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Wondering how to tell fake vs real Off-White main label? This is a complete guide to spotting legit and counterfeit Virgil Abloh’s Off-White pieces, whether you’re legit checking hoodies, t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, or something else.
The short answer is: you need to look for incorrect text spacing on the neck tag main label and to check the material on the wash tag. Need picture comparisons to understand? We’ve got you, scroll down to see all the fake vs real comparisons.
Off-White is one of the hottest brands and, consequently, it’s very replicated by fake manufacturers.
This guide is a cookie-cutter guide which shows you how to authenticate any clothing piece.
Remember though, our app has curated collections of fake vs real guides for some specific pieces — with your support, we’ll cover many more specific comparisons.
So make sure you download the app to have access to more legit check guides.
Let’s start the fake vs real comparison now.
What you need to know is that there are multiple types of neck tags Off-White has used. We’ll go into specific fake vs real comparisons of all these types.
Starting with FW16 “CUT OFF” collection, Off-White started using the following “Main Label” green neck tags:
Anything released after the Fall-Winter ’16 collection should come up with these neck tags (at least until further notice).
If you have doubts regarding which season your piece is from, we’ll cover a map explaining all the Off-White collections.
FW16 specifically had a mix of these green Off-White labels and some of the older tags we’ll cover below.
Since most legit checks will include pieces after this collection, we’ll cover the fake vs real Off-White green tag comparison first.
Authentic Off-White tees, hoodies, etc. should have the text found on these labels come in a rubbery material that shines when exposed to light.
If you would run your finger over it, you must feel it — the letters on the legit Off-White pieces should be embossed.
Fake Off-White pieces come with these letters simply printed — having them flat means you won’t feel the emboss, should you run your finger over them.
Here’s a fake vs real Off-White tag comparison for better understanding.
Here’s a second picture that displays the difference in shine and material quality better. The top tee neck tag is the fake one, while the bottom tee neck tag is the real piece.
Can you see the shine in the genuine Off-White t-shirt tag? That’s one way you can spot fake vs real Off-White pieces easily. Let’s move to the next element of the legit check guide.
As we always mention in our library of guides, fake manufacturers will always use lower-quality factory equipment so as to save on costs.
What counterfeit Off-White clothing buyers care about when wearing these pieces is to not be exposed for wearing fakes.
Therefore, hidden elements like stitching quality are compromised. That comes in very handy when learning how to spot fake Off-White, as we’ll see below.
The stitching found on the neck labels should be clean, showing no extra threads. No black filling, no loose threads or anything that does not look like it should belong to a premium product should be present.
Yes, it’s possible that with wear these elements would start showing. We recommend using your judgement when spotting fake or real Off-White pieces — or resorting to the other points in this guide.
Nonetheless, some fake Off-White pieces do get the stitching part right. But then they stumble when it comes to the printing quality of the text found on this neck tag.
What you’ll want to look out for in the green label’s text is any wording inconsistency. Maybe you’ll notice weird spacing between words or simply a different font than the one found on the authentic Off-White label.
Off-White prides itself as a premium brand — and at least when it comes to these tags, they’re pretty well printed.
Have a look at the example below and see the fake vs real tag comparison.
Pay attention to the following elements found on the fake Off-White t-shirt tag:
The go-to element to look out for when authenticating Off-White pieces is the weird spacing between words.
To be specific, in the example above, “the grey” text bit is weirdly spaced out from its neighbours (“Defining” and “area”).
As a second example, notice the space between “as” and “the” (highlighted with the hand emoji) or the spacing between “color” and “Off-White™”.
Usually, fake neck tags come with flaws like these and these should be instant callouts, proving themselves very useful in authenticating Off-White pieces.
Everything should be on point on an authentic version of Virgil’s brand.
Think of it this way: replica manufacturers need to get so many things right when it comes to the “visible” parts of an item.
Spending the extra money to buy the higher-quality equipment that Off-White factories actually use is not something that makes financial sense for the fake producers.
Here’s yet another comparison with some differences between fonts, though the fake Off-White tag, in this case, is not a high-quality one.
It goes without saying that anything that looks like this is an instant fake because of the loose threads and low-quality text print.
