Stone Island is the Italian label behind the compass badge on the left sleeve, founded by Massimo Osti in 1982 and known for its fabric research and garment dyeing. If you're after it in New Zealand, buy from a seller who inspects every piece, and check the badge, buttons and Certilogo code before you trust any listing.

That badge is one of the most recognisable things in menswear, which is exactly why it gets copied so often. This guide answers the questions we get most about the brand: what it is, what the badge means for you as a buyer, how the pieces fit, and how to make sure yours is the real thing. Everything we currently have is in our Stone Island collection.

What is Stone Island, and why does the badge matter?

Massimo Osti started Stone Island in 1982 around a single fabric. Tela Stella was a stiff, military-grade canvas treated with pigmented resins and then heavily washed, so it came out tough with a faded, worn-in look. The first collection was just a handful of outerwear pieces made from it, and the idea stuck: Stone Island has been a fabric-first brand ever since.

The badge followed the same thinking. It's an insignia-style compass patch that sits on the left sleeve of jackets, overshirts, knits and sweatshirts, and it isn't sewn straight on. It's held by two buttons, so it can come off. That's why a Stone Island piece is recognisable from across a street, and why the badge became a status symbol of its own.

What makes Stone Island different from other streetwear?

Most streetwear brands lead with graphics. Stone Island leads with materials. Since the 1980s it has pushed garment dyeing (dyeing a piece after it's sewn, so the thread, fabric and trims take colour together) along with coated, rubberised, reflective and heat-reactive fabrics. You'll see the results in the names on the label.

Our Crinkle Reps Short Down Jacket uses a crinkled recycled nylon that's light but warm, and the Membrana 3L TC Hooded Jacket is a three-layer shell built for wind and rain, which suits a New Zealand winter well. Over the years the brand has also run experimental lines like Shadow Project and the tonal Ghost pieces, where the badge matches the colour of the garment.

Who owns Stone Island now?

Carlo Rivetti took over the business in 1993 and steered it for nearly three decades, bringing in an international design team in 2008. In 2020 Moncler announced it was buying the brand, and the deal was completed in March 2021. Stone Island still works out of Italy and still runs on the same idea: research the fabric first, then build the garment.

How does Stone Island fit?

Modern Stone Island is cut slim and uses Italian/European sizing, which often comes up a touch smaller than you might expect. Older pieces, especially pre-2000 vintage, tend to run noticeably bigger, so don't size off an old jacket.

• Jackets and down jackets: generally true to size. Go up one if you want room to layer a hoodie or knit underneath, like under the Hooded Down Jacket.
• Sweatshirts and hoodies: take your usual size for a neat fit, or size up for a relaxed look. The Badge Crewneck Sweatshirt is a good one to judge your size on.
• Knitwear: slim through the body, so size up if you're between sizes.
• Trousers: true to size, though some styles run long in the leg.

Every product page has its own size chart, and our streetwear size guide compares fits across other brands we stock.

How do you spot fake Stone Island?

Because the badge is so recognisable, fakes are everywhere. These are the checks that reputable authentication guides agree on:

• Certilogo: pieces from spring/summer 2014 onwards carry a Certilogo label with a code and QR code. Scan it or enter the code on Certilogo's site. A fail is a clear red flag.
• The badge: genuine badges have a single drop stitch running from the buttonhole down to the border, muted (not neon) greens and yellows, and clean, sharp embroidery. A flimsy, card-like badge or shiny thread is a warning sign.
• Badge edging: vintage badges have a green edge; modern ones are edged in black. Treat green-edge badges with extra care, as they're heavily faked.
• Buttons: compare the sleeve and badge buttons against a known genuine piece. Fakes often get the hole pattern and the back of the button wrong.
• Labels and zips: check the care label carries an article number and country of origin, and that zips are solid and branded rather than flimsy.
• The seller: a real badge can be stitched onto a fake garment, so one check alone isn't enough. Buy from someone who checks the whole piece.

Read more about how we check every order on our authenticity page, or see the same approach for sneakers in our guide to spotting fake Jordans.

Which Stone Island pieces should you start with?

If it's your first piece, start with something that shows off the badge. A crewneck or hoodie is the easiest to wear every day: the Badge Crewneck in navy pairs naturally with the Badge Sweatpants in grey for a full set. For winter, a down jacket or the Down Vest gives you the badge with real warmth. For warmer days, the Tipped Patch Logo Polo keeps the compass on the chest in a smarter shape, and the Wool Blend Button Neck Sweater is a quieter knit for layering.

Where to buy Stone Island in NZ

Im Your Wardrobe stocks authentic Stone Island jackets, knitwear, sweatshirts, polos and accessories, all inspected before they ship. Every NZ order ships free, with tracked delivery nationwide, and you can split your payment with Afterpay. Browse the full Stone Island range, or see our other NZ buying guides for more brands.

Stone Island FAQ

Is Stone Island true to size?

Modern Stone Island is cut slim with European sizing, so jackets are generally true to size while knitwear and sweatshirts can feel snug. Size up for layering or a relaxed fit. Vintage pieces run bigger.

Why is the Stone Island badge on the left arm?

The compass badge is the brand's signature. It sits on the left sleeve of outerwear, knits and sweatshirts and is attached with two buttons rather than sewn on, so it can be removed.

How can I check if my Stone Island is real?

For pieces from SS14 onwards, scan the Certilogo code on the label. Then check the badge for the single drop stitch and muted colours, the button hole pattern, the care label and the zips, and buy from a seller who inspects every piece.

Who owns Stone Island?

Stone Island is part of the Moncler Group. Moncler announced the deal in December 2020 and completed it in March 2021.