Save vs. Splurge: The Best Amazon Dupes I Own and Love
Why buy that when you can buy this? If you’ve ever fallen in love with a pair of $128 leggings or a designer bag with a four-figure price tag, this post is for you. I’ve spent years hunting down the best Amazon dupes for the brands we all love (Lululemon, Vuori, Free People, even Hermès), and I’m sharing the ones that actually made the cut.
Here’s my rule: I don’t recommend anything I haven’t personally bought, worn, washed, and lived in. Every dupe on this list is something I own, and in most cases I own the designer version too, so I can tell you exactly where it’s worth splurging and where the save is so close you’d never know the difference.
Because here’s what I’ve learned after 10 years at QVC and a lot of shopping since: the label doesn’t make you feel good in your clothes. The fit does. And ladies, some of these Amazon finds fit BETTER than the originals.
Let’s get into it, category by category.
Activewear Dupes: The Lululemon Look for Less
I live in workout clothes. I teach live fitness classes every week, I use my walking pad while I work, and I’ve tested more leggings and sports bras than I can count. These are the Amazon activewear dupes that hold up to real sweat, real squats, and real washing machines.
My Favorite Athletic Leggings
Believe it or not, I actually traded my Lululemon leggings for these Amazon ones instead. They are a fraction of the price, come in tons of fun colors, and I like them even better than Lulu!
Save: My Favorite Amazon Leggings
Splurge: Lululemon Align Leggings
Relaxed Wide Leg Lounge Pants
These ultra soft relaxed wide leg lounge pants are so comfortable. They look and feel just like the Vuori version!
Save: Amazon Wide Leg Lounge Pants
Splurge: Vuori Halo Essential Pant
My Favorite Athletic Shorts
These are my all time favorite athletic shorts from Amazon. They are just as good as the Lululemon Track That Shorts, and a much better deal. I own about a million different colors and wear them on repeat!
Save: My Favorite Amazon Athletic Shorts
Splurge: Lululemon Track That Shorts
The Best Biker Shorts
My favorite biker shorts from Amazon are almost identical to the Lululemon Align Biker Shorts.
Save: My Favorite Amazon Biker Shorts
Splurge: Lululemon Align Biker Shorts
My Favorite Sports Bra
I love the comfort and support this sports bra gives me without cutting into my back or shoulders. I own six colors!
Save: My Favorite Amazon Sports Bra
Splurge: Lululemon Energy Bra
Sports Bra Tank
I love this athletic tank with a built in sports bra. It’s just as good as the Lululemon
Save: My Favorite Amazon Sports Bra Tank
Splurge: Lululemon Align Tank Top
Everyday Apparel Lookalikes
A great pair of pants is worth its weight in gold in midlife (hello tummy control). These are the everyday apparel dupes I reach for on repeat, and a couple of them get more compliments than the designer versions hanging right next to them in my closet.
High-Waisted Cropped Pants
I have these wide leg pants in so many fun colors. They are the lookalike to the Anthropologie Colette pair, but I like these even better!
Save: My Favorite Amazon Cropped Pants
Splurge: Anthropologie Colette Pants
Everyday Barrel Pants
These barrel pants are a viral lookalike, and believe it or not, I like the lesser expensive one over the $250 “Ruti” designer pair! Talk about a win!
Save: My Favorite Amazon Barrel Pants
Splurge: Ruti On The Loose Work Pants
Wide Leg Flowy Crepe Pants (Wrinkle Free)
These are probably my favorite pants of all time. And one case where I actually do prefer the splurge version. The Amazon version is great too, but these wrinkle-free originals were the star of my Paris packing list – I wore them almost every day! However, if you’re looking for a budget version, give the Amazon version a try!
Save: Amazon Wide Leg Flowy Pants
Splurge: Aritzia Lodge Pants
Sherpa Pullover Half Zip
This sherpa pullover is a favorite of mine for chilly weather in Minnesota. I own multiple colors!
