Fear of the Fake_ How to Spot a Real Fear of God Essentials Hoodie
In the realm of streetwear, Fear of Good's Essentials Line especially its hoodies have become a must-have item as they are made of the finest craftsmanship giving it its high-quality while also having a minimalist aesthetic to it.
But as the brand continues to grow in popularity, so does the fear of being imitated. It's why it's crucial to understand how to tell the difference between a counterfeit hoodie and a real one. Here's a detailed breakdown of all the knowledge you need to equip yourself when shopping for a Fear of God Essential Hoodie to avoid getting a knockoff version.
Fabric & Feel: The Weight Test
As the hoodie is something you will wear, you obviously want it to feel right and the best way to tell if it's a knockoff or a real one is to check out the fabric and the feel through a weight test.
Authentic Fear of God Essentials Hoodies will be made from a cotton-blend fabric that is high quality in nature. When doing a feel test, you will notice that the material feels thicker than normal cotton and has a structure to it. This structure is what gives it a unique texture where it might come off feeling slightly stiff but it's still quite soft to the touch.
For an added feel of comfort and premium quality, a real hoodie should be lined with a smooth fleece inner. Without this inner, the hoodie will most definitely not sit right on your body and feel extremely uncomfortable.
If you do come across a fake hoodie, you can tell that the material is more flimsy or stretches too much. Even if it does have an inner lining, you'll notice that it's excessively fuzzy unlike real fleece and it might even look uneven.
Neck Tag Details: The First Red Flag
A major red-flag that signals a hoodie is fake is the detailing of the neck tag. Authentic neck tags stand out and not in a bad way, but because they're clean and the ESSENTIALS logo is printed straight in the center. You'll also see the FEAR OF GOD logo placed on this tag but in a precise and small sized font.
You won't find the tag to be irritating if it's an authentic item as the tag is smooth, has a slightly reflective appearance to it and the stitching is secure and quite neat. The text that we've mentioned above is also perfectly spaced and aligned, making it easy to read.
A hoodie that is not authentic will have a beck tag but it's quite easy to distinguish a fake from a real. These neck tags will have a font that looks vastly different to the original as they will usually be thicker or thinner and not the right amount of spacing between each letter. Additionally, you might even see some wordings misspelled such as FEAR OF GOD and it could also be poorly printed.
The Hood Rubber Badge: Sharp or Sloppy?
The hood rubber badge is also a dead giveaway of whether an item is authentic or not. The logo badge located on the back of the hood is rubberized, making it quite easy to distinguish especially if the text printed on it says ESSENTIALS in clear and looks properly embossed. If the text appears too thick or looks unevenly placed, then it's a fake.
The color of the badge will also match the color of the hoodie so it doesn't stand out but rather complements it. If the color is a wrong match and looks like it's been stitched on, then it's most definitely a counterfeit hoodie.
Buying Essentials Hoodies Second-Hand: What You Need to Know
Since Fear of God Essentials has become increasingly popular, most people are turning to resellers to secure a piece, especially limited edition items or those that have sold out super quickly. Although purchasing from a reseller might be the only way for you to secure a hoodie, it also comes with its own set of risks and could land you as a fake rather than a real one.
To safely buy a Fear of God Essentials Hoodie from resellers, it is important to purchase from websites that have been verified to be official and authentic resellers. Among the most popular websites for purchasing high-end authentic streetwear include The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, GOAT, and StockX.
If you do have to buy from other platforms such as Depop or eBay, it's best to ask the buyer for proper verification and see if you can get it authenticated from a third party. You can also do this by examining the seller's photos closely. If the seller refuses to provide a close-up photo of the hoodie's neck tag, rubber badge, and detailing then you should tread with caution. Most scammers will avoid providing these necessary details, just to tell you a counterfeit item at a price that's comparable to the authentic item. You can also cross reference these product listing photos with those found on Fear of God's official website, and even approved merchants if you feel that some of the listings are off.
Since Fear of God Essentials hoodies are becoming a must-have item in the streetwear world, it's important to be able to tell the difference between a real item and a fake one. By looking at its features closely such as the weight of the fabric, the accuracy of the stitching, the neck tags, and rubber badges, you will be able to distinguish between the two. You’ll also come to realize that counterfeit items feel nowhere near as comfortable and good as the real ones despite having almost identical logos and structural designs. Extra care must be taken when buying through resale sites. Confirming the legitimacy of the vendor, asking for thorough photos, and comparing the item with official references will help you avoid making a mistake, and one that might just end up costing you a lot.
In addition to putting consumers at risk, the increase in counterfeit goods sold also has a direct impact on the brand, especially the integrity and genuine aspect of the brand. If you truly love the brand, you will support Fear of God Essentials. Purchase directly from the source, ensuring you get hoodies that are not only durable but are a direct reflection of the brand.
