How to spot fake designer clothes and bags when buying second-hand

To spot fake designer clothes, look closely at the labels, stitching, hardware and materials, compare them with photos of the genuine item from the brand itself, and be wary of a price that seems far too low. Ask the seller for close-ups and for any proof of purchase. No single check proves a piece is real, but several small mismatches together are a strong warning sign.

Designer pieces can be a great second-hand buy, because good materials and construction last. That is also why fakes exist. Here is how to protect yourself.

Start with the price and the story

A designer piece in good condition does not usually sell for a tiny fraction of its original price. A very low price is not proof of a fake, since people do sell things quickly, but it is a reason to look harder.

Ask the seller where they bought it. A genuine owner can often tell you the shop, roughly when, and sometimes still has the receipt, the dust bag, the box or the swing tags. None of these is proof on its own, because packaging can be faked too, but a seller who is open and specific is a better sign than one who is vague or defensive.

Labels and tags

Labels are one of the hardest things to fake well.

Font and spacing. Compare the brand label with the brand's own photos. Look at the letter shapes, the spacing between letters and how centred the text is.
Stitching around the label. On a well-made garment it is usually neat and even, with no loose threads.
Care and composition labels. Genuine pieces usually carry these, often in several languages, with a fibre content that makes sense for the item. A "silk" blouse with no composition label at all is worth questioning.
Spelling. A typo on a label is a clear warning sign.

Stitching and construction

Designer pieces are usually made with care, so look at the details.

Even, straight stitching with a consistent number of stitches across a seam.
Pattern matching at seams and pockets on checked or striped fabric.
Finished inside seams. Look inside the garment as well as outside.
Linings that are sewn in neatly and lie flat.

Our guide to telling if a wool coat is good quality covers many of the same construction checks.

Hardware: zips, buttons and clasps

Metal parts are often where fakes cut corners.

Weight. Genuine hardware tends to feel solid. Very light, hollow-feeling clasps are a warning sign.
Engraving. Logos on zips, buttons and clasps should be crisp and clean, not blurred or shallow.
Zips. Many brands use particular zip makers. Compare the zip pull with the brand's own photos.
Finish. Plating that flakes or discolours quickly is not typical of high-end pieces.

Materials

Feel and smell can tell you a lot in person; photos and questions have to do it online.

Leather should look and feel like leather. Our guide on how to tell real leather from fake explains the checks.
Fabrics should match what the label says. A label claiming cashmere on a piece that looks shiny and synthetic does not add up.
Logos and prints should be sharp and correctly placed. On patterned pieces, check how the pattern sits at the seams.

Compare with the real thing

The best reference is the brand's own website or a genuine item you can see in a shop. Look at the same model if you can, and compare:

the shape and position of the logo
the label design for that era (older pieces may have different labels)
the hardware and the stitching
the materials and the lining

Be careful with comparison photos from unknown sources online, which can themselves be of fakes.

What to ask the seller

On Rewear, tap Message the seller on the listing and ask for:

Clear photos of every label, front and back, in daylight.
Close-ups of the hardware, including any engraving.
Photos of the stitching inside and out.
Where and roughly when they bought it, and any proof of purchase.

A genuine seller is usually happy to help. If a seller will not show you the labels, that tells you something.

Counterfeits on Rewear

Rewear's Terms do not allow counterfeit or replica items, or anything described with a brand it was not made by. You can report a listing from the app if you think it is not genuine.

If you buy something and it turns out not to be what the listing said, do not confirm delivery. Message the seller through the app and open a problem report on the order promptly; our Terms set out how long you have after delivery. Your payment is held until you confirm the piece arrived as described. Our guide to buying second-hand safely explains how that protection works.

Always keep the conversation and payment on Rewear. A seller who asks to be paid by bank transfer is asking you to give up that protection.

Selling a designer piece

If you are selling a genuine designer item, you can make a buyer's checks easy. Photograph every label, the hardware and the stitching in daylight, include any receipt, box or dust bag you still have, and describe where you bought it. If you are not sure a piece is genuine, do not list it under that brand.

The short version

Be wary of prices that seem too good, look closely at labels, stitching, hardware and materials, and compare with the brand's own photos. Ask the seller for close-ups and proof of purchase, keep everything on the platform, and report anything that does not add up.