Katrina Rosales
Abercrombie & Fitch cologne is a popular fragrance with a distinctive scent that has been reformulated several times since its launch in 2002. The cologne is often associated with the brand's stores and has a strong following, especially among those who came of age in the 2000s. However, there are concerns about the quality of the current formulation, with some reviewers claiming that it doesn't last long and is not as good as older versions.
When trying to determine if an Abercrombie & Fitch cologne is fake, there are several things to look out for. Firstly, the presentation is important – genuine cologne should not come in a plastic bag. The feel of the bottle is also a giveaway, with fake bottles feeling thinner and cheaper. The print on the bottle and the placement and style of the writing on the buttons can also be indicators of a fake. Other things to look out for include the colour, serial number, and price of the item, as well as any misprints or botched letters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bottle | The bottle should be of good quality. The lettering should not be the type that can be simply scratched off. The cap should be weighty with grey plastic on the inside and the atomizer should also be grey. A sticker/label should be on the base and under that, 102Y should be imprinted in black. |
| Sticker | The image of the torso on the back of the bottle is a sticker which is stuck on the outer surface of the bottle. |
| Serial Number | There should be a serial number on the bottom of the bottle. |
| Sound of the cap | The sound of the closing cap should be metallic. |
| Label | The sewn-in label should exhibit different fonts. Looking closely and comparing two labels, the 'Established 1892' and the 'Unparalleled In Quality' should differ, with the fake one being more blocky. The writing of the 'Abercrombie & Fitch' is also different, look at the base of the letter ‘b’. |
| Tags | The tags below the sewn-in label stating the size are different dimensions and say different things. |
| Spare buttons | There are two spare buttons with the real shirt, and only one with the fake, and their placement in relation to the care instructions tag is different. The colour of the thread used to sew them in differs too, with the fake one having a thread that shows up on the outside of the shirt, while the real one does not. |
| Fit of the shirt | The fit of the shirt is baggy with loose and long cuffs. |
| Tags | The tags are incorrect and odd. |
What You'll Learn
Check the label for misprints or botched letters
When checking the label for misprints or botched letters, it's important to pay attention to detail. Check the spelling of the brand name, "Abercrombie & Fitch", and look out for any inconsistencies in the font or text placement. Compare the label with those of other Abercrombie & Fitch products or with images of authentic labels online. Be wary of misspellings, such as "A+F" instead of "A&F", and differences in font styles or sizes.
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Check the tags for incorrect information
When checking the tags for incorrect information, it is important to look out for spelling errors, incorrect prices, and inconsistencies with other items in the range. For example, if you are buying a shirt, check that the tags correspond to the correct item and that the price and product code are correct. There shouldn't be any misprints or botched letters.
In addition, the tags should not exhibit any oddities, such as incorrect sizing or different dimensions. The tags should also not be of different thicknesses or have different fonts. For instance, the 'Muscle' tag on a fake shirt is wider than that of a genuine one.
Another thing to look out for is the presentation of the item. Fake Abercrombie & Fitch items are often delivered in plastic bags, which is not the brand's style.
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Check the buttons for odd placement of writing
When examining the buttons, pay close attention to the writing on them. The real one will have the 'Abercrombie' logo slightly away from the centre of the button, while the fake one will have it centred. The real buttons will also have bolder writing and will be a single layer, whereas the fakes will be double-layered with a different colour on the underside.
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Check the colour of the thread used to sew in spare buttons
When examining the colour of the thread used to sew in the spare buttons, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, check the colour of the thread itself. On a genuine Abercrombie & Fitch shirt, the thread used to sew in the spare buttons should be nearly invisible, blending in with the shirt so that it is not noticeable from the outside. If the thread is a different colour and stands out against the shirt, this may be an indication of a fake.
Additionally, pay attention to the placement of the spare buttons in relation to the care instructions tag. On authentic Abercrombie & Fitch clothing, the spare buttons are typically positioned in a specific way relative to this tag. If the placement seems off or differs from the usual positioning, this could be another indication that the item is not genuine.
It is also important to examine the number of spare buttons provided. Typically, authentic Abercrombie & Fitch shirts will include two spare buttons, while fake items may only include one.
By carefully inspecting these details, you can gain valuable insights into the authenticity of the Abercrombie & Fitch item in question.
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Check the fit of the shirt
The fit of the shirt is also worth mentioning as it obviously shows up as being fake when it does not fit the same way. The cuffs are way too loose and long, and the shirt is generally too baggy. The collar, while having fairly thick material, is not thick enough to feel like the real Abercrombie shirt.
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Frequently asked questions
Check the quality of the bottle and the label. The lettering should not be the type that can be scratched off easily. The cap should be weighty and the atomizer should be grey. There should be a sticker/label on the base and under that, 102Y should be imprinted in black.
The fake one is likely to come in a plastic bag, which is not the A&F style. The feel of the shirt is very thin and definitely feels cheaper than a real A&F polo shirt. The fake one is also less worn-in.
Sellers with many similar items are generally best avoided. Official outlets, both online and in-store, will guarantee authenticity.
Abercrombie & Fitch cologne is a woody aromatic fragrance for men. It has top notes of fir, lemon, orange, petitgrain, cardamom and sea notes; middle notes of rosemary, lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, rose and sage; and base notes of musk, vetiver, oakmoss, Brazilian rosewood and sandalwood.
