How to distinguish Italian shoes from a fake. How to distinguish fake branded shoes
20.02.2013 30550
Casual loafers with studded soles from Tod "s, luxury classic boots from Testoni, high-heeled runway sandals from Sergio Rossi or Giovanni Fabiani, breathable sneakers from Geox .... The shoe market is replete with famous trademarks and brands from Italy. However, in pursuit of easy money, top designer shoes are often faked. Chinese craftsmen have learned to produce counterfeit products so skillfully that sometimes even a professional cannot immediately distinguish a fake from an original. Shoe market experts told Shoes Report how not to be deceived when replenishing the assortment of their store with Italian shoes.
Five signs of true "Italians"
According to experts, it is not difficult to distinguish real Italian sandals, pumps, boots or boots from Chinese imitation if you know brand differences Italian products.
Three main words. A clear and obligatory sign of any real “Italian” is the inscription Made in Italy on the sole or insole of the boot. “The presence of the inscription Made in Italy is quite strictly regulated by European and international legislation,” says Aleksey Moiseev, owner of the WorldShoes.ru online store. - In many of our chain stores you will find such an inscription on the price tag, but not on the shoe, and this is already an obvious swindle! You can write whatever you want on the price tag, while only Italian manufacturers can put the Made in Italy inscription on the boot.” “You can mark your shoes with this inscription only if the pair is more than 70% made in Italy,” adds Elena Becker, representative of Villa Reale Fashion Group in Russia. According to her, Made in Italy is a strong brand, supported by a special public policy, which does not allow the brand to be mentioned on foreign products. At the same time, it is important to take into account that no interpretation of this inscription - neither, for example, "Italian style" or "Designed in Italy" - on real Italian products is unacceptable. Also on the pair should be knocked out and original name manufacturer - without errors and without quotes: it is better to check the correct spelling of the brand in advance with the official website of the manufacturer.
When appearances are not deceiving. Special attention when buying, you should pay attention to the "appearance" of the shoe. On the surface of the base there should not be any folds, wrinkles and cracks - unless this is the designer's idea - no creases should form during the fitting of a real Italian pair. If you put your hand inside the boot or shoe, then thick skin should be felt in the area of \u200b\u200bthe toe on the sole. The sole of the original Italian shoes is usually puffed with leather and stitching along the edging of the boot.
It will not be superfluous to sniff at the shoes, and literally. Italian boots and shoes will not deceive the nose: “Indicator good quality products - its smell, - says Elena Becker. - Italian shoes smell like leather, and the smell is by no means harsh. Chinese shoes, on the other hand, smell very strongly of glue, which sticks tightly, but is incredibly toxic.”
Official site. The presence of a specialized manufacturer's page on the Internet can also serve as an indicator of authenticity. Moreover, the domain zone of the site, as a rule, corresponds to the country in which the shoe company is located, and for Italy it is designated as “.it”. Before making a deal, it doesn’t hurt to go online and ask if the brand you liked at the exhibition really exists. “All the brands listed on my website have links to the Italian websites of these manufacturers, and, what is very important, they are all members of the association of Italian shoe manufacturers,” adds Aleksey Moiseev, owner of the WorldShoes.ru online store.
Any-expensive. Another important indicator of true Italian quality is the price. Price for one pair European shoes in ordinary stores cannot be less than 5,000 rubles, while retail price Chinese imitation can also be in the range of 3,000 - 4,000 rubles. It is easy to explain this difference. “On average, the purchase price and delivery to Russia from Europe costs 3,000 rubles per pair, and the wholesale price with delivery for Chinese shoes averages 600-900 rubles per pair,” says Alexey Moiseev. “Taking into account the double margin for end buyers, it turns out that the price of a pair of real Italian shoes reaches 9,000-12,000 rubles.”
"Give me your documents!" If the product is positioned as a piece and sewn in a private workshop, it must have the appropriate insignia. Exclusive shoes, shoes or boots always cross the border with a certificate in the language of the manufacturer. Such a certificate is also certified by the master's original autograph and his official seal. Avoid communicating with those companies that cannot represent similar documents. “In batches of 12 pairs per article, only small Italian companies can sew, while in China the minimum batch is 150 pairs of the same color and model,” Moiseev emphasizes.
Five myths about true Italian quality
Myth 1: "Paint will give out a fake." It is a misconception that fake products are given out by shoe paint, which leaves traces on light-colored socks or tights during wearing. Some pseudo-experts even advise using this technique before buying: wipe with a damp and then dry cloth white color on the surface of the outer material of the shoe and the insole to determine the quality of the shoe. Elena Becker dispels this myth: “Any dyed skin can leave traces when interacting with certain chemical elements, such as foot creams or body milk,” assures a representative of the Villa Reale Fashion Group. - Therefore, if the shoes paint the legs, this is not yet an indicator that low-quality substances were used in its production. Moreover, in Europe, this property of some shoes is not at all considered a marriage, as they think in Russia.
Myth 2: "The difference between all Italian shoes is their raised toe." You should not trust the statement that a slightly raised toe of a boot is form style all Italian shoemakers. Experts interviewed by Shoes Report magazine consider this a myth and call such a design only a whim and style of some manufacturers, and not at all a guarantee that you have a pair of real Italian shoes in front of you.
Myth 3. "All seams must be perfectly even."“Some Italian manufacturers are not particularly pedantic,” says Elena Becker. “However, their products do not become less “Italian” or quality because the seams are not perfectly straight.”
Myth 4: "If shoes are made of leather, then they are from Europe." Another misconception is the belief that the Chinese have not “grown up” to being used in the production of genuine leather, so leather products are of high quality a priori, since they were not created in China. “Now natural leather is used in production in almost all countries. Another thing is its quality, which usually differs radically, - Aleksey Moiseev warns. “The Chinese make shoes from genuine leather, but often it is either very thin or extremely poorly finished, which affects the quality of the pair and its convenience for the buyer.”
Myth 5: “Everything is made in China anyway.” Well, the main myth, according to sellers, is the assertion that there are actually no European shoes and everything around has long been Chinese, so “what difference does it make to you from which country the manufacturer is from.” This is false information, since there are several thousand shoe factories in Italy alone. World-famous shoe companies were established in this country over a hundred years ago. Decade after decade, they hone their skills, and certainly do not reveal the age-old secrets of their technology to manufacturers from developing countries. Therefore, primordially Italian shoes definitely have advantages over Chinese imitations.
Casual studded moccasins from Tod's, luxury classic boots from Testoni, catwalk high-heeled sandals from Sergio Rossi or Giovanni Fabiani, breathable sneakers from ...
Buying shoes well-known company, you can easily stumble upon a fake. Moreover, it is not always possible to suspect fraud immediately (protruding threads, uneven seams, cheap material). Often fakes are made very skillfully. True, due to the poor quality of the materials, they will have low wear resistance, and when worn, inconvenience may occur. AiF.ru has collected some tips on how not to become a victim of fraud.
What shoes are most often counterfeited?
It's simple: demand creates supply. The more popular a shoe brand is (sneakers, stilettos, moccasins, etc.), the more often it will be counterfeited. The main countries producing fakes are considered to be China, Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam.
What should you pay attention to when buying branded shoes?
Price. Often, in order to lull the vigilance of buyers, in shoe stores a fake is placed among original products.
As a rule, the cost of a fake is much lower than that of a branded product. This is what the buyer "pecks".
Shop. famous brands do not sell their products through clothing markets, private traders, online auctions, etc. Therefore, it is best to make a purchase in company stores or on official websites.
Brand features. When choosing shoes of a particular brand, you should inquire in advance about what original “chips” it has. For example, it can be branded packaging with specific information about the manufacturer and product, special placement of the logo (inside, outside or on the shoe sole), its color, shape and size, seams (thread composition, stitch size), laces, printed pattern, elements cut, country of origin. So, if a brand is made only in Portugal and Thailand, and you have shoes from Paris in front of you, it is likely that this is a copy. Before buying, check the model that you hold in your hands with the one presented on the manufacturer's website. There must also be a unique product number, which is also printed on the boot (on the tongue or sole).
Smell. With an external gloss, a sharp and unpleasant chemical smell may indicate a fake.
Size. The size indicated on the shoes must match the actual size. “Small sizes” is a common sign of a fake: if shoes in your size are too tight for you and you have to try on a pair two sizes larger, then it is unlikely that this is the original. However, the same applies to shoes in your size, which turned out to be large for you. In addition, brands sports shoes focused on a wide range of sizes up to size 50. Fakes, on the other hand, make up to a maximum of 43-45 sizes, since they are the most in demand.
Barcode scan. You can scan the barcode on the box through your smartphone. After the scan, the phone will show you the model name, photo, prices and other information about the product. If you have a fake in front of you, the barcode will not be scanned.
If you decide to purchase a pair of elegant Italian shoes or boots, you should pay attention to some of the nuances of shoes with the inscription Made in Italy on the sole. Despite the fact that such marking can be put only on products made in Italy, unscrupulous manufacturers disregard international rules. The risk of buying a fake at the traditionally high "Italian" price is quite high, so everyone should know the basic rules of how to distinguish an authentic pair of shoes from its Chinese or Vietnamese counterpart.
Qualitative nuances of Italian shoes
Shoe factories and workshops in Italy have many years of experience in the production of shoes or boots. That is why hallmarks products made by the masters of the Apennine Peninsula are of impeccable design and quality. As a rule, Italian models fit well, fit perfectly in size, have neat seams and a durable glued sole.
Shoe manufacturers do not neglect the quality of materials. The most popular is genuine leather of good manufacture, on the surface of which there are no visible damage, folds or creases.
Pay attention to the inscription located on reverse side soles. It must be made in the style of the brand, not have additional signs or other distortions. Before buying expensive shoes, it will not be superfluous to check the presence of the manufacturer on the Internet and the presence of the model itself in the company's catalog. And if you decide to buy a pair self made, a valuable copy must be accompanied by a certificate signed by the master manufacturer.
It should be remembered that quality shoes can't be cheap. The cost of a pair of ordinary shoes or sandals starts from 4-5 thousand rubles, boots - from 10-12 thousand. If the numbers on the price tag are much less than those indicated, then most likely you are purchasing a fake.
