THERE are knock-offs – and then there are rip-offs.
Affordable chain stores, including Zara, Arden B and Le Chateau, are churning out copycat items so close to the big-name originals that even the designers themselves might have a tough time telling the difference.
“I can’t even begin to add up how much money I save each season buying ‘designer’ clothes at Zara instead of a department store or wherever,” admits a 34-year-old advertising account exec who withheld her name for fear of giving herself away.
“Last fall, I bought a military-style coat there for under $200 that looked exactly like one on Marc Jacobs’ runway that I priced for over $2,000. Every time I wear it, I get tons of compliments – even from friends who work in fashion!
“I fooled everyone.”
Jacobs’ signature designs – and those he creates for Louis Vuitton – are inspiring the most replicas for spring. Both Club Monaco and J. Crew are currently selling pastel princess dresses unmistakably inspired by Jacobs’ designs. Zara has copied his bouclé skirts and jackets.
Trendy chain store Arden B has the season’s best designer facsimile: a yellow satin zip-up dress that’s a dead ringer for the $1,120 Louis Vuitton original.
“A friend of mine who works there said that they’ve sold out of them at the Louis Vuitton store,” an Arden B saleswoman said, “so she asked me to save her one. They’re that good.”
Men, too, are getting savvy about designer imposters.
When Gordon Greenberg’s clothes were ruined in a flood two weeks ago, the 34-year-old director needed a shirt for the opening of a play he was directing.
“I saw a shirt in the window of Zara, which I had never visited, and thought: That’s it. I went in, tried it on and it fit perfectly,” he said.
“I wore it to the opening and it looked great – just like Armani. But it was half the price.”
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REAL DEAL
Marc Jacobs’ floral slip dress and yellow boucle jacket, $1,600 and $1,500
FAB FAUX
Zera’s versions of the dress and jacket, $79 and $165
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REAL DEAL
Dolce & Gabbana’s asymmetrical striped top and gray tank set, $495
FAB FAUX
Zara striped top, $18, over a Gap tank, $9.99
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REAL DEAL
Gucci’s silk carpo pants (left) $675 and Chloe’s V-neck tunic $1,525
FAB FAUX
Zara’s versions $79 and $55
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REAL DEAL
Louis Vuitton’s yellow satin dress, $1,120
FAB FAUX
Arden B’s version, $118
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REAL DEAL
Stella McCartney’s $1,065 silk off-the-shoulder bomber jacket
FAB FAUX
Zara’s $135 version
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Stylist: Libby Callaway
Makeup: Patrick Eichler, senior artist for MAC Pro team
Model: Kelly Britter @ Q Models
