Spotting Fake Tory Burch Shoes: The Ultimate 5-Step Authenticity Guide

In today’s marketplace, where high-end and sought-after products are a symbol of status and taste, counterfeiters are quick to capitalize on the demand. They create knock-off versions of these luxury items, offering them at lower prices to appeal to consumers who desire the prestige of high-end goods but have more limited budgets. This practice underscores a growing challenge in distinguishing between authentic products and well-made imitations.

No popular label is immune. Gucci products, trendy Canada Goose jackets, and even relatively affordable Nike shoes: counterfeiters won’t hesitate to rip off any designer if it means they can make a buck.

Today, we’re looking at designer Tory Burch and her signature shoes. Her popular handbags are frequently counterfeited as well.

Tory Burch shoes can be purchased in hundreds of stores worldwide and are carried by thousands of department stores (Credit: Tang Yan Song / Shutterstock)

If you love quality and are willing to invest more in luxurious items, you should learn how to protect yourself from scammers who might try to sell you fakes.

This short guide will help you determine fake Tory Burch shoes from the original ones at first glance.

1. Packaging: Your First Line of Defense Against Fakes

One of the first indicators that you might be dealing with fraudulent, fake products is the packaging.

High-end designers tend to perfect their packaging, making it as memorable as possible since it’s the first part of a product any consumer sees.

Beautiful boxes under a Christmas tree feature a colorful geometric pattern and the double-T logo of Tory Burch (Credit: Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock)

So, if you order a pair of Tory Burch shoes and they arrive in a lightweight, cheap-looking box, you might be dealing with a fake product.

Regardless of box weight or quality, check the Tory Burch logo on the box. It should be centered and free of spelling errors.

Kathy Hilton holds a Tory Burch box as she leaves Ivy Restaurant in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, 2008 (Credit: Revolutionpix / INFphoto)

Of course, check the design of the box, as well. Tory Burch boxes have very unique orange and purple designs.

Some Tory Burch shoes also come wrapped in an original protective dust bag. If your product comes with a bag, inspect it as well. Make sure it’s high-quality and isn’t snagged, fraying, or cheap.

Tory Burch’s official boutique showcases a curated selection of handbags and shoes arranged on gleaming gold shelves that reflect the brand’s polished, attainable-luxury aesthetic (Credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock)

Other Tory Burch shoes come packed with many layers of wrapping and stuffing to maintain their shape.

So, pay close attention to your Tory Burch product’s packaging. If packaging elements are missing, cheap or low-quality, your product may be a knock-off.

2. Stitching: Where Authenticity Shows Its Craft

Stitches are a surefire way to tell if your product is counterfeit.

Discolored stitches can be an indicator of a fake product. Stitches should always match the color of the product — or, in the case of contrasting stitches, should look exactly like product photos.

If the stitches seem too thin or too loose, you are definitely holding a fake in your hands.

Crafted in smooth leather with Tory Burch’s signature double-T hardware, these slides highlight the brand’s focus on clean stitching and refined, attainable-luxury design

The stitches should be tight and V-shaped. Zig-zag or sloppy stitches are clear indicators of a fake product.

In addition to the stitches, you should also pay attention to the glue. While original Tory Burch shoes do use high-quality adhesives, glue drips, smudges, or blobs shouldn’t be visible at all.

If you see visible glue residue on your shoe, there’s a good chance it’s a fake.

3. Material and Craftsmanship: Feel, Smell, and Examine

If you’re buying shoes from a brick-and-mortar store, hold them in your hands, feel the materials, and smell them. It might sound silly, but it works.

Do the shoes have genuine leather soles? Most Tory Burch shoes have leather soles, so you should smell the leather odor.

Tory Burch’s iconic Miller sandals—lightweight, comfortable, and instantly recognizable with their laser-cut double-T medallion—on display at a department store (Credit: Melissamn / Shutterstock)

Even the most skillful counterfeiters struggle to replicate the distinct smell of genuine leather, a hallmark of authentic luxury products. Additionally, a common flaw in fake items, particularly shoes, is the use of poor-quality materials for the soles.

These materials not only lack durability but also often fail to match the design and aesthetic of the shoe’s exterior, revealing their inauthenticity. This discrepancy is a key indicator for discerning consumers seeking to ensure the authenticity of their luxury purchases.

Make sure to examine each shoe and look for something that might seem off or as if it doesn’t belong there. Always remember to check the bottom of your shoes.

Authentic Tory Burch ones have round-sized stickers, all marked with the letter M, and most of them will have “Made in China” written at the bottom. While Tory Burch is an American brand headquartered in New York City, its products are primarily manufactured outside the United States, including in countries like China.

Tory Burch (L) and Sydney Sweeney attend the 2022 Costume Institute Benefit celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2 in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

“I’ve always embraced Made in China,” Tory told the South China Morning Post about moving her factories to China. “The things we make in China are absolutely beautiful, and the quality is outstanding and has got better over the years.”

Tory Burch, who built a billion-dollar brand, was honored at the Wall Street Journal Magazine 2022 Innovator Awards on November 2, 2022 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Given that many products consumed in America are made in China, this isn’t the most helpful tip. However, many countries export various goods, so it is essential to distinguish.

4. Logo Verification: Spot the Real Tory Burch Mark

Fraudsters are getting better at their craft, and distinguishing a real from a fake is getting more challenging over time—a purchaser used to be able to spot a fake simply through an incorrect logo.

While using a product logo to identify fraud is more challenging than it used to be, it’s still not impossible. Diligently check an authentic product logo against the product logo you’re about to buy.

Looking like a cross, the Tory Burch logo features two identical letters “T” placed one over the other, with the top “T” turned upside down (Credit: Robert Way / Shutterstock)

It’s also important to pay attention to the materials the logo is made of. The shoes might be authentic if they look flawless and don’t give off a metallic smell.

5. Price Check: When a Bargain Isn’t a Bargain

The age-old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” holds significant weight, especially in the realm of luxury goods. Price is an essential factor in assessing the authenticity of Tory Burch shoes.

An unusually low price, even if marginally below the norm, often signals a counterfeit product, as genuine Tory Burch items command a premium due to their quality and brand value.

Almost every pair of original Tory Burch shoes costs a couple of hundred dollars. Frauds are very intelligent; some might ask for nearly the same amount of money as on the brand’s official website.

Fashion designer Tory Burch attends the Nordstrom NYC Flagship Opening Party on October 22, 2019, in New York City (Credit: Kristin Callahan / ACE Pictures / INSTARimages)

Counterfeiters will price their products similarly to authentic products to make you think you’re ordering a genuine product.

That’s why you should always be suspicious if you don’t purchase the shoes at the designer’s site. Other trusted retailers selling authentic Tory Burch shoes include Mytheresa, Zappos, and Nordstrom.

On the other hand, some frauds tend to lower the price — even 10 to 20 percent lower than the original price of the authentic product — to make shoppers think they’re getting the real thing at a good deal.

Conclusion: Shop Smart, Stay Stylish

By paying attention to packaging, stitching, materials, logos, and pricing, you can better navigate the luxury market and protect yourself from counterfeits.

Always exercise caution, especially when not purchasing directly from official sources, to ensure your next Tory Burch purchase is authentic.

Explore More Tory Burch Style Moments

Before you go, take a look at how Tory Burch’s timeless designs continue to make waves across celebrity fashion and the luxury landscape: