SFAM AUTHENTICATION GUIDE

How do you determine if a pair of Seven 7 For All Mankind jeans is REAL or FAKE???

Here are some tips on how to avoid being SCAMMED!

NEW INFO AS OF 06/07!!! PLEASE SEE SECOND POST IN THIS THREAD! THERE ARE BRAND NEW SFAM TAGS HITTING STORES!!!
1.) TAGS - The simplest way to spot a fake is by checking for telltale signs in the size/care/fabric content tags. If a seller does not have a “Tag Picture” included in their listing, you should request one to help you determine authenticity.

What do you look for in the tags?
On every tag there is a style number which will tell you the wash and style of the jeans (we will soon have a Style Guide to help you quickly determine what you are looking at!). Each style will have different cut numbers that SFAM will switch up to avoid too many of the same cut number in any given style. When SFAM was first introduced, the cut number started with 1, then they began with 9, and now they are six digits beginning with 7. So, for example, a style with a cut number 700081 will be older compared to one with the cut number 713568.
There is a list of common fake cut numbers on a website (http://www.no-fake-jeans.de.vu/). You can use this as your tool but we want to make it clear that if a cut number comes up on the list, don’t assume it is a fake. In general, this just means that there are fakes that have been produced in this style, so you should be cautious and really look for other signs of authenticity. Use the other tips to determine authenticity of any given pair.

There can be some variation, but in general the tags will include a small reddish size tag, a larger tan fabric content tag, and a medium, tan “7 for all Mankind” tag. This 3rd tag should include a micro stitching, security strip on the back. You cannot read this without a magnifying glass but within the security strip there is metallic thread that reads “7 For All Mankind”. These tags have been faked, so be careful! The fakes, however, do not contain the metallic micro stitching.

REAL:
This first pic shows the size tag with the Large fabric content tag behind it:

Some things to look for in this tag:
- The Style and Cut numbers are printed in INK on the tag rather than sewn in, like the fabric content
See how in this FAKE tag, the style # is “sewn in” (and there is no cut #...another red flag!!):


- The “2’s” in the Style or Cut numbers should slope down to the bottom of the 2 rather than come to a straight point like in the cut number in this pic.
FAKE:


- You want to pay attention to the shape of the numbers in the size as well. “2’s” should be pointed in these SIZE TAGS. The tail on the “9” should come straight down rather than curving to the left.
FAKE:


Here is the 3rd, “7 For All Mankind” tag that you should also look for:


And here is the security strip with the metallic “Micro Stitching” (it is very hard to photograph, but it also says “Seven For All Mankind):


In some cases, the 2nd, fabric content tag will be replaced with a white, sort of paper like tag. In these cases, REAL pairs should still have the 3rd, medium sized, micro stitching tag as well.


For anyone looking for a size with a “3” in it, the “3” should be flat on the top (like in the above picture). If the three is rounded at the top, it is a fake.
REAL:

FAKE:



New pairs are generally coming with a Sticker, barcode tag that is usually inside the waistband above the size tag. While these have been faked as well, there are a couple tips to spotting a fake.
- The zero’s will have a line through them, or will be “crossed out” by a line. Most fakes of the barcode tags do not have these lines through the zero’s.
- Some of the better fakes will have the zero’s with the line through them, but the font will be off, or the spacing will be wrong, or the tag itself will be too shiny. Your eye will get better at spotting these issues as you learn!
REAL:

FAKE:

FAKE:

- Note that the zero’s in this picture have the line through them, but the tag still has the other telltale signs that it is fake


2.) WASH - While looking at the tag may be the easiest way to identify whether a pair of jeans is authentic or fake, not all sellers include a tag picture in their listing. Therefore, there are others things to look at. Once your eye is trained, the wash will be one of the easiest ways to determine authenticity. Fake jeans often have washes that don’t even compare to authentic jeans. They are often streaky, and/or have heavy or little/no distressing. Here are some examples of how fake washes may look.
REAL:

FAKE:

Check out the pocket distressing on the real pair. See how the fake pairs have no distressing on the pockets? And note the odd, streaky “distressing” on the side of the pocket.

Note the fade of the jeans. It is way too drastic. Now compare the fakes to the real pair of NYD Pink A's.
FAKE:

Look at the distressing on the pocket as well as the shape of the signature stitching. Now compare it with a real pair.
REAL:



3.) DETAILS - Sometimes it’s all in the little red ‘7.’ At times, one can look at the ‘7’ tab and know if the jeans are fake before looking at anything else. Sometimes the tag with the ‘7’ will be too shiny or oddly shaped. This is not always a way to tell as I have seen some fakes with ‘7’ tags that look real.

FAKE:

- This ‘7’ is way too shiny.

FAKE:

- This ‘7’ is oddly shaped.

REAL:



BASIC AUCTION SHOPPING TIPS!!!
1.) If you can, try to examine the pair you are looking for via an online retailer such as Nordstrom.com, Revolveclothing.com, etc. Look at wash, stitching, specific areas of distressing, anything that is unique to THAT style. While some slight variations will occur, those distinctions will help you to spot real vs. fake!
2.) Never buy anything in which a seller is using stock pictures. You will need to see pictures of the actual item being sold to verify authenticity.
3.) Make sure you’ve seen TAG PICTURES, as discussed earlier.
4.) Be very cautious of any seller that is selling many of the same style of jeans, even if they are different sizes.
5.) It is almost impossible to get these jeans wholesale if you do not have a store and have a contract with them. SFAM does not do this. You must have a “Brick and Mortar” (or Retail) store to get an account. They are very strict with their contracts. This same rule usually applies to others premium brands as well.
6.) Do not buy any guides for wholesale lists on eBay. They are a waste of money and you will likely end up with fakes
7.) Buy everything with a credit card!!!!!!! We cannot stress this enough. Most credit cards will protect you with a chargeback option if you receive counterfeit items.
8.) When in doubt after all of this…post an “Auth check” thread with pictures in the SFAM forum or PM one of us a link to the auction and we will help you avoid buying fakes!!!

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Well, everyone, looks like SFAM is trying some new things in their tags! Hopefully this will throw the counterfeiters for a loop (at least for a while)! Just wanted to make you all aware of these NEW AUTHENTIC tags that are hitting stores!

If anyone is out and about and can photograph tags with other sizes, PLEASE send pics to us!!!! We want to include as many pics and examples of these new tags as possible!

Please note the changes, including the font change used in the size tag (the "3" is no longer flat at the top!!)


In addition, SFAM is now printing the style name in the "rubbery ink" they use in the inside of the waistband (instead of printing it in ink on the inside of the pocket).

New:


Old:


Here is a pic of the new care label.

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