Now, let’s have a quick look at the real vs fake Off-White main label items that were manufactured after FW20.
As you can see in the fake vs real Off-White Post-FW20 image above, we have pointed out three main visible flaws.
For each of the areas that we’ve pointed out in the image above, we want to show you how the fake item has its text looking too thick.
On the other hand, the authentic Off-White Post-FW20 items have their text on the neck tag looking thinner than what it appears to be like on the fake pieces.
With that being said for the Post-FW20 pieces’ neck tags, let’s move on to the neck tag found on some of the SS20 items.
In the fake vs real Off-White SS20 image above, we have pointed out how the fake item has its text and the rest of the graphics (the palm and the face) looking too thin.
On the other hand, the quality is visible, being superior on the legit Off-White item as it has its text looking thicker than what it appears to be like on the fake item.
More legit check guides for you: Off-White Mona Lisa, Yeezy 700 V1.
Most of you will skip this area. We’re going to analyse older fake Off-White pieces.
Here is what the FW16 neck tag looks like:
One thing to remember is that the “Off-White” text is always accompanied by the ™ “Trademark” symbol, and never the Registered symbol (®).
Also on FW16, products came with the authentic tag displayed below (top pic):
FW16 products should come with the zip tie taken through the loophole next to the neck tag. See below.
Noteworthy is that sometimes there’s a secondary tag saying “℅ Virgil Abloh” — that is a sign of an authenticity as well, though not all items come with it.
FW16 was a mix of these two types linked above. Let’s move on now to even older OW pieces.
Here’s how older authentic Off-White neck tags should look like, with SS16 and FW15 having slim Off-White text, while SS15 and FW14 having fat text.
If the tags look like this (pictured below), don’t worry. This is how the labels get to look after they’re worn and washed in multiple types. It doesn’t necessarily mean the item is fake or legit.
Some flaws found on these older models.
We can notice here:
Black stitching is an instant call out for a fake for older Off-White neck tags.
And to conclude this comparison for older pieces, the text shouldn’t ever be sinking like that.
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The wash tag test proves itself as a very useful way of spotting fake vs real Off-White.
We’ll start by comparing the wash tag materials used by counterfeit pieces, continue by analysing the fabrication country text and finish with the map explaining all Off-White collections.
The wash tag pictured above is a good example of a material that’s of a lesser quality than the authentic one.
Although it might be hard to explain in words how the authentic material should feel, you can still tell the difference given enough pictures. The way you do that is by seeing how light reflects from the material.
The fake wash tags are either:
The original wash tag should be from a fabric that’s silky smooth and one that feels high quality.
Imagine a reputable design house’s wash tags and that should give you an estimate of how the authentic material feels.
I’m hoping the photo below will help you understand. Try zooming in, it could help you feel the difference.
One extra detail to mention when it comes to legit checking Off-White is the craftsmanship on the stitching job.
It makes sense why the replica one would be of lesser quality. The authentic one is richer and denser.
Not all authentic Off-White pieces have so many threads as the example given above, but they definitely have more than 13 loopholes, as the fake Off-White wash tag above has.
Off-White is produced in Portugal, Italy and rarely Romania. Sometimes you might see “Made in UE” written on an authentic wash tag. All these are legit.
However, if you see “Made in China”, “Made in Vietnam” or any other country on a wash tag, that is an instant callout for a fake.
Before FW16, the wash tag should say “MADE IN UE” — FW16 is not included, we’ll lay out below a map of how to legit check Off-White based on the year’s collection.
After FW16 (“CUT OFF” inscribed on the garment), the rule is:
– Hoodies, Tees and Crewnecks – Made in Portugal
– Denim, Belts, Backpacks and Caps/Hats – Made in Italy
– Leather products or jackets – Made in Romania
For instance, a wash tag from a tee/hoodie saying “Made in Italy” is a typical flaw and an instant callout for a fake.
How do you know if an item is from a collection post-FW16?
You’ve probably noticed texts like “CUT OFF” or “SEEING THINGS”, “TEMPERATURE” or alike on the bottom of the tee/hoodie. That is the collection name. Check the map below.
