19 Tips That Can Help You Spot a Fake Item

In 2013, counterfeit goods worldwide accounted for $461 billion. Nike is the most counterfeited brand globally, and Ray-Ban, Rolex, Supreme, and Louis Vuitton are the most copied brands worldwide. And while some copies look almost identical to the originals, there are slight differences we think you should know about.

At Bright Side, we want you to know how to recognize a fake product and the differences between originals and counterfeits in some of the most popular brands.

1. Nike shoes

• Nike Air sneakers have a texture that counterfeit manufacturers cannot imitate. This is because their materials are different, and so are their devices. Thus, in authentic Nike shoes, you will notice a hardness in the leather that will be missing in the counterfeit ones.
• You will also need to examine the symmetry of the sneakers. If something looks asymmetrical, then it may be a counterfeit product.

2. Ray-Bans

• Authentic Ray-Ban lenses with plastic frames are made in one whole piece. If it’s a metal frame, then the central part must look neat and can have small details but no protruding points.
• Most often, the lenses are made of real glass, but some can be made of plastic. To know if yours is one of them, go to the manufacturer’s official website.
• In the upper right corner of the right lens, you can find the inscription of the Ray-Ban logo. It is engraved on the surface of the lens, so it is impossible to erase it.
• On the outside of the temples, there should also be an inscription detailing the manufacturer. In addition, the item’s serial number is usually on the left side and the country of manufacture on the right side.

3. Fila shoes

• If you look at the letter “F” on your Fila shoes, you will notice that there is some irregularity in the stitching. This is perfectly normal on all original Fila shoes. What is not normal is for the letter “F” to be really sharp on the top two edges. On the fake shoes, these edges almost touch the square surrounding the logo, which should not be the case.
• Next, look at the details of the toe cap, especially the holes in the front. There should be the same distance between each hole, but if not, you probably bought a fake pair of sneakers.
• In addition, the heel logo may be completely different. On the original sneakers, that logo is the same as the one on the tongue.

4. Burberry scarf

• The authentic scarf always has well-defined lines and a dense texture.
• The fringe yarns in a scarf should be well rolled and spaced apart, they do not fall apart when touched.
• The brand name on the label attached to the article must be written in capital letters. Also, the label must contain information about the country of manufacture and the composition of the scarf.

5. Gucci handbags

• First, you should examine the two “G’s” on the front of your bag. The serifs of the G’s should be long and sleek looking and not thick. Also, the rounded part of the G should be a perfect oval and not pointed. If the logo looks blurry, it is probably fake.
• Look closely at the stitching, as a genuine Gucci bag will have even stitching. If the stitching on your bag looks uneven in places or is a different color than the bag itself, then you should assume it is a counterfeit.
  

6. Supreme sweatshirt

• On the collar of this brand’s hooded and non-hooded sweatshirts, there are two dark red labels. On the first, larger, is written the name of the brand with the letter R in a circle. On the second, you’ll find the country of manufacture: Canada. There should be a recommendation not to iron the item on the inner label, where you can find the care instructions. Manufacturers of replicas often forget this detail.
• On sweatshirts with embroidered logos, the location of the letters on the red part should be uniform, and the distance between the two should be adequate. If you turn the authentic sweatshirt inside out, you will see a fine mesh of white threads on the back of the logo.
• Supreme complements the hoods of its sweatshirts only with flat laces, which are carefully tied at the ends. Round laces, burned at the ends, or laces with different types of terminations are a sign of counterfeiting.

7. Adidas Yeezy tennis shoes

• First, you have to check the wave pattern on the original Yeezy, which should be sideways with irregular wave prints.
• Next, you can check the tongue of the sneakers. The original Yeezy’s tongues are more curved, while the fake ones look much straighter.
• Check the inside of the shoes and see if the Adidas icon is the same size on each shoe. On some occasions, you may notice that their size differs.
• The stitching on the inside should also be checked, as it may look suspiciously amateurish.

8. New Balance sneakers

• New Balance sneakers have brand symbols on the back, tongue, the side of the sneaker, and the side of the sole, on the sole itself, and the insoles. The logo in the shape of the letter N on the side of the sneaker is made in the form of a patch.
• The original slippers have a soft sole, made of foam material, easily compresses and quickly returns to their original state. The sole protector is made of rubber. The insoles of authentic New Balance shoes have a perforation, logo, size, and information about the model.

9. Toms espadrilles

• The first thing to check is the insoles of your espadrilles. If they can be removed, your footwear is likely fake, as the original insoles are sewn to the bottom.
• Next, you can check the back of the espadrille to look at the logo. The letters of the original brand are perfectly balanced and square. However, the letters of the fake brand are pointed and unbalanced (note the odd shape of the letter “O”). Also, the stitching around the label appears thicker on the fake ones.
• You can also check the sides of the shoes to see if any glue is discernible. A reputable brand would never allow something like this, but a copy would probably have glue all over it.

10. Michael Kors Handbag

• For its bags, the brand uses only cream-colored labels containing the primary information about the product: serial number, shade, material, parameters, the price in USD, and a unique bar code.
• All parts of the original bags are engraved with the brand name. It is applied to magnetic clips, handle rings, clasps, carabiners, and fasteners.
• The brand’s authentic bags are made from a dense material that does not deform even during shipping when the item is packed.

11. Guess handbags

• First of all, fake Guess handbags are not made of leather but are cheaper synthetic material. You can check this by pressing the fabric with your finger. If the wrinkles stay there and do not disappear, it is not genuine leather.
• Next, you need to check the lining of the bag. Original Guess bags have an apparent soft lining, while fake ones sometimes have no lining. And if they do, it is very thin, like a sheet of paper.
• Finally, you can check the metal of the bag. The metal applications of a genuine Guess bag are sturdy and shiny, with a smooth surface. Counterfeiters, on the other hand, use a cheaper material that may appear dull and even have surface marks.

12. Guess watches

• Straps for Guess watches are made of metal, silicone, or natural leather. A lousy product smell, uneven color, cracks, scratches, and wear on the strap indicate that we are dealing with an imitation.
• The back should contain basic information about the watch: a logo with the brand name, the material of the watch body (as a rule, it is steel), and data about the watch mechanism with the engraving Japan Movt (as Guess uses only high-quality Japanese mechanisms).

13. Hermès handbags

• First, check the inside printing of the leather and see how the letters have been printed. The French accent of the letter E should be very elegant and not chopped up, as in the fakes. Also, the letters F and R in the word “France” appear to be glued together, something that would never happen on a genuine Hermès bag.
• Next, you can check the leather strap of the bag and inspect the stitching. On a genuine bag, the stitching looks much more elegant and flawless. In contrast, the stitching on the fake bag is not as elegant and, in some areas, looks thicker than that of the original bag.

14. Lacoste polo

• The Lacoste crocodile is always made with clearly defined details. Its eyes, teeth, legs, and red mouth are clearly visible. The crocodile’s body is bright green, and the tail runs parallel to the back.
• At the base of the polo neck, there is a white label with the logo and a red number indicating the size. In men’s models, it is one number, while in women’s models, it is two.
• An imitation Lacoste polo shirt can be spotted because of a small detail: its buttons. Original Lacoste garments have mother-of-pearl buttons with two holes. They have no inscriptions. Replica manufacturers often forget that, so they use buttons with four holes.
• In the men’s models, at the bottom, on the sides of the polo shirt, there are small openings approximately 1/2 inches deep. In women’s versions, the manufacturer does not make any cuts.

15. Balenciaga shoes

• Balenciaga sneakers have a very recognizable protrusion on the heels. This feature is often missing in counterfeits, as their structure is much weaker.
• Not only that, but the front of the shoe has a much more prominent curve than the originals.
• Also, if you check the back of the shoe, you will notice that the brand name is not well centered. Also, not all the letters are the same size and height, and some appear more significant than others.

16. Pandora bracelet

• The color of the original silver bracelet is a bit dull, not very light or bright. In manufacturing, Pandora uses a blackening technique that gives them this unique tone.
• The new original bracelet keeps its perfect shape and virtually no bending, showing well-defined edges of its striated silver cord.
• The size of the clasp on the original Pandora bracelets is comparable to that of the charms. On the front of the clasp, you can see the engraving of the brand: the word Pandora with a crown above the letter “o.”
• There is a brand-specific fastening in the clasp: a clover in the form of a small screw with four heads that serves to fasten the bracelet securely. In addition, the clasp must bear the quality seal of the metal (indicating its purity) with a mark of origin, the initials ALE.
• Pandora charms have an inscription with the name of the brand and the acronym of the metal they are made of. Since 2011, S means silver, and G is gold. Murano glass charms are free of cracks, broken parts, and air bubbles inside.

17. Levi’s

• The arched design on the back pockets of Levi’s jeans might be the brand’s most recognizable feature. It is either a simple bow or a diamond-shaped arch in the center of the pocket. This feature is often copied remarkably incorrectly on counterfeit jeans.
• In addition, the color of the stitching is traditionally orange on original jeans, while many fakes use white thread.
• The third sign of a fake pair of Levi’s jeans is the red tag on the back pocket. An original pair has “Levi’s” written on the red label, while a fake pair has a plain red tag with the letter “R.”

18. Timberland boots

• The sole has a caramel color, but if you look at it closely, it seems slightly transparent. The company logo and the brand name are printed on them, and the sole is uniform. The heel part does not protrude, but forms a continuous line.
• The logo is located on the outside, at the bottom of the boot above the heel. Its print is uniform and well-defined, located strictly vertically.
• The eyelets on the boots are perfect hexagons, which are ideally rounded on the outside. In men’s models, there are 7, in women’s models, 6.
• All seams on the boots are made with white thread. If there are several seams close, they are clearly parallel to each other.

19. Nike t-shirts

• The first thing to examine is the Nike logo. In most cases, it does not have exactly the same proportions as the original. Its angle and inclination may be different.
• Next, the label inside the T-shirt should be checked for misspellings. The original brand would never misspell words, but counterfeit products may have one or more errors.
• You will also need to look at the labels inside the shirt, near the bottom. Nike’s usually have two or more labels sewn in, while the fake ones usually have only one.

Have you ever unknowingly bought a counterfeit product? How did you recognize that it was not a genuine brand? Could you tell the difference, or did you have to ask an expert?

Preview photo credit Albo73/ Depositphotos.com

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Neighbor Hired My Daughter to Take Down Christmas Decorations in Her Mansion but Refused to Pay – So I Stood up for My Child

When her wealthy neighbor refused to pay her nine-year-old daughter for taking down Christmas decorations, this determined mother knew she couldn’t let it slide. What began as frustration became a bold stand for fairness and a lasting lesson in courage for her daughter.

How would you feel if someone took advantage of your child’s kindness, and then slammed the door in your face when you tried to make it right? Because that’s exactly what happened to me.

It all started on a cold January morning when Mrs. Adler, my wealthy neighbor with her sprawling mansion and air of superiority, knocked on my door. At first, I assumed she needed sugar or had another complaint about neighborhood kids sledding near her yard.

A smiling older lady standing at the doorway | Source: Midjourney

Instead, she said in her clipped, dramatic tone: “Mrs. Carter, I was wondering if your daughter, Lily, might help me. My Christmas decorations need to come down, and, well, I find the task… emotionally draining.”

She emphasized “emotionally” as if it added weight to her plea.

“Emotionally draining?” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “It’s just decorations, Mrs. Adler. Not rocket science!”

A young woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

She pressed her lips together. “My late husband always handled this sort of thing. Surely you understand, right?” Her voice dripped with calculated sympathy for herself.

I glanced over at Lily, who was perched on a stool, sketching ideas for her dream art set. Her eyes lit up at the idea. “I’d love to help!” she said eagerly.

“Mom, please?” she whispered, tugging at my sleeve. “I’ve been saving up for that special art set at Mrs. Miller’s store. This could really help!”

A cheerful little girl | Source: Midjourney

Mrs. Adler offered a thin smile. “Wonderful. I’ll pay her, of course. Have her come by tomorrow morning.”

“How much are we talking about?” I asked firmly, placing a protective hand on Lily’s shoulder.

