What are dupes?
If you do tons of research before committing to a new purchase, you have probably stumbled upon the term ‘dupe’. Simply put, a dupe is a duplicate product of a trendy or more expensive item. Unlike knockoffs, a dupe incorporates specific style cues without replicating any branding or marketing, and it is usually sold at a significant discount compared to its branded counterpart.
Why are they so popular now?
Dupes have become really popular lately for a couple of reasons. Thanks to globalization, it’s now easier for sellers to connect with suppliers and manufacturers worldwide. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram also play a big role. Sellers use these platforms to easily reach a unique audience, showcasing their products in attention grabbing ways to their niche. And of course, the price. Manufacturing efficiency has reached a point where, if you don’t find yourself entangled by an huge procurement team, marketing budget, and minimum order quantities, you can market your product with a reduced margin, passing the savings directly to the consumer.
Why I started Dupe or Don’t
Who do you trust between fast-fashion brands like Zara and SHEIN and the constant stream of new sellers popping up on Amazon, Insta, and TikTok? The abundance of choices can become overwhelming at times. My goal is to create a community of individuals like myself seeking quality products and good value, not cheap items destined for the trash or another trip to the UPS store.
This is a new journey for me and I want to hear from you. Feel free to DM me on insta or through my contact page .