Many can relate to this scenario: you’ve discovered an item that seems perfectly tailored to your needs—be it a luxurious chair or an exquisite skincare product—but the price tag suggests it’s outside your financial reach. Faced with this predicament, the options appear limited: you could commit to saving for weeks or even years, rely on a credit card and grapple with accumulating interest fees, or seek out a more affordable duplicate, commonly referred to as a “dupe.”

Dupes—short for duplicates—are experiencing a surge in popularity. While imitation products have always existed, such as the “designer” bags sold on street corners, dupes possess a unique characteristic: they don’t masquerade as the high-end items. Instead, they closely mimic the aesthetic and functionality at a fraction of the cost.

Uncovering these dupes can often be achieved through a simple image search online or a visit to stores like Target or Lidl. However, the quest can sometimes be daunting. Fortunately, numerous apps and businesses specialize in simplifying the search for dupes.

Finding Dupes on the Internet

Searching for alternative home furnishings or household items might lead you down an endless rabbit hole of subreddits and Facebook groups. Luckily, several tools can streamline the process for you. Here are some noteworthy options:

• TikTok: This social media platform has become a hub for dupe discoveries. By simply entering the name of what you’re searching for, coupled with hashtags like #dupe or #dupefinder, you can find a wealth of information. The added advantage of TikTok is that you can view real users demonstrating and evaluating these dupes, allowing for informed purchasing decisions.

• Dupe.com: Gaining significant traction lately, this user-friendly site enables you to either paste the URL of an item (furniture, clothing, etc.) or upload an image. Dupe.com then scours the internet to find comparable looks. For instance, if you’re eyeing an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, which can cost up to $8,000 but leads you to alternatives like a similar chair available at Walmart.

• Spoken.io: Much like Dupe.com, this site allows users to paste URLs or upload images to find discounts on dupes. For example, it might reveal an $1,899 chair that closely resembles the original, providing significant cost savings.

• Dupeshop: This site is dedicated to beauty and skincare products, offering not only purchase links but also detailed comparisons and reviews, making it easier to ensure the quality of the dupes.

• SkinSkool: This platform organizes dupes by similarity scores and features dollar sign icons indicative of the price range. This functionality allows you to compare your budget against available options based solely on ingredient lists rather than user reviews.

Companies Specializing in Their Own Dupes

Several companies have carved out niches by producing high-quality dupes, alleviating the need to search extensively. Some prominent examples include:

• Brandefy: This brand capitalizes on the fact that many high-end beauty products share similar manufacturing processes. By offering “inspired by” products, Brandefy provides affordable alternatives, primarily through its user-friendly app.

• The Essence Vault and Dossier: Both brands focus on creating scent dupes. Since fragrances cannot be legally copyrighted, these clones often emulate the scents of pricier counterparts. Note that quality may vary, but both offer options inspired by high-end perfumes.

• Element Brooklyn: This environmentally conscious company provides soaps and lotions that mimic established brands like Aesop, while emphasizing sustainability through refillable packaging.

• Quince: Similar to Brandefy, Quince claims to source products from the same factories as luxury brands, delivering high-quality clothing at competitive prices.

• Italic: Based in Los Angeles, this brand offers clothes, jewelry, and accessories that resemble luxury items. Though its prices are not as low as traditional dupes, they still provide substantial savings when compared to high-end labels.

Important Considerations When Shopping for Dupes

Evaluating whether a dupe is worth the price can often be challenging. For instance, discerning the quality of furniture or apparel through photos alone can be misleading. Platforms like TikTok, which feature endorsements from actual users, can be instrumental in decision-making.

For beauty and skincare products, SkinSort offers a valuable comparison tool. This allows users to assess ingredients and gather reviews from previous purchasers of both dupes and their branded counterparts.

Additionally, seeking secondhand name-brand items through platforms like Poshmark can provide a budget-friendly alternative. Many sellers acquire their products through retail connections and offer genuine items at lower prices, thus allowing you to enjoy the benefits of branded goods without the associated cost.