How we authenticate our items

At SO INDUSTRIE, the authenticity of the pieces we offer is an absolute priority. Every item is checked manually before joining our selection. This process draws on our in-depth knowledge of the brands we carry and more than four years of analysis and expertise developed well before our store was created.

Over the years, we have studied, bought and sold thousands of pieces, developing precise skills in identifying authentic products. Our expertise also benefits from our complementary knowledge: each of us specialises in particular brands and types of clothing. Combining these skills gives us an even greater degree of confidence in our checks.

Our authentication work covers two distinct areas at SO INDUSTRIE: Technical Wear and Heritage. Although their methods differ, both require detailed expertise and careful analysis.

Authenticating Technical Wear

For premium brands such as Arc’teryx and Montbell, authentication primarily means checking that an item is genuine and consistent with the brand’s official production.

We examine many details: logos, labels and production labels, typography, product codes, materials, stitching quality, fastenings, textile technologies, consistency with specific models and production years, and manufacturing locations for the relevant year and model.

Over the years, we have studied and sold several hundred Arc’teryx and Montbell pieces. This enables us to recognise the characteristics of these brands quickly and identify potential counterfeits or unofficial imitations.

By deliberately focusing on a limited selection of premium brands, we maintain a thorough understanding of these products and particularly detailed expertise. For premium ready-to-wear, our authentication therefore relies exclusively on our in-house expertise and manual analysis.

Authentication detail of a Technical Wear piece – SO INDUSTRIELabel and details examined during authentication – SO INDUSTRIE

Each piece is accompanied by numerous detailed photographs showing the main features used in our authentication process.

Identifying Heritage pieces

Authentication takes a different form in our Heritage collection. It means not only establishing whether an item is authentic in the modern sense, but also identifying exactly what it is: a period original or a faithful reproduction.

Reproductions are an integral part of the military and heritage clothing market. Some specialist brands produce extremely accurate reproductions of historical military garments. The key is to identify the true origin of each piece precisely.

This involves analysing:

  • Production periods
  • Military specifications
  • Labels and manufacturing contracts
  • Materials and construction methods
  • Historical details specific to each model

This knowledge is essential, for example, to distinguish an original military garment from a modern reproduction, correctly identify a historical flight jacket or Korean- or Vietnam-era OG107 trousers, distinguish a US-made Avirex leather varsity jacket from a recent version manufactured overseas, or identify a military jacket inspired by twentieth-century conflicts.

For certain particularly specialised pieces, including accessories, very rare originals or items requiring additional expertise, we may also consult authentication services or independent specialist experts. This provides an additional check when needed.

Each piece is accompanied by numerous detailed photographs showing the main features used in our authentication process.

Transparency and customer verification

Every item offered by SO INDUSTRIE comes with comprehensive visual documentation. We systematically include precise photographs of the features needed to identify it: labels, production labels, stitching, fastenings, materials and model-specific details.

These elements are central to how we present our pieces and illustrate the characteristics of each item. Information relevant to its identity and authenticity is therefore directly visible in the listing.

Buyers who want to examine an item more closely can inspect its features themselves, whether it belongs to our premium selection or Heritage collection. The photographs make it easy to find each model’s technical details and distinctive features.

Every listing is designed to present the piece fully and accurately, highlighting its authenticity, condition and particular characteristics.

A selection checked piece by piece

Unlike many stores, we do not work with suppliers or wholesalers. All SO INDUSTRIE pieces are sourced individually internationally, directly by us or through introductions to specific contacts that give us access to a variety of specialist markets.

Every item is therefore selected, inspected and approved individually before being listed. This approach takes considerable time and research but allows us to maintain full control over the quality, authenticity and coherence of our stock.

Our aim is simple: to offer authentic, checked and clearly identified pieces so that every customer knows exactly what they are buying.