Lacoste polo shirt: how can you spot a counterfeit?

The iconic Lacoste polo shirt is a fashion classic. A symbol of top-of-the-range ready-to-wear, the crocodile brand's polo shirt is also under attack from counterfeiters, who are pouring thousands of fake polo shirts onto the market, flooding the internet and classified ad sites. Despite the difficulty of identifying a fake item, there are fortunately some techniques to which you should pay attention if you intend to buy a Lacoste polo outside the traditional distribution channels.

Find out in less than 3 minutes how to spot a counterfeit by watching our video:

Want to find out more? Read the full article below

The logo

First of all, pay close attention to the brand's well-known logo: the green crocodile with its mouth open.

Orientation

The crocodile must be at heart level and pointing outwards. A logo pointing inwards is a sign of counterfeiting.

More details

Pay particular attention to the following details:

• The logo is always on a white background and no stitching should be detached from the outline.
• The upper part of the jaw is shorter than the lower part
• The tail is curved over the crocodile and points in the same direction as its eyes.
• The crocodile's eyes are not round, but resemble slits.
• The teeth and claws are visible but green, like the crocodile's body.
• Turn the polo over to see the seams. They should be barely visible. If you see a lot of threads or the colour of the crocodile or the white background, it's a fake.

On the left is a fake logo, on the right a genuine logo.

The buttons

Lacoste polo buttons are sewn vertically. Each of the polo shirt's two buttons must be sewn using two holes through which threads run from top to bottom. The buttons must be perfectly aligned and firmly held by the threads.

The buttons on authentic Lacoste polo shirts are not made of plastic but of mother-of-pearl. Mother-of-pearl buttons are easily distinguished from plastic buttons by their density, their slightly shimmering colour and their hardness. The mother-of-pearl buttons on Lacoste polo shirts are also slightly hollowed out in the centre, where the holes for the threads can be seen.

On the left is a fake button, on the right a genuine button.

The labels

Upper collar label

The size is indicated in figures, according to the European standard. If you see 'small', 'medium' or 'large', it's a counterfeit. The logo on the label is just as detailed as the logo itself (eyes, teeth, claws, as well as white scales in this case...). Make sure it is the same in terms of finish.

On the left is a fake label, on the right a genuine label.

Lower collar label

Under the first label, you'll find a second, depending on the model and year of manufacture. This is not compulsory. If this label is present, however, it will state "Designed in France" and a "Made in" line, which will usually refer to El Salvador or Peru.

Washing label

This label is located on the inside of the garment, at the bottom, and can also be used to detect counterfeits. A genuine label must include the following information:

• "100% cotton" printed in 7 languages
• Washing instructions with the words "Devanlay" on the back

The counterfeits have the washing instructions on the front of the label, are roughly sewn and letters may be hidden.

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To ensure full traceability of the transaction and avoid buying a fake Lacoste polo without being able to find the seller, always use Obvy. Our secure payment system, specially designed for purchases and sales between private individuals, not only protects you from all hand-delivery and delivery scams, but also provides you with a full transaction history and information on the seller and buyer.

We've also written an article to help youavoid buying a fake Ralph Lauren polo shirt.