Introduction
In this tutorial we'll quickly explain the best and easiest methods you can use yourselves in order to authenticate a Ralph Lauren Double Knit Tracksuit. As always, the best way to protect yourselves is from buying from a trustable and reputable seller.
On the left, we'll have the real once which is a black tracksuit in size small, and the replica one will be on the right in the navy colourway size large.
Logo & Sticker
The first we're going to inspect is the Ralph Lauren logo on the hoodie, and the size sticker that should come next to it. Both of these methods are clear indicators on if your piece of Ralph is authentic.
As you can see from the image on the left, the Ralph Lauren logo should be bold and filled. In comparison to the image on the right, the Ralph Lauren logo is missing stitches, there's gaps in both the rider and the horse itself. The polo mallet is wonky and not straight, it's also difficult to makeout the head of the rider on the fake, as it just blends into the body.
Next, if we take a look at the size sticker, on the real piece the sticker has a gloss finish and the text is bold and clear. The outside "Polo Ralph Lauren" is close to the edge, if we look at the replica, there is bigger gap between the outside of the text and the end of the sticker. Also if we take a look at the size "S" / "L" on the sticker, we can see that on the authentic one, the size is bold and quite small. On the fake, the 'L' is thin but a larger size.
Drawstrings
The first time I got my hands on a Ralph Lauren Tracksuit, one of the things that suprisingly impressed me was the drawstrings. I don't know why, but the drawstrings on Ralph Lauren Tracksuits are such high quality. The photo really doesn't do it justice, but the drawstrings are supposed to be firm and smooth.
As you can see from the comparison image, the replica set the drawstrings are "fluffy" and do not have a smooth finish to them, they are also extremely flimsy and have no structure to them.
Drawstring Tips
Another thing I noticed was that the drawstring tips were not correct on replica pieces. If we take a look at the Authentic set on the left, we can see that the drawstrings have a plain and smooth finish to them.
On the replica set that is on the right, the tips are indented with three circles on each one. This is not how Ralph Lauren sets should come, if your drawstring tips have those circular indent, your tracksuit is fake.
Please also use this image to look at the quality of the drawstring themselves as well as we mentioned in our last point.
Label
Honestly, and I hate to say it. The label is pretty good on the replica. But still not perfect, on the authentic piece you can see that the print is a bit more bold and the black is "blacker."
Another thing that I noticed was the "RALPHLAUREN.COM" at the top of the label. If we look at the authentic piece, this in a different font when compared to the fake. The text isn't quite as bold as it should be, and the letters are a lot more skinny and tall on the replica.
Packaging / Code
Some, not all new Ralph Lauren Tracksuits come with a QR code. If your tracksuit doesn't have a QR code, it doesn't mean it's fake, they are just not yet consitently all made with the code yet. The QR code is located on the inside of the hoodie / bottoms printed next to where it says the size and manufacture location. If your piece does have a QR code, hold your phone camera up to it and scan the code. It should then open the Ralph Lauren website saying "Authenticated", it will then give you a serial/manufacture number along with the date the item was made.
When scanning the code, make sure it takes you to the official Ralph Lauren website, some fakes will take you to a clone lookalike site!
Also make sure it tells you that the item is authentic, if it only takes you to the Ralph Lauren homepage, then the chances are you have a fake!
Summary: Overall, the absolute best way to spot a replica is the embroidery quality on the logo, the quality of the drawstrings as well as the indented tips.
If your tracksuit has a QR code, scan that. That is the easiest way to check, but remember, just because it doesn't have a QR code, does not mean that it is fake.
I'd also like to mention, please only buy from a reputable seller, or from Ralph Lauren direct.
Shop safely, and if you need any help, just drop me a message
@RSThePlug on Insta
@RS-ThePlug on Snap
or email me at RS@rstheplug.co.uk
Safe
-RS