What to look for when buying Italian shoes in an online store
Expanded size range. Most Italian manufacturers offer not only shoe sizes in increments of one, but also the so-called "halves". Some factories may also take into account the fullness of the leg, lifting features and other nuances.
Correspondence of the price and brand name. Despite the fact that the cost of Italian shoes starts from 4-5 thousand rubles (if these are shoes), it is logical to assume that we are talking about an "unnamed" brand or products of the Italian mass market. If they try to sell you Casadei, Prada or Roberto Cavalli shoes for a similar price, then most likely the pair was made outside of the sunny Mediterranean country.
Availability of high quality photographs. The catalog of an online store should be illustrated with high-resolution pictures and the opportunity to view a couple with an increase. Conscientious sellers exhibit such photos so that a potential buyer can evaluate the smallest details products, such as seams, the texture of the material or the nuances of the finish.
return conditions. Site owners must provide for the conditions for the return or exchange of shoes and other guarantees. If there is no such function, then it is better to refuse the purchase. It will not be superfluous to check the main page of the online store or the "Contacts" section. There must be indicated the actual and legal address, phone number and details.
The Made in Itali label is primarily placed on the soles of products made in Italy. But some unscrupulous manufacturers may neglect international standards. Therefore, there is a huge risk of acquiring an unnatural product - a fake. To avoid this situation, you need to know a few rules that will help distinguish a genuine product from a fake.
The main distinguishing characteristics of shoes from Italy
Italian workshops have been making high-quality shoes and boots for decades. Perfect design and quality are the main indicators of products that have been created by the hands of the best Italian craftsmen. Usually Italian shoes fit perfectly on the foot, have a solid sole and even seams.
For the manufacture of footwear, manufacturers use only quality material. The most common is genuine leather, on which there are no defects in the form of creases or visible damage.
Be sure to inspect the inscription on the back of the sole. It must fully comply with the quality and style of the manufacturer. When purchasing handmade shoes from a seller, you should ask for a certificate with a stamp from the manufacturer of the product. Do not forget that branded shoes cannot be cheap. The price of a simple pair of shoes averages 5 thousand rubles, boots up to 12 thousand rubles. If the cost of shoes is much lower than indicated, then most likely you have purchased a fake.
Highlights when shopping for shoes online
Extensive selection size range. Manufacturers of Italian shoes offer the consumer goods taking into account the fullness of the foot, the characteristics of the rise and various lengths feet.
Correspondence of price and brand, more details on site branded shoes from par-a-porter.com. Always pay attention to the price of shoes from Italy. If you are offered to buy Prada or Roberto Cavalli shoes at a low cost, then you should look for a product that matches the cost on the world market.
High-quality photos in the online store. The catalog should contain high-quality pictures with high resolution. All this is done so that the buyer can consider all the necessary details of the product (seams, soles, etc.).
Return or exchange guarantee. The owners of the online store must provide the conditions for the return of goods or their exchange. In the absence of these functions, you should avoid purchasing shoes in this store.
Many buyers are concerned about how to spot fake shoes. By purchasing leather shoes, the consumer hopes to wear it for several seasons, but often the expectations are not justified. Of course, buying a product from natural materials, for example, to save money, you should properly care for it.
Is it possible to distinguish real leather shoes from a fake?
Now identify fake real leather smell is quite difficult, since there are many different substitutes that are used before selling shoes. Today, it is most reliable to determine the “naturalness” of a material only in a special laboratory.
Simple Tips by determining the quality of the material:
1. From temperature changes artificial leather may crack even before the item is used. You should find an open cut on the product, which must be leather. If you see a woven base or just threads on the cut, know that you are considering shoes made from an inexpensive substitute.
2. You can put your palm on the shoes. When touched, genuine leather heats up, and for some time it will be warm, while leatherette, which does not allow air to pass through, will remain cold.
3. To identify a fake, you will need a drop of water, which should be applied to the shoes. Product made from quality leather, absorb moisture, and the area of \u200b\u200bthe material itself will darken. Non-natural leather will not cope with such a task.
Ways to distinguish fake shoes from the original
First, the product must be tried on, its size and shape must match the size and shape of the leg. Genuine Leather will not stretch, so do not expect shoes to “break in” quickly. In addition, a product that does not match in size wears out faster and loses its shape.
How to distinguish fake shoes when buying shoes on the market? Be sure to check the quality of workmanship - the absence of visible defects: burrs, seam defects, glue stains, assemblies. It is necessary to carefully examine the quality of the seams and lines of the product, especially to check the operation of zippers, the presence of sewn labels.
To check the product for shape retention, press it well with your hand. When you remove your hand, the dent should be gone. If the shoe springs well when pressed, then the toe and sole of the product are elastic.
On inner surface shoes and insoles should be free of tears, folds and protruding parts. Do not forget to compare two half-pairs with each other in color, fullness and size, turning the soles towards each other.
Bad smell should also make you refuse such a new thing.
factory item in without fail must have a quality certificate and requirements for caring for it.
