Short answer
A Fendi bag chain is a metal link strap. On the Baguette it clips to two D-rings under the flap. Fendi sells chain straps as separate accessories. Replicas copy the FF link shape. They differ in link gauge, plating, and clasp.
Original chain specs
The Baguette launched in 1997. Silvia Venturini Fendi designed it. The FF logo reached the hardware in the 2000s. Fendi does not publish link gauge or plating thickness. Resellers report link gaps of 10 mm to 15 mm on FF-link straps.
Strap lengths group into three ranges:
- 60 cm: hand carry, short drop.
- 100 cm: shoulder carry.
- 120 cm: crossbody.
A metal chain strap on the original weighs 150 g to 300 g. The clasp is a lobster claw or a spring gate, 25 mm to 35 mm long. Gold-tone and palladium finishes both exist.
Replica chain markers
Low-cost chains show five signs:
- Hollow links. Weight under 100 g on a 100 cm strap.
- Thin plating. Wear to base metal inside weeks.
- Magnet closure in place of a clasp.
- Uneven link spacing and burrs at solder joints.
- FF motif off center or mirrored.
Checks before purchase
- Ask for strap weight in grams.
- Ask for clasp type and length in millimeters.
- Request photos of the link ends at 10x zoom.
- Confirm drop length in centimeters, not "long" or "short".
- Ask for the return window in days.
Legal status in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison. Trademark owners can sue under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit shipments at ports of entry. Fendi is a registered trademark and sits under LVMH.
Open questions
Fendi does not publish plating thickness, link gauge, or clasp part numbers. Fendi does not authenticate straps sold on the secondhand market. Numbers quoted by resellers vary by listing.