The Off-White T-Shirt: To Cut Or Not To Cut?

Whether to keep the tags on an Off-White T-shirt or not is a matter of personal preference. Some people choose to cut the tags off, finding them unusual or uncomfortable, while others leave them on as a design element. Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White, has been seen keeping the tags on his own clothing, but this is not a rule and people should do what they prefer. If you are planning to resell your Off-White item, it might be a good idea to keep the tags as proof of authentication.

Zip-tie tags: cut or keep?

The official word

OFF-WHITE™ has released an official "HOW-TO" video to end the debate on what to do with its zip-tie tags. The video instructs you to "CUT THE TIE" and "LEAVE IT ALONE". However, the video is not meant to be prescriptive, and you can ultimately do what you want with the tags.

Community opinions

There are mixed opinions on what to do with zip-tie tags. Some people choose to cut the tags off, finding them unusual or uncomfortable to wear. Others leave the tags on as a design element, with Virgil Abloh himself seemingly keeping his tags on. Some people cut off the tags but keep them as keychains or for proof of authentication when reselling.

Practical considerations

If you plan on wearing your OFF-WHITE item outside, you may want to consider removing the tags to avoid looking tacky or "hypebeast". Additionally, if you plan on washing your item, you will need to remove the tags.

Virgil Abloh's opinion

Abloh himself has been known to cut off tags from clothing, as evidenced by his customisation of a Supreme box logo T-shirt, which he wore tucked in while presenting his collection to a jury of LVMH designers. Additionally, Abloh has expressed his interest in finding different unused parts of industrial design and translating them into fashion and streetwear. The zip-tie tag, with its resemblance to an anti-theft device or house-arrest ankle bracelet, could be considered one such industrial design element that Abloh finds intriguing.

Furthermore, Abloh has described his brand Off-White as a "platform" for his creativity, and he sees himself as an "outsider insurgent" in the fashion industry. He aims to "modernise fashion" and steer a fashion house, using Off-White as a "case study". This suggests that he may encourage fans to interpret and interact with his designs in their own way, including deciding whether to keep or remove the tags.

Overall, while Abloh has not explicitly stated his opinion on keeping tags on Off-White T-shirts, his creative vision, interest in industrial design, and desire to modernise fashion suggest that he may view the tags as a design element that fans can choose to incorporate into their personal style or remove as they see fit.

Tags as proof of authentication

Tags are an important tool in authenticating Off-White T-shirts. The brand's designer, Virgil Abloh, has stated that the zip-tie tags on Off-White shoes can be cut but should otherwise be left alone. The tags are a unique design element and can be kept as a keychain or stored for future authentication when reselling.

The neck tag is an important indicator of authenticity. Real Off-White shirts have clear white stitching around the tag, while fake ones do not. The letters on fake tags also look bolder because they are printed with cheaper printers. Authentic tags have embossed letters that can be felt when touched, while fake tags have flat, printed letters. The colour of the tag should be a light, faded green, and the letters should feel a bit rubbery. The spacing between the words on the tag is also important, with fake tags often having uneven spacing.

The wash tag is another indicator of authenticity. Fake tags are often longer and feel stiff, like paper, while real tags feel soft and silky. The gap between the stripes and stitches is too wide on fake tags, and their black lines are too thin. The text on the washing tips side of the fake tags may be blurry, too bold, too light, or difficult to read, with uneven spacing between letters.

The transparent hang tag is another way to spot a fake Off-White T-shirt. The font on the fake tags tends to be too thick and harder to read, and the rectangle hole should be narrower and taller. Authentic Off-White hang tags have ten lines, so if a hang tag has more or fewer than ten lines, it is not genuine.

Tags on shoes vs. tags on clothing

Tags on shoes and clothing serve different purposes, and there are varying opinions on whether to keep or remove them.

Tags on Shoes

Shoe tags can be used for identification, medical information, or decoration. Some shoe tags are metal tags attached to shoelaces, with customisable words, images, or identification details. These tags can be useful for identifying shoes, especially in situations where many people take off their shoes, such as marathons, schools, or gyms. Additionally, shoe tags can be used to display medical information, which can be crucial in emergencies. Decorative shoe tags allow individuals to customise their shoes, making them stand out and reflect their personality or interests.

Tags on Clothing

Clothing tags, on the other hand, often serve a more functional purpose. They provide care instructions, such as washing and drying guidelines, to help maintain the garment. Clothing tags may also include size, material composition, and brand information. Some people choose to remove clothing tags because they can be uncomfortable or unsightly. However, others keep them for reference or as a collectible item, especially for designer brands like Off-White™.

To Keep or Not to Keep?

Opinions vary on whether to keep tags on shoes and clothing. Some people view tags on shoes as a form of self-expression and a way to showcase their unique style or interests. For example, leaving tags on designer shoes like Off-White™ has been a topic of debate, with some people considering it a design element and others finding it uncomfortable or tacky. On the other hand, removing tags from clothing is often seen as a standard practice to enhance comfort and aesthetics. However, some individuals choose to keep clothing tags, especially on high-end items, as a form of authenticity or to preserve the item's value for potential resale.

Removing tags for washing

There are varying opinions on whether to keep the tags on an Off-White T-shirt. Some people choose to cut the tags off, citing that it is unusual and uncomfortable to wear a large plastic tag. Others leave the tag on as a design element. Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White, has been seen wearing the tags on his own clothing, but it is ultimately up to the wearer's preference.

If you decide to remove the tags from your Off-White T-shirt or other clothing items, there are several methods you can use:

Removing Without Cutting:

Use hemming tape to adhere the label to the garment. Cut a few small pieces of tape and place them along the sides of the label. Then, iron down the hemming tape to secure the label in place.

Cutting Off the Label:

• Cut the label as close to the seam as possible without fraying the garment. Use sharp scissors and be careful not to cut the garment itself. After a few washings, the edge of the label should soften.
• Alternatively, cut a piece of hemming tape the width of the label and place it on the seam. Use iron-on, no-sew hemming tape, and iron it down to secure the label. This method is suitable for smaller tags that cannot be easily cut off.

Using a Seam Ripper:

• Check if the label is sewn into the same seam that holds the garment together. If it is, cutting the label off with scissors is a better option.
• If the label is not attached to the seam, use a seam ripper to cut through the stitches. Start at the top right corner of the label and work your way left, gently pulling the stitches out one by one.
• Remove any remaining threads with tweezers, making sure they are loose before pulling them out.

Removing Outside Labels:

• For outside labels, such as those on jeans or suits, use a seam ripper or small cuticle scissors to cut them off. Slide the tool under one stitch of the label, gently pull up to cut the thread, and work your way across the label.
• If the outside label cannot be removed without damaging the garment, consider covering it with an iron-on patch or rolling up your sleeves to hide it.

Removing Security Tags:

• For plastic security tags, you can use a plastic bag or two forks to pop off the tag. Slip the bag handle or a fork between the base of the tag and the fabric and pull tight until the tag releases.
• For ink security tags, place the tag face down and pull the part of the clothing with the tag away from the rest of the garment. Use a rubber band to loosen the pin, then pull the pin off with your hand. Alternatively, use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the pyramid-shaped cap, remove the foil seal, and slide the cartridge off the pin.

Frequently asked questions