If living a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget was a crime, then I’d be guilty as charged. I just love to look and feel my best, so when it comes to pretty things, I’m a bit of a magpie. Unfortunately for me, the prettiest of things usually come with the largest of price tags. This is why I’ve trained myself to be a self-proclaimed ‘Designer Dupe Detective’ – ‘Triple D’ for short.
Although some people may side-eye those who buy bargain versions of products rather than the ‘real thing’, I think there’s an art to finding beautiful buys on a budget. Whilst I’m not a huge label lover, I can’t deny there’s a certain allure to high-end products, as they’re often the perfect final touch to an outfit making it look that bit more elevated.
However, splashing out £1000+ on a bag, or even £300 on a dress, isn’t always within everyone’s remit (mine included). So, I think having the option to look as fabulous as the designer clad woman you were lusting over on the tube, but on a (much) smaller budget should be a human right – feel free to start that petition.
My first tip for finding the best dupes is knowing what you want. Assuming you don’t spend your lunch breaks in the likes of Selfridges or Harrods (you’ll find me in the M&S food court between 1pm-1:30pm), it’s often hard to know what’s out there in the big-wide-world of designer goods. I recommend looking to your favourite influencers to see what designer items they have and find out the specific brand and item name.
I often look to Georgina Lennon and Lauren Crowe for inspiration as they both style a mix of high street and high-end clothing, so not only can I find clothes that I can actually afford when scrolling their Instagram’s, but I can also get ideas for those higher ticket items.
Also, don’t forget that it’s not just the highest of high-end brands such as Chanel and Hermes that you can find dupes for. Dupes of products sold by high-end high-street brands too, such as House of CB or Axel Arigato, are great options, too.
Once I know what item it is I want, I’ll do the obvious second step and Google the name of that item along with ‘dupe’ in the hope that something comes up. On the occasions this doesn’t work, I head to the fashion-forward brands that don’t mind risking a court case by releasing products that are ever so similar.
My go-to’s for this are generally the likes of Zara and Mango as not only do they regularly produce their version of the most sought-after designer products, but they’re good quality which is a must, as there’s nothing worse than a cheap-looking dupe (however contradictory this is).
However, just because you’re looking for a dupe, that doesn’t mean you need to go for the cheapest one available. I highly recommend steering clear of sites such as Shein at all costs – their prices are unethically low, and it’ll be reflected in the quality.
The best thing about buying dupes (apart from not bankrupting yourself) is that you don’t have to worry about only buying the classic items, which is recommended when buying designer to ensure you get a good cost per wear. Obviously cost per wear is still important in this instance, but as the cost is significantly lower you can get away with buying more trend-led items.
Essentially, not only does buying dupes mean you don’t have to write a pros and cons list on whether it would be better to buy that cute new bag or stick to your house deposit saving plan (the most difficult debate of all time, IMO), but it also means you have more room to experiment with your style.
As you can tell, I’m constantly on the hunt, and these are the best dupes around right now. Better add to basket before I do…
The bag
I’m a sucker for a structured shoulder bag and this one is to die for. JW Pei is my go-to for great quality yet affordable handbags and the Ruby bag doesn’t disappoint. The colour is so chic and I’d even go as far to say I prefer the shape over the Prada Cleo.
The dad sandals
When I first saw the dad sandal trend, I was shocked, disgusted and incredibly distressed. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to look like their grandad on his summer holiday at the caravan park.
However, one day a switch went off in me and I realised looking like the former is in fact the coolest thing in the world. Therefore, these Dune sandals are a must buy to wear with absolutely everything from bikinis to tailored trousers all summer long.
The mini dress
Whilst I can’t deny there are no high-end high street brands that make me feel quite as fabulous as I do when I put on a House of CB dress, being on a budget sometimes calls for buying the cheaper option, and this Oh Polly dress is the perfect doppelganger.
I’d pair these with blue strappy heels and a matching blue bag for a pop of colour on a Greek get-away.
The classic sunglasses
I’m a firm believer that you should never spend more than £50 on a pair of sunglasses. Unless you look after them like your life depends on it, they’ll be bent out of shape, scratched and/or lost at the bottom of the sea by the end of summer. That’s why these lookalikes by Quay are the perfect addition to your sunglasses collection.
The band t-shirt
If there’s one thing you need in your wardrobe it’s a band tee. These will never go out of style and can be dressed down with cycling shorts and a baseball cap or dressed up with a slip skirt and heels.
The blue jeans
These jeans are the perfect addition to your wardrobe. I love an essential item that has been slightly elevated to give them a more expensive and chic feel. I’d style these with anything from trainers, a t-shirt and blazer to heels and a simple bodysuit.
The statement blazer
There is nothing more chic in this world than a good blazer. They can make any outfit look instantly more put-together and a structured blazer such as these can make all the difference. Style them with black jeans and loafers for the ultimate effortlessly stylish look.
The cult trainers
I’m a sucker for a good pair of trainers and these New Balance dupes by Mango are no exception. Whilst the New Balance ones would be a great investment, the price tag will mean they’re not for everyone. So, the Mango pair are the perfect equally cool alternative for the more price conscious amongst you.
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