The Balenciaga Triple S trainers have caused quite a stir in the fashion world since they first hit the market last September. Their nineties-style 'dad' look caused some to declare they resembled "lost property" but it hasn't stopped them being a hit with celebrities including Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin. However, even those who love the style may not be quite so keen on the price tag, which comes in at a whopping £595. With that in mind, social media went wild when fashion fans spotted that high street favourite Topshop is selling a very similar pair for just £38 – that's a whole 16 times less.
Bella Hadid is regularly spotted in the Balenciaga shoes
One user posted on Twitter: "People either hate or love them but I just got a pretty good dupe of the Balenciaga trainers in Topshop if you're into 'ugly' shoes like me". And another said: "Topshop is coming out with shoes that look exactly like Balenciagas…..!"
The shoes are named Ciara Chunky Trainers and come in both white and black. They feature the same distinctive thick sole as the designer version, have leather patches on the upper and are fastened with laces. However, not everyone was pleased with the lookalikes' popularity on social media, with one Twitter user stating: "I'm gonna need influencers to stop posting the Balenciaga Triple S dupes so that they don't go out of stock before I can afford them".
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There have been a number of great designer lookalikes hitting the high street recently. Last month Primark began selling a pair of nude stiletto sandals which bore more than a passing resemblance to Stuart Weitzman's Nudist Song shoes – loved by everyone from Emily Ratajkowski to Olivia Palermo – but for just £10 compared to the designer's £365.
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And just before Christmas online retailer Very launched a near-identical version of the The Chloe Nile bracelet bag – which retails at a huge £945 – for £920 cheaper. Both versions have a distinctive half-moon shape and striking circular centre piece.