We just got back from sourcing some vintage Burberry grails in London, where we had the opportunity to handpick between thousands of items. When you're sifting through that many pieces, you get really good, really fast, at spotting the fakes. It's a skill every vintage lover needs.
That's why we want to share what we check to be sure an item is authentic. Here is a quick guide to help you on your next hunt.
The Legit Check: 5 Things to Look For
1. The Tag: Check the Country of Origin
This is your first and fastest check. Burberry is a brand born and bred in England, and for years, it produced exclusively in England. Over time, they granted official production licenses to a few other countries.
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Green Flags (Likely Authentic): "Made in England," "Made in Scotland" (especially for scarves), "Made in Spain," "Made in Portugal." Some modern, but still high-quality production, also happens in Turkey and sometimes Italy.
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Red Flags (Likely Fake): If the tag says "Made in Bangladesh," "Made in India," or "Made in China" on a piece that feels older, the chances are high that you have a fake in your hands.
2. The Nova Check Pattern: It's All About Alignment
The iconic Burberry check is a masterpiece of symmetry, and fakers rarely get it right.
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Key Features: Look at the lines. They should be perfectly straight, sharp, and consistent in color. The pattern consists of three thick, dark stripes intersecting with three thinner red stripes.
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The Telltale Sign: Look at the seams. On an authentic piece, the pattern will align perfectly at the seams. If the stripes on the side of a jacket don't match up with the stripes on the front, it's a major red flag.
3. The Logo & Font: The "R" is Key
The font used in the "BURBERRY" logo is very specific.
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Key Features: All letters are capitalized and have clean serifs. The most important detail to check is the tail of the letter "R". On an authentic logo, the tail has a slight, distinctive curve, almost like a wave. Fakes often use a standard, straight-legged "R".
4. The Prorsum Knight Logo: Look for Detail
On items with the Equestrian Knight Device (the knight on a horse), the detail is everything.
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Key Features: The embroidery or print should be sharp and well-defined. You should be able to make out the details on the horse's reins and the knight's armor. The banner underneath should clearly say "Prorsum," which means "Forwards" in Latin. Fakes often have blurry, muddy-looking logos with illegible text.
5. The Hardware & Stitching: The Feel of Quality
Burberry is a luxury brand, and it feels like it.
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Hardware: Buttons, zippers, and clasps should feel heavy and substantial, not cheap or plasticky. They are almost always engraved with the "Burberry" name. Check the zippers for high-quality brands like YKK or Lampo.
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Stitching: The stitching should be impeccable—straight, even, and tight, with no loose threads. Sloppy stitching is one of the easiest ways to spot a counterfeit.
This is a starting point, of course. The best way to develop an eye for authenticity is to handle real pieces. But by checking these five key details, you'll be able to spot the vast majority of fakes out there.
What are your go-to tips for spotting a fake Burberry? Share them in the comments below!
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