How to spot a fake Lacoste shirt: 3 tips to tell the difference between real and counterfeit Lacoste

Currently, according to statistics from the secondhand luxury goods and e-commerce market in Vietnam, up to 30–40% of fashion products labeled as luxury goods are counterfeit or of unknown origin. For a famous brand like Lacoste, this situation is even more common due to its high value and great demand.

If you are looking for how to check if a Lacoste shirt is authentic, you must have also worried: "Is the shirt I bought authentic?" or "How can I quickly distinguish between real and fake Lacoste shirts without an expert?"

This article will help you understand the signs of an authentic Lacoste shirt in a simple way, easy to apply at home. With just a few minutes of checking, you can confidently determine whether your product is real or fake, avoid losing money, and shop smarter.

How to check if a Lacoste shirt is authentic

Check the authentic Lacoste crocodile logo

• The crocodile logo is the most important detail when checking for an authentic Lacoste shirt

• Authentic:

  • The crocodile image is sharp, with clear teeth, eyes, and neat embroidery edges

  • The embroidery stitches are even, not tangled or misaligned

  • The logo is located between the second button and the body seam

• Fake:

  • Rough logo, lacking details or distorted

  • Loose threads, misaligned embroidery

Check the buttons

• One simple way to distinguish between real and fake Lacoste shirts is to look at the buttons

• Authentic:

  • Buttons made of mother-of-pearl, with a natural sheen

  • Cool to the touch

  • Each button has a slight, unique grain

• Fake:

  • Plastic buttons, dull or overly shiny

  • Not cool to the touch, feel light and cheap

Check the size tag

• This is a detail many people overlook when looking for how to check for an authentic Lacoste shirt

• Authentic:

  • Size displayed by numbers (2, 3, 4, 5...) instead of just S/M/L

  • May have an additional tag stating "Designed in France"

• Fake:

  • Only shows letter sizes (S, M, L) or incorrect font

  • Lacks origin information

Check the material tag inside the shirt

• When identifying an authentic Lacoste shirt, always check the material tag carefully

• Authentic:

  • Clearly states 100% cotton (high-quality pique fabric, breathable and durable)

  • Sharp print, no fading or smudged ink

• Fake:

  • Often a cotton-polyester blend

  • Poor quality printed tag, easily peels off

The steps above are the fastest way for you to check for an authentic Lacoste shirt at home without specialized equipment. By carefully checking these 4 factors, you can eliminate most of the risk of buying fakes.

Tip 1: How to perfectly examine the authentic Lacoste crocodile logo

Step 1: Authentic Lacoste crocodile logo

Observe the crocodile logo details

• This is the most important step when using how to check for an authentic Lacoste shirt

• Authentic:

  • Crocodile is dark green, sharp, with depth

  • Clearly visible teeth, claws, and sharp embroidered edges

  • Crocodile's mouth:

    • The upper jaw is smaller and slightly tilted upwards compared to the lower jaw

    • Inside the mouth is red, clearly embroidered

  • Teeth are evenly embroidered on both jaws

• Fake:

  • Lacks details such as claws or teeth

  • Light green or smudged color, not sharp

  • Roughly embroidered mouth, no contrast

Check the crocodile's eye

• A small but very recognizable detail when distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts

• Authentic:

  • The crocodile's eye is a long slit, looking sharp and refined

• Fake:

  • Eyes are round or abnormally large

  • Lacks sharpness

Note the easily confusing detail

• When checking for an authentic Lacoste shirt, many people misunderstand this detail

• Authentic:

  • No "Lacoste" embroidery on the shirt body (only the crocodile logo)

• Fake:

  • May have additional "Lacoste" embroidery to create a "genuine" feel

By carefully examining the logo according to the points above, you can quickly identify the signs of a fake Lacoste shirt without needing specialized experience.

