Vintage T-Shirt Identification and Authentication

Introduction

Speaker: Ryan Roots
Vintage t-shirt seller and collector
Common questions:
- How to identify a vintage t-shirt?
- How to authenticate a vintage t-shirt?

Tag
- Physical tags are key indicators
- Screen-printed tags are usually not vintage (not common before the 2000s)
Stitching
- Look for single stitch (indicative of 90s or earlier)
- Double stitch became common in the 2000s
- Caution:
  - Single stitch does not guarantee vintage.
  - Double stitch doesn’t negate vintage status (especially for European shirts from the 90s)
Date Stamp/Copyright Stamp
- Check the graphic for licensing or copyright date
- Not all shirts have stamps but many true vintage shirts do
Natural Wear and Fading
- Signs of age include fading, cracking graphics, pinholes, loose stitching
- Vintage shirts often show signs of distressing
Sizing
- Shirts from the 70s and 80s often run smaller (e.g., tagged XL may fit like a modern-day medium)

Fakes becoming increasingly convincing, especially from Malaysia and Thailand
High-value shirts (e.g., bootleg 90s rap tees) are often faked
Lower-value shirts are generally less likely to be fakes
App Recommendation:
- Legitimate App:
  - Allows users to upload shirts for community validation
  - Offers professional authentication for a fee
  - Provides average value estimates for shirts
Discount:
- Use code RALLYROOTS for 25% off authentication services

Fake Example:
- Wu-Tang Forever shirt, looked authentic but was confirmed fake
True Vintage Examples:
- 1997 Looney Tunes shirt: Date stamp present
- Batman shirt: Double stitch, copyright date
- Disney shirt: True vintage tag, licensing hit
- Liquid Blue tag: True vintage indicator
- Raglan style 80s band tee: Single stitch with back hit
- Tennessee River Gold shirt: Nickelodeon date stamp
- Grateful Dead shirt: True vintage, confirmed via Legitimate app
- Spider-Man shirt: All-over print, licensing tag