Popular collaborations attract counterfeits, and KAWS x UNIQLO is no exception. The good news is that the fakes are usually let down by the same handful of details. Here is what to look at. Shop genuine pieces in the KAWS x UNIQLO collection at Shoe Religion.
Start with the print
The artwork is the whole point of the garment, and it is where counterfeits fail most often. On a genuine piece the print is clean and sharp, with crisp edges and accurate colour. Look closely at fine lines and at the boundaries between colours: fuzziness, bleeding, visible dot patterns where there should be solid colour, or slightly off tones are all warning signs.
Compare against official product imagery wherever you can. Proportion and placement of the graphic on the body of the tee should match, and a graphic that sits noticeably too high, too low or too small is a red flag.
Check the labelling
UNIQLO garments carry consistent, well-executed labelling. Neck labels and care labels should be cleanly printed or stitched, correctly aligned and free of spelling errors or odd fonts. Sloppy label printing, crooked attachment or unusual wording is one of the quickest tells.
Sizing information should also make sense for the market the piece was sold in, and the composition and care instructions should be present and legible.
Look at construction
Turn the garment inside out. Stitching should be even and tidy, particularly around the collar, shoulders and hems. Loose threads everywhere, wandering seams or a collar that has lost its shape suggest a garment that was not made to UNIQLO's standards.
Fabric matters too. UT tees are cotton with a particular hand-feel; something noticeably thin, rough or oddly shiny is worth questioning.
Be realistic about price
If a hard-to-find release is being offered well below what it usually trades for, that is a reason to slow down rather than hurry. Bargains exist, but a price that makes no sense usually does not make sense.
Buy from somewhere accountable
The simplest protection is to buy from a retailer that stands behind what it sells. At Shoe Religion the KAWS x UNIQLO range is stocked as genuine product, with a physical store behind it, so you are not relying on photographs and a stranger's description.
Quick checklist
- Print sharp, colours accurate, placement correct.
- Labels cleanly printed, correctly aligned, no spelling errors.
- Stitching even, especially at collar and hems.
- Fabric feels like a proper cotton tee.
- Price is plausible for the release.
- Seller is accountable.
Frequently asked questions
Are KAWS x UNIQLO fakes common? As with any popular collaboration, counterfeits exist, which is why print and label checks are worth doing.
What is the fastest thing to check? The print. Blurry edges, wrong colours or poor placement give most fakes away immediately.
Where can I buy genuine KAWS x UNIQLO in the UK? Shop the KAWS x UNIQLO collection at Shoe Religion.
Related reading: UT Buyer's Guide | Worth Collecting? | Complete Collector's Guide