Step 2: Crocodile logo stitching

Check the embroidery around the logo

• An important step in how to check for an authentic Lacoste shirt is to carefully examine the stitching

• Authentic:

  • The crocodile logo is very neatly and firmly embroidered

  • The stitching follows the edge of the logo, with almost no loose threads

  • Overall, it looks clean and exquisite

• Fake:

  • Loose, misaligned, or uneven stitching

  • May have loose threads or skipped stitches

  • The logo edge is not sharp

Check the back of the logo (inside of the shirt)

• This is a little-known trick when distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts

• Authentic:

  • The back of the logo is neatly finished, with even and firm stitching

  • No tangled or overlapping threads

• Fake:

  • The back is usually very messy, with overlapping threads

  • May show sloppy or incomplete stitching

Just by flipping the logo inside out, you can quickly detect the signs of a fake Lacoste shirt that many sellers deliberately overlook.

Step 3: Authentic crocodile logo placement

Determine the logo's position on the shirt body

• This is a simple but very effective step in how to check for an authentic Lacoste shirt

• Authentic:

  • The crocodile logo is located on the left chest, in the correct standard position for the brand

  • It is placed between the second button and the body seam

  • Not too close to the bottom edge or too high up

Quick check at home

• To accurately distinguish between real and fake Lacoste shirts:

  • Lay the shirt flat on a surface.

  • Look at the logo from an angle to clearly see its relative position.

  • Compare the distance between the logo and the buttons and stitching.

By simply paying attention to the logo's position, you can quickly spot signs of a fake Lacoste shirt without checking too many complex details.

Tip 2: Distinguish genuine Lacoste buttons in 4 steps

Step 1: Lacoste button stitching direction

Check button attachment method

• A small detail but extremely useful in how to check a genuine Lacoste shirt

• Genuine:

  • Buttons have 2 holes, stitched vertically (up – down)

  • Neat, strong, and even stitching

• Fake:

  • Buttons are often stitched horizontally (left – right)

  • Loose, imprecise stitching

Observe button placement on the collar

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, pay attention to the button layout

• Genuine:

  • There is 1 button at the very top of the collar

  • The other button is located below, at the correct standard design distance

• Fake:

  • Button placement may be misaligned or asymmetrical

  • Overall appearance lacks refinement

By simply checking the button stitching direction, you have another clear indicator to identify a genuine Lacoste shirt that many people often overlook.

Step 2: Button material and uniqueness

Observe the differences between buttons

• This is a very practical tip when applying the method to check genuine Lacoste shirts

• Genuine:

  • Buttons are made of mother of pearl

  • Each button has its own unique grain and pattern, no two are exactly alike

  • Look closely and you'll see a natural, uneven shimmer

• Fake:

  • Plastic buttons are mass-produced

  • The buttons are identical, with no natural grain

  • The surface looks flat and lacks depth

Quick check tip

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, you can:

  • Compare 2–3 buttons next to each other

  • If all are completely identical → likely fake

  • If each button has a different grain → a sign of a genuine Lacoste shirt

With just a small detail like the button, you can quickly identify signs of a fake Lacoste shirt without requiring expert experience.

Step 3: Feel of the buttons

Check button temperature and feel

• This is a simple but very effective method in how to check a genuine Lacoste shirt

• Genuine:

  • Buttons are made of mother of pearl, so when touched, they will feel naturally cool

  • A firm, substantial, and premium feel

• Fake:

  • Plastic buttons are usually not cool, their temperature is similar to the environment

  • Light, unsatisfying feel

Quick on-site check tip

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, you just need to:

  • Touch the button directly for a few seconds

  • Compare the feel with regular plastic buttons

  • If it feels distinctly cool → likely a genuine Lacoste shirt

This is one of the quick checks that doesn't require experience but still helps you immediately spot signs of a fake Lacoste shirt.

Step 4: Button sturdiness

Check button looseness – tightness

• A very practical step in how to check a genuine Lacoste shirt that many people overlook

• Genuine:

  • Buttons are very firmly stitched, close to the fabric

  • When touched or gently rotated, they do not wobble

  • Creates a sense of high-quality finish, durable for long-term use

• Fake:

  • Buttons are often loose, easily wobbly when touched

  • Stitching is not tight enough, may come off quickly after a short time

Quick on-site check tip

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, you just need to:

  • Gently shake each button

  • If the button remains steady and firm → likely a genuine Lacoste shirt

  • If the button shakes a lot → a clear sign of a fake Lacoste shirt

With this small action, you can quickly assess manufacturing quality and identify real vs. fake products more accurately.

