How to tell an original football shirt

Every fan about to buy a shirt runs into the same question: what separates the €120 shirt from the ₪80 one, and how do you know what you are actually buying. These are the signs that really tell them apart.

The inner label

An original carries a unique product code on its label, usually letters and digits, and the same code is printed on the packaging. Type it into Google and see whether it leads to a shirt that exists. On replicas the label is usually simpler, and sometimes printed rather than sewn in.

The crest

On the expensive shirts of recent years the crest is heat-pressed onto the fabric or densely embroidered. A crest sewn roughly, with threads standing out around it, points to cheaper manufacturing.

The fabric

The big makers use fabrics with trade names of their own, like Nike's Dri-FIT or adidas AEROREADY, and the name is usually printed inside the shirt. The feel differs too: an original is normally thinner and lighter.

The stitching

Turn the shirt inside out. Good manufacturing means straight, even seams with no loose threads. A crooked seam or frayed edges are the easiest sign to spot.

The price

An original shirt from a big club costs around ₪350 to ₪500 in Israel. That gap explains itself: a shirt at ₪80 is a replica, and this is the simplest sign of them all.

What we sell

At JerseyLab we sell high-quality replicas, at ₪70 to ₪80.

What we do promise: good fabric, crests that stay put after a wash, and sizes that match the chart on the site. If you specifically want an official club product, an official store is the place to buy it.

How long does a shirt like this last?

A good shirt washed on a gentle cycle, without a tumble dryer, survives whole seasons. What ruins shirts is high heat, not the number of washes.