dupe: What is the "Dupe" trend on TikTok? Challenge sends the internet into a frenzy

The new 'dupe' trend on TikTok features videos of users ridiculing a beauty product, accessory, or a piece of clothing that has a brand name similar to that of a popular one. It sees individuals mocking brands that resemble the names of other well-known labels.

In simpler words, this trend is all about netizens making fun of a copy of a popular branded item.

This term is usually common among thrift shoppers. For instance, one might have come across many TikTokers making videos about visiting a thrift store and buying clothes from Gucci, Balenciaga, or Louis Vuitton. The catch, however, is that none of the products are actually made by these brands. They’re fake or low-priced copies.

The hashtag '#dupe' has gone viral online and has amassed over 2.3 billion views. It is probably a shortened version of the word 'duplicate'.

In most of the videos online, users go to Walmart, Target, or their local supermarket, show items from lesser-known or local brands, and call them 'dupes' (pronounced 'doop' in the videos) of popular brands. Users mostly try to mock the duplicate item to imply that the replica doesn’t come close to resembling the original.

It’s not clear who started this trend or when it began, but most of these videos started flooding TikTok around January 2023.

Netizens on Twitter have a mixed reaction to the 'dupe' trend on TikTok

While the trend has gone viral on TikTok, people who are not entirely acquainted with it are rather confused by the hashtag. Others who learned about it expressed their frustration with the viral trend.

Apart from the Walmart version of the 'dupe' trend, some TikTokers have taken a different approach to it. They share certain products they find online, which are replicas of other items from high-end brands.

For example, TikToker @daus_mendoza shared a video on December 18, 2022, where they discussed a lip oil from Dior. They said they found a duplicate of the product on Amazon. The user then showed both items and drew similarities between their packaging. Even the name on the replica was similar to Dior's layout.

However, the only difference they mentioned was a carved 'D' on top of the lid, which the original Dior item has, but the replica doesn't.

In another video, user @rubyretallack shared their favorite dupe product, which was a pair of shoes from New Balance. Although it was obviously a fake one, the shoes fit the user well and they seemed satisfied with it.

It seems, these different 'dupe' trends emerged on TikTok way before its latest version, which started going viral in January 2023. The older trend dates back to 2021-2022.

About the author

Amrita is a trends writer at SK POP. She completed her post-graduation in English Language and Literature and has a rich writing experience in covering diverse topics such as blockchain technology, product reviews, travel guides, subtitles, and pop culture. However, her personal interest has always been in popular culture, which has aided her with injecting fresh insights to her stories.

Amrita emphasizes familiarizing herself with the topic at hand before approaching it solely from a writer’s perspective. She usually takes the longer route in sifting through all available information online, and makes use of primary sources and verified/official social media handles to check for consistency in details.

In case of discrepancies, she delves deeper into the primary and secondary sources for clarification, choosing to let go of a detail in case its accuracy cannot be established. She supports this approach by centering objectivity in her reportage, keeping her tone neutral at all times.

When not obsessing over a particular detail in her report, Amrita can be found reading fiction or exploring new shows or movies.

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