How To Authenticate Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers

Honestly, when I first starting seeing the distressed shoe trend around, I was like no way, I am not going to invest this fleeting trend. But then it started to stick around, and I honestly started to love the look more and more. HOWEVER - I am not spending $500 on an intentionally worn out pair of shoes...

I set an alert on Mercari (a site similar to eBay where people sell their stuff!) to let me know when Golden Goose sneakers in my size are listed, and when I got an alert and saw they were only $100 - I bought them right away! Most of these selling sites protect you against counterfeit items - ie if the seller says they are real and you receive them and find they are not, you can return them and get your money back no prob - but you have to know what to look for. If you are searching for your own pair, keep scrolling to find out some tips to authenticate your Golden Goose sneakers!

Stitching

As with authenticating most designer items, stitching is an important detail to look at. Specifically on Golden Goose sneakers, an area where counterfeits often miss stitching detail is the rectangle below the laces. The lines should be straight and make a perfect symmetrical rectangle.

Another area of stitching to inspect is the seam on the back of the shoe. Make sure the stitching is straight and the stitches are a consistent size.

Triple Dots

The triple dots on the side of the shoe is an important detail to look for on Golden Goose Superstar sneakers. The dots should be the same size, consistently spaced, and at an angle.

Star

Often, counterfeit GG Superstars will have stitching that does meet the ends of the stars, therefore allowing wrinkling and rolling of the edges of the stars. 

Scuffing

Scuffing is a signature of Golden Goose sneakers. However, the scuffing should look "real". There should not be a system to the distress. Make sure the scuffing is inconsistent through out the whole shoe. 

Lettering

There are a couple areas on GG SS sneakers that have words and letters, including the side (GGDB SSTAR), the back (Golden Goose), the tongue (GGDB Made in Italy) and the soles (Superstar Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Venezia). Make sure the font and spacing are consistent throughout, and that the shoes include all these details. 

Before I found my GG sneakers secondhand, I also had a dupe pair. (Dupes are similar styles that  don't try to pass for the originals, ie logos and brand name -- these are counterfeits!) For being so cheap, they were not cheaply made! I still have and wear them, and they have held up so well! Below are a dupe pair that are only $21 + have free shipping!

Below are a couple options if you are looking for a pair of secondhand GG sneakers. Not all are superstars, but all are under $130! Just click directly on the pic to shop.