The signature C

The signature C is a beautiful thing. I drool over them when no one is looking. It also happens that examining the signature C is one way to distinguish a fake Coach bag from the real thing. Head over right now to the Coach Web site. Don't worry, I'll wait. Look at the traditional signature styles. What jumps out at you? Here is a hint: symmetry. On all of the classic styles, there is a certain symmetry inherent in the signature. On either side of any sort of buckle, the Cs will match up. I'd show you, but I don't want to steal images from Coach. So, if you didn't before, go look now. The Cs will also all match up horizontally. If the C in the middle is cut off half way on a straight edge of the purse, all the Cs on that edge will be cut off in the same place. The line of Cs will not slope diagonally in either direction. The Cs on one side of a leather flap will mirror those on the other side of the flap.

Please note that this doesn't apply to certain limited styles of the signature C.

Now have a look at the bag below. First, even though the photo's quality bites, the fabric is obviously a little fuzzy, like wool. Notice how the topmost horizontal Cs on the left are closer to the seam than the topmost Cs on the right. There are two Cs positioned between the lowermost horizontal Cs and the leather trim on the left and only one C on the right. And that, Coach lovers, is why it is today's 'No Good Knock Off of the Day.'