During a sale at Banana Republic a while ago, I picked up a top I particularly liked. It was made of very soft tactile material that I could not stop touching. That’s a sure sign I had to get it.
It resembled a long sleeved T-shirt with a built in shrug covering over the shoulders and a lovely scoop neck. It gave me a sleek silhouette which I liked. I wore it often but because of the long sleeved element in our hot humid weather, perhaps not as often as I’d like.
On Friday, while at 1 Utama with Beetrice, we wandered into Jusco – not exactly fashion heaven I warrant but lo! and behold! What did we see on the mannequin but a dupe of the Banana Republic top I had! The brand was Agenda.
The tactile feel of the smooth stretchy material is the same. The design is the same – scoop neck with faux shrug to cover the shoulders and in that same shade of black! The main difference lay in the sleeves – the one at Jusco had 3/4 sleeves vs the long sleeves of my Banana Republic one – better suited for our weather!
Needless to say, we both picked up one each. I do wish it came in other colours than black. I have the one from BR in black and chilli red because I could not decide haha… I’d have loved to pick up one in red from Jusco too!
Price wise its very good. I paid RM49 or so for my top from Banana Republic during the sale. The original price was closer to RM100 The one at Jusco is RM39 normal priced. Perhaps I should have picked up another 😛
I did do some damage at Jusco’s clothes department that day. I haven’t gone there in a long time to look at their clothes, but the designs and quality seem to have improved somewhat. It might be time to rack up the Jusco points again 🙂
Have you picked up any fashion gems over the week? Do share if you have 🙂
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
rinnah says
October 11, 2009 at 9:10 amWow, that is a major dupe indeed! But I can never buy stuff from Jusco. I find the quality is not there for the long haul.
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:10 amHi Rinnah
I go to Jusco only for casuals – I think its good enough for a few washes at least 🙂 But you’re right – its not for the long haul
Nikki says
October 11, 2009 at 1:27 pmI haven’t 🙁 I really missed shopping for clothes are shoes… 🙂 but anyways, that’s a nice dupe you found!!! You’re right, I wish they do come in different colors 🙂 Happy Sunday PB!
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:09 amHi Nikki
Hope you get your shopping vibe back 🙂
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews) says
October 11, 2009 at 1:59 pmOMG! I have one from T-Joue that’s exactly the same design but in hunter green. But this is a common design anyway.
I believe I bought it in Parkson Grand.
Let’s hope we don’t bump into each other wearing the same thing! Now I don’t want to wear it anymore. I think there will be plenty of “US” walking around town. LOL
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:09 amHi Jojoba
Well most casual clothes share a similar design so I wouldn’t be too fussed meeting anyone else wearing the same top – and I’ve never! Now dresses at formal functions would be a different story altogether
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews) says
October 11, 2009 at 2:00 pmps: mine has long sleeves…
Tine says
October 11, 2009 at 2:05 pmThat’s a good dupe all right 🙂
Fashion gems? Let’s see. I bought a maxi dress (hello summer!) from Just Jeans today. Very bright very summery 🙂
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:08 amHi Tine
And I”m sure it looks fab on you! 😀
yuki says
October 11, 2009 at 2:08 pmWHOA! That’s cool! Hahaha… I normally head to Jusco if I wanna get SEED, Hush puppies, and etc because it’s cheaper than the stand-alone shops… during the sales period =)
Jusco has some pretty good stuff… don’t underestimate it…
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:08 amHi Yuki
Yup there is wheat among the chaff – just have to have the patience to dig 😉
giddy tigress says
October 11, 2009 at 6:36 pmI have scored some great deals at Jusco myself 🙂
Will be on the lookout for this dupe 🙂
Hehe…on another note, I simply ADORE BR tops AND dresses!
ParisB says
October 12, 2009 at 10:07 amHiya giddy tigress
Me too! BR stuff are so expensive here though – still doesn’t stop me liking them 🙂
beetrice says
October 12, 2009 at 11:41 amhehe…it fits well too! actually, I just realised the top resembles another one I picked up from Dorothy Perkins sometime back – only that one has short sleeves and a heart-shaped neckline. LOL!
Shay says
October 15, 2009 at 11:19 pmActually, the brands might have outsourced manufacturing to a third party. Or they just go to these manufacturers to purchase their stock. The manufacturer can do various batches of stock and just sew on different labels. Slight variations in design too.
My auntie who used to work in department store told me this.