“Oh, let’s say… fifty dollars for the whole job?” Mrs. Adler waved her hand dismissively. “More than generous for a child’s work, wouldn’t you agree?”

The idea of Lily earning her own money for something she was passionate about made me proud. Little did I know what a mess this would turn into.

For the next three days, Lily bundled up in her winter coat and red scarf and trudged across the street to Mrs. Adler’s mansion. She returned each evening, exhausted but determined to finish her job.

A girl walking on the snow | Source: Pexels

“It’s a huge house, Mom,” she said one night, rubbing her hands. “I had to take down decorations from the roof today!”

“The roof?” I exploded, nearly dropping the dish I was washing. “Lily, that’s dangerous! Did she get you a ladder?”

“She said her stepladder was fine,” Lily mumbled, avoiding my eyes. “And that I was young and agile enough to manage on my own.”

“Did she help you?” I asked, frowning.

“Not really. She just stood at the window and pointed to where I missed a spot,” Lily replied with a shrug.

A disappointed girl | Source: Midjourney

“And she had you on a stepladder? On ice?” My voice rose with each word. “That’s completely irresponsible!”

“Mom, it’s okay,” Lily tried to reassure me. “I was careful. And she kept saying things like ‘Oh, to be young again’ and ‘A little hard work builds character.’”

By the third evening, my daughter came home looking defeated, her eyes glistening with tears. “Mom,” she said, setting her gloves on the counter, “Mrs. Adler didn’t pay me.”

“What do you mean she DIDN’T PAY YOU?” I asked, my heart sinking.

A frustrated woman | Source: Midjourney

“She said she forgot her wallet but promised to bring the money over later,” Lily explained, her voice trembling. “When I reminded her about the payment, she looked at me like I was being greedy. She said, ‘My goodness, young lady, is money all you care about?’”

I pulled Lily into a tight hug, feeling her shoulders shake. “You worked so hard, sweetheart. Three whole days in the cold…”

“The art set goes on sale tomorrow,” she whispered into my shoulder. “I really thought I could finally get it.”

I reassured her, thinking Mrs. Adler had just been forgetful. But two days later, with no payment in sight, I decided to handle it myself.

An upset little girl | Source: Midjourney

I marched across the street and rang Mrs. Adler’s doorbell. She answered in a silk robe, holding a steaming mug of tea.

“Mrs. Adler,” I began, trying to keep my tone calm, “I just wanted to follow up about Lily’s payment for helping with the decorations.”

She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “PAYMENT?” she said, feigning surprise. “OH, MRS. CARTER, I ASSUMED SHE WAS DOING IT AS A NEIGHBORLY FAVOR. SHE’S JUST A CHILD… WHAT DOES SHE NEED MONEY FOR?”

My blood boiled. “You told her you’d pay her,” I hissed. “She worked hard, and it’s only fair.”

An older woman with a cunning smile | Source: Midjourney

“Well, really,” Mrs. Adler scoffed, taking a deliberate sip of her tea. “I thought I was doing you a favor, giving your daughter something constructive to do. Heaven knows the children these days spend too much time on their phones.”

“My daughter spent three days in freezing weather, climbing on ladders, while you watched from your window!” My voice rose despite my efforts to stay calm. “You promised her fifty dollars!”

“Did I?” She tilted her head. “I don’t recall making any specific promises. And frankly, her work was rather… mediocre. I found tinsel in my bushes just this morning.”

“Mediocre?” I stepped closer, my hands shaking. “She’s nine years old, Mrs. Adler. She worked her heart out for you!”

An angry woman yelling at someone | Source: Midjourney

Mrs. Adler waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll think about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

“Think about it?” I interjected. “There’s nothing to think about! You made a promise to a child!”

The door closed with a firm click before I could say another word.

Through the glass, I heard her mutter, “Some people have no class.”

That was the moment I decided I wasn’t going to let this slide. Not for Lily’s sake and not for anyone else Mrs. Adler had walked over.

A furious woman standing outside a house with its door slammed shut | Source: Midjourney

After some digging, I discovered she was hosting a big charity gala that weekend. It was her annual “Winter Wonderland Gala” where she loved to flaunt her socialite status. The event was her pride and joy, and her pristine reputation was everything.

