Lacoste polo shirts are so popular and expensive enough that there are many copies of it. So that you don't lose out on spending a lot of money buying fakes, know how to tell the difference between genuine and fake Lacoste. The original Lacoste polo has a very detailed crocodile logo on the left chest. The Lacoste shirt also features two vertical buttons, high quality stitching, and includes a variety of special information on the label.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking the Crocodile Logo on Clothes
Step 1. Pay attention to details like the crocodile's claws and teeth
The original Lacoste logo is dark green and dark with clearly visible teeth and claws. The upper jaw appears smaller than the lower jaw and is slightly raised. The crocodile's tail should be coiled and pointing in the same direction as the jaw, and not the body. Crocodile eyes look more like lines than round.
- If the crocodile logo is not detailed, the shirt is definitely fake.
- This method does not apply to Lacoste Vintage. In this line, the crocodile logo is the same color as the shirt, but has to look high quality.
Step 2. Make sure the logo has a white background
This logo is a patch sewn from the back. The seams will not be visible when viewed from the front. Notice any stitches, strands, or pinhole marks around the edges of the logo. If so, chances are the polo shirt is fake.
On some brands, such as the Vintage line, crocodiles can be printed directly on the shirt
Step 3. Make sure the logo is under the second button
The crocodile logo should be in the middle of the left chest of the shirt. This logo is between the base seam of the collar and the second button. Fake Lacoste often put the logo in line with the bottom button. The stitching of the fake Lacoste logo also looks crooked.
Some genuine Lacoste also put the logo in line with the base seam of the collar so you should also check for other markings on the shirt
Step 4. Turn the shirt over to see the outline of the logo
The outline of the body of the crocodile logo should appear faint. No visible colors, threads, or stitches. If the finish doesn't look smooth, chances are your Lacoste shirt is a fake.
Method 2 of 3: Checking the Buttons
Step 1. Look at the two buttons that are attached vertically to each other
One of the buttons is at the top of the collar, and the other button is at the bottom. Each button has two holes through which the thread goes up and down, not sideways. Buttons should not appear bent. The stitching of the thread should appear to tie the button tightly.
Step 2. See if the two buttons look the same
All pearl buttons look unique. Maybe, you can see a rainbow sparkle from a distance. When viewed up close, each button's unique pattern will appear. Perhaps, the buttons also have a marble finish behind them. Meanwhile, plastic buttons were mass-produced and looked similar.
Step 3. Feel the buttons of the shirt to make sure it is pearl
Authentic Lacoste shirts have pearl buttons instead of plastic. Plastic buttons feel softer and warmer, but the edges are hard. The plastic buttons are also less concave in the center, like on the original Lacoste polo buttons.
If you're still in doubt, try biting or tapping the button with your teeth. Pearl buttons should feel firmer and denser than plastic buttons
Step 4. Avoid buttons that have Lacoste written on them
Note that since 2017 the buttons on Lacoste shirts may also have inscriptions on them, depending on the type. The buttons on the original Lacoste polo shirt do not bear the brand name. The writing on the buttons is a strong sign that the buttons are made of plastic and are fake.
Method 3 of 3: Studying Shirt Labels
Step 1. Make sure the shirt size is marked with a number
Lacoste polo shirts are designed in France which usually uses numbers to indicate shirt size. You should be able to see a red number, such as a “4” above the alligator. If the polo shirt uses S, M, or L as size markers, the Lacoste is a fake.
Step 2. Check the details of the crocodile image on the label
The color of the crocodile drawing should be olive green. Again, the teeth, claws, red mouth, and white scales on the logo should be clearly visible. Make sure the outline of the crocodile looks smooth instead of rough. The original logo also doesn't have any rough lines that spoil the color.
High-quality counterfeits do look like the real thing so you need to examine them carefully. The fake Lacoste shirt lacks detail, and the crocodile logo looks a bit flat. The white eyes and scales of a crocodile tend to appear rough and too tight
Step 3. Find the second label that tells you where the shirt came from
If the polo shirt has a second label, it should be under the first. The first line on this label should say “Designed In France” (designed in France). The second line will say “Made in” followed by the name of the country, usually El Salvador or Peru. Lacoste polo shirts made in France are extremely rare.
Not all polo's have a second label. This label is inside the shirt, around the bottom. Now, many polo shirts have wide labels with logos. Therefore, use other ways to identify fake clothes
Step 4. Check the washing guide label on the inside of the shirt
If you can find one, the first thing you should see is “100% cotton” in seven languages. On the back, you will see a washing guide with the words Devanlay (name of manufacturer). There is no cloth covering the writing on the label.
- Fake clothes may also have a washing guide label. These labels are usually sewn by default with threads that dangle or block the writing.
- This label may be above the small triangular cut on one side of the shirt. Make sure the pieces are small and there are no dangling threads.
Tips
- Always be aware before buying. Authentic Lacoste polo shirts usually cost around IDR 750,000 or more in Indonesia. If the price is too cheap, chances are the clothes are fake.
- Fake polo shirts tend to be associated with poor quality, such as loose threads, torn cuffs, or loose stitches after several washes. However, that doesn't mean that real clothes won't wear out, and sometimes fakes can be of good quality too.
- Some shops that officially sell Lacoste polo shirts offer packages or damaged clothing at special prices. Although given a high discount, this product is still original.
- When in doubt, compare your shirt to the online Lacoste shop on the internet.
