First off, lemme just say, buyin’ fake stuff is kinda lame. I mean, support the artists and the brands that put in the work, ya know? But hey, I get it, sometimes you’re on a budget or just tryna find that one piece that’s sold out everywhere. Just be aware of what you’re buyin’, okay?
Right, so where do you even *start*? Well, think about it like this: the devil’s in the details. And BAPE, man, they *love* details.
Stitching and Threads: This is a HUGE one. Look at the BAPE STA logo, especially on shoes. Is the stitching sloppy? Are the threads all wonky and different sizes? A real pair is gonna have clean, consistent stitching. Fake pairs? Often rushed, and the threads themselves can be too thick or thin. One source mentioned the star’s threads specifically, so definitely focus there.
The Neck Tag on Tees: Okay, this is a classic. A real BAPE tee’s neck tag is usually pretty clean. A fake? The inscriptions are often too thick, or even TOO thin. It’s like they can’t quite get the font right. Also, flip the tee inside out and look at the inside of the neck tag. Is it a mess? Probly fake.
Materials Matter (duh!): Feel the fabric, dude. Does it feel cheap? Does it feel like it’ll fall apart after one wash? Real BAPE uses quality materials. I mean, they’re chargin’ a premium, so they gotta deliver, right? A fake will often skimp on the materials to save money, which’ll become obvious real quick.
Wash Tags – The Hidden Truth: Don’t underestimate these! Look at the wash tag—the little tag with all the care instructions. Fake ones often have typos or the font is off. Real ones are usually crisp and clear. This takes a little research because different pieces have different tags, but it’s a good spot to check.
Price – A Red Flag Waving: Come on, use your head. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. You’re not gonna find a legit BAPE hoodie for $50. It just doesn’t happen. Be wary of super low prices, especially from sketchy websites.
Adidas Specific Stuff (Since we’re talkin’ collabs): Alright, now if it’s an Adidas x BAPE collab, you gotta factor in Adidas’ quality control too. Look at the Adidas three stripes, the overall shape of the shoe (if it’s a shoe), and any Boost technology (if it has it). Is the Boost squishy and responsive like it should be? Or is it hard and plasticky?
Personal Opinion Time (Because Why Not?): I’ve seen some crazy good fakes out there. Like, almost indistinguishable. The best way to avoid getting burned? Buy from reputable sellers. Seriously. Go to authorized retailers, resale platforms with authentication services, or trusted sellers with tons of good feedback. Saves you a lotta headache.
