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 for, since the label says a lot. And we’re not just talking about what it says, but how it’s made. Authentic brands usually have labels that are carefully sewn on, well-aligned, with crisp fonts and high-quality materials. If you see blurry lettering, crooked stitching, or a label that doesn’t match 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 but has a modern label, something doesn’t add up. That’s why, if you’re just starting out, look for visual references of old labels on trusted websites or compare the garment to ones you already know are authentic. 

Some brands incorporate technologies such as NFC tags or QR codes to facilitate the authentication of their products. Although these systems provide an additional layer of security, there are also counterfeits that attempt to imitate them, so it’s best not to rely solely on this feature.

2. Examine the quality of the materials and stitching.

One of the most obvious signs that a garment is a fake is its quality. Counterfeits often use cheap fabrics that don’t hold up well over time, and you can tell as soon as you touch them. If a vintage sweatshirt, for example, claims to be from Champion but is too thin, stretchy, or has a synthetic fleece lining, it’s probably not authentic.

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 tip is simple but very useful. Authentic brands usually clearly indicate the country of manufacture, and that often helps you determine whether something makes sense or not. For example, many vintage Levi’s garments made in the ’80s or early ’90s were primarily manufactured in the United States or European countries, so if you see a garment that’s marketed as a ’80s Levi’s but is labeled “Made in China,” it’s probably not authentic.

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

These days, there are many platforms available where you can compare photos, tags, serial numbers, or manufacturing details. Sites like LegitGrails, CheckCheck, Legit App, or even specialized forums can give you clues as to whether a garment is authentic. That said, nothing beats the trained eye of someone who has spent years looking at 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

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 any information—from websites that don’t explain where the clothes come from, without clear photos, and without a way to contact them. An authentic garment has a past, a story, and a style. And whoever sells it should be able to tell you all 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.