As a blogger, I’ve never been much into designer dupes. You guys have heard me talk time and time again about quality, and I truly prefer to support the original designer by buying directly from them instead of going the fast fashion route. However, that isn’t always financially possible for me or anyone else.
Over the past three years or so, I’ve figured out how to find amazing lookalikes for trendy, high-end designer items that I spot online. For example, when I discovered the outfit pictured on Matches Fashion, it would have put me out $5,440 (shocking, I know). Instead, I used a combination of apps and search methods to find lookalikes and recreate the entire outfit for $275.
Outfit Details: Top (old, similar here), Skirt, Boots, Bag
There’s a fine line when scoping out a look for less between a low-quality knock off and a similar, well-made piece that can get you the aesthetic you’re after without depleting your bank account. Some of the best items in my closest have been discovered this way, so I thought I’d share the method to my madness today.
Without further ado, here are the five main ways I find high-quality designer dupes.
1. Google Photos App
The Google Photos app is designed to store photos, videos, and screenshots, but it has a special feature called Google Lens that allows you to instantly find similar products at the touch of a button. In the example below, I took a screenshot of a crossbody bag I love this season that’s nearly $2,000. When I open the Google Photos app, tap the screenshot, then tap the lens icon at the bottom of the screen, it gives me a list of similar products. As you can see, it sometimes returns an exact match of the item pictured, but there are dozens of affordable lookalikes mixed in, too.
The Image I Searched
Lookalike Results
2. ShopStyle.com
I’ve been using ShopStyle for years, and it’s still the first place I go when I have an item in mind and don’t know where to start. The ShopStyle search engine crawls more than 14,000 brands, and you can filter by price, color, condition, retailer, and more. I also love that you can save your favorite finds and get sale alerts sent to your email.
Here’s a screenshot of a search I performed recently to find a lookalike for my Loeffler Randall brown leather knee-high boots. Click here to see the luxury boot for comparison—pretty close!
3. Google Image Search
When I’m on a desktop computer, Google Image Search (images.google.com) is another go-to I use to find dupes and lookalikes. While Google is a text-based search engine, Google Images returns image media based on keywords you enter or an image you upload. I’ve found that uploaded images typically return better results, as the keyword results are based on contextual info about the image (its file name, root domain name, etc.).
I’ve used this feature in the past when I find an outfit I love on Pinterest but it leads to a broken link. I’ll take a screenshot of that photo, upload it to Google Images, and I can often find the original blog post/product listing or similar looks in the results.
4. Pinterest Related Products
When Pinterest recognizes a pin as a product, it will usually include a “Shop Similar” section beneath the pin when the pin is in the expanded view. I have special private Pinterest board where I save high-end pieces I love from various retailers’ websites. If I click on almost any pin within that board, I can scroll down and see similar products—most of which are under $50 or $100. See an example from a $495 Vince Cable Sweater I saved to my board below.
My Pin
Similar Products from Pinterest
5. Amazon Search
Amazon is cracking down on the language in product listings, so searching for terms like “dupe” and “lookalike” usually doesn’t return meaningful results. However, you can almost always find what you’re looking for by simply describing the item. Here’s my search for “Princetown Loafer” (a Gucci shoe that retails for $995), and I found a pair for $55. I’ve saved a few other Amazon lookalikes in my storefront here.
There you have it! My five most-used tips and tricks for finding beautiful lookalikes for high-priced items online. Sharing a few more popular designer dupes below that I’ve discovered over the years. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!
Designer Bag Dupes
Here are some of the best designer inspired bags I’ve found throughout the course of my blogging career. If you’re not ready to invest in a designer handbag, these are some great alternatives from Etsy, Amazon, eBay, SheIn, and more that look a heck of a lot like the real deal.
- Classic Quilted Chanel Shoulder Bag
- Gucci Marmont Crossbody Bag
- Celine Lookalike Bag
- Louis Vuitton Bag Neverfull Tote
- Louis Vuitton Dupe Backpack
- YSL LouLou Lookalike
- Bottega Veneta Clutch
- Hermes Birkin Bag
- Valentino-Inspired Bag
- Prada Nylon Bag
Other Designer Dupes
Some of the best designer dupes (designer shoes, etc.) to get the look of the real thing without the crazy price tag.
- Gucci Belt
- Cartier Cuff Bracelet
- David Yurman Bracelet
- Chanel Slingbacks
- Burberry Scarf
- Michele Watch
- Gucci Princeton with Fur
- Gucci Princeton Slide by Sam Edelman
- Golden Goose Lookalike by Steve Madden
- Tory Burch Miller Sandals
Wow! Love how you were able to find the perfect look alikes. You did great! Thanks for sharing. Also, I am really loving the green bags for the fall.
Me too! Haha at some point all I’m going to have are green bags!
This is a great round-up. It comes in so handy! Have also recently become a great fan of designer dupes. And yes they are now a popular option for many people. They have opened a whole new window of looking expensive for less, lol!