Secondhand shopping now accounts for a large share of British wardrobes, with roughly one in four fashion purchases involving pre-loved or vintage pieces. That growth carries a downside, as about a quarter of secondhand buyers say they have unknowingly bought a counterfeit in the past year. Authentication specialists have set out practical ways for shoppers to protect themselves before parting with their money.
Language is often the first warning sign. Alastair Gray, director of anticounterfeiting at the International Trademark Association, said phrases such as factory overruns, seconds and mirror quality are used to make fakes sound legitimate. Listings that lean on that vocabulary, or that price a coveted item far below its usual resale value, deserve extra scrutiny before any purchase is made.
Rather than hunting for a single giveaway, the experts advise assessing an item as a whole. Rather than looking for one magic sign of authenticity, look at the item as a whole, said Victoire Boyer-Chammard, a senior brand manager and authentication specialist. Shoppers should examine labels, stitching, hardware and interior construction, then consider whether every detail is consistent with the brand it claims to be.
Materials can be as revealing as any logo. Designer Christopher Raeburn, known for remaking military surplus, said that before looking at a label he would look at the fabric itself, including its weight, handle, wear and ageing. A garment’s provenance and backstory, along with the quality of its finishing both inside and out, all help confirm whether a piece is genuine.
Platforms have added safeguards too. Vinted, which reports 17.4 million UK customers, offers a physical verification service for items above 85 pounds, while Vestiaire Collective runs its own authentication checks. The overall advice is consistent: research realistic pricing, study seller profiles and their histories, request extra photographs and proof, and treat suspiciously cheap listings with caution before buying.
