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It's not cool to buy dupes, but what if you don't know if it's a dupe? What if the piece is a copy of a brand you are unfamiliar with; how are you supposed to know? How the heck does one in this day and age, know if a bag's a dupe or a trend?
I wanted to start this discussion. With fast fashion, counterfeit and dupe bags are all over the place. And if you're not constantly up on the latest designer collections (few are, including myself), you may not realize that budget-friendly bag from Amazon that goes with your dress is pretending to be a much more expensive one.
But with this, there are a lot of bags out there that aren't trying to fake anyone out, and are just inspired by what was seen on the runways and it becomes an acceptable trend. Yep, this is all confusing, but it's a conversation we need to have. I am not a bag expert, but I believe you deserve to have at least the information I have to be an informed consumer.
As I learn more and as the trends change season to season, I plan to update and improve upon this post. If you have anything you'd like to share, do put it in the comments and it may help another reader and also improve the next version of this article!
How Do I Know If a Bag's a Dupe or a Trend?
First, let's dig into what is a dupe, and what is a trend? Which one is a style no-no, and which one may you be considering buying this season, without knowing its origins?
What is a Dupe?
A dupe is when a company copies a fashion item, often a bag or belt, in such a similar manner it can be confused for the original.
Dupes are Often Counterfeit
Dupes are often counterfeit; the items have the same exact logo, interior brand label, hardware, and textile in an attempt to fake one into thinking it's the original. You know, if you're purchasing this kind of dupe, you know Chanel is not sold on DH Gate or Canal Street, and you know that a Hermès bag wouldn't smell like gasoline.
Dupes are often "The Look for Less"
Other dupes are hella similar but not the same. They're usually a "look for less" where you are getting lesser quality, simpler design, and cheaper materials but the same shape, size, color, and concept. These can be hard to recognize as most of the population isn't keeping up with the latest fashion news.
Dupe is Short for Duplicate
Dupe is short for duplicate. That means it is the same color of textile and hardware, size and shape, and features as the original. If multiple retailers are selling a similar shape or featuring a similar color or design but none of them are exactly replicating the original it is not a dupe, it is a trend. Here is an example of a dupe that may have duped you into thinking it's just a cute option for a handbag:
Bottega Veneta is known for its Intrecciato leather (woven) and a green called Bottega green. Bottega Creative Director Daniel Lee launched this bag in green and other colors at the beginning of 2020. Lee named it the "Jodie" after Jodie Foster, who used an older Itrecciato leather Bottega bag to shield herself from the paparazzi. For more information on this popular bag which has dupes everywhere from Amazon to Nordstrom (including a photo of Foster with her Bottega), check out this article from ReBag.
Because this bag is so incredibly iconic to Bottega Veneta, with its woven leather, knotted handle, and especially the bright green versions, the variations above would be considered dupes. Other designers and brands carry woven leather bags, but the combination of the size, shape, detail (knot), and textile (woven real or faux leather) all together makes it feel way too close to the original.
What is a Trend?
A trend happens either when multiple designers or fashion folk have the same general idea at the same time or when one designer or fashion person does something so well that it inspires others.
When a Trend is Based on Similar Concepts from Multiple Sources
A trend is when multiple designers seem to come out with the same concept simultaneously. Inspired by the world around them, we will see similar trends emerge on runways.
For example, here is a trend I am seeing right now in designer bags. I don't know the exact term for it, but there will be a term for this kind of cinched/clasped bag before the year is through.
These are all designer bags currently for sale at the brand's site or high-end online shops like Net-a-Porter and Neiman Marcus. None would be considered dupes; they are all originals but have a similar concept of being cinched or clasped together.
Again, multiple designers have bags this year with the same concept, which I call a leather tube. These tubes of leather either create a design element or are used to thread the leather handle strap. These are all currently available and not dupes of one another.
I expect to see lower-priced brands and mass retailers carrying bags with these concepts in the near future. Since so many designers came out with this concept at the same time, the cheaper versions are not dupes unless they exactly replicate the color, shape, and size of one of the bags above.
