M&S has released an incredible lookalike of the Balmain cropped jacket for a fraction of the cost.
The £45 designer dupe cardigan is currently in stock on the website and is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.
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Balmain is a French fashion house famous for its iconic jackets and outerwear.
The designer has perfectly crafted tailored jackets for years, making the clothing item the piece to pick up from them.
While we all would like one, many of us don’t have the budget to splurge on the luxe jackets which cost upwards of £2,000.
Fortunatley, British retailer M&S has created a cardigan inspired by Balmain’s iconic Cropped tweed jacket for a fraction of the price.
The Cotton Rich Knitted Crew Neck Fringe Cardigan is just £45 and comes in two colours – cream and navy.
Like the designer version, it has fringe detailing along the hem to add a relaxed feel to the structured button down cardigan.
The fabric also has thin glitter thread woven into it to catch the light in the perfect way and add some extra glam.
The designer version is currently on sale at My Theresa for £2,350 so the highstreet version will save you a massive £2,305 in total.
M&S bosses say: “Add a touch of texture to your outfits with this cotton-rich knitted jacket.
“It’s designed in a regular fit, with a timeless crew neckline and secure button fastenings.
“The two mock pockets on the front offer a practical touch. Fringe detailing on the hem and cuffs completes the stylish look.”
The budget friendly cardigan was a hit with customers who gave it a rating of four out of five stars.
One person wrote: “Lovely cream cardigan elevated by fringing and subtle silver thread. Could be styled multiple ways up or down with dresses, skirts, trousers or jeans.”
Another commented: “ I like it so much I’ve just bought the navy colour too. It looks so much more expensive than it costs! Good stuff M&S, 5 stars.”
Why you should always buy a dupe over designer…
Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it’s time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys.
Bargain US supermarket Walmart became a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès’ Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral.
Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: “Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it’s not, because who the hell has the money to spend on the real Birkin? Not me.”
Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that’s a different story).
Plus, if I splashed that much, I’d feel I was being ripped off…
We’ve all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world.
But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity.
Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000.
So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash.
Dupes — not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go.
I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower.
And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have.
Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a “heritage piece” and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we’ve been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades.
If we can buy a bag that’s the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn’t mean you have to remortgage, why not?
“Lovely cardigan, good quality. It could be worn dressed up with a dress or smart trousers or dressed down with jeans. Love it,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “Super stylish casual smart jacket/cardigan. Great value, perfect fit.”
“I’m so pleased with this cardigan. I’ve had so many compliments,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “Lovely navy jacket that looks more expensive than it is.”
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