How To Check If A Football Shirt Is Genuine

How To Check If A Football Shirt Is Genuine

When you're in the business of collecting and growing your football shirt collection, it can be easy to become tempted by incredibly low prices, together with the opportunity to bag a rare jersey for a decent price. But in this case, it's far more likely that you'll receive replica football shirts that are considered to be a fake. Bogus football shirts are becoming increasingly more convincing, so it's important that you know how to spot the signs of a fake football jersey. Here's how to check effectively.

It was far cheaper than its actual RRP

This is something you should pay attention to, especially when considering buying a football shirt online, as you can’t actually see it in the flesh. This is something you should pay attention to, especially when considering buying a football shirt online, as you can’t actually see it in the flesh. If the price of a football shirt seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Make sure you do some comparisons online. See what major retailers are selling the same shirt for and try to secure a great deal in and around that price if you don’t want to pay the full whack. It might be that the shirt you’re looking at goes on sale, so keep an eye out if you’re on a budget. Either way, don’t be tempted by low prices because the shirt you receive will, most likely, be a fake.

You’ve purchased it from a website that doesn’t look legitimate

You should only purchase football shirts from legitimate websites and companies. Before you make your purchase, make sure you do your research. What are their reviews like? Previous customer opinions and experiences will help to give you an idea of how legitimate the website really is and whether or not they actually provide genuine football shirts. 

Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms are good places to start, as they can also add reputability. If the reviews or ratings online are negative, then it’s likely that that particular place is giving out fake football shirts, so avoid those websites at all costs. If you want to acquire a genuine football shirt, then look at the big retailers or choose an independent firm with a passion for quality football jerseys, such as us here at Mystery Jersey King.

The quality is inferior when compared to genuine football shirts

A genuine football shirt will have a wide range of high-quality detailing on it, so if the football jersey you have received is lacking this, then it’s likely to be bogus. The quality of a real football shirt simply cannot be replicated, so you might notice that any embroidery is loose or messy, the fabric will feel inferior to genuine shirts, and you’re likely to experience some sizing issues or problems with the overall fit. Plus, authentic shirts often have long-term resale value, especially when they’re vintage shirts or classic football shirts from your favourite team’s past glory days.

In contrast, fake football shirts are known for poor-quality stitching, incorrect product codes, and inferior materials. While these counterfeit shirts might be cheaper, they rarely stand the test of time and often feature dead giveaways like poor printing or mismatched logos. By learning how to spot a fake football shirt, you’ll avoid dodgy sellers, protect your investment, and maintain a collection you can wear and display with pride. You should also look at the logos on the shirt, do they look as though they have been created with the utmost precision and care? If not, you probably have a fake football jersey on your hands. Essentially, a real football shirt will be of the highest possible quality, so if it’s not, there’s a high possibility that you’ve been sent a fake.

The seams are messy

We’ve already touched on the quality of the football shirts, but you need to pay particular attention to the seams. The seams are where one piece of fabric joins another to create a single garment. If the seams and stitching is messy, or if it appears to be loose, then there’s a high probability that the shirt is fake. A genuine football shirt will be neatly, and tightly,  stitched together with strong thread to create a football jersey that is of the highest possible quality.

There’s an obvious mistake on it somewhere

No matter what it might be, fake products that are trying to pass for the genuine article will have mistakes plastered all over them. Some products might have more mistakes on them than others, but a fake football shirt will have a faux pas on it somewhere, whether it be within the logo or a simple spelling mistake. The mistake might even be more obvious than that. If you have a football shirt with an Adidas label on it but with a Nike logo on it, then it’s definitely a bogus football shirt.

The labels have a pen on them, or there is a complete lack of labels

If there are any numbers, letters, or words written on the label in pen, then it’s most certainly a fake football shirt. This is because counterfeit factories will do this as a method of counting their stock, so it’s a very conclusive way of determining whether or not your football jersey is real or fake. In addition to this, all football shirts will have wash labels inside them to allow for the new owner to care for them properly. If your football shirt doesn’t come with any wash or care labels, then it’s likely a counterfeit football jersey.

How to Spot a Fake Football Shirt: Key Signs to Look For

1. The Price Is “Too Good to Be True”

If the price of a supposedly authentic football shirt is far lower than its usual recommended retail price, consider it a red flag. Real versions of official shirts; especially brand-new shirts or limited edition releases, rarely come at a huge discount. While sales and special offers do happen, a suspiciously low price could mean you’re dealing with a counterfeit football shirt. Always do a quick Google search to compare prices from trusted sellers or official club shops before buying.

