Tips That Can Help You Spot Popular Counterfeit Products

Globally, counterfeit goods were worth $465 billion in 2024. The most copied brands worldwide are Louis Vuitton, Supreme, Rolex, and Ray-Ban. Nike, the North Face, and Adidas are the most counterfeited brands globally. Even though some copies have striking similarities to the originals, we believe there are a few different variations you should know about.

In this article, we will discuss how to recognize the difference between counterfeits and original products in some of the most popular brands.

1. Nike t-shirts:

1. The first thing you should look at is the Nike logo. In most cases, with fakes, its proportions differ from the original. The angle and size of the curved part will certainly be different.
2. Check the tag inside the t-shirt for grammatical errors. If the t-shirt is branded, you will not find mistakes, but they will likely be on the fake.
3. You should also pay attention to the tag on the bottom of the T-shirt. Nike usually has 2 or more tags stitched together, while fakes will likely only have one.

2. Nike shoes

1. The soles of Nike Air shoes have a texture that counterfeiters cannot copy. The fact is that they use lower-quality rubber, and it is much harder and heavier.
2. You should also check how symmetrical the shoes are in the pair you want to buy. If some parts look different, then they probably want to sell you a fake.

3. Gucci handbags

1. First, you should examine the 2 “G”s on the front of the bag. Serifs should be long and elegant, not cumbersome. The rounded part of the G is a perfect oval and has no sharp corners. The logo must be legible; if it looks blurry, it’s probably a fake product.
2. Look closely at the seams. A genuine Gucci bag has very even stitching. If the stitching on some parts of your bag looks uneven or the threads are different from the colors of the bag, then it is most likely a fake.

4. Adidas Yeezy tennis shoes

1. First, you should look at the wavy pattern from the side. In the original Yeezy, the pattern is represented by waves of different lengths.
2. Next, check the tongue of your shoes. The tongues of the original Yeezy appear to be curlier, while the tongues of the fakes are straight.
3. Look inside the shoe and make sure the Adidas logo is the same size on both shoes. Sometimes, if the shoes are fake, the size of the logo may be different. You should also check the seams on the inside, they may be suspiciously sloppy.

5. Hermès handbags

1. First, check the quality of the print on the leather inside the bag. The accent mark on the letter “E” should be fine (for fakes it may be too thick). Also, the letters “F” and “R” in the word “FRANCE” should not be printed together, in a real Hermès bag there will be a little space between them.
2. Next, look at the leather handle of the bag and check the stitching. On a genuine bag, they look elegant, but on a fake bag, the stitching may be uneven and thicker in some places.

6. Toms Shoes

1. The first step is to check the insoles of your espadrilles. If they are missing, then this pair is probably a fake, as genuine ones have the insoles sewn to the soles.
2. Then look at what the heel logo looks like. The letters of the original logo are clear, in one line, and perfectly aligned. On the fake, the letters can be wider or narrower and “jump” in the row (note what a strange shape the letter “O” has on the fake shoe).
3. Check them and the sides for traces of glue. A reputable brand would never allow this, while fake shoes may be stained with glue.

7. Guess handbags

1. First of all, fake Guess bags are not made of leather, but of cheap synthetic materials. You can check this by pressing your finger on the fabric of the bag. If wrinkles appear and do not disappear, it is not leather.
2. Next, pay attention to the lining of the bag. Genuine Guess bags have a soft lining, while fakes may not have any at all. If there is a lining, it is often paper-thin.
3. Finally, you can check the metal parts of the bag. The real ones are durable, shiny, and smooth. Counterfeiters use cheaper materials that can make the appliqués look fuzzy and have edges or leave marks on the surface.

8. Balenciaga shoes

1. Balenciaga sneakers have a very recognizable heel curve. This feature is missing in fakes as their design is not that good.
2. The nose of the fake is much more curved than the original.
3. Also, if you look at the back of the shoe, you’ll notice that the brand name isn’t exactly centered. Also, the letters vary in size and height, and some of them appear larger than others.

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9. Levi’s

1. The embroidered arches on the back pockets of Levi’s jeans are perhaps the most recognizable feature of the brand. This is a plain or diamond arch in the center of the pocket. On fake jeans, this detail is often copied incorrectly.
2. Also, on original jeans, the stitching color is traditionally orange, while many counterfeiters use white thread.
3. The third sign that will help you distinguish a fake is the red label on the back pocket. Genuine jeans carry the name “Levi’s” on the red label, while a fake pair usually has a red label with the letter “R”.

10. Fila shoes

1. If you look at the “F” on a real Fila shoe, you’ll see that the stitching isn’t very even. This is completely normal. But if the tip of the upper cross of the letter “F” is pointed, this should raise suspicion.
2. On the fake pair’s logo, the edges of the crossbar can touch the edges of the square with the letter “F” in it, but it shouldn’t.

11. Lacoste polo

1. The Lacoste crocodile logo is characterized by its distinct features. The eyes, teeth, legs, and red mouth are prominently visible. The body of the crocodile is a vibrant green, with the tail aligned parallel to its back.
2. Located at the base of the polo collar is a white label that showcases the logo along with a red numeral indicating the size. Men’s models feature a single number, while in women’s models, it is two.
3. A counterfeit Lacoste polo shirt can be identified by a subtle detail: the buttons. Authentic Lacoste apparel is equipped with mother-of-pearl buttons that have two holes and lack any inscriptions. In contrast, replica manufacturers often overlook this detail, opting for buttons with four holes.
4. In the men’s polo shirts, there are small slits at the bottom sides, measuring approximately half an inch in depth. Conversely, the women’s versions do not include any such cuts.

Source: Brightside