Dupe Culture: High end energy, low end spend

“Dupe” used to be a dirty word. Now it’s one of the most powerful hashtags on social. From affordable beauty swaps to fashion finds that mimic runway looks, dupe culture is everywhere,  and it’s rewriting the rules of how brands show up online.

On TikTok and Instagram, dupe culture has become a whole genre of content: aspirational styling with an affordable twist. It’s about vibes for less, not fakes or counterfeits, and Gen Z can’t get enough. The tag #dupe has racked up billions of views, fuelled by creators who love a cheeky side by side and communities who thrive on in-jokes and discovery.

The future of social is subversive, and dupe is here to stay.

✅ TL;DR

Dupe culture has shifted from taboo to trend.

For Gen Z, it’s all about savvy-shopping: luxury looks without luxury price tags.

For brands, that means:

• Don’t fight it → Join the conversation with confidence and humor
• Co-create with creators → Let trend-spotters and style hackers lead the way
• Play with formats → Dupe vs. original, side-by-sides, and UGC challenges

The future of social favours brands that lean into authenticity, community, and cultural playfulness.

🛍️ Why Dupe Culture Hits Different

At its core, dupe culture is value driven and community fuelled. Gen Z are savvy; they know when something’s overpriced and they’re not afraid to call it out. A dupe video lands because it’s playful, self aware and full of the fun that makes TikTok so addictive.

It’s also democratising. Not everyone can afford £100 leggings or a £40 lipstick, but everyone loves the feeling of luxury. Dupe culture says: you can have the look, the clout and the confidence without rinsing your bank account.

👖 How Brands Are Responding

Some brands are leaning into it, others are panicking. The smart ones? They’re turning dupe culture into a stage for collab and creativity.

Take Lululemon’s “Dupe Swap”, where they invited people to trade in their cheaper copycat leggings for the real thing. Bold move. It showed confidence, generated huge conversation and positioned them as unbothered and playful, not defensive.

@lululemon

Trust us, no one is missing their dupes. Align Legging Dupe Swap is back tomorrow at Century City Mall in LA, while supplies last. #lululemonalign

♬ original sound – Ethan Palazzo

We’re also seeing brands launch tongue in cheek “dupe” edits of their own, or partner with smaller, style driven micro brands to ride the wave instead of fight it. When you meet your audience where they are, laughing with them instead of talking at them, you get cultural cut through.

📲 Content Tactics That Work

The playbook is simple, but sharp:

• Dupe vs. Original reels and TikToks, with meme-style text overlays that invite debate
• Creator-led challenges, encouraging side-by-sides and “which one’s which?” verdicts
• UGC spotlights, where everyday users showcase their swaps, giving campaigns grassroots credibility

@addie.beckman

SHES BAAACK! These are the best doops of 2024 and I cant even believe how much money I saved!! #doops #dupes #makeupdoops #skincaredoops #affordablemakeup #affordableskincare #2024favorites #makeupmusthaves

♬ original sound – addie beckman

The magic comes when brands hand the mic to the creators known for sniffing out trends and styling hacks. These creators bring authenticity: they’ve built trust on finding gems, not pushing ads.

💸 The Bigger Picture

Dupe culture isn’t going anywhere. For brands, the choice is simple: either ignore it and risk looking out of touch, or lean in and show you get it. The ones who play with the culture, instead of fighting against it, will win the scroll, the saves, and the sales.

Because in 2025, authenticity isn’t about perfection. It’s about meeting people where they’re laughing, scrolling, and sharing, and dupe culture is where that’s happening right now.

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