Hi-Lo.

We finish every work week at my startup with a “Hi-Lo” session: each team member, from CEO to intern, shares the high of their week alongside the low.  It’s a great moment for reflection and it really cements the team–we’re all empathizing with each other and cheering each other on.

So, I’m sorta bojangling that title from work, but in this case, I’m talkin’ more about getting high-end looks for much less.  Join me, fellow bargainistas…

HI-LO NO.1.

You know how I went insane over the entire Reformation collection for this season?  And this dress (The Manon, $198) in particular?

It’s too sexy and sweet…too, too good.  Hats off, Reformation.

Well, lucky for us budget babes, Zara gives that masterpiece a decent run for its money in the form of this linen dress.  I’d pair with simple leather slides, like these.  More colors here.  Or try these from Everlane. Or go high-roller with my Hermes slides.

HI-LO NO. 2.

I’ve featured a lot of Marysia scalloped bathing suits (ones shown below: here, here, and here).  Unfortunately, these pretties cost over $300 apiece.  Get the look for less with this Kate Spade variation (on sale for $107), this J. Crew ($118 — love it in the mint green!), or this Old Navy bikini variation ($22 per piece!)  [Insert emoji with heart eyes.]

HI-LO NO. 3.

I’ve long been dazzled by the elegance of Emilia Wickstead’s gorgeous collections, and this pink-and-white striped mini absolutely captured my dreams.  Can you imagine wearing to an elegant garden party or summer wedding? I’d pair with simple nude sandals like these or these slide wedges (on sale for $192) or maybe even some affordable lace-up wedges (OMG, these are $85…!):

But the bad news is that the above dress is $892…and that’s the sale price.  Yowza.  So get the look for less with one of these Devon Baer tops ($198).  So stinking chic!!!

HI-LO NO. 4.

It seems like everyone came out with an embroidered blouse for this season, but the top brands for such wares are Talitha (shirt below avail for $695), March11 (shirt below avail for $560), and Ulla Johnson (this blouse, similar to the ones shown below, is $330).

Lucky for us, I’ve rounded up a whole host of more affordable variations, like this one in striking black and white ($75); this one from Free People (on sale for $118); this one from Stylekeepers ($155), this off the shoulder steal ($88); this porcelain-effect blue-and-white find ($68); this denim lovely from Gap ($54) — and, though this one doesn’t have embroidery, it feels like it belongs in the family and is ASTOUNDINGLY cheap: this fresh one on sale for $33 (!!!!)  Last, I love the drama of this voluminous French Connection blouse ($128).  Boho chic at its best.

And, if you’re more into the dress look, I gotta brag about these discoveries: Line+Dot ($150), Stylekeepers ($198), Soft Joie (on sale for $106),

HI-LO NO. 5.

I believe I have previously mentioned how much I enjoy the blog of fellow Chicagoan Liz Adams — and especially this sweet RedValentino floral dress (on sale in varying sizes here for $477 and here for $556) she’s sported a few times.

If the price tag seems a bit hefty for ya, check out this affordable variation from PixieMarket ($89).  Cha-ching.

HI-LO NO. 6.

I don’t know why, but I think this striped red dress ($255) from Rachel Pally is the epitome of easy summer style and I reallyreallyreallyreally wanted it.  I imagined myself throwing it on over a bikini (love love love this one) or slipping it on alongside some Dr. Scholl’s for some quality back-porch-sittin-with-an-iced tea.  But I just could not bring myself to spend over $100 on a striped cotton dress.  C’mon, people.  It’s cotton.  It’s striped.  It’s not going to be something I wear out in the evening.  So I was ecstatic when I found this $59 style from J. Crew (and a maxi variation for $78) and even more excited when I found this style from Petit Bateau for $65, which is know for its great quality striped pieces.  I ended up snapping up the latter.  Woo woo woo.