Now, let’s go further in time and check the quality of the wash tags on the pieces made in and after FW20.
In the real vs fake Off-White FW20 image above, we have pointed out how the fake Off-White item has its wash tag’s inscriptions improperly positioned, as they are different than the inscriptions visible on the legit item.
First, looking at the top of the label, you can see how the fake item has its “OM….” text looking too small and thin, while the legit item has its text looking bigger and thicker.
Then, moving on to the “SIZE CA” inscription, the fake item has its text looking boxier and thicker than what it looks like on the legit item.
On the other hand, the authentic Off-White item has its “SIZE CA” text looking bigger, less boxy, and thinner than the fake item’s text.
The same flaw applies to the rows of text with the “FABRIC” text. Therefore, the fake item has its “FABRIC” row of text looking too boxy and thin, while the legit item has its text looking bigger, wider, less boxy, and thicker.
Lastly, in the fake vs real Off-White FW20 image above, we have pointed out how the fake item has its “100%” text looking too thick on the number “1”, and on the rest of the inscriptions, looking too thin.
The authentic Off-White items never have these painting flaws. In fact, the inscriptions on a legit Off-White piece’s wash tag must have the same font weight for each letter and character.
Let’s also have a look at what the inscriptions on the wash tag of the SS20 pieces must look like as well.
In the real vs fake Off-White SS20 image above, we have pointed out how the fake item has the top tip of its letters “ff” looking too thick, while the letters on the legit items appear to be thinner.
The same flaw can be visible on the fake item if you look at the bottom of the letters “ff”.
As for the third step of the guide on how to spot fake Off-White items, we are going to check out the hang tags of the fake vs real Off-White items.
First of all, we are going to count the lines visible on the transparent tag. Keep in mind that the legit tag must have 10 lines.
In the real vs fake Off-White image above, we have pointed out how the legit tag has an amount of 10 lines, while the fake label has only 9 lines.
The authentic Off-White items’ hangtags must have 10 lines, so if you see only 9 lines on the hangtag, then you are most likely looking at a replica.
Moving on to the second way how to spot fake Off-White items by checking the hangtag, we are going to check the size of the empty rectangle on the fake vs real Off-White hangtags.
In the fake vs real Off-White hangtag image above, we have pointed out how the fake item has its hangtag looking too long in width, and too short in height. By that, we mean that the fake item has an empty rectangle.
On the other hand, the legit item has an empty rectangle as well, but it is a lot shorter than the one visible on the fake item.
In fact, the legit hangtag has its empty rectangle looking taller in height, and shorter in width.
🚀 Buy your favourite items online safely.
We have compiled an ultimate list with over 80 places online where you can buy genuine items. Streetwear, designer, bags, watches, you name it!
After FW18, it looks like there’s no regular print on most pieces, much like it used to be before. However, we can still legit check Off-White garments by having a look at the wash tag: it should say Made in Italy/Portugal.
Whereas for the rest of the collections, here’s what they usually have inscribed:
Worth noting is that the collection’s name is “Done Deal”.
Naturally, if you’re still not sure about your Off-White item’s collection, you can try looking it up online.
You’d do that to see if someone else has had a listing with it so you can compare the pics — this is applying more to older items.
If you’re looking for new Off-White pieces, then websites like the official Off-White website or Farfetch might be the best place for you.
However, if you’re looking for older or sold-out Off-White pieces, we’ve got you.
We wrote a guide on how to buy streetwear pieces safely online. Over there we describe the best practices that we recommend so that:
To go deeper on point #3 in this list, you’ll see there what options you’ve got as you will have to resort to a secondary (reseller) market. This consequence comes with its risks, so our guide is a 101 — others have learned these lessons the hard way by wasting hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars/pounds.
Respecting the guide should keep you in the safe zone.
It’s one of the services we offer. We’re putting out all these guides which will be free forever, but if for some reason you still have doubts, we’re happy to have a look for you.
The process is simple: send us pictures of the pair you want authenticated and we’ll come back with a verdict in 24 to 48 hours (sometimes even faster).
Thank you for reading this,
Ch Daniel and Ch David
