Purchasing designer clothing is a major investment, but it can be a struggle to find the perfect piece that you’ll love, and which is also completely genuine.
After all, no one wants to be caught out wearing fake designer clothes, and if you’re investing good money then you want to make sure that you’re buying legitimate items.
Fake designer clothing is both unsatisfactory and unethical, so it’s important that you take the time to find real designer items that will add style and sophistication, not shame and sadness, to your closet. With this in mind, we’ve put together some tips on how you can choose your designer clothes wisely to ensure you don’t get ripped off.
Research The Brand You’re Buying
Each brand of designer clothes will have different distinguishing features, and many have specific markings that you can look out for. Read the website of the brand you want to buy and see what they say about looking out for fake products, so that you know exactly what a genuine item should look like.
Look Out For The Details
Tiny details like the spelling of the brand’s name and the branding on the buttons can be a strong indicator that your item is not real. Check every aspect of your item and if you’re not sure that it looks right then consult the website of the brand.
Examine The Quality
When your item arrives, check it to see if the quality matches the price you’ve paid for it. Designer clothing should be high-quality, with neat, sturdy stitching and reliable fastenings. If you notice any damage to your item, or that the stitching is loose and poorly done, then it might not be real. Look at the badge too and see if it is properly attached. If it’s not attached properly then this could be a sign that it’s not real, as the designer themselves would take pride in attaching their branding.
Buy From A Legitimate Source
When purchasing new designer clothes, make sure you buy from a trusted source. Many companies offer a wide range of options from specific brands, like SSENSE, which has a broad array of Givenchy sneakers so you can find a pair that suits you. By buying your designer clothes from a trusted source you can be assured that they’re genuine and will arrive in perfect condition ready for you to enjoy.
Find A Reputable Second-hand Designer Seller
For those that want to enjoy designer clothes at a slightly lower price point, buying second-hand could be the perfect solution. However, buying used designer clothes leaves you more vulnerable to fraud, so make sure you do your research and find a reliable seller that you trust so that you can buy your second-hand designer clothes safe in the knowledge that they’re the real thing.
Check If The Material Is Real
Most designer brands use real materials, like leather and suede, whereas counterfeit goods will be made using cheaper alternatives, so check if the material is the real thing or an imitation. With natural materials like leather it’s easy to check if they’re real or not, so examine the item thoroughly before deciding if your item is legitimate.
Try To Buy From A Shop
Whilst online stores often have more of a selection, it’s easier to spot a fake if you’re looking at it before you buy it, and when you visit a physical retailer you can see if they’re a legitimate seller or not. It might seem like a lot of work to find a shop and visit it to buy your designer clothing, but when you’re investing significant amounts of money in items you need to put some work in to ensuring that they’re real. You can also visit for best clothes steamer
Have Your Item Authenticated
It can be hard to tell if an item is real or not if you’re not an expert, so send the product away to be verified by a specialist if you’re uncertain. They can provide you with a certificate of authentication if the item is real and give you the peace of mind that you want. If the item isn’t real, then they can support you as you chase the return of your money.
Report The Seller
If you suspect that the clothes you’ve purchased are fake, then report the seller to Trading Standards so that they can investigate. This will help you to do your bit to stop the sale of fake designer clothing and could help you in your case when you try and get your money back.
Shopping for designer clothes is more than just selecting the style you want to wear, so follow these tips to make sure you buy real designer clothes that you can treasure for the rest of your life.