How to authenticate Lacoste

About Lacoste Authentication

Lacoste was founded in Paris in 1933 by tennis player Rene Lacoste. Its polo shirts and apparel are counterfeited at high volume globally, with the crocodile emblem being the primary replicated element. The Classic Fit polo, the Slim Fit polo, and the tracksuit series are the most counterfeited items. Authentication relies heavily on the embroidered crocodile and the precision of interior label typography — two elements that are reliably differentiated between authentic and counterfeit production.

Key authentication signals

• Crocodile embroidery anatomy. On authentic Lacoste pieces the embroidered crocodile faces right (from the wearer's perspective, tail on the left). The body is a deep, saturated green. The interior of the mouth is stitched red, and individually defined white teeth are visible along both the upper and lower jaw. The claws on all four feet are separately stitched and visible. The eye is a single clean white stitch. On counterfeits the crocodile is commonly a brighter, more lime-toned green; tooth definition is absent or merged into a single white mass; and claw detail on the feet is absent.
• Crocodile jaw geometry. The upper jaw on the authentic Lacoste crocodile is smaller than the lower jaw and angles slightly upward — the mouth opens at an upward angle rather than straight horizontal. Fake crocodiles often show equal jaw sizes or a horizontally level mouth opening.
• Interior neck label typography. The interior collar label on authentic pieces reads "LACOSTE" in a specific medium-weight sans-serif font with consistent letter spacing. The label background is typically white or cream. On counterfeits the font weight is incorrect (too heavy or too light), the letter spacing is compressed, or the label substrate has a shiny or synthetic feel rather than the authentic cotton-woven matte.
• Made-in label accuracy. Lacoste production is distributed across multiple countries (France, Peru, Bangladesh, among others) depending on product tier. The country of origin stated on the care label should be consistent with the product tier — Lacoste premium polos and heritage pieces are manufactured in Peru or Europe. A claimed premium-tier piece with an inconsistent or vague country of origin label warrants scrutiny.
• Button quality on polo shirts. Authentic Lacoste polo buttons are smooth, solid resin with a consistent colour and weight. They do not flex or crack under moderate pressure. Counterfeit buttons are hollow-sounding when tapped, lighter in weight, and show surface irregularities or mould seams visible to the eye.

Serial and reference numbers

Lacoste does not use a consumer-facing unique serial number system. The interior care label carries a style reference code and country of origin. Lacoste's brand protection page on the official website provides guidance for reporting counterfeits. Authentication communities cross-reference care label format and font against known authentic examples from the same production era.

Common counterfeit red flags

• Crocodile teeth are absent or merged into a single undifferentiated white mass along the jawline.
• Crocodile body colour is bright lime green rather than a deep, saturated dark green.
• Interior neck label uses incorrect font weight or has a shiny synthetic substrate rather than matte cotton weave.
• Polo buttons are lightweight, hollow-sounding, or show visible mould seams.