2. Check for Product Codes and Labels Inside the Shirt

Genuine football shirts come with product codes, care labels, and inside tags that confirm their authenticity. These codes often appear on the inside labels, wash labels, or along the hem. They’re used by official manufacturers for quality control and help ensure the shirt you have matches what’s listed on the brand’s official website. A shirt lacking proper codes, or featuring pen-written notes, is a surefire way to suspect it might be fake.

3. Inspect the Overall Quality and Stitching

Authentic football shirts feature high-quality materials, neat stitching, and carefully embroidered badges or brand logos. Poor-quality stitching, loose threads, or uneven seams are a dead giveaway. The same goes for the printing of names, numbers, and sponsor logos - any fading, misalignment, or off-colour details suggest a counterfeit football shirt. Pay close attention to the brand logo and club badge. If they look blurred, crooked, or cheaply printed, you likely have a fake shirt on your hands.

4. Validate the Branding and Official Manufacturers

Check whether the brand logo and club crest match the official versions you can find on reputable websites. Genuine merchandise from Nike, Adidas, or Umbro will be produced with consistent quality and detail. If you spot a mismatch, like an Adidas label alongside a Nike logo or a team badge that looks slightly off - this is a clear sign of a counterfeit item.

5. Look at the Website or Seller's Credibility

Reliable retailers and official club stores will have a solid reputation, positive customer reviews, and secure payment methods. If you’re browsing a website that looks poorly designed, has no social media presence, or shows negative feedback from other buyers, it’s wise to look elsewhere. Trusted sellers and official retailers; both online and in physical club shops, are the safest bet for finding authentic football shirts and official replica shirts.

6. Compare Vintage and Retro Football Shirts

Vintage shirts or retro football shirts can be slightly trickier to authenticate. Older jerseys might not have product codes or the same modern tags. However, genuine vintage shirts typically still show quality craftsmanship, durable fabrics, and accurate club branding. If a vintage shirt you’re considering looks brand new or has modern remake features that don’t align with its era, it’s likely not the real version.

How to Use Product Codes and Official Resources

Genuine football shirts from top brands often include a specific product code. This can be found on the care labels inside the shirt or printed discreetly along the inside stitching. A quick Google search of that code should bring up official information, images, or listings from trusted retailers. If nothing legitimate appears, or if multiple sizes and styles pop up that don’t match your exact shirt, you might be dealing with a fake.

Tips for Buying Authentic Football Shirts Safely

Shop at Trusted Sellers: Stick to official club websites, authorised sports retailers, or respected resellers of classic football shirts.

Check Reviews and Ratings: Honest customer reviews on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms can guide you toward reputable places.

Ask for Authenticity Guarantees: Some sellers offer certificates of authenticity or a full refund policy if the shirt turns out to be fake.

Use Secure Payment Methods: Always pay using methods that offer buyer protection to minimise your risk.

Why Choose Authentic Shirts Over Replicas?

Quality and Durability: Authentic shirts use high-quality materials and are made with care, so they won’t fade or wear out quickly.

Better Resale Value: Genuine football shirts, especially rare or player-issue shirts, can hold or even increase in value over time.

Supporting Ethical Manufacturing: Official merchandise is produced through proper licensing and manufacturing processes, ensuring fair working conditions and quality control.

FAQs

Q: Are replicas always fake football shirts?

A: Not necessarily. Official replica shirts are produced by the same official manufacturers as authentic player-issue shirts but often use slightly different materials or fit. Counterfeit shirts, on the other hand, are completely unauthorised.

Q: Can vintage shirts lack product codes and still be genuine?

A: Yes, older shirts might not have modern product codes or care labels, but they’ll still show quality craftsmanship, accurate branding, and authentic era-appropriate details.

Q: What if I find pen-written marks on the labels inside the shirt?

A: Pen-written notes are a common sign of counterfeit items, as counterfeit factories often mark their stock this way. If you see pen marks or no labels at all, it’s likely a fake.

Building Your Collection with Confidence

Mystery Jersey King offers an innovative service whereby football shirt collectors and fans alike can subscribe to receive a mystery football shirt on a regular basis. As a fun and interesting way of growing your football shirt collection, it’s never been more popular. You’ll never have to worry about receiving the same shirt twice, so if you’re looking to expand your collection of mystery football jerseys, then this is a cost-effective, highly-anticipated way of doing it. For more information, get in touch with a member of our professional, dedicated team today - we’re always happy to hear from you.

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