Hermès · Authentication
Picotin 18: real vs fake
The Picotin was born from a horse’s feed bag: an open bucket with no flaps or zippers, secured by a pair of leather lock tabs. Its simplicity is deceptive – replicas fail precisely on the tab alignment, the rolled handles, and the raw, unlined interior.
What to check on the Picotin 18
Model-specific zones – on top of the brand-level signs.
Feed-bag silhouette
An open, soft bucket about 18 cm tall that stands on its own without being rigid. The proportions read close to a rounded-bottom cube; a splayed-out or stiff body doesn’t match the model.
Picotin Lock tabs
Two leather tabs with metal plates fold over the top toward each other; the eyelets line up perfectly, and the lock passes through both without skew. Misaligned eyelets are a classic replica failure.
Rolled handles
The two short rolled handles stand upright, dense and round in cross-section, with a straight seam along the inner side. Soft, flattened handles or handles of unequal height are a bad sign.
Unlined interior
Inside is the raw reverse of the leather – no fabric lining, no extra pockets. The suede-like surface should be clean and even; a glued-in lining exposes a fake.
Where to inspect
The key zones to photograph and check on this type of item – a schematic, not a product photo.
- 1Logo and hardware
- 2Handle attachment
- 3Stitching and edges
- 4Date code and tag
- 5Zipper and base
The difference is in the details – drag the slider
Typical differences in workmanship: stitching consistency, edge finishing, detail quality. Left – factory quality, right – common replica flaws.
Replica 
Authentic Photo angles for the check
- 1 Front
- 2 Logo / hardware
- 3 Interior
- 4 Date code
- 5 Stitching
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FAQ
There’s no zipper or flap – is that intentional?
Yes, the Picotin is an open tote by design. The top is secured only by the pair of lock tabs (the Picotin Lock version). A zipper or magnetic bar at the opening is foreign to this model.
No lining inside – is that normal?
Completely: the Picotin interior is the raw side of the leather, with no fabric. Look for an even nap and clean edges; a textile lining inside is a reason to doubt the bag.
The bag slouches and softens over time – fake?
No, gentle settling is the model’s character: the Picotin is soft by design and relaxes with wear. What’s worrying isn’t softness but asymmetry – skewed sides or lock tabs whose eyelets no longer meet.
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