I wanted to write this guide on how to avoid fake Victoria's Secret "PINK" collection items on Ebay. I have experienced buying these myself as well as seeing them all over Ebay all the time, so I would like to help you determine what is authentic and what isn't. I recently purchased a hoodie from the Victoria's Secret Pink collection that I thought looked a little unusual in the photos, but I went ahead and bought it because it was such a good deal (that's where they get you!) I had the exact same hoodie in another color, and was planning on selling mine and keeping the new one. When I receieved the item in the mail, I was shocked at what I got. So, I wanted to show everyone the difference betweeen an authentic and a fake item from the Pink collection. While I had the hoodie and was waiting for a response from the seller, I used this opportunity to compare it with my authentic hoodie, purchased from the store, by photographing the differences. The white hoodie is mine, while the hot pink hoodie is the item I got on Ebay, that is not authentic.

First, I would like to point out the tag on the garment. It looks real in most photos on Ebay because you cannot feel it or see it close up. I noted that the item that was not authentic had a tag that was crunchy feeling, thicker and not soft, with pink faint lines going horizontally as well as vertically. The print on the item that is not authentic is also more bold, and the tag itself has more fraying on the edges. You will also notice from the photos that the authentic item has a hot pink long and thin label that the fake item does not even have!
 
Not authentic-                                              Authentic-
                   
                      
 
 

This is not the only style tag that the Victoria's Secret Pink line has, but is their most recent. The older style tag also has the longer thin pink tag next to it that displays the size.

Next, there is another label inside the item that most people do not always notice, on this jacket, for example, it is located toward the bottom on the left hand seam inside the jacket. It usually has the size on it and where it was made on front, as well as care instructions on the next side. It also has fabric content and RN and ID numbers. This tag also has a satiny feel to it. Please compare this to the fake item and the tag it has.

Next, I noted the print. On the authentic item you can clearly see that the print is silver and you can make out what it says from a distance. On the fake item, this print is completely faded and you can read it close up only. It had this on the left sleeve, the top of the hood, and the back where it has a “U”. As you can see the fake hoodie also doesn’t have a single stone glued to the back. Strange, I know, but the photo of the hoodie I bought did have them on it. Usually something as noticeable as this does not make it to the buyer.

                  
 
    
    --This is the item that I received with absolutley no rhinestones. Please note the faded "U" in the background as well as the faded banner on the bottom. *Update 9/1/08 - the user who sold me this fake jacket was removed from Ebay :) your reports to Ebay really do count*     

I have also noticed that on items that are not authentic, the inside of the sweats fabric has a significantly more “worn out” feel and look to it. Yes, I know that they did make some things that were made this way in the VS Pink line, but their $68 retail value hoodies are NOT one of these worn out lived-in feel items. Usually, their sweat pants are not either. These features that I have pointed out do not just apply to the hoodies and jackets, they are things to look for on any VS Pink item.
 
I would also like to point out something I don't think many people realize. Victoria's Secret Pink collection makes their items in sizes XS, S, M, and L ONLY. They do not nor have they ever made an "XL" in the Victoria's Secret Pink collection. Don't get me wrong, Victoria's Secret itself DOES indeed make XL, just not in the Pink collection. If you see an item in size XL, it is NOT authentic!

I would like to provide some additional photos that I have found to compare some other fake items, to the real thing. Notice how on the "orange and black size XL" hoodie (which was never made in these colors nor in this size) the "P" on the chest is sized much smaller than the "P" on the authentic sweat pants. Also how the patches and embroidery are so much larger going down the arm than they are going down the pant. Another difference: the authentic item has more than just 2 different colors on the patches. This black and orange hoodie has the patches in black with white trim. As you can see by looking at the authentic item, there are not just 2 colors being used. The varsity patch sweats, which is what both of these items are supposed to be, is the most popular fake item from the Pink collection on Ebay. One thing in particular that I keep seeing are the varsity patch sweats in strange colors that are full length, form-fitting until the bottom where the pant flares. These were never made and are not authentic.
 
Fake hoodie-                                               Authentic sweat pant-

                               
 
The same applies to the opposite like in this fake item. The patches and embrodery could be extremely small rather than large like on the orange hoodie. This pant is clearly not authentic. If you look close enough you will even notice that the dog in the "P" doesn't even look right and is somewhat mis-shaped. Oh, and this strange lime green color was never made. If you have never seen the colors before and think they look a little strange, that's probably because they are. The more you look at the items' photos the more faults you will notice when comparing it to the real thing. I also just saw a few pairs with the "P" on the left hip and the words going down the right side of the pant instead of the left. Reversed patches and graphics are also something to watch out for. (I have a photo of that as well if you'd like to compare).

 
  
 
Please contact me if you would like to see some more examples of some sweats that are not authentic. Ebay only allows 10 photos per guide so I cannot paste them all here. Please provide your email address if you are requesting photos.
 
Most all of these items never come new with tags, they are always advertised as new without tags and they will say this by adding "because they were purchased online". This is true that items purchased online do not come with tags. However, all of these fake items never come with the tags attached. They are also usually either a seller that is pretty high volume and may even be a power seller. The others are people with hardly any feedback at all. Sometimes the case with that is because they have been removed from Ebay before and are trying to get back on. (Not always, but it does happen alot!) Take a quick look at the sellers' other items. Are they selling 10 of the exact same thing in multiple sizes? This has been popular lately. They will have up to 20 other listings with the exact same items sometimes in different colors and sizes. This is a big warning sign! These items are mass produced! I have learned that alot of these sellers don't even realize they are selling counterfeits because they do not have experience with the item and the supplier they got their items from has convinced them they are authentic. Usually the sellers who advertise "100% AUTHENTIC!!!" all over the auction site are the ones that usually are not authentic. (Again, not always, but usually.) Most of these sellers will even throw in a money back guarantee, but the shipping cost will be so elevated because they will not refund shipping costs - so you will not recieve a full refund. I have received more than one fake item on Ebay before, unfortunatley, but by fighting I was always able to get my money back. I have managed to have 2 sellers removed and suspended from Ebay because I was able to prove that the item was not authentic. If you see an item that is not authentic, please report the item to Ebay. You can do so by clicking on the auction, scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page where you will find links, click on "report this item". This is the only way Ebay will know. The more people that report it, the more Ebay pays attention to it. I cannot do it alone.
 
I have been a fan and a big collector of the VS Pink collection since it came out a couple years ago. I have seen and pretty much know of everything they have come out with. If you have any questions or have any doubt that an item might not be authentic, please feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you out in any way that I can and more than happy to report the item! I will be adding to this guide often when I find more things to watch out for. Don't forget, be careful with "new without tags", elevated shipping costs, and there is no size "XL"!

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