We all love shopping, especially when you see that one product that you just have to have. Unfortunately, this product costs a fortune that would break your bank. However, lucky for you, you can buy almost the exact same product for almost half the price in the form of a dupe.
If you’re on TikTok, you definitely get ads from TikTok shop every few scrolls. Whether it is makeup, bags, books, or, most importantly, clothes. Now, the thing about some of these clothes might look like a few popular products. However, at a very different price. But is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Don’t be fooled by the cheap price. While it may be tempting, sometimes these dupes aren’t as good as the original. Oftentimes they are poor quality and just plain uncomfortable. Take the SHEIN Tasman Ugg dupes. They look just like the original, but are vastly different. The quality is terrible and the shoe itself has as much comfort as walking on a rock.
What is a dupe?
So, what is this miracle for shoppers? In its simplest form, dupe is basically a very similar knockoff of a more expensive item. Now, the quality won’t be the same, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be worse. You’re gambling every time you order a dupe online, especially since you can’t see the quality until it comes in. You could be getting something really good, or really bad, like those SHEIN shoes.
So, it would seem that buying a dupe online includes a risk factor. You could either be wasting your money, or it could turn into the greatest purchase of your life. That’s what makes buying a dupe so fun, there’s a risk factor involved that gives you a shopping thrill. It’s like the saying, “No risk, no reward.”
Of course, it also depends on where you buy the dupe. Some sites, like SHEIN, will have low quality dupes, but with a low price which screams sad cash grab. Others, like Amazon, have more promising products with better quality. if you buy off of Amazon, you’re still taking a risk, however you’re more likely to be getting a treat than a trick.
Is buying a dupe worth it?
So, do you buy the dupe? Or do you get the original product? Sure, a cheaper price is nice, but you also have to splurge every now and then. Treat yourself with the nicer, name-brand product that you’ve been thinking about for a long time. Sometimes, while cheaper is better, buying the original that you saved up for is the right choice.
Of course, you can get the original product and the dupe. This way, you still have the OG, but you also have a cheaper version. And, if you like the dupe, you can get multiple colors without worrying about going bankrupt. It’s like the best of both worlds!
So, do you buy the dupe or not? There are a lot of factors to consider when browsing for dupes. It’s important to look for several options, including the clearance price on the original, before deciding to get a dupe. But what do you need to look for?
Good quality? Let’s find out!
As I mentioned before, buying a dupe means taking a risk, especially when quality is concerned. Again, you’ll never know until that package arrives at the door. Reading reviews is also a good way to determine whether something will have good quality. Additionally, researching the fabric compositions is also a great way to determine the quality of a product.
What do you want to look for when it comes to quality? First and foremost, you want the product to be comfortable. You wouldn’t want to get shoe dupes and feel like your walking on rocks. Second, you want to make sure the fabric is good, and that it won’t fray easily. Oftentimes, when something is cheaper, the quality of the fabric goes down.
You’ll never know if you don’t try. The good thing is most dupes aren’t too costly, so you can buy a few to see how you like them. Fortunately, I have purchased and tried a few dupes, so you don’t have to. Let’s compare two dupes that I have purchased. One, the SHEIN Tasman Ugg dupes, and a Lululemon Scuba dupe from Amazon.
Some wins and some losses
Starting off with the SHEIN dupe (which I mentioned in my intro), I strongly encourage you to stay away. While they may look like their Ugg counterpart for a fraction of the price, that’s where the similarities end. The shoes are uncomfortable, they fray at the seams, and they aren’t practical for the winter. So, this is one example of how a lower price does not equal a good dupe.
Onto the Scuba dupe. Contrary to the last example, this dupe is great. It’s comfortable, good quality, and a decent price. Sure it’s not a name brand product, but it still looks cute, and it does what it needs to do. And sure, the colors might not be as cute as the Lululemon ones, but you still have a wide variety. Not to mention, you can buy with or without a hood. So, I say this dupe is worth the buy.
So, some dupes are good, while others are clearly lacking. However, you’ll notice that these two dupes are from different sites. SHEIN is known for having cheaper, poorer quality items than say, Amazon. So, you should expect something that won’t hold its own. I would still be cautious when purchasing from Amazon, however the quality does tend to be better on bigger sites like that.
The pros and cons of a lower price
The appeal of dupes is that they have a lower price point. Which is appealing if you’re shopping on a budget. Not to mention, you get a similar looking product to the more expensive one you’ve been eyeballing. However, there are pros and cons to everything.
