5 tips for recognising a fake Burberry scarf

Burberry is one of the most popular fashion brands in the world for its quality materials and elegant styles. The famous check pattern of red, white and black on a beige background is the original design of the Burberry scarf and the trademark of the famous British brand. The level of brand awareness, high prices and exclusive sales strategy make the products of this fashion brand a particularly popular target for counterfeiters. If you buy your scarf in official Burberry shops, you can be sure that the scarf you are wearing is genuine. However, if you buy it elsewhere (especially second-hand from a private individual), you'll definitely need to know how to spot a fake Burberry scarf. In this Burberry scarf checking guide, we'll teach you how to tell a fake Burberry scarf from a genuine one.

Quality and materials

All Burberry products are made exclusively from high-quality materials. This is why the brand only uses wool, cashmere or silk, which are expensive materials (hence the price) to make the famous scarf. If you're not sure about the authenticity of a scarf, smell the cashmere; it should be soft and muffled. Classic branded cashmere scarves will have a bit of weight to them, so be wary of inferior materials that feel thin or strangely light. Also pay attention to the colour gradient of the stripes, as they should always be clearly delineated from each other and straight. For any Burberry scarf with an additional pattern, you should always look closely to see if it has been woven and not printed, as this definitely indicates a counterfeit.

On the left a pattern printed on a fake Burberry scarf, on the right a pattern woven on a real Burberry scarf.

The label

An authentic Burberry scarf always has a label evenly sewn onto the fabric. The middle is not attached, creating a loop of fabric. Make sure that the label is perfectly sewn onto the Burberry scarf. In the case of counterfeits, it can happen that the label is sewn incorrectly and, for example, that threads hang down the back of the scarf.

• Centred in the middle of this rectangular label, "BURBERRY" must be sewn in capitals and at the same height.

• Underneath the brand name, there are various details, depending on when the scarf was made and what type of scarf it is.

• Many scarves have the "London" detail stitched somewhere below the brand, and most also include where the product was made. The fonts of these location details can vary a little with each scarf, they are either stitched in the same standard Burberry font, or in a finer cursive style like the one shown below.

• While some Burberry scarves are produced in England, Scotland and France, most scarves are now produced in Asia. Burberry has factories all over the world, including China, Poland, Romania, India, Spain, Italy, England and even the United States.

• Many scarf labels also include the materials from which the scarf was made and "dry clean only" instructions.

On the left a label on a fake Burberry scarf, on the right a label on a real Burberry scarf.

The fringes

When it comes to the fringes of a Burberry scarf, you need to make sure that the individual fringes are made up of a maximum of two colours. And that they can also be clearly differentiated from each other, i.e. that they don't cross. What's more, all the fringes on the original scarves are always the same thickness and length, and generally no longer than 7.5 cm. The fringes at the end of the scarf are always twisted or braided and must be carefully treated. If one of the fringes comes undone, it may be an imitation Burberry.

Left: fringes on a fake Burberry scarf, right: fringes on a real Burberry scarf.

The logo

The company's official symbol is a clearly printed "Equestrian Knight" character that appears on the label of every scarf sold. Often, counterfeit scarves will try to give a barely visible interpretation of this logo, so you need to make sure you examine the image closely. This knight is facing to the left and inside the paper label. It should be clearly printed and centred with no blotchy edges.

The photo below shows the packaging for a Burberry product. If you buy a Burberry scarf from an authorised retailer, it will probably be wrapped in a thick box with a bow, and that equestrian knight logo embossed on the front in gold.

Burberry logo

The price

Perhaps the most obvious indicator of genuine Burberry scarves is their cost. Genuine Burberry materials are of the highest quality and are produced with extreme care.

The price should always reflect this. Real scarves sell for between €130 and over €400. If you've come across a scarf that's considerably cheaper, it should raise a few eyebrows. Unless it's a second-hand Burberry scarf, but make sure the price isn't too low compared to the original.

How can I avoid being ripped off when buying a Burberry scarf?

Buying a Burberry scarf is not a trivial matter for everyone. In fact, it's worth a certain amount of money. That's why buying a second-hand Burberry scarf is a good way to own your scarf this winter without having to save for months on end. If you choose to find your second-hand scarf on the Internet, beware of potential counterfeiters. Our guide below will help you in your search. Remember to check many details to ensure that the Burberry product is genuine. Also make sure that the seller has included several photos of the product itself.

But the most important thing is to use a secure payment method to buy your scarf. Obvy is a payment solution specially designed to ensure the security of your transactions between private individuals. In the event of a scam attempt by the seller, Obvy allows you to turn around and get your money back free of charge. Enjoy your scarf this winter!