How to Tell if a North Face Jacket is Fake

North Face jackets are the epitome of classic, durable winter wear; with their intricate details and high-quality materials, what's not to love? Yet for many people, the only way to afford a North Face jacket is by searching for deals online or through second-hand sellers. These buyers should be wary of the wide array of fake North Face jackets out there, and know how to spot them before heading to the checkout.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Contact the seller to ask whether or not the North Face jacket they're selling is real or fake. According to an eBay.com guide, sellers with fake jackets often won't respond at all to these types of questions.

Step 2

Check to see how many tags are attached (use a photo if one is provided). While genuine North Face jackets come with two to three tags, fakes usually only come with one tag, a red one with the North Face logo.

Step 3

Check the tags carefully to see that the North Face jacket name--"Denali," for example--matches up with the style you ordered. Stolen tags with the North Face logo on them often come attached to fake jackets that do not match up to the particular jacket model.

Step 4

Pay close attention to the construction of the jacket. A real North Face jacket should have smooth, zig-zag stitching with no gaps in the thread, while fakes sometimes have hanging threads and uneven stitching. Additionally, real North Face fleece jackets should be somewhat fuzzy, whereas counterfeit versions are often made from a smooth, fake fleece fabric.

Step 5

Browse the other items an online seller is offering to gauge their reliability. If some of the other products they're selling online seem to be fakes (with cheap-looking materials, logos that aren't quite right), there's a good chance their North Face jackets aren't real, either.

Step 6

Take a look at an online seller's username. Frequently, those who sell counterfeit items tend to use the names of businesses or organizations rather than full names.

Step 7

Beware of jackets that are sent in a factory-sealed bag, as a genuine North Face jacket should be placed in a new bag sent by the seller.

Tips & Warnings

If you spot several fake-looking North Face jackets online, report these items to the website's security team. For example, eBay has a group of investigators whose job is to prevent untrustworthy sellers from using the site.

Resources

The North Face

Article Written By Laura Dixon

Currently based in France, Laura Dixon has been a freelance writer since 2008. Dixon specializes in various topics including health, travel and culture. Previously, she worked as a weekly newspaper reporter in Central California. Dixon holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and international relations from the University of California.

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