The best high street dupes of 2023’s most in demand ‘it bags’
DESIGNER bags can be a great investment and the ultimate accessory for many.
However they can come with a hefty price tag, so we don’t blame you for looking for alternative dupes which will be a little cheaper.
The most popular ‘it bags’ will always do the rounds among the fashion influencers and A-listers with most in demand brands including Chanel, YSL, Acne Studios and Loewe.
While these designs are timeless, and well worth investing in, they can be pretty expensive, and so we have found the best dupes of the most popular ‘it bags’ causing a scene at the moment.
From YSL’s Icare Maxi Shopping bag and Chanel’s Mini Flap design to Acne Studios Musubi bag, and the Loewe Raffia Bag, which has been a sell out success every summer, we have found affordable alternatives to save you thousands.
You don’t have to look too far for those purse friendly bags either as you can find them online, and in store, at M&S, H&M, Mango and Arket.
The best part – no-one will know the difference, even we had to double take.
1. YSL dupe
River Island has heard our cries for the hugely popular YSL Icare Maxi Shopping Bag, and delivered.
The designer alternative is made from quilted lambskin leather, features gold emblem detail on the front and is, quite frankly, huge, both in size and price as it fetched £3,620.
River Island’s variation also features the quilted texture, has its own brand logo, though a little more subtle on the front, and is an oversized bag.
River Island’s variation could save you over £3000, so it’s a no brainer.
- Black Quilted Shopper Bag, £45 from River Island – buy here
2. Acne dupe
We have been lusting after Acne’s Musubi Bag for longer than we can remember. It comes in various sizes, from small to larger designs, as well as different colourways, including classic black, tan and cream.
But along comes Arket’s double.
The Arket Leather Crossbody Bag is also made from soft leather, and boasts the square and boxy shape, short top handle, as well as a strap to wear across the body.
Arket’s design comes in different colourways, so you can stock up on every shade, for less than the Acne bag, which retails between £700 and £800.
- Leather Crossbody Bag, £169 from Arket – buy here
3. Chanel dupe
It’s safe to say we all lust after owning a Chanel bag at some stage in our life.
Now we can – kind of – as H&M has launched a Textured Shoulder Bag, which boasts the same boxy shape, monochrome fabric outer, and gold accents, like the Chanel Mini Flap.
However, the H&M alternative retails for under £20, which means you can save over £4240.
- Textured shoulder bag, £17.99 from H&M – buy here
4. Ganni
If you are shopping for an everyday, easy-to-wear bag, whether it is to style across the body, over the shoulder, tight across your chest, or even just hold in your hand, Monki’s lightweight Nylon Camera Bag is the answer.
And, it just so happens to look like Ganni’s Festival Bag, which retails for £95.
Monki’s bag is perfect as it has different pouches and compartments to store your valuables, has a thick adjustable strap to fit the wearer perfectly, and is only £20.
- Nylon camera bag, £20 from Monki – buy here
5. Gucci dupe
Under the arm handbags have seen a resurgence in recent months, and it is giving us major 90s vibes.
Gucci and Louis Vuitton were some of the failsafe go-tos in the nineties, and now they have surged in popularity once again.
But why spend almost £1,000 on the Gucci Ophidia Shoulder Bag, when you can snap up Mango’s affordable dupe for £35.99.
- Jacquard Shoulder Bag, £35.99 from Mango – buy here
6. Dior tote bag dupe
For those who need a little extra storage in their bag, whether you are heading into the office, or on holiday, a large shopper tote is a popular answer.
Christian Dior’s Large Book Tote has been hugely popular for many years. It comes in a boxy shape, and features various patterns and prints on the front, to suit your preference.
However, Dior’s designer bag costs £2,550, whereas H&M’s Flannel Shopper, which is a slightly different print to Dior, yet still looks similar, and is sturdy, is our preferred alternative.
- Flannel shopper, £34.99 from H&M – buy here
7. Loewe dupe
Similar to the Dior Book Tote, the Loewe raffia Basket Bag has been another hugely popular designer bag many have been buying over the years, particularly when heading on holiday, or for the summer months.
But £375 for the smaller Loewe design, which also comes in bigger variations, is a hefty sum to pay for seasonal accessory.
However, M&S’ Straw Mini Tote looks almost identical.
It is made from straw, with a cotton inner lining, and faux leather straps for a more eco-conscious, stylish and affordable bag.
- Straw Mini Tote Bag, £29.50 from M&S – buy here
8. Celine dupe
Celine is another hugely popular designer brand many know and love.
Celine has numerous bags to shop, including cross body designs, but with extortionate price tags.
The solution? Mango’s Cross Body Bag, which costs £45.99, and is selling out fast.
Mango’s chic and simple box cross body bag, features a gold buckle fastening on the front and adjustable straps, similar to the Celine Classic Bag in Calfskin, as well as the Triomphe Bag, and even APC’s Grace bag, so really you are nabbing three bags in one with Mango’s dupe.
- Cross-body bag, £45.99 from Mango – buy here
The key is in the details, and your outerwear, as Varsity Bomber Jackets are big.
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