When a Trend is Inspired by a Concept from a Single Source
A trend is also when the same runway concept inspires brands and fashion folk, and they all translate it differently. Let's imagine Gucci's fall/winter collection has multiple models carrying a red glazed leather mini duffle with black metal hardware.
- A hot celebrity in the front row of the fashion show carries the same bag, styled with head-to-toe current Gucci. A fashion editor walks from the show, carrying the same bag styled with a sharp pantsuit.
- A week later, a celebrity walks a red carpet carrying the same Gucci mini duffle. A few days later, a popular Italian influencer styles the Gucci bag with a simple tank top and her boyfriend's jeans.
- Two weeks after the runway show, a popular UK influencer styles the same red Gucci bag with a vintage Gucci dress and trainers. By the end of that same week, a podcaster and a Substacker have both deemed the Gucci bag the It Bag of the season and three TikTokkers have filmed unboxings of their own Gucci red glazed leather mini duffle.
Next thing you know, mini duffles are being sold everywhere from Neiman Marcus to Target, with some made of red-glazed leather and black metal hardware and others just embracing the shape.
If it sounds familiar, it's essentially Miranda Priestley's speech about cerulean blue in The Devil Wears Prada. It's how a trend happens and can help you know if you are buying one, or may look like you're trying to fake a designer original.
How to Prevent Buying a Dupe
There are a few ways to prevent buying a dupe without needing a subscription to Women's Wear Daily or The Business of Fashion:
- If the bag looks really unique, use a search engine to find something similar. For the Dupes collage above, I searched "green woven knot bag," and at the top of the results came Bottega Veneta, as they have been creating such bags for years. But right after Bottega were Target, DSW, VICI, Light in the Box, Temu, Lulus, and Etsy.
- When I searched "woven knot bag," Bottega wasn't until the second page, but the first page had many links to "influencer style" and "look for less" and suggested I also look for "Bottega Veneta woven bag."
- If you can find multiples of the same unique bag on Amazon, there is a good chance it is a dupe of an original.
- Every so often, go to a site like Net-a-Porter and scroll through the new arrival bags. Not only will this help you know what the original unique bags are, it will help you see what trends are going on with bags in regard to color, shape, and textile. I recommend doing this once a season, especially if you are in the market for a new bag.
Are Dupes Always Bad?
I wouldn't be caught really unique bags that are pretending to be the original, but when it's hard to determine if it's a trend or a dupe, I don't find it as offensive. As I mentioned in my latest Quince post, unless you're trying to go for a believable counterfeit designer bag, dupes are always the look for less and are lacking in some manner or another to make them cheaper and the result is more trend-based.
For example, I have this bag from Quince. And I know it's inspired by this bag from Clare V. But I've visited the Clare V. store, held and examined the bag, even ordered one and considered keeping it. I instead went with the Quince one because it actually better fit my personal needs.
When searching for a black leather crescent bag with two straps, I found many bag brands, including designers Coach and Mansur Gavriel, had very similar bags. On eBay, I found vintage Coach bags that were also very similar in shape and design. I believe a leather crescent bag with two straps is as much a trend as Bottega's famous woven leather is now a trend (also used by bag brands like Clare V.).
This is Confusing!
Yep, it is. Essentially, don't buy counterfeit, and don't buy something that looks incredibly unique and is being mass-produced by cheap companies until you do a bit of research.
As grown-ass women, we buy with care. We don't spend willy-nilly, we don't wear counterfeit or obviously dupe clothing, and we know it's more stylish to buy less and buy the best we can afford in styles we know we will enjoy for years to come.
I'd love to continue this discussion as it is a big topic these days, and with fast fashion companies like Temu, Shein, DH Gate, and Amazon, dupes are showing up within 48 hours of a runway show.
Again, I do not consider myself a bag expert. I am solely sharing my knowledge and my thoughts on the subject. I wish to be a useful resource for style advice to keep you looking and feeling chic on your terms. Come on over to the Wardrobe Oxygen Community where we can discuss specific bags or seasonal trends, or share your thoughts below in the comments!