Tip 3: Check Lacoste tags: Don't overlook sizing

Step 1: How to check Lacoste shirt size

Check sizing system on the collar tag

• This is a very easily recognizable sign when using the method to check genuine Lacoste shirts

• Genuine:

  • Uses numerical sizing (2, 3, 4, 5...) according to European standards

  • Often has a red number or is clearly displayed above the alligator logo

  • May include US sizing (S/M/L) but always has numerical sizing included

• Fake:

  • Only lists S/M/L without numerical sizing

  • Size information is non-standard or printed in the wrong font

Quick check tip

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, you just need to:

  • Look at the collar tag

  • If you only see S/M/L → likely fake

  • If there's a size number + clear information → a sign of a genuine Lacoste shirt

This is one of the fastest ways to tell a real Lacoste shirt from a fake in just a few seconds.

Step 2: Crocodile logo on the neck tag

Check the logo's detail on the tag

• An important step in how to check for genuine Lacoste shirts that many people overlook

• Genuine:

  • Crocodile is olive green, with clear and even color

  • Full details: claws, teeth, red mouth, white scales on the back

  • Smooth outlines, no bumps or breaks

  • Colors are not smudged or overlapped

• Fake:

  • Logo lacks detail, missing claws or teeth

  • Colors are faded or uneven

  • Outlines are rough, jagged, or distorted

Distinguishing sophisticated fakes

• When distinguishing real from fake Lacoste shirts, look closely at high-quality fakes

• Common signs:

  • Crocodile looks flattened or a bit "squashed"

  • Eyes and white scales are rough, abnormally close together

  • Overall lack of sharp, refined detail

Easily recognizable warning signs

• A common mistake when checking for genuine Lacoste shirts is:

  • Fakes may add a rectangular border around the logo on the tag

• Genuine:

  • No border around the logo

By carefully observing the neck tag, you can spot many signs of fake Lacoste shirts that sellers find hard to conceal.

Step 3: Check the "Designed in France" secondary tag

Check the content on the secondary tag (if present)

• This is an important detail in how to check for genuine Lacoste shirts but often overlooked

• Genuine:

  • Secondary tag is below the main tag on the collar

  • First line clearly states: “Designed in France”

  • Bottom line is: “Made in …” (followed by the country of manufacture)

• Fake:

  • Incorrectly states "Designed in" with a country other than France

  • Missing lines or unclear information

Understanding the origin of manufacturing correctly

• When distinguishing real from fake Lacoste shirts, note that:

  • Lacoste is a French brand, but manufactured in many countries

  • Most commonly Peru, Vietnam, Bangladesh…

  • Therefore, "Made in Peru" or other countries is still genuine merchandise

Important note to avoid confusion

• When applying how to check for genuine Lacoste shirts:

  • Not all shirts have secondary tags

  • Many new models only use 1 large tag integrating the logo and information

  • Therefore, it is necessary to combine with other signs to determine authenticity

By correctly understanding the "Designed in France" tag, you will avoid a common mistake when assessing whether a Lacoste shirt is real or fake based on its place of manufacture.

Step 4: Lacoste shirt care tag

Locate the tag inside the shirt

• An important step in how to check for genuine Lacoste shirts

• Genuine:

  • Tag is located at the bottom, inside the shirt body (not on the collar)

  • Usually attached to the side seam

• Fake:

  • Tag placed incorrectly or carelessly attached

Check the front of the tag for content

• When distinguishing real from fake Lacoste shirts, read the information carefully

• Genuine:

  • First line states “100% cotton” in multiple languages (usually about 7 languages)

  • Text is clear, sharp, not smudged

• Fake:

  • Missing languages or faded printing, typos

Check the back of the tag

• This detail helps to more accurately identify genuine Lacoste shirts

• Genuine:

  • Washing instructions on the back

  • Includes the name Devanlay (a former Lacoste distributor)

  • Text is clear, not obscured by stitching

• Fake:

  • Washing instructions printed on the front

  • Stitching covers text or printing errors

Check tag stitching and side seam details

• When checking for genuine Lacoste shirts, don't overlook the finishing

• Genuine:

  • Tag is sewn neatly, with no loose threads

  • Near the tag, there may be a small triangular cut on the side seam

  • These cuts are clean, not unraveling

• Fake:

  • Tag sewn loosely, with loose or crooked threads

  • Rough side seam cuts, easily unraveling

By carefully checking the inner tag, you can quickly identify many signs of fake Lacoste shirts that sellers find hard to perfectly counterfeit.

