how to spot Class A Lacoste shirts easily

What do you mean by Class A? Common folks think that Class A is synonymous to top quality. There's nothing to brag about the term really. To say something is "Class A" is just like saying that the item is a replica, a clone, a fake or an imitation.

Some imitations look like the real thing. You will find out the hard way when you actually feel and get to wear the item. Despite the campaign against piracy and such, replica items continue to be manufactured. 

The company does not divulge its quality standards. What we do know is that most of the fake Lacoste shirts:

• come in S, M, L and XL sizing. Original Lacoste sizing is numeric: 3, 4, 5, etc. for European sizing and 36, 38, 40, etc. for American sizing. Refer to our size chart for more information. Shirts in Italian fit are much slimmer than the standard European and American sizing. 
  
  
• are poorly made. The material is rough to the touch, the collar is easily deformed, and there are loose threads all over. The authentic Lacoste is finely made. When you check the hem, you will see that it is thick and uniformly stitched. Be sure to flip the shirt, because the original stitch work should look neat inside-out.
  
  
• use printed buttons. Buttons with the words "Lacoste" or showing the photo of a crocodile are fakes. Old stocks of the classic polo shirts still use mother of pearl buttons. New stocks, we heard, already use plastic but plain buttons.
  
  
• lack a care tag. The Devanlay care tag contains washing and ironing instructions, which replica makers aren't really big on. An item this expensive requires delicate care. Don't expect Lacoste polo shirts to withstand speed cleaning, dry cleaning and tumble drying.
  
  
• are suspiciously cheap. Lacoste is a premium brand. Boutiques and outlets hold clearance sales up to 50 to 70 percent off -- twice a year on the average to dispose of odd sizes and old stocks. Even then, the price of the shirts will never ever plummet to the P150 or P200 range that you find in thrift shops.

When in doubt, the best thing to do is to get your shirt from the boutique or from an official Lacoste outlet. You can also source your shirt at a relatively cheaper price from resellers -- mostly Lacoste aficionados who are the first to line up during grand sales -- and ask if the item still comes with the original price tag.

Be very suspicious if someone sells Lacoste items without the price tag from an established boutique and at rock-bottom rates too. Class A shirts don't come with retail tags and are shockingly dirt-cheap.