Let’s start with the pros. First is the obvious, the lower price. But what else is there? When there is a lower price, you could experiment with new styles, without breaking the bank. Additionally, the more dupes sell than the original, perhaps the bigger companies will see that their pricing is outrageous, especially when, in some cases, the quality is the same for both products.
Unfortunately, like everything, there are some cons when it comes to dupes. First, like I mentioned earlier, the cheaper the price, the lower the quality. This doesn’t apply to everything; however it is true for most cases. Next is the support of fast fashion, as well as those companies “stealing” the products. Kinda makes you reconsider buying that dupe, right?
Some dupes are a meaningless cash grab
The one main concern when it comes to dupes is whether or not the product is a cash grab or not. Another concern is whether or not the company making the dupe is stealing the original company’s design. From example, the company Popflex created the Pirouette Skort as an original design for the company. Now, a little while later, SHEIN released an eerily similar looking skirt on their site. No credit or anything to the original creator.
That is an example of a company stealing another creators original idea with no credit or permission, which in my book is a meaningless cash grab. The fast fashion company sees something that people love, and they make a cheaper, poorer quality rip-off that they believe will sell more. Pretty shady if you ask me.
Not only do the fast fashion companies steal the product design, but they also mimic the logos of the original item. It would seem that they think if the logo looks similar, people would want to buy that product. Of course, this does not make the company look good at all, especially in an ethical light.
The fast fashion side of dupes
So, not only do dupes raise ethical concerns, but also environmental concerns. Most dupes come from fast fashion companies. Everyone knows that fast fashion companies tend to be bad for the environment. Whether it’s the amount of waste that comes from either the creation of the clothes or people discarding them in dumps or landfills, creating even more pollution. It’s important to make sure you buy clothes that can be recycled and won’t cause harm to the environment.
While you can still reuse and recycle your dupes, if they come from fast fashion, they aren’t really intended to have a long life. In fact, if the quality and price of a product is lower, so is the longevity of the product. Not to mention, most fast fashion dupes are made from microfibers that come off every time you wash them, which means your clothes are degrading every time you wash them.
The solution? Check where you’re ordering, as well as the reviews. Additionally, check the fabric composition of the product. These things will give you a good idea of not only the quality of the product, but also the environmental factor, which is just as important.
Dupes I would recommend buying
Now that we’ve gone through all the pros and cons of dupes, it’s time I recommend a few that I have really loved. Of course, I encourage you to do your own research and decide if it’s right for you. Dupes aren’t for everyone.
Most of my favorite dupes have been found on Amazon, because it is a more trustworthy site than SHEIN or similar companies. However, that doesn’t mean you will be getting a product that is 1000 times better than the original. But as far as dupes go, and depending on where you buy them, the items are pretty good.
Now, another way you can find/buy dupes is by thrifting. You can find either name brand or dupes for almost nothing at your local thrift store. As long as you check the brand and the fabric composition, you’ve just found yourself a super cheap dupe! Sounds like a steal to me.
1) Amazon AUTOMET Half-zipped cropped pullover ($29.99)
This sweatshirt from Amazon is pretty close to the Lululemon Scuba. Not to mention, it is four times cheaper than the actual Lululemon product. The quality is great; it’s soft and keeps me warm in the winter. It also comes in so many cute colors! I definitely recommend checking this product out if you like the original, but not the price.
2) A&F Sloane Tailored Wide Leg Pant ($90)
This dupe is an example of “close but not quite right.” While very similar to Aritzia’s The Effortless Pant, it boasts a wider leg. It also has a price tag that is almost half of the original! They are cute and comfy, perfect for a business casual look that maintains a level of comfort. Not to mention, it comes in several different colors, so you can add a touch of style to your office look.
3) Cushionaire Kabuki Cozy Platform Slippers ($59.99)
Look familiar? These shoes are dupes of the Ugg Tazz II slippers, but at a more attractive price. These shoes are sure to keep your feet warm and comfy. The only con I have is that they do feel a little heavy and clunky at times, but I feel that way about most platform shoes. It’s all about preference and what you like most.
The solution for shopping on a budget has arrived. Dupes have taken the world by storm, and it’s time to decide if you will jump on that bandwagon. Just remember, even though the price looks lower than the original, the quality is not always better. As you gamble in the world of dupes, be sure to strike gold every time! Now, grab your credit card, get your phone or computer, and start shopping for dupes that will upgrade your wardrobe!
