Prada Handbags

Prada History

The Italian fashion designer Mario Prada first founded his namesake company in 1913 with simple, dependable products. For many years, however, Prada was not associated with high fashion. Only after Miuccia Prada, Mario’s granddaughter, expanded the company in 1978 did the name Prada become synonymous with couture style. Today, Prada also operates a number of other fashion lines, including the more affordable Mui Mui line named after Miuccia and targeted toward younger fashion aficionados.

From three initial boutiques in Milan, Prada has grown to be a worldwide fashion icon and is available in high-end luxury department stores as well as exclusive boutiques in many different countries.

Types of Prada Handbags

Sturdy, functional, and fashionable: Prada handbags are the purse equivalent to the little black dress. Each season, a new line of purses debuts to take advantage of current style trends and seasonal needs, but throughout the years Prada has maintained some of the highest quality in the industry. Even though the designer handbags may be primarily traditional styles, the shapes, proportions, and overall sizes vary to meet different women’s varying fashion needs and preferences. Typical characteristics of Prada bags include:

• Superior quality materials such as calfskin, leather, deerskin, fox fur trim, and nylon.
• Gold or silver hardware, including clasps, strap hooks, and buckles.
• Antiqued finishes and contrasting stitching on some designs for added distinction.
• Simple designs as well as pleats, gathers, and drawstrings for trendier bags.
• Magnetic snap closures and zippered inner pockets.
• Detachable identification tags, key rings, and cross body straps.
• The signature Prada logo plate prominently displayed.

Prada purses come in a variety of neutral colors to emphasize their functionality and practicality, including camel, champagne, pewter, white, black, and natural canvas. Occasionally, more distinctive prints such as animal patterns or brighter colors are used for seasonal lines.

Identifying Fake Prada Purses

Because of the simplicity of Prada handbags coupled with their extremely high demand, the knock-off, replica, and fake trade is booming. Eager consumers can easily be taken in by fake Prada bags that initially look authentic, but look for the following details to identify an imitation:

• A too-good-too-be-true price. True Prada bags are never sold for discount chain store prices, nor are they sold at home parties, flea markets, or other questionable locations.
• The inner lining or tag may be glued on a fake bag instead of stitched.
• Stitches inside or outside the bag may be uneven, loose, or poorly matched to the bag’s color.
• The place of manufacture of a true Prada bag will be listed as Italy on the interior tag.
• The majority of authentic Prada purses have the company logo on the interior lining.
• Check the exterior logo plate for clarity and spelling: imitations may be labeled Proda or Prado to fool customers who don’t look closely.
• Authentic bags constructed of leather and other high quality materials are generally heavier than imitations, and fake materials often feel like plastic.
• Many designer bags come with an authenticity card and serial number.

By knowing what to look for in a fake bag, consumers interested in a true Prada bag can protect themselves against an unscrupulous purchase.

Where to Buy Authentic Prada Handbags

Other than the designer’s own boutiques, Prada bags are sold only at high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman. Reputable online merchants such as Overstock.com occasionally offer discounted designer bags (usually seasonal styles that are now outdated), but consumers should take care to verify the authenticity of any purchase as well as noting return policies and guarantees before purchasing a bag online.

Because of the high demand for Prada purses and the care that must be given to their manufacture, most stores limit the quantities that consumers can purchase. Typically, one consumer can only buy three items of the same design in a 30-day period to control the supply that is available and to prevent profiteering and immediate resale.

Price

The quality and distinction of a Prada bag does not come cheap. The least expensive handbags retail for approximately $500, with the most costly designs priced at $3,000 or higher. The majority of Prada purses, however, fall within a $1,000-1,500 range.

The exemplary reputation and superior quality of Prada handbags is well deserved. Simple, classic lines paired with the highest quality materials and exceptional standards have led these designer bags to reign as the ultimate in handbag fashion for decades, a trend that shows no sign of going out of style.