1. Scrutinize the Stitching and Craftsmanship
A genuine designer item is defined by impeccable construction. Before you even look at the label, examine the garment itself.
* Stitching: Look for even, straight, and consistent stitching with no loose threads. Counterfeits often have sloppy, uneven, or crooked stitching, especially around seams, zippers, and hems.
* Fabric Quality: Feel the material. Authentic pieces use high-quality, often substantial fabrics. Fakes may feel thin, cheap, synthetic, or have an inconsistent weave.
* Alignment: Patterns (like plaids, stripes, or logos) should match perfectly at the seams. Misaligned patterns are a major red flag.

2. Analyze the Label Itself: Material and Attachment
The label is the brand’s signature. Pay close attention to its details.
* Material: Authentic labels are typically made from high-quality materials like silk, satin, or finely woven fabric. They feel substantial. Fake labels are often made from cheap, stiff, or plasticky materials.
* Stitching: The label should be neatly and securely attached with straight, invisible stitching. Look for haphazard stitching, loose threads, or glue residue.
* Placement: Know the brand’s standards. Labels are consistently placed in specific locations (e.g., the neckline, side seam). An oddly placed label is suspicious.

3. Decode the Typography and Logos
Fonts and logos are meticulously designed and rarely perfectly replicated by counterfeiters.
* Font Precision: Examine every letter. On authentic items, fonts are crisp, clear, and consistent in weight and spacing. Fakes often have blurred letters, incorrect font types, or uneven spacing.
* Logo Accuracy: Compare the logo on the label to an official image from the brand’s website. Look for subtle differences in proportions, the thickness of lines, and the alignment of elements (e.g., the interlocking “C”s on Chanel, the horse and carriage on Ralph Lauren).
* Spelling and Grammar: This is a critical giveaway. Check for any misspellings of the brand name, city (e.g., “Paris,” “Milano”), or phrases like “Made in Italy.” “Chanel” is never spelled “Channel.”

4. Examine the Care and Content Tags
Authentic items have a set of standardized tags with specific information.
* Quality and Feel: Care tags should be made of a soft, high-quality material, often with the brand’s logo subtly woven or printed on the reverse side. Fake care tags are frequently made of rough, paper-like material.
* Information Accuracy: The information should be comprehensive and accurate, including:
* Fabric Composition: Listed precisely (e.g., “100% cashmere,” “Silk 100%”).
* Washing Instructions: Clear, standardized symbols and instructions in multiple languages.
* Size Tag: Consistent with the brand’s sizing (e.g., Italian, French). The font and style should match the main label.
* Style/Serial Number: Most luxury items have a unique style or serial number on a small tag, often matching the authenticity card (if provided). Its presence and format can be verified online for many brands.

5. Check the Hardware and Extras
Zippers, buttons, and other details are telltale signs.
* Zippers: High-end brands use quality zippers from manufacturers like Lampo, YKK (specially engraved), Riri, or Opti. They should feel heavy, glide smoothly, and often bear the brand’s logo engraved cleanly. Plastic or flimsy zippers are a clear indicator of a fake.
* Buttons and Fastenings: Buttons should be made from quality materials (horn, mother-of-pearl, engraved metal) and may feature the brand’s logo. They should be securely attached and feel substantial.
* Dust Bags and Authenticity Cards: While also faked, their quality can be a clue. Authentic dust bags are made from good fabric with neat, clear printing. Authenticity cards should have precise printing, accurate holograms (if applicable), and correct formatting.

6. Trust the Price and the Source
* Price: If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Authentic designer items retain significant value and are rarely sold at massive discounts by unauthorized sellers.
* Retailer Reputation: Always buy from authorized retailers, the brand’s official boutique, or highly reputable, established consignment stores with rigorous authentication processes. Be extremely cautious on social media marketplaces and unknown websites.

Final Professional Tip: When in doubt, compare. Use official brand websites, visit a department store to feel authentic pieces, or utilize professional authentication services, especially for high-value purchases.

Developing a discerning eye takes practice. By methodically checking the craftsmanship, label details, typography, tags, and hardware, you can shop with far greater confidence and ensure your investment is in a genuine piece of luxury.

The jewelry that is in vogue changes from year to year as designers attempt to out-do each other in a game of one-upmanship. In the western world jewelry styles have undergone a complete makeover. Where once before jewelry was expected to be sedate and inconspicuous men and women of the west are learning what the men and women of the African countries have known for years; there is more to life than being sedate.

African-themed designs, particularly those from regions in South Africa, are all the rage in silver jewelry these days. With their flamboyant designs and brilliant colors the African nations have introduced a new era in silver jewelry. African jewelry draws heavily on nature; both the nature of the world around them and the nature of the human body. It is important when considering African pendants to recall that most of the citizens in South Africa do not share the same self-consciousness with regards to their bodies as the men and women of the Western nation. This is exemplified by their clothing; traditional African clothing is nowhere near as constrictive as traditional western wear. As a result of this lack of self-consciousness the African people draw heavily on the human body for inspiration in creating their jewelry. This is especially true of women; fertility icons and various other symbols of fertility are created from the unclothed image of the female body. While this may seem shocking to the women of the west, who are taught to view their bodies as something which must be hidden from view, the use of the female body in jewelry as a symbol of love and fertility is becoming more widely accepted.

The world around them also contributes heavily to African inspiration when it comes to designing their jewelry, a trend that is also working its way west as jewelry trends turn from the sedate and Christian to the outrageous and worldly. Suns, moons, stars and animals factor heavily in South African jewelry, drawing the wearer back to the days when the inhabitants of Africa lived beneath the sun with nothing but their wits between themselves and the elements. This jewelry often contains a raw quality despite the skill of its artistry designed to appeal to the heart of the wearer.

Perhaps the most popular of all of the South African jewelry designs, particularly pendants, are those created from ancient tribal symbols. Prior to the advent of the religion of technology African tribes paid homage to the forces of nature. This homage was reflected in the symbols painted by their tribe. Unlike many western designs, African tribal symbols all carry with them a deeper meaning. They were designed to speak to the gods and goddesses, mark an individual with their station in life and grant to the bearer of the symbol various new strengths and abilities not previously possessed. Their exotic nature and possible metaphysical properties are drawing those who wish to step outside the boundaries of their own narrow upbringing to them like a moth to the flame.

Ok now the down side…The band has to be sized and if your weight goes up and down, you’ll have a problem. When the band is cut there is no going back. You will have to buy another band if you want a larger size again. There should be some more adjustments for the band. It looks good but I am not really that happy with it…..oh yeah it makes your skin smell under it too.

The illumination is not very good so you can’t use the functions at night. Tritium markers would make this watch 100% better! I paid 5 through Amazon but I have seen them go for 0 at jewelry stores. All in all….a wonderful little gadget.

Part of Tissot’s T-Touch collection, watch #T33.7.798.51 combines edgy, sporty style with helpful features that help keep you organized and ready for anything. Touch-screen technology offers eight functions: altimeter, chrono, compass, alarm, thermometer, barometer (meteo), and date and time. It’s also easy to use; simply activate by pressing on the crown and touch screen. Arabic numerals and a digital display for reliable timekeeping combine with a tactile, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. And a comfortable black rubber strap feels secure on the wrist. Boasting the accuracy and precision of Swiss analog and digital quartz movement, this Tissot original is water resistant to 99 feet.

Check out Tissot Touch at http://wecheapstore.com

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