Founded in 1921, the Florentine fashion brand founded by Guccio Gucci has become the highest selling Italian brand around. It’s even considered one of the most valuable brands in the world, fashion or otherwise. It’s such a prestigous make that the world over will pay anything to wear it. That’s great and all for Gucci, who is so renowned, they can essentially charge what they want. That’s fine for the celebrity or rich guy too, they’ll pay through the nose to wear the luxury label, but what about the average Joe? The Everyman? (Check out more in Fashion/Style).
It’s possible you or me won’t ever be able to justify the cost. Thankfully there is a cost-effective remedy. Being so iconic, Gucci’s designs trickle all the way down through high-end to high-street. It’s because of this that we’re able to uncover clothes with direct ‘Guccinspiration’ for a fraction of the cost! In this article, I’ll be covering the very best pieces I’ve found for guys so you too can wear Gucci on a budget too.
Gucci On A Budget: ASOS Dragon Loafers
Heavily inspired by their Gucci cousins, these ASOS dragon loafers are a great buy. While Gucci uses a stand-out turquoise and gold embroidered dragon, ASOS takes it down a notch with an ever-so-smaller, ever-so-darker coloured alternative. The ASOS dragon may not be quite so extravagent but this shouldn’t be seen as a negative. The ASOS design is just that little bit more minimalist, making it much more apt for every-day wear. Yes you’ll be trading real suede for faux-suede, but keep in mind the massive price tag you’ll also be trading in, with ASOS’ dragon loafers on sale just for £18.
Gucci On A Budget: Just Junkies Tiger Sweatshirt
Just Junkies Tiger Sweatshirt is a dead ringer for Gucci’s black number. Though it loses the french, the tiger patch used is incredibly similar in design. Though Gucci’s black sweatshirt has a more Japanese art style to it’s tiger head, Just Junkies version is a bigger, more obvious patch that’s almost just as detailed. There are trade-offs between the pieces for sure, but one thing Just Junkies sweatshirt has in it’s favour is price. Just Junkies is priced at £65 whereas Gucci’s sweat is £770.
Gucci On A Budget: BoohooMAN Lion Crest Jumper
The similarities here may not be glaringly obvious but just look a little closer. You’ll see BoohooMAN have been taking serious notes at Gucci fashion shows. Their ensemble here takes Gucci’s appreciation for embroidered flowers and big cats and channels it into an easy-to-wear stylish sweatshirt. Reduced from £25 down to £10, you should snap it up while you can. It might just be the best, cheapest Gucci alternative out there.
Gucci On A Budget: Mimi Floral Printed Shirt
With connotations of power, passion and love, red is an amazing colour that should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe. Looking for the right shade? Look no further then the fierecly vibrant Ferrari-red seen in the shirts above. They just scream of James Dean and his signature red harrington in Rebel Without a Cause. While the Gucci-take has a clearer Hawaiian feel the Mimi variant is slightly more toned down, making it more versatile. At £85 the Mimi alternative isn’t exactly cheap either, however if you want a great red patterned shirt that won’t cost the Earth, this one by Mimi may just be your ticket
Gucci On A Budget: Zara Embroidered Denim Jacket
Embroidered denim jackets are a pretty cool look but before you get a loan out for this great Gucci jacket consider the alternative by Zara. The lettering on the back accompanied by the Butterfly/tiger embroidery just oozes Gucci. It demands compliments from all who lay eyes on it. If the Zara denim jacket isn’t quite your thing though don’t fret because a little later I’ll be covering how to ‘Guccify’ just about anything you want.
Gucci On A Budget: Topman Navy Blue Tulip Print Suit
You don’t have to look far to find the unofficial One Direction frontman-turned-soloist in a Gucci get up. See the paparazzi pics, the closet of colourful suits he tours in or perhaps the more recent advert campaign where Styles goes into a chippy head-to-toe in Gucci clobber.
One of his most iconic Gucci looks is in his video for Kiwi, where Styles wears a teal/turquiose double breasted suit covered in flowery patterns. Topman seem to have taken a teensy bit of inspo, creating this similar single-buttoned navy alternative. The Topman option isn’t as eye-catching as the Gucci piece but it really isn’t meant to be. Topman’s take appeals to a wider audience for the guy who wants to make a statement yet no go overboard.
Gucci On A Budget: BoohooMAN Planet Jumper
The Gucci ‘future’ sweatshirt is vibrant and cool with an awesome rainbow-ringed planet. The BoohooMAN alternative is toned-down, replacing the green vibrancy with a space black helping the bright embroidery POP. Though I can’t say I truly prefer the BoohooMAN alternative here, it’s still an interesting piece. If you are dying to get a rainbow-ringed planet on your chest it’s definitely one to consider.
Gucci On A Budget: ASOS Design Simpsons X ASOS Sweatshirt
While this one may seem like a bit of a stretch, the Simpsons X ASOS Bart sweatshirt was probably inspired by Gucci’s recent inclusion of famous cartoon characters (like Bugs Bunny) gracing their garms. The Bart sweatshirt feels a spiritual companion here. It reworks Bart’s image into an effortlessly stylish sweatshirt which makes a statement. A statement on looking cool but mostly that you REALLY like The Simpsons.
Gucci On A Budget: Brooklyn Supply Co. Tiger Embroidered Jeans
The Gucci snake is synonymous with Gucci. Because of that fame I opted to include the Brooklyn Supply Co Tiger embroidered jeans here. Refraining from a patch too closely tied to Gucci, they adapt the idea with a tiger wrapping around the thigh. This ensures a cool yet understated look that’s versatile with a plethora of outfits.
Gucci On A Budget: PIY
The secret weapon to ‘Guccify’ anything? PIY. A simple search across Etsy/Ebay will yield a tonne of a amazing patches in all manner of designs and sizes. Believe it or not you can locate pretty much any of the iconic Gucci patches online too. They’re simple to sew or iron-on and best of all they’re pretty cheap. Depending on the size they usually vary between 50p to a fiver each.
I advise creating something inspired by Gucci rather directly imitating a Gucci piece however. More simply, you want to look creative, not a chump who got conned into buying knock-off Gucci. Aim to create something inspired yet not too on the nose. Fetch a denim jacket, jeans, sweatshirt or whatever else and patch it yourself to create a Gucci inspired garment that’s distinctly yours and yours alone.
Overall
As an incredibly famous brand, designers across the globe take inspiration from the fashion behemoth. The weight of this inspiration varies from piece to piece but as long as Gucci is one of the pack leaders of fashion there will always be affordable alternatives close behind. The pieces I’ve showcased won’t be available forever but hopefully this article gives you an idea of Gucci characteristics to keep an eye on. Perhaps it’ll even inspire you to knock up your own.