{"id":5616,"date":"2025-05-23T18:02:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T16:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.lineapelle-fair.it\/?p=5616"},"modified":"2025-05-29T17:08:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T15:08:02","slug":"what-are-we-talking-about-when-we-mention-reverse-dupe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.lineapelle-fair.it\/en\/green-corner-en\/what-are-we-talking-about-when-we-mention-reverse-dupe\/","title":{"rendered":"What are we talking about when we mention reverse dupe\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inexpensive design, high quality production. The latest surprising consumer trend comes right from social media. In other words: rather than searching for a cheaper version of a luxury product, consumers tend to search for an expensive and luxury version of an ordinary product. We will try to understand what we are talking about when we mention reverse dupe<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

by Massimiliano Viti<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy favourite brand is xxx, but their bags are not that resistant and their production quality has definitely worsened. I am willing to pay even 2000 dollars<\/strong> to make a reproduction of my favourite model that will last me a lifetime\u201d. This is one of the various comments that appear and are shared on the chats of Reddit<\/strong> or Tiktok<\/strong>. Another one is: \u201cI love the design of this bag. Sadly, it’s not made of leather. Does someone have any advice on a similar model, but made of leather? I’ve never bought anything from this brand, is it really worth it? These are messages posted by consumers who are in desperate search for a reverse dupe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Reverse dupe\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Reverse dupe<\/strong> is, basically, characterised by an inexpensive design and a high quality production. Rather than searching for a cheaper version of a luxury product<\/strong>, consumers tend to desperately search for an expensive and luxury version of an ordinary product<\/strong>. Otherwise, having made a high quality reproduction of a piece with a captivating design, but composed of poor quality materials or characterised by a low quality production that, as a consequence, compromises its durability.<\/p>\n

Do you remember Balenciaga?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The creation of the first reverse dupe is attributed to Balenciaga<\/strong>. More precisely, during the Spring-Summer 2017<\/strong> menswear runway show, a model walked down the runway carrying a luxurious leather bag, which was clearly inspired by Ikea\u2019s Frakta<\/strong> shopper. The design and the colour were truly close to the product of the Swedish company, while the price was nowhere near: 60 cents<\/strong> for the Fracta, while 1.700 euros<\/strong> for the Balenciaga carry shopper bag.<\/p>\n

Actually, yes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The rise of reverse dupes has been recently confirmed by the CEO of Dupes.com, Bobby Ghoshal<\/strong>, who pointed out that, currently, the reverse use<\/strong> of his search engine is steadily on the increase. The user photographs and uploads on the site a low quality bag, in order to search for\u00a0better alternatives. The aim is to find luxury versions of inexpensive products. This trend, in a certain way, could be considered equal to the one that gives added value to clothes inspired by pop culture or even workers\u2019 culture.<\/p>\n

What’s behind these phenomena?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Both with dupe and reverse dupe, the act of purchasing a product becomes an active research: a treasure hunt<\/strong>. Unlike dupes, in which the design is entirely duplicated, in reverse dupes is the customer that actively discovers the design. In a peculiar way, the consumer essentially becomes creative, by fulfilling a need of his own. He wants to make his personality come to light. His desire is to stand out and give voice to his inner stylist, in order to avoid being subjected to the homogenization process carried out by social networks.<\/p>\n

In this way, the act of purchasing a fashion product truly resembles an actual adventure<\/strong>, because you need to dig more and more if you want to find what you are looking for. During this particular research, new realities are discovered, mistakes are made and awful deals are carried out. But, the purchases will remain unforgettable in the consumer\u2019s memory, precisely because of the effort made<\/strong>. Little consumerist adventures through which the act of buying something is associated with an effort that, as a consequence, strengthens the attachment to the specific product.<\/p>\n

The time for research and creativity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So, surprisingly,\u00a0in 2025 it is considered cool<\/strong> to bring back into fashion an ordinary, unexpected, forgettable or, even, ugly product. For this reason, currently, it is time for research and creativity. As stated by Zoe Scaman<\/strong>, founder of the marketing and advertising agency Bodacious, the ideal brand of the future won’t be the one that will offer a finished product but, rather, a kit<\/strong> in order to give the customer an active role, with the opportunity of creating something. Is she accelerating the process? Perhaps. Meanwhile, the spreading of reverse dupes could be interpreted as a first shy step towards this direction.<\/p>\n

Read also:<\/strong><\/p>\n