Something you might not know about me – even if you are a near and dear friend. I am obsessed with Free People clothing. I’m not a particularly boho-y person so it’s probably not an immediate association. I also HATE my love of FP because they are so darned expensive! I do NOT consider them budget worthy and frankly, I think the construction and quality is really hit or miss.
But, I have to admit that some of my very favorite dresses are from Free People – and all but one are discontinued.
While I was down a rabbit hole looking at Amazon fashion, I stumbled on some items that looked like dupes for favorite Free People outfits. I had to know. Are they REALLY dupes? Did Amazon just save me tons of my hard earned cash?!
Well I didn’t just purchase the dups, so I will post another blog with some of my favorite from my Amazon haul!
French Courtesan Lace Dress
Let me start with my all time favorite. If I could live in this dress, I would. It’s flowy, romantic, dreamy, ethereal, and flattering with a boho gypsy vibe. It can be worn with combat boots, sandals, slippers, heels, thigh high boots or barefeet – every single option works. It can be dressed up (pretty much worn as is) or dressed down with a sloppy, oversized, deconstructed chunky sweater over it.
The Free People version classifies this as an “intimate” and it’s sold as just the lace topper. You have to decide what to wear under it. I like to pair it with a short (or long) slip, also from Free People. Here’s how the pricing stacks up: Courtesan Lace Slip XS (discontinued) $98 + Tea Length Seamless Slip XS $34 = $138
The Amazon version by contrast comes WITH a slip included. It’s a shorter slip and it doesn’t color coordinate so the effect is different, but it is wearable as delivered. Layered Lace Dress I paid $28.88 for a Small.
How Do They Compare?
As you can see in the photo, they are very similar but the Free People dress looks more elegant. It’s more elongated, through the armpit, the torso, the waist and the layers. The Amazon dress is lovely and if I didn’t have a Free People original to compare it to, I might still love it. However, I’m still a die hard fan of the original brand name. For me, the dupe is going back.
Extratropical Maxi Dress
This is another lovely summery beach dress that is casual and dressy, simple and sexy all at once. The strappy design lets you adjust it so it fits just the way you want. Fortunately, this style comes and goes – and is currently in stock both on Amazon and on Free People’s site. The biggest variation from season to season is available colors. If you’re like me, you have to restrain yourself from getting it in EVERY color! Dreamy!
The Free People Extratropical Maxi dress is $118. It has three straps across the back, a stretchy ruched top and a draw string skirt waist that lets it dip los. There is a halter next strap for added security – and be warned, the skirt on this is HEAVY. I personally like the weight of it, but there are shockingly heavy layers of skirt. I wear an XS in this dress.
The equivalent maxi dresses can be purchased from multiple vendors like this or this. The price may vary a few dollars from vendor to vendor. I purchased mine (Small) for $30.99.
You can actually find these several places once you start looking. I found the same dress at Beachside Bunny sold as the Amara Dress for $89.95!
How Do They Compare?
As you can tell, these dresses really are identical. I laid them out, compared them, tried them on and I can’t tell a difference. Despite that (and despite myself) I still slightly prefer the FP one even though I literally cannot find a single difference in them. Actually, the Free People version has little bells on the ties that cinch the waist, but that’s it! I think for this dress, it comes down to color preference. Where the style is an absolute dupe, the colors have no overlap. Look around for the color you like best and go from there!
200 Degree Mini Dress
For my last dupe, this little mini dress is another favorite. It’s been discontinued for years and it’s one I wish they would revisit and make just a touch longer. The XS fits me well, but I had to get a Small for the length. Just a couple more inches and this would be another one I love. It’s sexy, flirty, young, sophisticated, easy, dressy. Another dress they got right in my mind. When I saw a possible dupe online, I couldn’t resist. I never did manage to get the colors I wanted in this dress.
The Free People 200 Degree Mini Dress was $88 before it was discontinued. Perhaps a testament to its popularity with its diehard fans is the fact that it can sell for ABOVE that price on Poshmark and Mercari. Though I usually wear an XS in Free People, I had to size up to a Small for length on this one. I’m 5’7″ and this is SUPER short in the XS. Let’s face it, it’s short in any size!
The Amazon dress dupe I bought was $24.99 and I got a Small.
How Do They Compare?
The dresses look very similar. In fact, it’s hard to point at the differences in a photo. The biggest difference, besides a slight length variation, is the material. The Free People dress is made of a cotton gauze that has some heft to it despite its airiness. The Amazon dress is a rayon or polyester gauze (if in fact you can have a gauze in polyester). This creates a difference in weight and drape that is noticeable the moment you touch it. The strings are braided on the Free People version so they cut in a little bit less. The skirt is also longer which makes it drape more nicely in the back.
First, please forgive my pasty white legs and the color variations. It’s a down and dirty visual comparison. I’m still not thrilled with the full selfie – I’m working my way up to it. I think particularly in the back view, you can see the difference in volume. The top back fits oddly on the Amazon dress and I didn’t find it comfortable, though I think the front view is quite flattering.
Although the dupe dress has colors that I have long coveted, I personally far prefer the Free People brand, purely for the material. Cotton is a much nicer fabric against your skin in the summertime. I think it wins by comfort alone! But, since you can’t get it anymore, I think the Amazon dress is a good alternative if you fall in love with the style but can’t find the brand name or can’t locate a color you want.
I included the name of these dresses because it’s not unusual to see them show up on Poshmark or Mercari from time to time. I think they last well and hold their value so I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a gently used one from a reputable seller.
Would you rather buy a new dupe or a gently used brand name dress when it’s discontinued? Do you own any of these or have a favorite you want me to try to find a dupe for? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I may receive a commission for the sale. It does not cost you anything extra and you are free to use the link or not. Product purchases for review are made with my own money and my opinions are my own. If product is ever provided or the article is sponsored, it will be clearly noted at the top of the page.
