Lacoste Cologne: Spotting Fakes And Imitations

Lacoste is a well-known premium brand that is often targeted by counterfeiters. Fake Lacoste products can be found in physical retail stores, street markets, and online platforms. To combat this, Lacoste has a dedicated team that works with law enforcement authorities globally to stop the production and sale of counterfeit products.

There are several ways to spot a fake Lacoste item. Firstly, the logo is a good indicator—most fakes have poorly made crocodile logos with unclear body parts. The crocodile should be a deep, dark green with distinct teeth and claws, and the top jaw should be smaller than the bottom, angled slightly upwards. The logo should be stitched on from inside the shirt, with no stitches visible on the front. Secondly, check the sizing—Lacoste uses numbers for sizing, not small, medium, and large. Thirdly, the logo alignment is important—on a genuine Lacoste polo shirt, the logo lines up with the second button, never with the bottom of the placket.

Other signs of a fake include the fabric thickness, the quality of the buttons, and the presence of small side elevations on men's T-shirts. In addition, the label and tag should be examined for blurred edges and poor-quality lettering.

When it comes to Lacoste fragrances, there are also ways to spot fakes. One way is to examine the packaging—the box, film, and protective fixing insert. The box should be made of high-quality cardboard with no printing defects or spelling errors, and the film should be tightly and evenly sealed, with no gaps or inaccuracies at the folds or ends. The protective fixing insert inside the box should be free of dents, glue traces, barcodes, wrinkles, or other defects.

Another way to spot a fake Lacoste fragrance is to examine the bottle. The bottle should be made of high-quality glass with no inclusions, air bubbles, or shells. The bottle should also have the logo, the name of the perfume, its intended purpose, information about where it was produced, the legal address of the company, and the volume of the liquid. The minimum volume for a genuine Lacoste fragrance is typically 50 ml.

Check the logo's colour, stitching, and positioning

When examining the logo, there are several key indicators of authenticity to look out for. Firstly, the crocodile logo should be a deep, dark green, with clear individual teeth and claws. The top jaw is smaller than the bottom and is angled slightly upwards. The tail is rounded and points in the same direction as the jaw, rather than at the crocodile's body. The logo should be on a white background and stitched on from the inside of the shirt, so there should be no visible stitches on the front of the shirt.

Inside the shirt, you should see neat stitching outlining the crocodile. Messy stitching here is a clear sign of a fake. On original Lacoste polo shirts, the logo is held on with 1,400 stitches.

Lacoste has recently used multiple versions of the logo in different materials, so if the logo doesn't look like the classic cloth one, check it against some of the newer versions. While the colours differ, the quality of the logo and its stitching are still good indicators of authenticity.

Check the sizing

Lacoste uses numbers for sizing, not small, medium, and large. Therefore, if the item uses small, medium, or large sizing, it is likely a fake.

Lacoste's sizing is also consistent across its products. For example, if you are a size 6 in one of their polo shirts, you will be a size 6 in all of their polo shirts. If you find that you are a different size in different polo shirts, or even in different items of the same type (e.g. two polo shirts), this may indicate that one of the items is a fake.

Lacoste's sizing is also consistent with that of other clothing brands. For example, if you are a size 6 in another brand, you will likely be a size 6 in Lacoste. If you find that you are a different size in Lacoste compared to other brands, this may indicate that the Lacoste item is a fake.

Finally, Lacoste's sizing is generally considered to be true to size. This means that if you typically wear a size 6 in clothing, you will likely be a size 6 in Lacoste. If you find that you need to size up or down from your typical size in order for the Lacoste item to fit correctly, this may indicate that the item is a fake.

Check the fabric's thickness and weave

Checking the fabric's thickness and weave is a crucial step in determining the authenticity of a Lacoste polo shirt. The brand is known for its exclusive "petit pique" pattern, which is a unique weave that gives the fabric a distinctive look and feel. This pattern is consistent across all genuine Lacoste shirts, so if you notice any irregularities in the weave, it is likely a fake.

