I’m the queen of mixing high-end pieces with affordable steals. So much so that someone once mistook a Zara bag for an Hermes (!) and an H+M dress for something from Prada. Yessssir. Below, some affordable steals to mix into your ‘drobe right about now with some higher-end accents.
Look 1: Partayyy.
This H+M dress ($50) is a party in and of itself. Pair it with Aquazzura heels ($785) and some affordable tassels ($31). Finish with this embroidered clutch ($230).
Look 2: Concert-going.
This funky embroidered top (on sale for $45) with denim shorts (Rag + Bone, $145) and these fab affordable BaubleBar earrings ($38). Finish with Ancient Greek sandals ($197) and this mini crossbody with festival-worthy fringe ($160).
Look 3: Ladies-who-lunch.
I am MEGA into Tibi these days — I have a handful of her shift dresses that I wear hard during the work week. They just channel the right level of sophistication + fashion-forwardness, but feel polished enough for a customer meeting. I’d steer clear of off-the-shoulders for work affairs (although this similar style with shoulder cut-outs might get the green light for me in certain work occasions..and it’s ON SALE), but for lunching with the ladies? For sure. Try this Tibi in unexpected khaki ($345) and if you’re lucky enough to own some Van Cleef + Arpels, flaunt ittttt (just $21K for the necklace — hahahahahaha, LOL, ROFL), but if you’re like the rest of us, sport some lookalikes, like these earrings (shown below, $135) or this necklace ($29 — or this one, $22, or — my favorite — this one, on sale for $332). Whatever direction you go, finish with some statement sandals — these Eugenia Kims, on sale for $261, just go so well with the look. I also think something simple but sophisticated like this ($89) would be lovely. Add a little straw tote ($99) to the mix and you’re set.
OK, so I didn’t do such a good job finding affordable steals in the look above. But I just had to show off that VCA necklace with the lookalike pair!!! Too delicious.
Look 4: Weekending.
Elevate errand-running to a whole new level. I LOVE this scarf-print top ($250) with its sporty edge stripes — very Prada — although the whole scarf pattern blouse is all over da place, so check out more affordable options here, here, and here. And I love it with these affordable chambray joggers ($34) and these single-strap slides ($15!!!). Finish with the Gucci Disco crossbody in sporting colors ($980).
Look 5: Group Hang.
In college, I had a very tight-knit posse of friends, and we pretty much rotated whose apartment to visit for “group hang” time. “Group hang” referred to the indiscriminate expanse of time between dinner and heading out to bars on any “going out” nights, where we’d cluster in an apartment, gabbing, listening to top 40 (although we had a couple of group favorite songs that were technically ‘out’ but were very in for us, including “Murder on the Dancefloor” — look it up, people! –, “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff, and anything Mariah Carey, because she never, ever goes out of style…and I guess she was still producing hits like “We Belong Together” and “Shake It Off” during my undergrad days…#old #insertbulgingeyesemoji), and mixing cocktails in tall plastic sorority cups. So for those nights, when it’s hanging with da crew (how I miss those nights!!! But also, I’m now in bed by 10 PM sharp most nights.), this is the kind of cute but not too cute get-up I’d angle for, updated for modern times: babydoll dress ($98 — PS, if you’re not into the shoulder situation, also consider THIS genius little ditty, which actually has SHORTS underneath. I love the volume of the sleeve and just snapped it up!!! WHAT A STEAL BUAHHAHAHAHAH), Lele Sadoughi earrings ($175), gladiator sandals (on sale for $94), monogrammed clutch ($120).
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE. A few other true dealz to consider when building out your ‘drobe:
+CUTE, and $55. Or try this long-sleeved variation, also $55.
+This $94 scalloped denim dress was a MUST.
+This $60 steal is now mine.
+Layer this utility jacket over EVERYTHING ($78) for a cool gal look.
+Expensive, still, yes, but this Zimmermann playsuit is so elegant-cool and on sale for 40% off and I really really want it because I’m convinced I’ll look like a European jetsetter in it.
+I can’t say no to a denim shirtdress ($110).
+Sophisticated jumpsuit alert ($63!!).