Step 5: Lacoste shirt fabric material

Check the fabric composition on the tag

• This is a very important step in how to check for genuine Lacoste shirts

• Genuine:

  • Clearly states 100% cotton on the inner tag

  • Piqué fabric is breathable, structured, and durable

• Fake:

  • Often cotton blend with polyester (e.g., 70% cotton – 30% polyester)

  • Fabric tends to be hot, less breathable, and loses shape quickly

Practical checking tips

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, you can:

  • Read the tag carefully (prioritize 100% cotton)

  • Feel the fabric directly:

    • Real items are soft but have some structure, not too slippery

    • Fake items are often slippery, thin, or stifling

Important Notes

• When checking for authentic Lacoste shirts:

  • If it's not 100% cotton → be suspicious immediately

  • Combine with other signs (logo, buttons, tags, etc.) to determine authenticity accurately

By simply checking the material, you can eliminate most fake Lacoste shirts on the market.

Tips to avoid buying fake Lacoste shirts

Beware of excessively cheap prices

• An important principle in how to check for authentic Lacoste shirts

• Real items:

  • Typically priced from 1.5–2 million VND or more (depending on the market)

• Fake items:

  • Unusually cheap prices, unbelievably deep discounts

• Note:

  • If you see an “offer that's too good to be true” → it's likely a fake Lacoste shirt

Prioritize buying from reputable sources

• To ensure an authentic Lacoste shirt, you should:

  • Buy directly from an official store or the official website

  • Choose a reputable shop with clear reviews

• Avoid buying from unknown sources

Check the product packaging

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, don't overlook the packaging

• Real items:

  • Shirts are neatly folded and carefully packaged

  • Packaging is sturdy and meticulous

• Fake items:

  • Packaging is sloppy and wrinkled

Assess the overall quality of the shirt

• An easily recognizable sign when checking for authentic Lacoste shirts

• Real items:

  • Sturdy stitching, few flaws

  • No loose threads, no pilling after a few washes

• Fake items:

  • May have loose threads, frayed cuffs, weak stitching

  • Easily damaged after a short time

Understand discounted items correctly

• When distinguishing between real and fake Lacoste shirts, note:

  • Some authentic products may be discounted due to packaging flaws or excess inventory

  • These products are still genuine

• Therefore:

  • Not everything cheap is fake, but unusually cheap items require careful checking

Compare with authentic products

• A simple way to confirm if you're still in doubt

• You can:

  • Compare directly with images on the Lacoste website

  • Cross-reference the logo, tag, fit, and details

By combining the steps above, you will be more confident in identifying signs of fake Lacoste shirts and choosing the correct authentic Lacoste shirt without falling for "too-good-to-be-true" prices.

References

1. Behance. (2013). Real vs fake Lacoste. Retrieved from: https://www.behance.net/gallery/11928457/Real-vs-fake-Lacoste
2. Chen, N. Fashion Authentication Expert Interview.
3. Reselling Revealed. (n.d.). How to tell if your Lacoste is fake. Retrieved from: https://resellingrevealed.com/how-to-tell-if-your-lacoste-is-fake/
4. Gentleman’s Gazette. (n.d.). Buttons in classic menswear. Retrieved from: https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/buttons-classic-menswear/
5. YouTube. (n.d.). How to spot fake Lacoste polos [Video]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlExiYBuXdo
6. YouTube. (n.d.). Lacoste real vs fake comparison [Video]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3l0UquSD_Q

Content Editor: Rene Lee Nguyen.

Information consulted and verified by expert: Nikita Chen.