The growth of the global fashion industry has been driven partly by the fast fashion sector. While it has been claimed that fast fashion democratizes fashion, it has drawn criticism for several reasons that have been extensively studied in academic literature – such as its impact on production, consumption behavior, and environmental sustainability. One of the features of fast fashion is its reliance on copying practices, which can undermine creative innovation and challenge intellectual property norms. Copying practices range from exact duplication to less obvious adaptations, and have varying degrees of legality. Our research reveals that while terms such as counterfeits, knockoffs, and dupes are often used interchangeably, they are in fact distinct copying practices with unique characteristics and implications for the fashion industry. In addition, despite its current popularity, the relatively recent phenomenon of dupes remains underexplored in academic literature – particularly in comparison to other forms of copying – and lacks clear conceptualization. This paper proposes a comprehensive typology of copying practices prevalent in the fast fashion industry. Through a systematic examination of current definitions, we identify the nuanced differences between different copying practices in this industry. The resulting typology not only clarifies these distinctions but also provides a foundation for future research on various copying practices. This paper also fills a significant gap in academic literature by providing a formal definition of “dupes” – identified as the biggest shopping trend in recent years – which has thus far lacked scholarly conceptualization despite its widespread use in popular discourse. Through a methodical analysis of the current usage of the term, we identify and synthesize core features to propose a definition that distinguishes dupes from other forms of fashion copying. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of fashion copying practices and offers insights for industry stakeholders, policymakers, sustainability advocates, and researchers navigating the complex landscape of fast fashion and design reproduction.