Fashion Law Journal
It may not always be considered the most fashionable of clothing for some people but there is no doubt that the sports apparel and merchandise industry is big business. Sports franchises make millions from sales each year and are able to command multi-million dollar fees just for the right to cloth the top teams.
But that does mean that the cost of official merchandise is regarded as quite high by many. Unofficial and fake gear fills that gap and has turned into an illegal multi-million dollar industry of its own.
Whether it is caps and hats for the top NBA teams or jerseys for some of the elite college football programs like Oklahoma, the fans want to show their allegiance by wearing team colors. So how can they know if what they are about to buy is official? How easy is it to spot a fake these days?
Tags and Labels
Even some of the best fake replica jerseys and other apparel can be given away by the finer details. Before you hand over your hard-earned money it is crucial that you check all the tags and labels as well. Even if the gear itself looks legit, there are other elements that are sometimes more difficult to forge.
Take a look at all the labels and tags on the gear. They should obviously all look official and have the logos of the brand in the right place. These days there are also hologram labels and tags that take more time to duplicate, so they can regularly be the giveaway of a fake. If any of these seem off, it is better to look elsewhere.
The Price is Right
We all want to get the best deals when we are shopping for clothes and that is especially true when it comes to sports gear. It is not a controversial statement to claim that sports merchandise can sometimes seem too expensive for what you are getting. That is why the fake merch industry is so successful, after all.
Even reputable outlets will want to offer the cheapest available jerseys, so you have to be able to discern whether a price is just good value or simply too good to be true. Compare the prices at different stores and if one stands out as significantly lower, it is probably because it is a fake.
Check the Work
The bottom line is everything when it comes to fake sports gear and that means that oftentimes the stitching of garments is nowhere near as good as it should be. Take special care when checking how the jerseys are made and you should be able to spot whether you are holding a fake or the real deal.
Fake sports apparel might have stitching that is not uniform or clean-looking. Consistency is key here, as a real jersey would not be passed if there was a noticeable difference between stitching in different areas of the garment. This goes for those all-important tags as well – everything should look perfect.
Where You Buy
One of the simplest ways you can make sure that you are buying a legitimate piece of sports team apparel or merchandise is that you are getting it from an official store. Team stores are the best bet as they are the direct representative of the team or franchise on the high street (or maybe even in the stadium complex itself).
But there are plenty of other officially licensed outlets. If you are being offered a replica jersey from a stall on the road at a market, there is a very good chance that it is a fake. These kinds of vendors are not usually granted licenses, so make sure that the place you buy your gear is.
Figure 2 Buying from an official store is a good idea
Pay Close Attention
You have already examined the labels and the stitching but it really pays to go over the apparel with the precision of a forensic scientist. Check every detail from the way the logos and crests are displayed to the exact color of the jersey. You would be surprised just how good the fakers have gotten in recent years.
It is even a good idea to feel how heavy the jersey is. Sometimes fake gear is made with cheaper materials and will be lighter than the original and official replicas. You should even take a quick smell test to help identify a fake. Unofficial apparel will sometimes give off a chemical aroma and should be avoided.
Check Everything
You may feel as though sports organizations earn enough money anyway and that the apparel is too highly-priced – so why not buy a fake? Unfortunately, you have no idea where the proceeds are going and the criminal shortcuts that have been made to offer the garments at such a price in the first place.
If you want to show your colors and get behind your team, just make sure that you have checked the apparel closely first. Then you can cheer your favorites on with your conscious clear.
