How To Identify A Fake Lacoste Polo Shirt in 2024

Posted on November 13, 2020 by JFP

Updated APril 7th, 2024

There are a lot of fake Lacoste items for sale on the internet, so how do you ensure you are not buying a counterfeit Lacoste polo shirt? Your best method to ensure that you are really buying an original Lacoste polo shirt is to buy it from the Lacoste Store. However, if you are buying a Lacoste polo shirt from someone else, you should look for a few obvious signs of fake merchandise. Here’s some quick methods to detect whether the Lacoste shirt you are about to buy is real or counterfeit:

1) Check the logo – Most fakes have cheaply made crocodile logos with badly defined body parts. The crocodile should be a deep, dark green with obvious individual teeth and claws. The top jaw is smaller than bottom and is angled slightly upwards. The tail will be rounded and be pointing in the same direction as the jaw rather than at the crocodile. The logo should be on a white background, and stitched on from inside the shirt. You should see no stitches on the front of the shirt.

You should also see neat stitching inside the shirt outlining the crocodile. Messy stitching inside is a clear sign of a fake. On the original Lacoste polo shirts, the logo is held on with 1,400 stitches.

Unfortunately, Lacoste has been confusing the issue recently by using multiple versions of the logo in different materials, so if your item’s logo doesn’t look like the classic cloth one pictured above, you should check it against some of the newer versions shown on my Lacoste Crocodile Logo page. While the colors differ, the quality of the logo and its stitching are still good indicators.

2) Check the sizing – Lacoste uses numbers for sizing, not small, medium and large

3) Check the Logo Alignment – The Lacoste Logo lines up with the second button of their polo shirts. It never lines up with the bottom of the placket.

Men's Pink Polo Shirt

4) Check the Fabric – Most fakes are made with much thinner cloth than genuine Lacoste shirts. If you put your hand inside the shirt, and you can see it through the cloth, then it’s almost certainly a fake. You can also check the weave to see if it matches Lacoste’s exclusive “petit pique” pattern

5) Check the Buttons – Real Lacoste buttons are usually mother-of-pearl. The shape is flat and slightly saddle-like in the middle. There are 2 holes for needles (on the upper and lower parts). There is usually no writing on the button. A genuine button will have a clearly defined rim around it.

Lacoste Button

6) Check for Elevations – Men’s T-shirts have small side elevations.

7) Check the Label – On a new Lacoste shirt with an ironed on label, the Lacoste label will look like the example shown below. Most fake Lacoste makers don’t do a thorough job on the label. In particular, the lettering and logo are usually have blurred edges.

8) Check the Tag – An authentic Lacoste shirt will come with tags like the ones below. Again, this an area in which most forgers don’t put in a lot of effort. If your item doesn’t come with tags like the ones below, then it’s not authentic.

Other Resources

If you are interested in authenticating a Lacoste bag, check out my article on detecting fake Lacoste bags. I’ve also written a detailed article on detecting counterfeit Lacoste items if these instructions are not good enough.

How To Detect A Fake Women’s Lacoste Bag in 2024

Posted on November 8, 2020 by JFP

Updated March 15, 2024

There are a lot of fake Lacoste bags out there, so before you buy, here’s a simple step-by-step process for detecting whether the women’s Lacoste tote bag or purse you are buying is a genuine Lacoste or a cheap fake. For other tips on avoiding fake Lacoste products, see my page on detecting counterfeit Lacoste. For information on reporting fake Lacoste items, go to Lacoste’s brand protection page.

It’s important not to be fooled by superficial packaging features. Packaging is cheap, so the makers of fake Lacoste bags go to a lot of trouble to replicate Lacoste packaging while skimping on the more expensive manufacturing processes. For example, here’s a picture of a “replica” Lacoste bag currently for sale on the internet:

That packing and the labels look pretty authentic, don’t they? Therefore, you need to focus on other elements.

