Jimaaaaa

Pictured above shows a comparison of Birkenstock Boston clogs to a similar dupe. In many ways dupes can be better than the original, but it depends on the product. Photo courtesy of Jimaaaaa on YouTube.

When your heart screams “Yes!” but your wallet screams “No!”, you may have to resort to a dupe of some sort. While some purchases are worth the splurge, the name brand may not always suffice for the hefty price tag. New websites are always popping up, offering copied products for cheaper. Are these inexpensive products unethical or beneficial for consumers?

In today’s economy, the appeal of a dupe is almost undeniable. With the constant pressure from influencers and social media advertisements, the desire to own the latest products grows continuously. However, for many people specifically teenagers on a tight budget, these luxuries are out of reach and completely unrealistic. From fashion to makeup, dupes make it possible to experience the same aesthetics and trends, for a fraction of the price.

“My favorite dupe is the Tj Maxx clogs. I have tried on my friend’s Birkenstock clogs, and honestly, I feel like they’re the same thing,” said junior Andrea Ruiz.

Furthermore, junior Bella Gonzalez claims, “Lumi Glotion drops from L’Oréal are my all-time favorite dupe for the 40 dollar Drunk Elephant drops. The quality is amazing and I can count on it always being in stock, unlike the Sephora version.”

When the dupe just doesn’t satisfy demands, the real product might just do the trick. Maybe the extra penny’s will make the product last longer, or the coins will go right down the drain. While some people prefer the off brand, others prefer the original product.

Senior Ava Muniz, said, “L’Oréal Paris makes a dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk lipstick, yet L’Oréal is not cruelty free. Therefore, I prefer the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick.”

While the cheaper option may be alluring, you have to look behind the product and into the brand to see why the price is set as is.

Senior Noah Green, said, “Real medical masks would be a great example of something you wouldn’t want to buy a dupe of. This is because it is important to trust a product that is protecting your health.”

You may want to buy medical equipment from a trusted source so you know that they are effective. When it comes to health, it is important to do research to see how the product performs before you buy it.

“Lululemon leggings have manydupes on Amazon, with similar styles and fabrics, yet their quality doesn’t hold up the same as the real name brand. Lululemon also comes with a quality promise on their clothes, which allows for customers to take back worn items,” said senor Tammy Budiman.

This reinforces care for the customer and makes them feel like their money is ending up in the right company. When the dupe doesn’t serve its duty, it may be time to splurge. Besides ethics and low prices, the quality of dupes may disappoint, so down the line, it’ll pay off to spend a few more dollars. So, what will it be? The original or the dupe?