularity as the mini bag craze kicked off and their brand began to explode on the streetwear scene as fashion shifted towards a more minimalistic aesthetic.
The brand is also famous because of a number of viral videos featuring their mini bags. A hilarious video of Lizzo with a Jacquemus “Le Chiquito” mini bag traveled the Internet in 2019.
It shows her tiny lilac purse containing much more than you’d think possible, including a pencil, a lost television remote, potato chips, a bottle of red wine, a green lace dress, and her friend Shelby Swain’s black wig.
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Since first gaining popularity in 2018, Jacquemus bags have continued to become more popular amongst fashion influences and celebrities. The bags are the perfect alternative to logo-heavy designs and fit the needs and wants of the digital nomad lifestyle of millennials and gen z.
With this guide, you’ll know everything there is to know about Jacquemus before hitting ‘add to cart’ on your own Jacquemus bag.
Remember if you’re shopping on the pre-loved market to look at every bag as though it’s a fake. With the ever-rising popularity of Jacquemus, we can expect to see more super fakes hitting the market.
If you can find an authentic bag or buy one new from the store, a Jacquemus bag is a perfect addition to any handbag collection.