Let me tell you, it’s not just about the price being too good to be true (though, yeah, *obviously* if they’re selling Acne Studios for the price of a Primark t-shirt, something’s fishy). It’s all about the *details*, man. The REALLY tiny, specific details that only a proper Acne Studios fan would even notice.
Like that listing I saw? The guy was showing off photos, trying to prove his were real. Good on him, but it also highlighted just how much effort these fakers are putting in now. It used to be easy – wonky stitching, cheap leather… but now they’re getting sneakier. You gotta REALLY squint and compare.
I mean, think about it. Acne Studios is a brand that’s all about *quality*. That wrinkled leather finish on those ballet flats? Can a cheap knock-off even replicate that properly? I doubt it. And the eyelets? The way they’re lacquered? Probably not gonna be perfect on a fake. They’ll probably use some cheap spray paint or something. Ugh.
And it’s not just derbies or flats. I bet they’re faking sneakers like crazy too. I’ve been eyeing some on the Women’s Sale page. Free shipping and easy returns are tempting, but I’m still paranoid. What if I get a pair that looks *almost* right, but is actually a fake?
Then there’s the whole vibe of the brand. Acne Studios is all about understated cool. Their newsletters are about collections, Acne Paper (which is basically a work of art itself!), events, and sales. No way a counterfeiter is going to go to that level of branding effort. They’re just gonna slap a logo on some cheap crap and hope for the best.
Speaking of vibes, I’m still obsessed with that lilac/purple/green/pink check scarf. Seriously contemplating an alternative bag! I swear, if I saw a fake of that scarf… I’d be SO mad. It’s already a struggle to find the real deal!
So, how do you actually spot a fake? I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard. But here’s my (totally unscientific and kinda rambling) advice:
* Look at the stitching. Is it even? Is it clean? Are there loose threads? Bad stitching is a HUGE red flag.
* Feel the leather. Does it feel cheap and plasticky? Or does it feel like actual, good-quality leather? Trust your hands!
* Check the hardware. Zippers, buckles, eyelets… do they feel flimsy? Are they the right colour? Are they properly attached?
* Compare to official photos. Go to the Acne Studios website and look at the product images. Compare *everything* to the shoes you’re thinking of buying.
* Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
