I've spent all this time writing a guide and now I'm too tired to write an introduction. So read below and prosper. Oh, and rate me at the bottom of this page (that is, if you found me helpful. if not, kiss my... well, nevermind. just read on...)

1. TAGS:

Chloe is *NOT* sold in US sizes.  While *some* retailers will do a size conversion for you when you are ordering a piece, when you actually get the Chloe garment and read the tag, it will have a French size listed (not an Italian size, but a French size, and there is a difference). I own 7 authentic Chloe garments, and every single one has ONLY the French size listed on the tag. Usually, and for reasons I do not understand, the capital letter 'T' precedes the French size. This is what a real Chloe tag looks like:

 

If a US size (2, 4, 6) is attached to the Chloe tag, the garment is fake. If a size conversion tag listing Italian, German, UK and US size conversions is attached to the Chloe tag, the garment is fake. This is important because fake Chloe manufacturers have recently begun attaching long rectangular size conversion tags to their Chloe tags-- and they look sort of authoritative. They're not. They're fake. Here are some fake Chloe tags:

2. PICTURES:

FAKE Chloe listing typically have a runway photograph which is *not* a photograph from an actual Chloe runway show. Go to style.com. Do a power search (left hand corner). Check out the photos. Do your homework.

The traj* thing about fake Chloe garments is that the people selling them are always using the same freaking pictures. Typically, these photos show a pristine image of a Chloe garment laying on a white floor. Usually, there are very few other photos. If the garment you consider buying has neither a mannequin, nor a model picture, and only a photo of the dress laying on a floor which seems familiar to you, honey it's prolly fake. Here are some common pictures of FAKE chloe garments which you will STILL find floating around ebay:



*traj-- it is short for 'tragic.' my best friend coined it and i find it mildly hilarious. feel free to use it in a sentence today.

3. LOCATION:

Part of the reason I'm writing this guide is because it's not so easy to pinpoint fake sellers any more. Many of them disguise their locations and claim to be in Canada or the UK. Obviously, if the item is in SIngapore or Hong Kong, it's unlikely to be real. However, just because it's not in one of these places doesn't mean it's real. In fact, one of the things that really bothers me about fakes is that sometimes a US buyer will purchase a fake and instead of filing a dispute, she'll just try to resell it on ebay. There are tons of these garments floating around. So if a garment is in the US, but you see other red flags, don't assume it's real.

4. AVAILABILITY:

Ok ladies, let's use our brains. A Spring 2008 Chloe Collection dress retails for $1895.00. Yes, for two thousand dollars. Now would it make sense that a 2006 or 2007 collection dress would be available to you, brand new, for less than $200?! Um, not so much. C'mon. I know it's a hard conclusion. But the bottom line is that while there are some great deals to be had on ebay, a $200 Chloe 2006 collection dress is too good to be true. No, really.

5. DO YOUR PART: SHOP SMART, and REPORT!

Ok, I'm on my second glass of wine and feeling a tad woozy. So I'm going to leave you with 2 thoughts. First, the fun part and second, your duty to the fashion goddesses of ebay. Scroll down to the bottom of this guide where you will find instructions for reporting fake items. It's anonymous, free, and it takes 30 seconds.

A. SHOP SMART:

But first-- the fun. Wanna find REAL ready-to-wear on ebay? Check out my FABULOUS ebay store by clicking here . However, since I'm soon closing my store so I can study for the bar exam and get a grownup job, I'll also point you in the direction of my favorite ebay sellers, from whom I have purchased personally, and whom I trust. Here you go:

Linda's Stuff
The Pink Leopard Boutique
Pinchrosemary
Kathy's Couture
The Designer Exchange
World Class Fashions

B. Report

Now, c'mon girls, do your part. When you spot a fake Chloe item, scroll down to the very bottom of the page, UNDER where it reads TAKE ACTION ON THIS ITEM (PLACE BID) to the 'OTHER ACTIONS' section. In blue writing there is a link which reads: 'report this item.' Click it, then on the next page choose :

Step 1: Select a subtopic
Counterfeits and Copyright Violations

Step 2: Select a subtopic
Potential Trademark Infringement

Step 3:
Counterfeit clothing, shoes, sunglasses and accessories

Click on the grey 'Continue' button.

Then under Contact Us> Contact Customer Support
Click on the blue 'email us'

Next Screen
Click the blue SEND button.

PS If you found this guide helpful or informative, please click 'yes' below.

Happy Shopping,
Joanna