A Fashion Lover’s Guide to Affordable Accessories
Movies, music, and TV shows have brought fashion into our lives in unthinkable ways. These sources of entertainment give us access to see how high fashion items are styled off the runway, making us yearn for the pieces we love tenfold. And with consistent access to the internet, purchasing the majority of these items is simply just a click away.
But, what happens when you can't afford the $600 Manolo Blahniks? Do you just give up your search with a broken heart? Most of us do, but I'm here to help patch that broken heart with an array of amazing dupes to ease your high-fashion needs—without spending the high-fashion dough.
BLUMARINE ECO-FUR PURPLE MINI BAG $508 VS. EGO SHOES FAUX FUR GRAB BAG IN LILAC $26.99
SOURCE: BLUEMARINE & EGO SHOES
Shoes
Versace or Public Desire?
I love the Versace Medusa Platforms as much as the next person, but $1,425 is completely out of my budget. After scouring the internet I came across the Public Desire Moonchild Pumps selling for only $52.99. Similar to the Medusa Pumps, the Moonchild Pumps stand at 6 inches tall. While both pairs have a double platform and thin ankle strap, the Moonchild Pumps lack the crystals Medusa is adorned with.
The main difference between these shoes is the fabric compositions. Versace uses 78% viscose and 28% silk, while Public Desire uses man-made synthetic PU leather. Even with Public Desire not offering reviews, the site is usually extremely true to size and their shoes are comfortable to walk long distances in. Will you give Public Desire a chance or stick to the original?
Source: Versace & Public Desire
Bottega Veneta or ASOS?
The second Rihanna wore the white Bottega Veneta Sandals, social media went crazy for them. And I'll admit, so did I. I instantly fell in love with the Bottega sandals and bought myself a pair for $990, straight off the site. Now I am not the material girl I once was, and while I do not regret my purchase, I know I could have gone for a great dupe instead. After searching for some time I found the Yellow Strappy Heels sold by Milanoo for only $29.99.
The Milanoo sandals are extremely similar to Bottega’s, but the fabric materials differ. Milanoo uses synthetic PU leather and Bottega uses a mixture of 60% Lambskin and 40% Cotton. Rated at 5.0 stars, the Milanoo shoes are said to be extremely versatile and comfortable. One reviewer noted they wore the shoe for 10 hours straight and didn’t feel any of the usual aching. So, did these Milanoo shoes catch your eye or is Bottega the one for you?
Source: Bottega veneta & Milanoo
Christian Louboutin or Mermoute?
When discussing shoes, Christian Louboutin will most likely always be a part of the conversation. Louboutin's signature red soles are the key to a brilliantly identifiable shoe. A good Louboutin dupe will have a red bottom, but a great one will have a similar, if not the same, shade of red. There are tons of Louboutin Hot Chick dupes, but Mermoutes Classic Womens Red Bottoms for $69.99 are at the top of my list. Mermoute’s shoe is 20mm taller than the Louboutins, but the width of the heel is very similar.
The $745 Louboutin pumps are made with patent calf material, compared to their cheaper counterpart that has a Suede finish. The silhouette and sleek looks of both pumps are fit for an outfit full of drama and flair. Rated at 5.0 stars, multiple reviewers have stated Mermoutes Red Bottoms are sexy and comfortable to wear. Some have even stated they will be buying the shoe in other colors. The only question to ask is, why splurge when you can save?
Source: Christian Louboutin & Mermoute
Hand Bags
Jacquemus or PrettyLittleThing?
As a lover of mini bags, the Jacquemus La Montagne 'Le Chiquito Nœud' bag stole my heart. Priced at $840 on SSENSE, I did the best thing I knew how and searched for a dupe. Finding an exact dupe of this bag was difficult but I came across the Blue Faux Mini Bag sold by PrettyLittleThing for $35. These two bags are different in material, with the La Montagne made with leather and gold-toned accents and the Faux Mini made with suede.
The Faux Mini lacks the adjustable shoulder strap and foldover closure that the La Montagne features. While I understand this dupe might be a stretch, the striking blue and triangle shape sold me. Rated at 4.0 stars, the PrettyLittleThing Faux Mini is 3 inches deep, similar to the La Montagne, and can hold your keys, important cards, and a lip gloss or chapstick. Which will you buy?
Source: SSENSE & PrettyLittleThing
Prada or Amazon?
With Y2K trending, the 2000 Re-edition Prada bag has become the new it-girl staple item. This $995 bag can easily be worn with any outfit regardless of whether you're going to school, work, or even the gym. But, $995 is a bit out of reach, so if you're looking for a cheaper option check out the AMHDV Small Shoulder Bag sold by Amazon for $27.99. Though very similar, the AMHDV Small Shoulder Bag has a couple of extra features that the Prada bag doesn’t.
The AMHDV bag comes with a small detachable wallet and an adjustable strap, in addition to the chain. Rated at 4.3 stars, the Amazon bag isn’t an exact dupe, but all extra items are easily detachable. The Amazon bag is just as versatile as the Prada bag and is deep enough to hold important items. One reviewer even mentioned that the bag reminds them of the Prada Re-edition! Which one will you be wearing this spring?
Osoi or JW PEI?
My favorite type of bags are those with unique shapes and sizes- and Osoi bags are just that. The $350 Osoi Mini Toni bag has the potential of being another it-girl staple. The almost circular structure of the item is destined to turn heads, but $350 isn’t exactly affordable on a college student's budget. If you're looking for something a little cheaper, check out the Rantan Bag sold by JW PEI for $109. While both bags have similar silhouettes, the Rantan bag does meet at the top forming a full circle, and the Osoi Toni bag does not.
These bags are featured with detachable and adjustable straps, a zipper closure, and metal hardware. The key difference between these items is that the JW PEI bag is made from vegan leather and is designed to resemble a crocodile leather bag. JW PEI does not offer reviews on their products but the bag is 6.7 inches deep and is a hot commodity, with the bag having to be pre-ordered for April 30th shipping. How likely are you to purchase the faux crocodile leather bag?
Dupes aren’t always a hit, and they aren't as easy to find as one may think. Sometimes you're able to locate almost an exact copy and other times you're lucky if you can get something even a tad similar. If you're searching for quality dupes, check out the site Tiger Lyly—you will not be disappointed!
Which was your favorite dupe? Leave a comment below.