First things first: original or fake

The only distinction that really matters is original versus fake. An original is an official, licensed shirt by the manufacturer - fan or player edition, with the genuine club or federation crest. A fake (bootleg) is an unlicensed copy.

At RetroShirts we sell originals only. We check every shirt by hand before it goes on sale - MPN (where available), material and feel, seams and details. No fakes. How to spot fakes before buying.

Terminology trap: On some secondhand platforms, sellers call fakes "Replica". For the manufacturers, however, "Replica" means something completely different - the official fan edition. That is why "Replica" is not a warning sign for us, but a perfectly normal, genuine edition (see below).

The manufacturers' editions

For one and the same shirt, manufacturers (Nike, adidas, Puma, Castore ...) often release several editions. All are official and genuine - they differ in fit, material and price.

• Replica Fan edition, "stadium version"

  The version for fans - the best-selling shirt. More comfortable, looser fit, more robust material, sewn-on or embroidered crests, cheaper. A genuine manufacturer original, not a fake.

• Authentic Player edition, "player version"

  The version the pros wear on the pitch. Slim fit, lightweight high-tech material, usually heat-pressed (printed) crests, higher priced.

• Basic Entry-level edition

  A cheaper entry-level edition offered by some manufacturers. Rarer.

Not every club has all editions

Some kit suppliers do not run a separate Authentic line for a club at all. Then fans and players wear the same edition - there simply is no distinction. Example: FC Zürich has no separate Authentic version with Castore (and previously Nike). Where that is the case, we say so transparently.

Match provenance: from Player Issue to Match Worn

Some shirts have a direct link to real match play - from "regular retail" to "worn in a match":

• Retail

  Bought regularly in retail - the vast majority of shirts.

• Player Issue

  Issued to the squad in player spec, but not assigned to a specific match.

• Match Prepared

  Prepared for a specific match.

• Match Issued

  Issued to a player for a specific match.

• Match Worn

  Actually worn in the match - the most sought-after piece, often with a certificate.

And remakes / reissues?

Remakes (e.g. by Score Draw) are officially licensed re-releases of old shirts - genuine and legal, but reproductions, not the original from that season. Often without the original manufacturer's logo or with the remaker's logo instead.

At RetroShirts we sell genuine originals from the respective season only - no remakes.

30-day returns, no questions asked - and still only around 1% returns. Because our descriptions are accurate.