Lacoste Vintage: How to Spot It and What It's Worth in 2026

Among the brands a Vinted reseller comes across most often in vintage bales, Lacoste is one of the most reliable: steady demand all year round, instant recognisability and an average selling price higher than many sportswear brands. It is also one of the most counterfeited brands of all time. In this guide we cover how to recognise an authentic vintage Lacoste garment, which models to look for and what it is realistically worth on the second-hand market in 2026.

As always: these are indications based on market observation, not promises of earnings. Actual prices depend on condition, size, colour and season.

Why Lacoste works for resellers

Lacoste was founded in France in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste, and it is the brand that invented the modern polo shirt: the L.12.12 in cotton piqué is still the most sought-after model today. For vintage resellers, Lacoste has three concrete advantages:

• Cross-audience demand: it appeals to the casual crowd, tenniscore fans and anyone after the 80s-90s look.
• Fast turnover: polos in good condition and classic colours (white, navy, green) tend to sell faster than average.
• Frequent presence in Kilo Boxes: being a brand produced in huge volumes from the 70s onwards, it often shows up in by-the-kilo lots, like the ones in our vintage Kilo Boxes by the kg.

How to recognise an authentic vintage Lacoste

1. The crocodile

The logo is the first clue, but look at it closely:

• The authentic crocodile is embroidered with crisp details: you can make out the legs, the small white teeth along the open mouth and the texture of the scales. On fakes it is often a flat or rubbery green blob.
• Check the direction: the Lacoste crocodile faces right (tail on the left), mouth open.
• On vintage garments the logo is a sewn-on embroidered patch, not printed. Edges fraying in a coarse way are a red flag.

2. The neck labels

Labels tell you the era of the garment:

• 70s-80s: a label reading "Chemise Lacoste" with the crocodile, often with "Fabriqué en France". This is the most sought-after vintage Lacoste.
• 90s: the modern Lacoste logo appears; many European polos from this era were made by Devanlay, the historic French licensee — the Devanlay wording on the inner label is a good sign of authenticity.
• Watch out for US-licensed Izod Lacoste production (until 1993): these are authentic and collected, but should be described for what they are in the listing.

For a general method that works across all brands, we published a dedicated guide on how to recognise original vintage from the labels.

3. French sizing and fit

Lacoste polos historically use French numeric sizing: 3 ≈ S, 4 ≈ M, 5 ≈ L, 6 ≈ XL, 7 ≈ XXL. On vintage pieces the fit is often boxier and shorter than modern sizing: always measure the garment flat (chest and length) and state the real measurements in your listing. Never quote measurements from memory or estimates.

4. Materials and construction

An authentic L.12.12 is made of cotton piqué with a honeycomb texture you can recognise by touch. Typical details: mother-of-pearl buttons (on older models), a sturdy ribbed collar, side slits with a small vent. Irregular stitching, thin smooth fabric or lightweight plastic buttons are bad signs.

What vintage Lacoste is worth in 2026: indicative ranges

Price ranges observed on Vinted and the main second-hand platforms for authentic garments. These are indications, not promises: the final price always depends on actual condition, era, colour and size.

• L.12.12 polo, 90s-2000s, good condition (Grade A): indicatively €20-45 in classic colours; unusual colours or larger sizes can go beyond this range.
• "Chemise Lacoste" polos, 70s-80s made in France: €40-80 and beyond for well-preserved pieces, highly sought after by collectors.
• Vintage sweatshirts and jumpers: €30-60 depending on model and condition.
• Track jackets and 80s-90s sportswear: €35-70, with higher peaks for distinctive colourblock pieces.
• Grade B garments (small declared flaws: tiny stains, fading, a missing button): realistically worth 40-60% of Grade A. Always declare flaws with photos — transparency reduces returns and negative reviews.

To build the right price starting from the garment's cost, use the method we explain in how to price vintage on Vinted, and if you don't know the difference between grades read our guide on Grade A and Grade B in vintage by the kilo.

What to look for (and what to avoid) in a bale

Keep: L.12.12 polos in classic and pastel colours, sweatshirts with a small logo, 90s track jackets, oxford shirts, cotton or wool jumpers with the crocodile. Assess carefully: garments with a dubious printed crocodile, polos faded under the arms (a frequent flaw), modern Lacoste Sport pieces with no vintage appeal.

If Lacoste interests you as a category, keep in mind that in boxes curated for resellers the share of sporty-preppy brands like Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Carhartt is one of the factors with the biggest impact on the lot's resale value: take a look at the selection for Vinted resellers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a vintage Lacoste polo is genuine?

Check three points: the embroidered crocodile with crisp details facing right, a neck label consistent with the era ("Chemise Lacoste" for the 70s-80s, Devanlay for the 90s) and the quality of the piqué and buttons. No single element is enough on its own: it's the combination that counts.

How much is a vintage Lacoste polo worth on Vinted?

Indicatively €20-45 for a 90s-2000s L.12.12 in good condition, and €40-80 or more for 70s-80s "Chemise Lacoste" made in France. These are ranges observed on the market, not promises: condition, colour and size move the final price a lot.

What does size 5 mean on a Lacoste polo?

Lacoste uses French numeric sizes: 3 ≈ S, 4 ≈ M, 5 ≈ L, 6 ≈ XL, 7 ≈ XXL. On vintage garments the fit can differ from modern sizing, so always state the real flat measurements of the garment in your listing.

Is Izod Lacoste fake?

No. Izod Lacoste was the official licence for the US market until 1993. These are authentic, collected garments, but they should be described correctly in the listing as American production under licence, different from Devanlay's French Lacoste.