How to Determine Authenticity in a Levi's Model Number Stamp

The U.S. government takes the distribution of counterfeit goods very seriously. In 2010, Homeland Security agencies seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit goods, from fake brand name clothes to knockoff handbags, worth more than $188 million. Despite their efforts, some counterfeit goods still sneak through. Nobody wants to get caught wearing a pair of knockoff Levi's -- especially when you think your jeans are authentic. Choose reputable retailers, and examine all Levi's closely to determine its authenticity before you add a new pair to your closet.

Instructions

1

Research the validity of a seller or retailer before you buy a pair of Levi's. Avoid places with negative feedback or rumors of counterfeit items. Read online reviews about a company before making a purchase. Legitimate products usually don't sell for a fraction of their retail value, have misspelled words or fail to provide a list of sales terms.

2

Examine the fabric and stitching. Authentic Levi's are made from durable medium or heavy-weight denim designed to withstand wear and tear associated with washing and wearing jeans over an extended period of time. The right back pocket should have a red tab, with or without the Levi's logo, and both back pockets should feature the trademark bat-wing stitching.

3

Find the location of the model number stamp. All Levi's have a waist patch sewn above the right pocket. A patch in the center or on the left side of the jeans is a sign that the jeans are counterfeit.

4

Look at the color of the ink on the model number stamp. Red Tab jeans use red ink on the waist label, while Orange Tab jeans use brown ink. Black 501 jeans from the 1980s are the only jeans that use black ink.

5

Feel the material of the model number stamp. A hard leather material might be a sign of counterfeit jeans. Most, but not all, Levi's come with a soft waist label.

6

Look for misspelled words, typos, blurry letters or poorly centered print work. Authentic Levi's do not have errors on their model number stamps.

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