There's a big price gap between the two but the aesthetics are identical. Specifically, what is the difference?

i swear I put an A in replica and finished my sentence when i posted..

i swear I put an A in replica and finished my sentence when i posted..

 

 

You were over the character limit for a title, I fixed it now.

Authentics have full embroidered layered tackle twill, which is pretty much layered fabric sewn directly onto the fabric with better materials and construction, as well as the appropriate shiny thread where needed. They come in multiple sizes, but usually numbered- 40 a Small, 44 a Medium, 46 a Large, 48 is a L-XL, 50 a XL, 52 a XL-XXL. It is what the players wear.

 

They are very well made.

 

Replicas have single twill which is painted with the logo's and then glued/sewn onto the jersey. The glue and colors tend to fade after a few washed, and then become very distressed after about 20 washes as the colors are painted on. This is what you find at Sports Authority or Champs lately.

To add to what Piazza said, here is a good example of the difference's using photographs taken by me, Rab Bethan.

 

 

The first is a letter from the authentic, the second is from a replica.

 

 

 

You can tell that the replica lacks a bit of the depth on the numbers and letters when compared to the authentic. Also, the colors seem to be a bit lighter (that's not due to the picture, the black really is less dark). The materials themselves feel cheaper and thinner on the replica.

 

The first is the back of a letter from the authentic, the second is from a replica.

 

 

 

You can see from this that the authentic actually has multiple layers of material making up the letter. The replica has a single layer which is colored to look like it is multiple layers.

 

On top of all this, the replicas generally don't have the sleeve patches that the authentics do and will have different tags for obvious reasons.

thanks guys, that was awesomely informative. pictures and everything, cheers.

Not to mention, Replicas do not have a sleeve patch, any relevant commemorative patches or the "logoman" mlb patch at the neck, and do not come in "Cool Base" or "Therma Base" fabrics. I will say, though, that Replicas at least have improved in quality from the "old days" and it's hard to tell the difference except up close.