What makes me think they are real? They just are. That what that pair of jeans looks like. The crinkling in the denim is correct, the horshoes are the correct shape, the stitching on the back waist tag is even and doesnt run off the tag, the inseam length is correct for that style being new with tags, the pocket flaps are shaped correctly, the hardware is the correct color and size. There are a ton of things you can look for depending on which style of jeans you are trying to judge.