Well-known brands like Rolex, Fendi and Coach are commonly copied and found on street corners worldwide. Among clothing brands, Izod Lacoste is a staple of many wardrobes. Known for their polo-style shirts and classic appearance, the brand's popularity has inspired counterfeiters. Spotting the hallmarks of a fake Lacoste shirt will help you save money and avoid disappointment from learning you actually own a low-quality knockoff. Does this Spark an idea?
Where to Find Them
Purchasing on online auction sites greatly increases the likelihood of being victimized by a counterfeiter. Izod does not sell direct to independent re-sellers. Any seller claiming that its low prices result from bulk purchasing is to be doubted. Only authorized dealers such as major department stores or Lacoste stores can guarantee sales of the genuine article.
Appearance
Certain hallmarks of counterfeit items are called "tells." These easy-to-spot clues reveal fake garments, watches and purses. Izod Lacoste buttons and logos are the first things to immediately investigate. Real Lacoste buttons are mother-of-pearl, with two vertically-sewn buttonholes. Only Izod Sport has three buttons, but this is found only at major re-sellers. Fake Izods normally have plastic buttons and two horizontally-sewn buttonholes. The signature crocodile logo on fakes is often the wrong size, placed too low, loosely embroidered and displays rough edges. Many fakes even have a silkscreened logo instead of a patch or direct embroidery.
Tags
Izod is an international brand sold in the U.S. Most often, this European influence is reflected in the sizing information on the tags. Izod shirt labels showing "S," "M" or "L" are counterfeit items. Again, only Sport Lacoste differs from the numerical sizing scheme. Most important, there is only a single tag on authentic pieces. Price tags also have a hole punched on the lower left side of the tag surrounded with an octagonal dot. Fakes have round dots.
Manufacturing Locations
Examine the location of origin when suspecting a fake Izod. Real Lacoste shirts are made in France, Morocco or Peru. Very often fakes have an Asian or Indian place of origin, immediately identifying the piece as a forgery. Many fakes also have Argentina as a place of origin, close enough to Peru and in a similar geographic location to cause confusion. Better fakes have origin information such as "Made in Peru Designed in France."
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