BRANDEDSTUFF FOR YOU: 2011/01

Hi there - thanks for reading this and hope you find it useful!

I am a trusted seller online and sell only 100% authentic clothing items.

Is my Ralph Lauren or Polo clothing purchase truly authentic? This has been a frequent and highly debated question by some online buyers.

Because these polo shirts are so popular, counterfeiters are out there trying to sell you something that only looks like the real thing. Don't be fooled by these knock-offs. You'll need to be able to spot the real thing from the fakes and here are some tips to help you know the difference:

1. Main label: fully embroidered, shiny, convex, with three-dimensional look, every authentic piece has the factory code at the back of the size label. Classic Fit: Made in China (place of origin), or would have been different in different places of origin, i.e.: Philippine, China Main Land, India and so on.

2. Jumper thread: a four-check jumper thread. (Obvious jumper thread is shown at the four corners of the main embroidery on the main label)
3. Size label: there is at least a numbers or letters on the back of the size label. i.e. The number "6" as shown is below, is the factory code.

4. Collar Tag: There is a thin fluorescent line on the back of the collar tag, that is a woven thread, or you may take this as an anti-counterfeiting thread.

5. Over-lock stitching for the collar label: three blue fluorescent lines which are the over-lock stitching for the collar label. The collar label are linked together at the first place, (can you see the blue shadow of the triangle at the both ends of the collar label), that is the area where the worker cut the collar label from.

6. Embroidery: embroidery is clear with three-dimensional look.

The embroidery threads are provided by the RL HQ.

Here's a trick passed down from tailors and seamstresses. To check the quality of a garment, check the underside of it. Most items of clothing look OK on the outside, or they wouldn't be hanging on racks in clothing stores. What you don't see up-front can be the most important. So, look on the inside of the garment. Seams should be straight and neatly finished. Seam edges should be smooth, not dangling with threads.

7. Button: Natural shell buttons

8. The buttons and buttonholes are neatly and carefully done on genuine Ralph Lauren polo shirts. If buttonholes look a little "rough", you are probably looking at a fake.

9. Washing label: The letters on the washing label are embroidered, you can feel the concavity when you touch it, and even the blind can feel it. The friction will be rustling; this is the standard which authentic can make it. There are few types of the washing label, it usually appeared on batches to Europe, US, Japan and Korea.

The washing label for European market is even longer than the rest.

10. Check the length of the lapel collar: The length of the lapel collar for SLIMFIT and CUSTOMFIT are shortened by 2cm compare to CLASSICFIT.

11. Check the quality of the collar - All authentic RL polo should have firm enough collars to easily lift up but many fakes one have weak collars!

12. Hem/Alignment: The difference for standard hem of new series SLIMFIT RL polo is 2-3cm, the lower hem of the RL polo is one thread to go.

13. Feel the fabric. Ralph Lauren shirts are made from 100% cotton. Country of origin may change, so that's not a reliable indicator of authenticity. But when you feel the fabric it should feel soft but substantial, not flimsy.

Hope these pointers make it easier to spot the fakes and help you save money and think before buying!

I am selling these authentic RL tops as well as many other AUTHENTIC clothes so if you want feel free to check out my other items.

Thanks for reading this and hope it helps