How can you tell if a secondhand garment is genuine or fake?
What should you look for to know if designer clothing is authentic?
Nowadays, buying premium secondhand vintage clothing has become a trend for dressing with personality, caring for the planet, and accessing pieces that are no longer found in stores. But there is one question that remains very present among those who are new to this world or buying for the first time: how can you tell if a garment is authentic or a knockoff?
At Premium Vintage Wholesale, as vintage clothing wholesalers in Madrid and leaders in vintage wholesale in Spain, we have been selecting stylish and, above all, authentic garments for years. That's why today we're telling you how to distinguish a genuine garment from a fake one. We're telling you this from our experience, which we live every day among vintage sweatshirts, original track pants, and clothing that passes through our hands before reaching you.
How to tell if a garment is genuine or a knockoff
Let's take a look at the details we pay most attention to when receiving each batch, which you can also check when buying vintage clothing on your own. Some are easy to identify, others require a little more practice, but all can help you avoid disappointment.
1. Check the label and logo.
This is the first thing to look at, as the label says a lot. And we're not just talking about what it says, but how it's made. Authentic brands usually have carefully sewn labels that are well aligned, with clean fonts and quality materials. If you see blurred letters, crooked stitching, or a label that doesn't "fit" with the garment's aesthetic, be wary.
In addition, many brands have changed their labels over the decades, so if a garment is supposedly from the 90s and has a modern label, something doesn't add up. Therefore, if you are just starting out, look for visual references of old labels on trusted sites or compare them with garments that you already know are authentic. Some even have NFC that redirects you to the store's website, but this is also starting to be copied!
2. Examine the quality of the materials and stitching.
One of the things that is most noticeable when a garment is fake is the quality. Imitations often use cheap fabrics that do not stand the test of time, and you can tell as soon as you touch them. If a vintage sweatshirt, for example, claims to be Champion but is too thin, stretchy, or has a synthetic fleece interior, it is probably not original.
The same goes for seams: on authentic garments, they are usually well made, aligned, and without loose threads. In contrast, a counterfeit often has sloppy finishes or is simply glued instead of sewn.
3. Verify the country of origin and manufacturing details.
This point is simple but very useful. Authentic brands usually clearly indicate the country of manufacture, and this often helps to identify whether something makes sense or not. For example, if you see a garment that is presented as Levi’s from the 1980s but is labeled “Made in China,” it is probably not real.
In addition, you can look at small details such as the type of zipper, buttons, or even the interior washing labels. Each brand has its own style and level of detail, and over time you learn to recognize it almost at a glance.
4. Notice the brand's unique details
Each brand has its own hallmarks. We're not just talking about the logo: we're talking about cuts, patterns, finishes, even colors and fonts that are repeated in each collection. On Adidas track pants, for example, the side stripes have a specific width and spacing that imitations often fail to replicate. On garments such as vintage Nike or Champion sweatshirts, the logo embroidery is usually clean and consistent. Copies often fail in this regard: crooked lines, slightly dull colors, mismatched materials.
These kinds of details are precisely what allow us at Premium Vintage Wholesale to filter through thousands of garments when selecting what we offer both in-store and in our wholesale sales. It's not just about looking good— it has to be authentic.
5. Use online authentication tools
Nowadays, there are many platforms available where you can compare photos, labels, serial numbers, or manufacturing details. Sites such as LegitGrails, CheckCheck, or even specialized forums can give you clues as to whether a garment is authentic. Of course, nothing can replace the trained eye of someone who has spent years seeing and handling authentic vintage clothing.
So, if you have any doubts, it's best to ask someone who knows. We, for example, check every item we sell, whether it's retail in our physical store or wholesale for customers who buy vintage clothing by the kilo in Spain or Europe.
6. Consult with experts or specialty stores
Do you have questions? Ask. A trusted vintage store or a reputable vintage clothing supplier in Spain can guide you. What won't help you is buying without references, on websites that don't explain where the clothes come from, without clear photos, without the possibility of contact. An authentic garment has a past, a history, a style. And whoever sells it should be able to tell you about it.
7. Trust your intuition and experience
One thing is certain: if something doesn't seem right, you're probably right. Over time, you train your eye. You start to recognize seams, colors, types of labels, cuts. You learn how good vintage cotton feels to the touch or how an original jacket hangs. That's why the more familiar you become with authentic clothing, the easier it will be to spot the fakes.
And if you don't want to take any risks, always go to someone who gives you guarantees.
Shop with confidence: choose original, carefully selected vintage clothing
Knowing how to distinguish an authentic garment from a fake one is not just a matter of looking at a couple of labels or touching the fabric. It is a combination of experience, observation, and common sense. And although you learn with time, it is also true that having a good supplier makes all the difference.
At Premium Vintage Wholesale, we work to earn your trust from the very beginning. We are more than just a vintage store in Madrid: we are a wholesaler of vintage clothing, a Spanish vintage wholesaler with a European reach, where you can buy whether you want to take home a vintage sweatshirt for yourself or are looking for clothing by the kilo to resell in your store.
We select each garment using the same criteria we have described in this article: looking at labels, materials, finishes, details, and origin. Because for us, a vintage garment must not only be beautiful. It must be authentic. And if it is, we guarantee it.