I had an idea.

The morning of the gala, I sent Lily across the street with a homemade thank-you card. She wrote inside:

“Thank you for letting me help with your decorations! I worked really hard. Maybe next time, you’ll pay me like you promised. 🙂 Lily.”

A wealthy older woman standing outside her mansion | Source: Midjourney

“Are you sure about this, Mom?” Lily asked, fidgeting with the card’s edge. “What if she gets mad?”

I knelt down to her level. “Sometimes, sweetheart, we have to stand up to people who aren’t fair. Even if it’s scary.”

“Like when my classmate Tommy was bullying Sarah at school, and I told the teacher?”

“Exactly like that,” I smiled, straightening her collar. “Being brave isn’t about being fearless… it’s about doing the right thing even when you’re afraid.”

A cheerful girl | Source: Midjourney

By noon, word had spread across the neighborhood about Mrs. Adler’s refusal to pay a nine-year-old for her work. I may have casually mentioned it to a few neighbors over coffee.

“She had her on a stepladder?” Mrs. Johnson gasped during our coffee chat.

“My son did her gardening last summer,” Mr. Peterson chimed in. “She pulled the same stunt and claimed it was ‘character building’ instead of paying him.”

News spread fast, and people weren’t happy.

That evening, just as the gala was in full swing, I delivered the FINAL BLOW. I posted a picture of Lily standing in front of Mrs. Adler’s mansion with the caption:

“A big thank-you to my daughter, who spent hours helping my neighbor, Mrs. Adler, take down her Christmas decorations. She was promised payment but never received it. My child is disappointed but she has learned a valuable lesson about generosity & keeping promises! ❤️”

A woman looking at her phone and smiling | Source: Midjourney

The local community group exploded within minutes. Comments poured in, ranging from outrage to personal stories of how Mrs. Adler had taken advantage of others.

“She did the same thing to my daughter’s Girl Scout troop!”

“Classic Mrs. Adler. The woman is all about appearances and zero substance.”

“And she’s hosting a CHARITY gala? The irony!”

By the time her gala guests started checking their phones, Mrs. Adler’s reputation was in SHAMBLES.

A shocked older lady standing outside her mansion | Source: Midjourney

The next morning, she showed up at my door. She looked frazzled, her usual cool demeanor replaced by a frantic smile.

“Mrs. Carter,” she began, clutching her designer purse, “I think there’s been a huge misunderstanding.”

“Oh?” I said, crossing my arms.

“This situation has gotten completely out of hand,” she sputtered, her voice trembling. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to my reputation? The Charity Board is questioning my position!”

“Interesting how quickly you responded to public shame,” I replied coolly, “when a child’s tears meant nothing to you.”

A young woman looking at someone and smiling | Source: Midjourney

She fished an envelope from her purse and handed it to me. “Here’s Lily’s payment. Plus… a little extra for any inconvenience.”

I opened the envelope and counted three crisp $100 bills — far more than the $50 Lily had originally been promised.

“You know,” I said, studying the money, “it’s funny how you suddenly found your wallet. Thank you, Mrs. Adler. I’ll be sure to let everyone know you’ve made things right.”

Her face paled. She nodded stiffly and hurried back to her mansion.

“And Mrs. Adler?” I called after her. “Next time you need help, try hiring an adult with proper safety equipment. And make sure you PAY THEM!”

She turned on her heel, muttering something I didn’t catch, but I wasn’t interested anyway.

An angry older woman walking away | Source: Midjourney

Lily was overjoyed when I handed her the money. She bought her art set and even donated some of the extra cash to a local animal shelter.

“Mom,” she asked one evening, while we sat admiring her first painting with the new set, “why do you think she finally paid me?”

I winked. “Sometimes, standing up for yourself or someone you love is the most important job of all, sweetheart.”

“I was scared to give her that card,” Lily admitted, adding another stroke of blue to her canvas. “But you know what? It felt good to be brave.”

“That’s my girl,” I smiled, watching her paint her dreams with colors as bright as her spirit. “That’s my brave girl.”

A girl painting a picture | Source: Midjourney

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.