Top Secrets to Finding Designer Dupes

You know that I’m all about living luxuriously. Life is meant to be enjoyed and experienced to the fullest! But sometimes it just isn’t possible to afford the highest quality designer items all the time. Let’s be honest – those price tags quickly rack up. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still look stylish. It just means it’s time to learn the magic of shopping for designer dupes.

If you love the style and aesthetic of a look but don’t want to drop the amount of money required to build a designer closet, designer dupes are the way to go. Dupes give you the looks that you love at a fraction of the price, so you can feel fabulous without breaking the bank. Not sure where to begin? I’ve got you covered with my top tips on finding the best designer dupes.

TOP SECRETS TO FINDING DESIGNER DUPES

As someone who loves designer fashion, I’ve spent years honing my techniques to find the best designer dupes. After all, as much as I love rocking a good designer piece, there’s nothing more satisfying than putting together an outfit that looks ready for the runway and knowing that you spent a fraction of a price on the items. That’s why I want to walk you through my process of finding designer dupes that are to die for.

Ultimately, finding good designer dupes comes down to one thing: research. First off, if you want to find pieces that look designer, you have to have a super solid understanding of designer items themselves. Take the time to really search and deep dive your favorite designer’s lines – what appeals to you? Why do you like the pieces? What about those pieces do you want to emulate – is it the colors? The cuts? A specific detailing? When you know – really know – what you’re looking for, it’s worlds easier to actually find it.

Next, you want to make sure that you’re staying up-to-date in circles that discuss designer fashion. Blogs, influencers, and online forums are the best places to keep an eye out for great tips on hunting for dupes. The more information you can collect, the better!

Once you feel like you have a good grasp of designer fashion and have compiled tips from experts, start digging into smaller brands that have a similar style to the designers you love. Many brands advertise that they draw inspiration from luxury designers – dig into what they have to offer. These brands might not be as well-known, but they have some true gems. Whether you’re looking for dresses or heels, bags or rings, you’ll be surprised at what you can find.

Finally, be willing to get your hands a little dirty, grab your favorite tote bag, and head to your local thrift stores and consignment shops. Not only do you have a great chance of finding dupes, but you might even stumble onto some actual designer pieces that have been donated or listed for consignment and are still in a great state. There’s no better feeling than walking away from a store knowing that you just purchased fabulous pieces at a price you never would have found anywhere else.

It’s always exciting to own real designer pieces, and I am all about treating yourself and having those moments of splurging. But there’s also no shame in deciding that now isn’t the time to be spending large amounts of money on designer pieces. That’s where good dupe shopping comes in – the more you do it, the better you’ll become at snagging gorgeous dupes, and soon you’ll find yourself with a closet that you’ve always dreamed of. It can be a challenge at first, but it’s so much fun – and the reward is very worth it!

Now that you have an idea of how to go about finding the best designer dupes, I want to share some of my favorite recent finds with you! I’m so excited to begin incorporating these pieces into my closet, and hopefully they will give you a good starting point as you hunt for your own designer dupes. Click through the links to see for yourself – these pieces are top notch.

SPLURGE VS. SAVE

1. Irina Espadrille Platform Wedge (Nordstrom, $174) vs. Aituis Platform Espadrille Wedge (Amazon, $44)

Everyone needs a good summer wedge, and I love this style of espadrille wedge with its thick woven strap. The Irina Espadrille from Nordstrom is absolutely adorable, but I have to say, I’m also obsessed with this alternative from Amazon – and it’s available for a quarter of the price. It’s pretty hard to say no to that.

2. Double G Cotton Headband (Gucci, $290) vs. Qianxuan Fabric Headband (Amazon, $15.99)

Headbands have been coming back into trend recently, and I could definitely see them making a resurgence in the upcoming fall season. I love this original twisted headband look from Gucci, but let’s be honest – we don’t always have $290 to drop on a headband. This dupe from Amazon is just as cute, and I’ve got to say, I love the fabric – it’s perfect for the season ahead.

3. Charlie Wide Sherpa Chair (Wayfair, $265) vs. Charlotte Accent Chair (Amazon, $175)

Who says that dupes are just for clothes? You can also find some fantastic furniture and home decor dupes to make your house look fabulous for less. After all, redoing a house can get pricey! That’s why I love dupes like this Charlotte Accent Chair from Amazon – it’s almost $100 less than it’s counterpart from Wayfair, and the two pieces look virtually identical. That’s a win in my book!

4. Scalloped One-Piece Swimsuit (J. Crew, $54.50) vs. One Piece Swimsuit Sexy Black Cutouts (Cupshe, $17.39)

I’m obsessed with the scalloped swimsuit look – it’s so classy, and gives a timelessly elegant feel, especially with a black swimsuit. I’ve recently fallen in love with ordering my swimwear from Cupshe, so I was really excited to find this scalloped black one piece that reminded me so much of the suit I’d loved from J. Crew. Plus, the added cutout is super cute!

5. Sweetheart Bow Dress (Anthropologie, $170) vs. MUXXN Women’s 1950s Retro Vintage Short Sleeve Wrap (Amazon, $34.99)

Everyone needs a sassy red dress in their closet. I initially fell in love with this Sweetheart Bow Dress from Anthropologie, but I was thrilled to find the same vibe in this vintage style dress from Amazon. It’s super flattering, has a great sweetheart neckline, and hugs your body in all the right places for a silhouette that’s absolutely to die for.

6. G-Timeless Watch (Gucci, $1,250) vs. Minimalist Quartz Watch (Bisley, $29.99)

Watches are one of the most popularly duped pieces because they’re such a high ticket item. Not many people can drop over a thousand dollars on a watch without thinking twice about it, but $30? Now that sounds way more doable. I love how simple and minimalistic this watch it – it’s super clean and classy, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a piece.

7. Carrson Black Leather Heel (Steve Madden, $99.95) vs. Wild Diva Women’s High Chunky Block Heel (Amazon, $25.79)

The block heel is a closet staple, and this pair from Steve Madden is sleek, elegant, and sexy. But at a quarter of the price, it’s hard to say no to this Amazon dupe. While this shoe may not be leather like the Steve Madden original, it gives the exact same look, which is the most important factor.

8. 2015 Re-Edition Wide Leather Belt (Gucci, $520) vs. Earnda Women’s Leather Belt (Amazon, $14.99)

We’ve all see dupes of the iconic Gucci belt, and no designer dupe recap is complete without one! If you don’t want to drop $500 on a Gucci belt, this dupe from Amazon is virtually identical. The gold buckle detailing may be a bit different, but the overall effect is the same, and at the end of the day, isn’t that all that matters?