How to Spot Fake Dickies: 5 Simple Checks for Authentic Workwear
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Dickies is one of the most iconic workwear brands on the planet. Its durability and timeless style have made it a staple, from the worksite to the skatepark. But with popularity comes a problem: fakes.
When you're buying second-hand, you need to be confident you're getting the real deal, not a cheap knock-off. As specialists in authentic workwear, we see a lot of Dickies gear. Here are our top 5 simple checks to help you spot authentic Dickies every time.
1. The Main Logo & Label
The logo is often the biggest giveaway. Whether it's the classic red-and-blue horseshoe logo or the simple "Dickies" wordmark, it should be flawless.
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Clean Stitching: On an authentic patch, the stitching holding it onto the garment (usually on the back pocket of trousers) is neat, straight, and tight.
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No Spelling Errors: It sounds obvious, but fakes can be lazy. Look for "Dikkies," "Dickes," or blurry, undefined letters.
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Correct Font: The "Dickies" font is very specific. Look up a picture of the real logo and compare the "D" and "k" – fakes often get the curves wrong.
2. Check the Zippers and Hardware
This is where counterfeiters almost always cut costs. Authentic Dickies are built for work, and that includes the hardware.
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Zippers: Check the zipper itself. Many (though not all) authentic Dickies trousers use YKK-branded zippers, which are a global standard for quality. Even if it's unbranded, the zipper on a real pair will feel heavy, sturdy, and run smoothly. Fakes often use flimsy, lightweight plastic zips that snag.
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Buttons: The metal buttons and rivets should feel solid and substantial, not hollow or like coated plastic.
3. Fabric Quality and Stitching
You can often feel the difference. Dickies are famous for their tough, 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend (on most work pants), which is stiff when new and incredibly durable.
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Fabric: Fakes often use thin, soft, 100% cotton fabric that feels cheap and won't stand up to any real wear.
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Stitching: This is key. Real Dickies trousers, especially models like the Redhawk, feature triple-stitched seams on high-stress areas (like the inseam and yoke). Look for three clean, parallel lines of stitching. Fakes will almost always use a single, weaker stitch to save money.
4. The Internal Care & Size Labels
Don't just look at the outside. The internal labels are a goldmine of information.
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Clarity: The text on the care labels (washing instructions, material composition) should be clear, sharp, and spelled correctly.
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Content: An authentic label will clearly state the material blend (e.g., "65% Polyester, 35% Cotton"), the country of origin, and the size. Fakes often have blurry text, spelling mistakes, or generic, nonsensical labels.
5. The Easiest Way to Guarantee Authenticity
While fakes are getting better, they rarely get all these details right. By checking the logo, zips, stitching, and internal tags, you can be much more confident you're buying an authentic piece of workwear history.
Of course, the easiest way to know you're getting the real deal is to buy from a trusted expert.
At RewearableUK, we source and meticulously check every single piece of Dickies workwear we sell. We guarantee 100% authenticity on all our products, so you can skip the guesswork and just get the gear. All our items are professionally cleaned, inspected, and ready for the worksite or the street.
Ready to find your next pair? Shop our full collection of authentic Dickies workwear here.