How to Tell If Your Ralph Lauren Button Down Shirt Is Original or Fake
No preloved business owner will tell you how to tell if the RL button-down shirt is authentic or not.
In a world full of knock-offs, it is getting hard for the consumer to differentiate between a real or a fake RL button-down shirt. Today, as a business owner, I will share my battle-hardened experience of how not to get scammed in purchasing a fake RL button-down shirt.
In this blog, I am going to breakdown the process of verifying the authenticity of RL button-down shirts in a few simple steps and also how to identify if someone is flexing his or her fake RL shirt.
1. First thing first: The truth about the label
The label must be neatly stitched from all 4 sides. The alphabets are evenly spaced. And the structure of label is in perfect harmony.
Red flag: The label is hanging, and does not sit well on the shirt.
2. The iconic Pony Logo
Look closely at the pony logo’s embroidery to differentiate between the threads of the man’s leg and the horse on which he’s riding. However, in rare cases, some button-down shirts do not have pony logo.
Red flag: If the pony is melting and there is no fine detailing in the structure of the pony, it is definitely fake or the pony embroidery is done after-market.
3. The RL craftsmanship in its iconic V-shape stitch at the bottom of the front placket
The front placket in 99% of the cases has an upside-down V-shape stitch. In 1% cases, which is rare, there is no V-shape stitch. If you find yourself in this situation, then rely on other steps for authentication.
4. Beware of the resized shirts
Since RL button-down shirts are high in demand, business owners resize the XXL and 4XL shirts to Large or Medium. This affects the overall construction of the shirt, preventing it from properly embracing your body.
5. The secret behind RN# 41381
All the Ralph Lauren products have a universal RN# 41381, which is a registration number in the US and is compulsory for the brand to mention on the clothing. If you come across a different RN number, always verify on official US website. The RN number is usually mentioned on the back side of the size label or on the care label.
6. What other numbers to look for?
You might also find Purchase order number (PO#) or Supplier number (SUP#). If you don’t, then no need to worry at all. It is just a plus point in the authentication. You might also find CN # or CA#. Whatever the case is, the RN# is mandatory.
7. The lack of knowledge in differentiating men, women, and kid’s RL article
I have come across many business owners selling female and kid’s button-down shirts in men’s category. Pakistan is a patriarchy society, where women are discouraged to work in corporate sectors. Therefore, women RL shirts are less in demand and fetch a lower price than men’s articles. And as for the kids, since women buy stuff for their kids, they do not prefer to buy a preloved garment for their kids (Call it mother’s love). Because of these obstacles, there is less demand of women and kids RL articles. That is why business owners sell these categories under the men’s category to fetch a good price.
Let me be very clear when I say this, just because the Chest Size fits you well, it does not mean the whole shirt will fit you well.
Summary:
1. Uniformity in label
2. Immaculate detailing in the embroidery of Pony Logo
3. The upside-down V-shape stitch at the bottom of the front placket
4. Beware of the altered or resized shirts
5. Must have RN# 41381
6. May contain CN#, CA#, PO#, SUPP#
7. Identify the women and kids’ articles that are not for men to wear
Note: Everything can be replicated except time and effort in this world. In my experience, replica RL button-down shirts shout at me that the people who constructed them did not put time and effort in them!
My advice: Do not let the perceptive reality become more real than the reality itself. Buy authentic Ralph Lauren button-down shirts even if you are not buying from Authentic Maal. I am happy to serve you and will continue serving you with the best of my knowledge because enlightenment is not a destination but a journey.