How to spot a remake

1. Brand new in 2026 for a 1990s shirt? Official reissues exist, but a sealed “1994 original” with crisp modern tags is usually a remake or a reissue, not a period shirt.
2. Read the label. Look at the maker, the era of the size tag, and the “Made in” country. Period shirts and later remakes often use different labels.
3. Feel the crest and sponsor. Embroidered vs printed, flat print vs padded/puff — remakes often take a short cut here.
4. Check the sleeves and logos. Stripe width, ventilation holes, and whether the maker badge sits left, right or centre are common tells.
5. Compare the fabric. Many official bring-backs use lighter modern cloth. Originals from the 90s feel different after decades of washing.
6. Price that seems too good. If a famous World Cup shirt is brand new and cheaper than a takeaway, assume remake until proven otherwise.
7. Ask for tag photos. A good seller will show the neck label and wash tag. No photos, no deal.

Authentic or replica?

On modern shirts (roughly the 2010s onwards for most brands), clubs often sell two official versions of the same design. Neither is a fake — they are both licensed — but they are built differently.

• Authentic / player-issue is the on-pitch cut: slimmer fit, lighter performance fabric, and crests/logos that are usually heat-pressed flat. It usually costs more. adidas often labels these “Authentic”; Nike may say “Match” or “player issue”. Source: Footy.com · Kitbag
• Replica / Stadium is the fan version: a looser, more comfortable fit, with embroidered or stitched crests that sit raised on the fabric. Nike often calls this “Stadium”. Source: The Soccer Factory · Footy.com
• Quick feel test: run a thumb over the crest — flat and smooth often means authentic; raised embroidery often means replica. Source: The Soccer Factory
• Older shirts: this split is mainly a modern thing. For 1990s kits the bigger question is usually original vs remake (see above), not authentic vs replica.

Kits we have checked

We keep short, sourced checks on a few kit pages. Start here:

• Arsenal 1992-94 Home — adidas Bring-Back vs period JVC shirt
• France 1998 Home — 1998 adidas vs 2008 reissue and fakes
• Celtic 1991-92 Away — no official remake found; watch third-party replicas

How we price ← All kits