This is fake isn't it?

[Thebreadsouth]

Bought a Free People top on Ebay. It just arrived today and I think it's fake

There is no care label, just a small Free People label sewn into the back of the neck in different colour thread to the rest of the top. There is a big square under it that could have been the original label.

I'm so sad. I've always worn Primark, matalan and charity shop clothing that is not my style (I like hippie, Boho stuff). I decided to buy myself 1 item of clothing per month that I actually liked. I like the top still, but I've bought cheap Boho stuff from markets and hippie shops before and they usually fade or lose their shape after a few washes.

[Thebreadsouth]

Hopeful bump....

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I don't know the brand, so I can't help you with its authenticity. I will say that Ebay is not the most reliable when it comes to selling on ethical or designer products.

Can you say how much your monthly budget is? I'm sure the experts in S&B would be able to help you out.

[lookatallthosechickens]

Even if it is Free People, that brand is still fast fashion- made of the same planet-destroying materials and in the same slave -condition factories as everything else on the high street. It’s also part of the same parent group as Urban Outfitters which is run by a megalomaniac right-winger. Sorry!

[Thebreadsouth]

@lookatallthosechickens Wow, I didn't know that! I like the style of the clothes, I had no idea about how they are made. They are incredibly expensive for 'fast fashion'.

[Tippexy]

I’m not sure there’s much of a market for Free People fakes. It’s most likely authentic.

[TrickyKid]

No one would make free people fakes, there's no market for it.

[Supertree]

Looks genuine to me. I’ve had a few things from there over the years and they don’t seem to have a standard label. Some of the stuff has been good quality and some has been shocking, especially when you consider the price.

[ThirstyGhost]

My daughter has some Free People stuff. That looks genuine to me.

...I just looked at one of her tops and the label is exactly the same. I've been trying to gently persuade her to shop somewhere more environmentally friendly/sustainable, but it is difficult with teens and if it's her money of course she can do what she likes. But it def looks genuine. Their stuff is VERY mixed in quality from what I've seen.

[GailLondon]

They often cut the labels out on eBay clothes to prevent you returning it to a store for a full refund. It doesn’t mean it’s fake, it’s just normally an end of line/last season style that is sold on to resellers.

[Thebreadsouth]

That's encouraging. I didn't think someone was manufacturing fake Free People stuff, more that someone had stuck a label on a similar top and put it on ebay.

Can anyone recommend a similar brand that's more environmentally friendly? It's hard yo find good quality, Boho stuff and then add in eco friendly and it's almost impossible! 😂

[CatBatCat]

Anything that is second hand is the most sustainble and environmently friendly.

[lookatallthosechickens]

@CatBatCat is right, anything second-hand is the sustainable choice. Second-hand (Zara, Primark, whatever) is better for the environment than anything brand new, even if the brand new is something handmade from British-manufactured homegrown natural fibres that costs a bomb.

[Thebreadsouth]

I'm good then, the top is second hand ,

Can't afford brand new stuff so that's why I've been scouring ebay for secondhand bits.

[SBTLove]

Just looked at their site,£48 for a t shirt and £100+ for leggings! very over priced.
Nothing ethical or even special about them.

[haba]

People Tree are an ethical brand, but as others have said it's "reduce, reuse, recycle" so buying secondhand is actually already ethical and contributes to fewer resources being used up.

[MidnightCitrus]

well they just look overpriced