First things first, and this is like, *super* important, check the stitching. I mean, *really* check it. Authentic Adidas stuff is all about quality. Think clean, strong stitches with even spacing. If you see loose threads, frayed edges, or just generally wonky-looking seams, that’s a HUGE red flag, bro. Think about it, Adidas isn’t going to let some shoddy stitch work tarnish their brand, right? Especially around the logos or any team emblems, those have gotta be pristine. No one wants a trefoil logo that looks like it’s unraveling after one wash.
Now, about that logo… There are *two* official Adidas logos you gotta be aware of. You got the classic three stripes *and* the trefoil, ya know, the one that looks like a flower thing? Make sure the logo on your shirt matches the style of the era the shirt is supposed to be from. A super vintage tee probably wouldn’t have the modern three bar logo, right? And, like, seriously look at the *quality* of the logo itself. Is it crisp and clear, or is it blurry and kinda…off? Also, is it printed or embroidered? That matters too.
Okay, this is where it gets kinda tricky ’cause even some legit shirts can have slightly different tags, but generally, you wanna pay attention to the neck tag. Is it sewn in properly? Like, *really* properly? I saw this one shirt online where the neck tag looked like it had been ripped out of something else and just sloppily stitched back in. HUGE no-no! Also, check the tag for things like the country of origin and the fabric content. Does it all make sense? Does the material *feel* like what the tag says it is?
And I gotta say, sometimes it’s just a gut feeling, ya know? Does the shirt *feel* cheap? Does the fabric feel thin and scratchy? If it does, even if the stitching looks okay, you might still have a fake on your hands. Real Adidas stuff is usually pretty comfy.
Oh, and don’t forget the price! If you snagged a “vintage” Adidas tee for, like, five bucks, it’s probably too good to be true. I mean, come on! Even on sale, authentic Adidas stuff usually costs a bit more.
