First thing’s first, that little blurb you found online about checking the neck tag? Yeah, that’s sorta true, but also kinda not. It’s like, the *first* thing you should do, but not the *only* thing. And honestly, those fake neck tags are getting scary good these days. Like, the font, the spacing, sometimes they even try to mimic the texture of the real tag. They’re getting craftyyy.
My personal take? I wouldn’t rely solely on the tag. Think of it more as a starting point. Go online, Google image search “authentic Saint Laurent polo shirt neck tag.” Compare *everything*. Font, spacing, even the material the tag is made of. But even then, don’t be fooled!
Okay, so what *else* should you look for?
This is where it gets tricky. I mean, the overall quality of the shirt is a big tell. Is the fabric some cheap, scratchy garbage? Does it feel like it’ll fall apart after one wash? ‘Cause the real stuff, even the older season stuff, feels *expensive*. It drapes nicely, the stitching is clean… you get the picture.
And speaking of stitching, pay attention! Sloppy stitching is a HUGE red flag. Look at the seams, especially around the collar and shoulders. Are there loose threads everywhere? Are the stitches uneven? Authentic YSL is, like, perfection. The stitching is almost invisible. Replica factories just don’t seem to care as much (or maybe they just can’t afford good sewing machines, who knows?).
Another thing that sometimes gives it away is the buttons. On a polo, they are not just any generic buttons. They are a part of the look. Check the quality and see the way they are attached.
Now, I’m not saying you *can’t* find a decent replica. They exist. But you gotta be seriously diligent. And even then, there’s always that nagging feeling in the back of your head, isn’t there? Like, “Is this *really* passing for the real deal?”
Honestly, if you’re gonna go the replica route, just be honest with yourself and others. Own it. Don’t try to pass it off as authentic. ‘Cause trust me, someone will eventually call you out. And that’s just awkward.