Save: Amazon Sherpa Pullover Half Zip
Splurge: Free People Mountain High Half-Zip Fleece
Short Sleeve Pajama Set
These pajamas are so soft and lightweight. In my opinion the Amazon version is just as good as the original!
Save: Amazon Short Sleeve Pajama Set
Splurge: Eberjey Shortie Short PJ Set
Shoes & Sandals: Dolce Vita, Birkenstock, and Tory Burch Lookalikes
These everyday sandals, slides, and casual sneakers dupes have gotten SO good. These are the ones I can actually walk miles in.
Woven Mary Jane Flats
I’m love these woven Mary Jane flats. They have a wide toe box, which I love, and they were comfortable right away when wearing! I have multiple colors!
Save: Amazon Woven Mary Jane Flats
Splurge: Dolce Vita Woven Flats
Horsebit Slide Sandals
These designer sandal lookalikes give a total Gucci vibe – and believe it or not, they are actually comfortable!
Save: Amazon Horsebit Slide Sandal
Splurge: Gucci Signora Slide Sandal
Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal
I’ve already purchased multiple pairs of these Tory Burch sandal lookalikes! So comfortable and easy to wear with any outfit.
Save: Amazon Arch Support Sandals
Splurge: Tory Burch Miller Cloud Light
Slide Sandals
These sandals look just like the Tory Burch Millers! I’ve already grabbed three different colors and I get compliments all the time!
Save: Amazon Slide Sandals
Splurge: Tory Burch Miller
Platform Water-Friendly Sandals
These sandals have great cushion and a cute look. They’re even water resistant!
Save: Amazon Platform Sandals
Splurge: Reef Water Vista Higher
Double Strap Casual Sandals
These double buckle platform sandals have a fun and trendy design! A must-have for the pool.
Save: Amazon Double Buckle Sandals
Splurge: Dolce Vita Julio Sandals
Leather Platform Sandals
I love these comfortable platform sandals. They are just as good as the original Birkenstock pair!
Save: Amazon Leather Chunky Sandals
Splurge: Birkenstock Arizona Chunky
Leather Slide Sandals
I love these comfortable platform sandals. They are just as good as the original Birkenstock pair!
Save: Amazon Leather Slide Sandals
Splurge: Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle
Suede Clogs
These suede clogs are so comfortable and look just like the original Birkenstock pair!
Save: Amazon Suede Clogs
Splurge: Birkenstock Boston Soft Bed
Handbags & Accessories: The Designer Look Without the Heart-Stopping Price
I love a beautiful bag, but I love not spending a mortgage payment on one even more. This leather bucket bag with the little lock detail gives you that Hermès feeling for a tiny fraction of the cost, and nobody has ever guessed it came from Amazon.
Woven Crossbody Bag
I actually love BOTH of these amazing bags! Nothing beats the Clare V. quality, but if you’re looking for a more affordable option, I love this Amazon woven bag too!
Save: Amazon Woven Crossbody Bag
Splurge: Clare V. Grande Fanny
Leather Bucket Bag
This leather bucket purse from Amazon looks so much more expensive than it really is!
Save: Amazon Leather Bucket Bag
Splurge: Hermès Picotin Lock 18
Woven Suede Shoulder Bag
The quality on this Bottega Veneta shoulder bag is incredible! Since the original is close to $5,000 – this Amazon lookalike is a steal!
Save: Amazon Woven Suede Shoulder Bag
Splurge: Bottega Veneta Andiamo Intrecciato Suede Shoulder Bag
Nylon Belt Bag
I use this Amazon belt bag all the time on walks. It’s the perfect size for my phone, wallet and keys!
Save: Amazon Belt Bag
Splurge: Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Quilted Tote Bag
I love using this as a gym bag when I’m running in to teach a class. It holds all of my essentials and looks just like the Free People version!
Save: Amazon Quilted Tote Bag
Splurge: Free People Quilted Carryall Bag
Shop more of my favorite finds on my Amazon storefront!