Target shoppers raving about $20 dupe of $1300 summer essential: 'So comfy'

With summer arriving in just a few short months, shoppers are hunting for the perfect sandal to endure sand, sea, hot pavement, and everything in between. Of course, if you already have a perfectly good pair, there’s no need to splash on another — not in this economy.

But if your old sandals are looking a bit worse for wear (or got ruined on your Euro summer vacay), fret not. Target shoppers have blessed our social media feeds with a recommendation for the sandal of the summer — a $20 dupe for the ever-popular Hermes Oran sandal, which retails for a cool $1295.

Shoppers have been expressing their excitement for the discount store’s new shoe collection, which has arrived just in time for spring and includes plenty of sandals in varying styles to get you through the warmer weather. However, a fashion critic warns that buyers should be wary, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that the dupes are unlikely to be as comfy or long-lasting.

Hermes dupe has Target shoppers in a frenzy

The dupe in question — the Women’s Heidi II Stitch Edge Strap Flat Sandal in brown — features a chic cut-out design and open square toe (similar to that of the Oran), and touts a ‘comfortable padded footbed that promises all-day wearability’. The brown variant is closest to the Hermes, but the shoe also comes in black, white, and raffia.

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“I’m not gonna gatekeep — go to Target, they’ve got the Hermes dupe,” TikToker @bec_anne_ shared in a video showcasing the new range.

“RUNNING,” one enthusiastic follower commented on Bec’s post.

Eliza from the popular Bargain Homewares Instagram page also dubbed the sandals the “essential slides for summer” in a video highlighting the best summer shoes currently in stock at Target.

“Love the sandals,” another shopper responded to the post. “I got some of theirs last year and they were so comfy.”

Of course, it’s easy to see how the different retail prices were calculated — Target’s $20 sandal is made with a synthetic upper and sole, while the $1295 Hermes Oran features a natural leather sole with gold lining. It’s also Hermes, which speaks for itself in terms of quality.

But how much of a difference do these materials actually make in terms of quality? And does the Target dupe really hold a candle to the Hermes?

Fashion expert says dupes are not the way to go

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, fashion critic and journalist Bianca O’Neill divulged the two reasons why she would never recommend a dupe.

“Firstly, a $20 synthetic shoe is never going to be as durable or comfortable as a calfskin sandal with a natural leather sole — regardless of the label on it,” O’Neill explained. “Secondly, there’s no personal style in it. I’d much rather wear something from a local label or vintage store that is less mass-marketed, to provide a little personality to an outfit. Something to treasure.”

According to O’Neill, it’s quite easy to tell a dupe apart from the original — you just have to look in the details (or lack thereof). The $20 Target sandals, for example, don’t offer the same detailed edging stitch seen on the Oran.

Alternative option to Target dupe

As the material is synthetic, the Target sandal is also likely to rub or cause sweating in the heat, rendering it less comfortable compared to the Hermes — particularly in summer when you’re likely to get the most wear out of them. A calfskin leather footbed like the Oran, on the other hand, is going to last a lot longer and will also mould to your foot shape over time, O’Neill says.

“Of course, I don’t personally own the Hermes sandal, so I can’t confirm it's more comfortable, and synthetic leathers can be quite soft these days,” she noted. “But it’s definitely going to have more longevity. And it’s going to be a heck of a lot better for the environment if you purchase one pair of sandals per decade than one per season.”

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This largely comes down to a common issue with dupes and “trend purchases”, which is that they’re not produced or purchased with longevity in mind. If you’ve only spent $20 on a pair of sandals, you’re probably more likely to purchase a new pair next summer — and toss your current pair in the donation bin at your local Salvos well before the end of its life.

“There is something to be said about the cost of living at the moment,” O’Neill added. “We’re all feeling the pressure, so purchasing a $20 dupe is certainly tempting. But for $20 you can probably find a barely-worn pair of unique, high quality sandals on Marketplace or eBay, which will last a lot longer.”

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