Spotting Fake Bape T-Shirts: A Quick Guide

BAPE, or A Bathing Ape, is a luxury Japanese streetwear brand that has become a target for counterfeiters due to its scarcity and high price tag. With that in mind, it's important to know how to spot a fake BAPE T-shirt. One of the easiest ways to do this is to examine the neck label, which should have high-quality logo printing and stitching that matches the brand's official stock photos. The stitching should be tight and consistent, without any visible flaws. Another tell-tale sign of a fake BAPE T-shirt is the golden BAPE tag, which on a genuine item will have a grainy texture that isn't too rough, whereas a fake will be rough to the touch with aggressive glitter.

Check the neck tag for thin or thick inscriptions

When inspecting a Bape T-shirt for authenticity, it is important to scrutinise the neck tag for thin or thick inscriptions. The neck tag is the label found on the inside of the shirt's collar.

The neck tag is a good indicator of authenticity because fake Bape T-shirts will often have thicker or super thin inscriptions. For example, the "NOWHERE CO., LTD" text on a fake tee will be noticeably thin and small. The same goes for any text in Japanese, which will also appear too small.

In addition to the text, the neck tag's stitching can also be indicative of a fake. Authentic Bape T-shirts will have tight and high-quality stitching, especially on the neck tag. On the other hand, fake Bape T-shirts will often have loose or lower-quality stitching, particularly in hidden areas like the neck tag.

It is also worth noting that the neck tag is not the only indicator of a fake Bape T-shirt. Other telltale signs include inconsistencies in the ape logo, such as a less curvy mouth and a less bumpy beard, as well as a misplaced or incorrectly spaced ® symbol.

Inspect the washing label for size and font inconsistencies

Inspecting the washing label for inconsistencies in size and font is a great method to spot a fake Bape T-shirt. The washing label on the real Bape T-shirt is very distinctive in size and font, so any discrepancies could indicate that the shirt is a fake.

Firstly, check the size of the text on the washing label. On a fake Bape T-shirt, the text may be too thin and small. For example, the "NOWHERE CO., LTD" text may be too thin and small, and the lines of text in Japanese may also be too small.

Secondly, examine the font of the text on the washing label. A fake Bape T-shirt may have inconsistencies in the font, such as letters that are too thick or too thin, or letters with extra curves. For example, the letter "A" may be too curvy, and the letter "T" in "BATHING" may be too curvy and too thick. The letter "A" in "APE" may also be inconsistent, with the left side of the letter too thin and the right side too thick.

In addition to checking the size and font of the text, also look for any other inconsistencies on the washing label. For example, the registered trademark symbol (®) may have the letter "R" too big, touching the edges of the circle. The stitching on the washing label may also be an indicator, with fake Bape T-shirts having less dense stitching and some extra threads hanging.

By carefully inspecting the washing label for inconsistencies in size, font, and other details, you can help to ensure that you are purchasing an authentic Bape T-shirt.

Examine the sleeve tag for the iconic ape

The sleeve tag on a Bape T-shirt features the iconic ape logo. This is one of the most important elements to examine when trying to spot a fake.

Firstly, the ape shape on the sleeve tag should be larger on an authentic Bape T-shirt, and the colour should be brown. On a fake, the ape logo will be smaller and the colour will be dark red. Secondly, the stitching on the sleeve tag of a fake Bape T-shirt will be less dense, with some extra threads hanging. While the brand has been known to be inconsistent when it comes to stitching, the tag should not be stitched chaotically. Thirdly, the font of the "R" on the sleeve tag is often a tell-tale sign of a fake. The "R" on the authentic tag is thin and pale, whereas the "R" on the fake is thick and bold. Finally, the registered trademark symbol on the fake Bape T-shirt will have the letter "R" touching the circle, whereas on the authentic item, the "R" will be small and not touching the circle.

Compare the size and detail of the ape print

When comparing the size and detail of the ape print on a Bape T-shirt, there are several things to look out for. Firstly, the original ape print is typically larger and more detailed than fake versions, which often appear weirdly round-shaped. The print on the fake T-shirt usually has sharper edges, whereas the authentic ape print has more defined and curvy edges to emphasise the fact that the ape is angry.

The replica ape print may also distort the facial features of the ape. For example, the mouth of the ape on the fake T-shirt print is often thicker, and the letter "R" placed in the bottom right of the ape may be in the wrong font. The colours on the original print are usually highly saturated, whereas the low-quality print on the fake T-shirt tends to be duller.

Another way to spot a fake is by examining the neck tag. Fake Bape T-shirts often have thicker or thinner inscriptions, with the "NOWHERE CO., LTD" text appearing too thin and small. The letters on the fake T-shirt may also be too curvy or too thick, and the "®" symbol may have an "R" that is too big, touching the edges of the circle. In contrast, the authentic Bape T-shirt has a smaller "R" that does not touch the edges of the circle.

In summary, by paying close attention to the size, detail, and specific features of the ape print, as well as inspecting the neck tag, you can effectively determine whether a Bape T-shirt is authentic or not.

Check the stitching for consistency and quality

When checking the stitching on a Bape T-shirt for consistency and quality, you should look for neat, durable, and dense stitching. The stitching on the neck tag of an authentic Bape T-shirt should be tight and high-quality. On a fake Bape T-shirt, the stitching is often loose or of lower quality, especially on hidden areas like the neck tag. The stitching on a fake Bape T-shirt may also be less dense and have some extra threads hanging.

The stitching on the sleeve tag of a real Bape T-shirt should be consistent, with the retail T-shirts sometimes using double stitching at the top, which always looks neat. On a fake Bape T-shirt, the sleeve tag stitching may be chaotic.

The stitching on the golden tag of a real Bape T-shirt should be flat and grainy, whereas the stitching on the golden tag of a fake Bape T-shirt is usually stitched on the sides, and its texture is rough.

The stitching on the washing label of a real Bape T-shirt has a very peculiar pattern, whereas the stitching on the washing label of a fake Bape T-shirt often looks too loose or too dense.

Frequently asked questions