1. “You’re not a Birkin bag. You can’t make everyone happy.”

2. Anatomy

3. Size
Options: 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45cm
The size 45 Birkin is generally used for travel and has longer straps.
The Picotin is often called the "baby Birkin" and does not truly fasten closed.

4. Stamp - Logo
The front center exterior of the bag has a stamp stating “Hermes Paris, Made in Paris”. The words are clear and the accent on the second e.  Most stamps are created in silver and gold. However I have seen a bag with repair papers from Hermes that has a stamp in chocolate brown.
The wording will line up evenly and is centered. The top HERMES stamp is centered within the bottom MADE IN FRANCE stamp.
Hermes ALWAYS uses embossed markings on their bags.  They will never use a leather tag or metal nameplate or anything of that sort.

5. Strap
The leather straps that buckle on the front of the bag should be clean on the edges. (Top strap is fake; bottom strap is real)

6. Stamp - Blind
Each Birkin has a stamp on the interior of the bag on the back flap of the leather. They will have the stamp of the years and the artisans ID stamp.

7. Colors – Togo
Black, Tabaco Camel, Blue Electric, Blue Galice, Blue Abysse
Blue de Prusse, Blue Indigo, Blue Jean, Cobalt, Turquoise, Café, Chocolate Brown
Etain, Gold, Etoupe, Amazone Malechite, Orange, Potiron
Rose Lipstick, Crevette, Rouge Garrance, Rubis, Geranium, Capucine

8. Leather Hermes utilizes both textured and smooth leather
Exotic skin sold with CITIES (passport for transportation)
Exotic Skins include crocodile, alligator, ostrich, lizard
Tricolor Bags Rare

9. Togo Most popular leather for Birkin Fine grained Scratch resistant
Calfskin
Lightweight but holds shape
Introduced in 1997

10. Stitching and Toggle
The stitching will be slanted and even, in perfect alignment.
The majority of the time the stitching color will match the color of the bag.
A Birkin has two inner pockets with zippered and non zippered pocket.
Genuine toggles should have a smooth turn when you twist them, Toggles on fake bags tend much lighter in weight and feel grainy like sand when they are turned. Some may even be stiff when turning.

11. Hardware
Authentic Birkins are created with keys, clochette, buckle, and feet studs.
Most bags are created with Gold plated or Palladium finish.
Tarnishing is possible but not peeling or wearing.
The clochette cover is made of one piece of leather. Not two pieces sewn together.

12. Lock and Key
Lock: Hermes engraved on the bottom and the number of corresponding key
Feel the weight of the lock, keys, studs, and other pieces of hardware on the bag. If they feel light and cheap this should act as a red flag.

13. Zipper Newer zippers marked with large block letters: HERMES.
Zipper remain parallel to the zipper line. If it flops down, or hangs down at a 90 degree angle from the zipper line, it is a fake.

14. Receipt
Receipt copy and make sure the receipt has the Hermes store name and number, and the client name/number.

15. Sample Description
Hermes bags are NOT made with plastic wrapping or hangtags
Come with Raincoat and Sleepers
Hardware: gold
Country of Origin: France
Color: zanzibar
Closure: Toggle
Handle Drop (in inches): 2.75
Authenticity Details: Hermes markings
Primary Material: togo leather
Height (in inches): 7.5
Width (in inches): 10
Depth (in inches): 4.75
Measurements
(W)25×(H)20×(D)13cm