Where Did You Buy The Bag?

Start with where you are buying the bag. If you bought the bag from a street seller or from eBay, you can be almost certain that it’s a fake. Lacoste bags are only sold at Lacoste’s own stores or at certified retailers. You can determine if a store is an approved seller by checking it out on Lacoste’s website.

Is The Quality Of The Construction And Materials High?

Lacoste bags can be made of canvas, PVC or leather, but they all share one thing in common: their construction and materials are of high quality. A common fault of fake bags is inferior stitching. Genuine Lacoste bags have small, even, solid stitching. Uneven stitching or loose threads is an indication of a counterfeit bag. A good place to check the stitching is inside the bag, since the manufacturers of fakes often skimp on the non-visible stitching. If you see uneven stitching around the inside of the bag, or bunching of the lining around the rim, you can be pretty sure you have a counterfeit bag.

Genuine Lacoste bags will also have quality zippers, fastenings, and handle attachments that are neatly and securely sewn in. An example from a genuine Lacoste bag is shown below

The zipper of a Genuine Lacoste bag will run right up to the edge of the bag opening. The zips of most replicas will stop short of the opening. The loop handle on a Lacoste tote bag is made with a garter material under the leather. This makes the strap less stiff and easy to bend. Most replicas will omit the garter center, so their handles are much stiffer and harder to bend.

Is The Lacoste Logo Correct?

All Lacoste bags have a genuine Lacoste logo that is either printed on the bag (canvas) or attached (leather and PVC). Genuine Lacoste logos are of high quality, with defined lines. Fakes also tend to have shapes that are not correct. An example of a genuine traditional logo on a leather bag is shown below

Lacoste bags can also have monochrome logos. An example of a monochrome logo on a canvas bag is shown below

Sometimes, as shown below, the monochrome logo matches the bag’s material.

For other examples of legitimate Lacoste logos, see my page on the Lacoste Crocodile Logo.

Some bags have embossed logos. In general, a genuine embossed Lacoste log will be distinct, but shallowly embossed. See below for an example:

Replica embossed logos tend to be deeper, as you can see below:

Check The Tag

An authentic Lacoste bag will come with a tag listing details about the bag including the materials, model and size.

Does The Bag Reflect Lacoste’s Design Sensibility?

If you browse through the Lacoste website, you will soon become familiar with Lacoste’s design sensibility. Lacoste tote bags are all narrower at the bottom than the top, and have large U shaped straps. The logo on the bags is usually at the top and centered. The leather bags don’t come in outrageous colors, and the purses also have very traditional designs. After you have looked at a few examples, you will have a good idea of whether Laooste would have designed the bag you are looking at buying. Here’s an example of a Genuine Lacoste bag:

I hope these tips are helpful, and that they will prevent you spending your hard-earned dollars on phony merchandise. Remember, the counterfeiters work hard to fool you, so don’t be taken in by superficial packaging touches, such as the ones shown on the fake bag pictured below:

General Tips on Identifying Counterfeit Designer Bags

In addition to these specific indicators relevant to Lacoste, here are some more general tips on identifying counterfeit designer bags:

Authenticity Cards or Certificates: Some designer bags come with authenticity cards or certificates, which contain unique codes or holograms to authenticate the bag’s origin.
Branding Details: It’s important to check the logos, fonts, and engravings for consistency and accuracy. Misalignments or misspellings can indicate a counterfeit.
Hardware Quality: Genuine designer bags use high-quality hardware that should be branded, function smoothly, and be durable. Check for flaking, cracking, or peeling of the hardware.
Stitching Quality: The stitching on authentic designer bags should be impeccable, with evenly spaced and aligned stitches. Any discrepancy in stitch count or color can be a red flag.
Bag Size and Proportions: Verify the bag’s measurements against the official brand specifications to ensure it matches the correct size, shape, and proportions.
Interior Layout: The interior of a genuine designer bag should be well-organized and consistent with the brand’s design. Any discrepancies in the interior layout or quality can indicate a fake.
Serial Numbers: Designer bags often have unique serial numbers or codes. Research the brand’s serial number format and verify if the number on the bag aligns with the brand’s standards.
Purchase Source: To avoid buying a fake, it’s recommended to buy directly from authorized retailers or brand boutiques. Be cautious of significantly lower prices and ensure secure payment methods are used.
Hardware Consistency: Ensure that the hardware color matches the logo color on the inside of the handbag. For specific brands like Chanel, certain measurements and placements of logos and hardware are standard and can be verified for authenticity

