These 28 Picks Give Designer Energy But Are a Fraction of the Cost
Courtney Falsey Thu, 21 Dec 2023 Who What Wear
If you're someone who appreciates fashion (and, seeing as you've ended up here, I'd venture that you are), the likelihood that you have a running designer clothing wish list is fairly high. Personally, I've been pining for the mesh Alaïa Mary Janes since last season and after walking through The Row store this past weekend, I definitely wouldn't mind if one of their sweaters ended up under my Christmas tree. But seeing as I don't have the kind of expendable income it would take to buy whatever my expensive-leaning heart desires, I've gotten pretty good at finding those pieces that at least look like they cost more than they actually do.
The pricing behind designer clothes is based in large part on the quality of the item, so when looking for more affordable alternatives, paying attention to fabrics is key. I tend to stay away from anything that has the potential to pile or would make you think twice before getting close to an open flame. Silhouettes and fit are also important. Nine times out of 10, when I'm admiring an outfit on someone, it's usually caught my eye because it looks like it was made for them. You want to be especially mindful of fit when considering trends like office-wear that really depend on the specificity of the hang and drape in order to not look, well, like you're going to the office.
Shopping online makes it a little more difficult to discern these types of things, but seeing as I browse like it's my job (it is) I've taken the liberty of picking some pieces that fit the above criteria. For all of my favorite designer dupes, keep scrolling, and rejoice in the fact that you'll still be able to splurge on your favorite $7 matcha latte after filling up your shopping cart.
