Balenciaga. The name alone just screams “fashion” with, like, three exclamation points. They’re the kings and queens of the avant-garde, the masters of “is this a joke or is this serious fashion?” and honestly? I’m kinda here for it. But my bank account? Not so much.
That’s where the “inspired by” stuff comes in. Let’s be real, Balenciaga’s designs are, to put it mildly, *distinctive*. From those chunky Triple S sneakers that everyone and their grandma suddenly wanted (and, lets’ be honest, probably still do deep down) to the sock-like Speed trainers that looked straight outta the future, they’ve basically dictated the footwear game for years. And other brands, well, they’ve noticed.
Think about it: that IKEA bag fiasco? $2,000 for something that looked suspiciously like a 99-cent blue tote? Genius marketing, maybe? Or just plain bonkers? Either way, it got people talking. And that’s the power of Balenciaga. They make you question things.
Now, I’m not saying you should go out and buy a blatant knockoff. Nobody wants that. But there are tons of brands out there doing their own takes on the Balenciaga aesthetic. Eytys, for example. They’re a Swedish brand with that same androgynous, Y2K-ish vibe that Balenciaga pulls off so well. And there are a bunch of other brands.
But the bags! Oh god the bags. The Le Cagole, that iconic studded, motorcycle-inspired hobo bag. It’s the definition of “I’m effortlessly cool, but also kinda edgy.” And yeah, it costs a fortune. Luckily, there are a gazillion (okay, maybe twenty) “inspired by” versions out there that capture the essence without the financial sting. Just Google it. Seriously, you’ll find something you like.
Look, Balenciaga is, at the end of the day, a luxury brand. They’re pushing boundaries and doing things that most brands wouldn’t even dream of. Remember that time they made those Crocs platforms? My jaw dropped. But not everyone can afford to drop thousands on a single item. And honestly, sometimes I think they’re just messing with us.