Other Resources

New York Times Has A Story On The “Four Musketeers”

Posted on November 1, 2020 by JFP

The New York Times has an article on the four French tennis players known as the “Four Musketeers” of whom the most famous is René Lacoste:

When Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open this month, he donned a neon-pink face mask and kissed the trophy, known as La Coupe des Mousquetaires. He then removed his mask and bit the handle.

The trophy is an homage to Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste, known as the Four Musketeers, the revered Frenchmen who put their nation on the tennis map in the 1920s and ’30s.

Lacoste’s Spring 2021 Ready To Wear Collection

Posted on October 30, 2020 by JFP

Lacoste premiered its Spring 2021 Ready To Wear Collection this week. It continues Lacoste’s recent emphasis on “street style” and re-casting designs from Lacoste’s long history. Overall, the coverage is positive, although as a commercial proposition it doesn’t really matter, since the collection will have a limited release. Here’s a quick round-up of the coverage.

Vogue, after noting Louise Trotter’s comments on the difficulty of working in a time of Covid-19, reports:

Most of the clothing has an athleisure aspect—a nod to the brand’s heritage on the tennis court and off it, the designer explains—and made from a combination of existing fabrics, vintage and archive pieces, and embroideries by the couture house Maison Lemarié. Vintage track jackets became trousers or were spliced together into chic trenches, the sort of hybridization that streetwear acolytes will be familiar with.

HypeBae focuses on the vintage feel of the collection:

For the Spring/Summer 2021 season, Lacoste‘s creative director Louise Trotter has unveiled a range of items made using deadstock designs from the brand’s archive. Showcased through a lookbook featuring street-cast models in the city of Paris, the SS21 collection fuses vintage pieces with new creations through upcycling.

Titled “#CrocCouture,” the new lineup marks the French label’s first attempt at marrying haute couture with sportswear.

Lastly, High Snobiety focuses on the re-working of the Crocodile logo:

Lacoste’s creative director Louise Trotter has reworked the label’s iconic crocodile logo across a range of exaggerated and abbreviated classics for the SS21 collection, limited to 200 pieces worldwide.

Code-named “Croc-couture,” Lacoste invited embroidery and feather specialists Lemarié to add some savoir-faire to the sporting apparel resulting in cream sweatshirts and oversized white piqué polo shirts embroidered with geometric crocodile appliqué made from vintage jacquard labels.

I’ll update this post as we see more coverage.

Lacoste Launches New Clothing Line To Benefit Florida Everglades

Posted on October 25, 2020 by JFP

Lacoste has launched a new clothing line to benefit the Florida Everglades. It features a unique green color created by Lacoste in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute called “Forevergreen by Lacoste.” While I expect this to increase the confusion about whether the Lacoste Logo is a crocodile or an alligator, it’s all for a good cause. According to the Florida News Tribune:

The limited collection, which features a new shade of green, went on sale Friday. Lacoste also designed a custom logo featuring its iconic crocodile in Everglades habitat. The green collection will include the popular polo-style shirts. Prices range from $60 to $110, according to a press release from the company.

Lacoste also announced that “a portion of the proceeds from the collection’s sales will support The Everglades Foundation’s mission to restore and protect the Everglades through science, advocacy, and education.”

You can buy the new line at the Lacoste Store now.