The fabric of a genuine Lacoste shirt should also feel substantial and durable. The company uses high-quality materials, and their shirts are known for their thick, luxurious fabric. If you put your hand inside the shirt and can easily see it through the cloth, it is probably a counterfeit. The thin fabric of fake shirts is often one of the most noticeable indicators of inauthenticity.

In addition to the thickness and weave, you should also examine the colour of the fabric. Lacoste shirts are known for their vibrant, consistent hues. If the colour of the shirt looks faded or uneven, it is likely not authentic. Pay close attention to the colour of the logo as well, as this is often a tell-tale sign of a fake. The crocodile logo should be a deep, dark green, and any deviations from this colour could indicate a counterfeit product.

Furthermore, the stitching of the fabric can also provide valuable clues about authenticity. On a genuine Lacoste shirt, the stitching will be neat and precise, with no loose threads or irregularities. If you notice messy stitching, especially around the logo or seams, it is likely that the shirt is a fake. The logo on authentic Lacoste shirts is held on with 1,400 stitches, so examine the stitching closely to ensure it meets this standard.

Check the buttons' material, shape, and holes

Checking the buttons is a crucial step in determining the authenticity of a Lacoste polo shirt. Here's what you need to look for:

Material: Authentic Lacoste buttons are typically made of mother-of-pearl. This gives them a distinctive, elegant appearance.

Shape: The buttons should be flat and slightly saddle-shaped in the middle. This unique shape is a defining characteristic of genuine Lacoste buttons.

Holes: Each button should have two holes for needles, one on the upper part and one on the lower part. These holes should be precisely positioned and evenly spaced.

Writing: Genuine Lacoste buttons usually do not have any writing or engravings on them. This is an important detail to check, as the presence of writing could indicate a counterfeit product.

Rim: A genuine Lacoste button will have a clearly defined rim around it. This rim should be smooth and well-formed, with no imperfections or irregularities.

Checking the buttons is a detailed process, but it is an effective way to help ensure the authenticity of a Lacoste polo shirt. By examining the material, shape, holes, writing, and rim, you can make a more informed decision about the authenticity of the product. Remember, attention to detail is key when it comes to spotting fake merchandise.

Check the label and tag for blurriness

Checking the label and tag for blurriness is a crucial step in verifying the authenticity of a Lacoste shirt. The label and tag are often overlooked by counterfeiters, who focus their efforts on replicating the more noticeable external features of the shirt. As a result, inconsistencies in the label and tag can serve as tell-tale signs of a fake Lacoste shirt.

When examining the label, pay close attention to the lettering and logo. On a genuine Lacoste shirt, these elements will be crisp and clear, with sharp edges. If you notice any blurriness or distortion in the lettering or logo, it is likely that the shirt is a counterfeit.

The same principle applies to the tag. Authentic Lacoste shirts will have clear and precise tags, with no signs of blurriness or smudging. Forgers often cut corners when replicating tags, resulting in tags with blurred edges and low-quality printing. If the tag on your Lacoste shirt appears blurry or lacks the level of detail and precision expected from an authentic Lacoste product, it is likely a fake.

It is important to scrutinize both the label and the tag, as counterfeiters may attempt to replicate one but not the other. By examining both components, you can significantly increase your chances of detecting a counterfeit shirt.

In addition to checking for blurriness, there are a few other indicators to look for when inspecting the label and tag. On authentic Lacoste shirts, the label will be ironed on, resulting in a smooth and flat appearance. If the label appears to be glued on or has a bumpy texture, it is likely a fake. Furthermore, the lettering and logo on the label should be aligned correctly, with consistent spacing between the elements. Any misalignment or irregular spacing may indicate a counterfeit product.

In summary, checking the label and tag for blurriness is a critical step in authenticating a Lacoste shirt. Counterfeiters often overlook these components, resulting in inconsistencies that can give away the fake nature of the shirt. By examining the lettering, logo, and overall quality of the label and tag, you can significantly enhance your ability to detect a counterfeit Lacoste shirt.

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