Introduction

Anyone looking for football shirts online quickly comes across offers that seem attractive at first glance - low price, apparently like new, available in all sizes. But especially with vintage shirts, it's worth taking a closer look. Many fakes can be spotted before you even buy - no labels or Google searches needed.

1. Too many sizes available

A shirt from 1996 in stock from XS to XXL? That's simply unrealistic. Original shirts from past decades usually only turn up individually - in exactly the size that someone once wore or kept.

That's why at retroshirts.ch you'll usually find exactly one piece per shirt - just as it should be for genuine collector's items.

2. Price far too low

An original 90s shirt for under 30 francs is almost always a replica. With genuine pieces, the price depends on condition, rarity and demand - but there's always a certain value attached.

We calculate our prices fairly and transparently - we can't set them too low, simply because these aren't cheap reproductions.

3. Large quantities of the same item

If a seller has five identical "rare" shirts in stock, you should be sceptical. The market for old shirts doesn't work like mass-produced goods - there are no reorders.

At retroshirts.ch, every piece is photographed individually and removed from the shop once sold - because then it simply doesn't exist anymore.

4. Missing details about the season or model

A trustworthy shop provides context: When was the shirt worn? Who was the kit supplier? Which season? If this information is missing, the knowledge - or the seriousness - is often missing too.

We make a point of providing as much information as possible for every shirt - sometimes even with little anecdotes when they fit the story.

5. Check the shop's origin & reviews

A look at the imprint or the reviews can help. Shops based outside Europe, without a return address, or with a suspiciously large number of generic reviews without content should be treated with caution.

retroshirts.ch is a Swiss online shop with a physical store in Zurich - and if you're unsure, you can also take a look at the shirt in person.

6. Poor or incomplete photos

Those who show nothing often have nothing to show. Shirts where only the front image is visible, no label, no inner tag - usually not just the photo is missing, but the substance too.

All our shirts are documented with our own photos, and on request we're happy to send detailed shots of logos, labels and the back. No stock photos, no copy-paste.

7. Unsuitable materials and colours

Many fakes can be spotted by the material: shiny plastic, thin fabric, printed instead of embroidered logos. Anyone who has ever held a genuine vintage shirt notices the difference.

With us, you can be sure it's original merchandise - either worn or from leftover stock, but always from the corresponding era.

8. Contradictory descriptions

"Original Replica", "100% Authentic Copy", "Player Version Replica" - as soon as the description gets vague, caution is advised. Reputable shops clearly state what a product is - and what it isn't.

We clearly distinguish between official fan versions, player shirts and reprints - the latter of which we don't offer at all.

Conclusion

You can often spot fakes before you even deal with labels or product codes. If the price, offer or description seems suspicious, it's better to steer clear.

At retroshirts.ch, you can rely on everything in the shop having been carefully checked. No mass storage, no replicas - just genuine pieces of football history.