Fashion Files: Designer Dupes

This blog post was originally published in April 2019 but has since been updated.

I love designer items and I always have, ever since I was a little girl and received my first Coach handbag at the age of seven years old. There's just something so special about a designer item, whether it's Kate Spade of Hermes.

That being said, not everyone (including myself) can afford all the designer items their heart desires. That's where dupes come in.

Now, there is great debate on the Internet and IRL that dupes are harmful to the luxury designer houses. I beg to differ... dupes are very different than fakes. A fake designer item is one that pretends to be the real thing, therefore they have a fake logo.

A dupe is vastly different because they just have a similar style, without trying to be an exact replica. Smaller, more contemporary brands like Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff, and Steve Madden are usually known for taking style ideas & colors to create a more affordable dupe of a pricier item. I am perfectly ok with dupes because I feel like fashion is a constant reiteration of the same thing... and why shouldn't people who can't afford a luxury item not have a similar style? To be against dupes is a little snobby in my opinion.

Now that we got that out of the way... let's get into some of my favorite designer dupes.

Gucci Mules & Steve Madden Flats

The Gucci Mule trend has been around for a while and until this year, I never understood it. They're just shoes... I've talked about it before but I'm not a shoe gal but something came over me recently and I just want a pair of Gucci Mules, preferably these hot pink ones.

That being said, those shoes are over $600 so I knew I had to find cheaper... much cheaper. Enter Steve Madden. They have been known to 'knock off' higher end brands (i.e Cult Gaia) and their leather mules are the closest I've seen to Gucci.

I recently got a pair (they run big, just FYI) and I am obsessed. I've been wearing them for a week and they fit so nicely, are really comfortable and go with everything. I want more colors and patterns ASAP and am just really happy to have a nice, plain pair of mules in my collection.

Chanel & Tory Burch + Rebecca Minkoff

Doesn't everyone want a Chanel bag? No? Just me? Okay.

I've dreamed about a Chanel bag since I was a small child and that dream has only grown bigger and further away from me as I've gotten older. All I want in my life is a beautiful quilted Chanel bag; I will take any color but preferably black or grey or even hot pink. I just want the feeling a Chanel bag gives you but my bank account has a different feeling about it.

I will get my Chanel bag but I've been chasing that style for years now and I finally found a dupe....sort of.

Tory Burch and Rebecca Minkoff are great contemporary brands that mock higher-end designers often and to be, that's just fine. There have been many bags in both designers lines that smell faintly of Chanel.

The Rebecca Minkoff Edie Flap Bag which I've talked about before has gorgeous quilting and chain design that can be similar to a Chanel. The Tory Burch Fleming Shoulder Bag also has that quilted detail as well as a gold and leather chain that feels similar to what you would see on a classic Chanel. I have both bags and they have definitely quenched my Chanel thirst.

Another designer that I've seen compared to Chanel (in style, not in class) is Kurt Geiger London. A few bloggers I follow have bags by this designer and you can find them in Nordstrom.

Hermes Kelly &Tory Burch

I will never own a Hermes bag and that is totally fine. I don't think I could handle carrying something around that is worth over $10,000. That being said, I still like the look of the famous Hermes bags, including the Kelly. That is why when I saw Tory Burch release a near exact replica I immediately put it on my wishlist. It looks so similar and if I know Tory Burch bags, which I do, I'm sure the quality is excellent. I don't see myself getting the Lee Radziwill Satchel any time soon but it's a bag to have on your radar.

YSL Tote & Tory Burch & Kate Spade

The classic YSL tote is just that...classic. It is a very plain, all leather tote bag that doesn't look expensive, yet I find myself lusting after it. I found a very good cure though and that comes in the form of Tory Burch and Kate Spade handbags, mostly the new Perry Tote from Tory and the Molly Tote from Kate Spade. 

I have the Molly (review coming soon) and I had the old Perry tote, both of which are awesome bags. If you want a simple, all leather tote to look chic like YSL, these are the bags for you.

Celine Sunglasses & Amazon

I'm not someone who spends a lot of money on sunglasses. I usually will pick up a pair of Kate Spade sunnies or something along those lines. I won't lie though, I've been tempted by the more expensive pieces like the Celine sunglasses that everyone seems to be wearing. I was not going to spend $450 on a pair of sunglasses that I would break or lose so when I saw the $15 dupe version of them on Amazon, I immediately bought them. They don't feel cheap or bad quality -- they're actually really nice and for $10, they look dangerously close to Celine.  

Saint Lauren Toy Lulu & Tory Burch Kira Chevron

When I saw Tory Burch release the Kira Chevron, I knew I had to have it. It has that luxurious look and feel, and I initially thought it was similar to a classic Chanel flap but at closer look, it's much more like the Saint Laurent Toy Lulu bag. Both are puffy shoulder bags with gold link chains, and both are really well made. Both bags are of similar size and look nearly identical... I have the Tory Burch one and I'm obsessed. It's such a beautiful bag, very luxurious feeling and holds a ton. It goes with every outfit, can be dressed up or down, and it definitely satisfied my want for a pricier version. 

What are some of your favorite designer dupes?

xoxo

B