How to shop looks for less from a high/low dressing expert
+ 50 items under $50(ish) you'll want to shop
I’m a big “look for less” kinda girl. While I love a designer moment (mostly in the form of bags and dresses), a lot of my clothes are very affordable. Moving to New York and living on my own has made me poor much more aware of my spending habits. They say you step outside your apartment in NYC and spend $100… and that’s if you’re lucky!
I frequent thrift stores and vintage markets, shop on Poshmark and eBay, have tried every rental company under the sun [fun fact: I was on Rent the Runway’s billboard in Times Square and it was the coolest thing ever]… but I also populate my closet with affordable pieces from Gap, Old Navy, HM, Uniqlo, Muji, etc.
Fast fashion has plenty of negative ramifications, so this isn’t a message about blind or excessive consumption. But there are ways to look and feel your best without always breaking the bank. Through my own trial and error, I’ve created some ground rules for shopping affordable pieces to make sure they look much more expensive than they are. Since we’re about to dive into fall, I thought I’d share my tips with with you… and compile a curated selection of my favorite $50(ish) or under finds for you to shop (a paid subscriber exclusive!).
THE GROUND RULES:
Always go to the thrift store or flea market first. Thrifting takes patience and practice! Never enter a thrift store in a rush, you will be disappointed and overwhelmed. Always go in with ideas in mind, it helps to keep your eyes focused for specific items. I especially love vintage shopping for coats. All four of my favorite coats below are from second-hand shopping and made from high-quality material, are warm and durable, and unique!
Bargain basics should come in “basic” colors. If there’s one learning you will take from this piece, let it be this! It’s much easier for affordable clothes to look high-quality when they’re in a neutral or standard color… and this is coming from a very pro-color girl. Stick to your basic neutral or standard color palette — like a true red or a deep navy— and accessorize with other colors and prints.
On that note… be weary of florals. Cheap floral fabric is a dead giveaway for quality and cost. A lot of time the fabric is cut and sewn in the back but the print is misaligned. For prints, I like to stick to simple designs like polka dots, stripes, gingham, etc. But as always, there are exceptions to the rules! I got an incredibly vibrant orange duster from Target a couple years ago and its one of my favorite items. It just worked.
Trendy vs. timeless = save vs. splurge. There are items that are always worth a splurge and some things that never are. Can you see yourself wearing it in a couple years? If yes — splurge! Is it a very time-stamped item? Save! Some things that worth a splurge to me: anything deemed a ‘classic’ like ballerina flats, trench coats, and cashmere sweaters, jeans that fit perfectly, winter coats (regardless if bought new or second-hand), heels you will wear to events and weddings, one-of-a-kind pieces like handbags and evening gowns. Some things I would save on: anything that feels very ‘of the times’ like 2025’s mesh flats and split button vests, white kick around sneakers, T shirts, layering tanks, long sleeves.
Focus on silhouettes you know look good on you. I typically don’t take huge risks when shopping affordably. The cut of a T shirt, the cinch of a waist on a sundress, the rise of a pair of jeans… stick to what you know and love. Look at your favorite, most worn items in your closet and buy affordable pieces that hit your body in the same places. If you don’t like how you look in an expensive A-line dress, you probably won’t like it in a cheaper alternative.
Pair it with something luxe to tie it all together. The track pants below are from Amazon (purchased pre-boycott) and both outfits are great examples of high/low dressing. The daytime outfit had a royal blue sweater from Free People and nice sneakers to sandwich the casual pants. The nighttime outfit is one of my faveees of all time. The top is Sandy Liang ($350, but rented via Rent the Runway) and the shoes are from Zara. Not pictured: my beloved Chanel. I think the reason why this works is because of the mixture of high-quality pieces when it counts: the shirt is beautifully tailored and the bag is a timeless luxury piece. It makes elevates the pants and shoes.
A little extra* for paid subscribers <3
Moving forward, a few sections of my newsletters will be exclusively for paid subscribers. I am so0o0o0o appreciative of the engaged community we are building here, so everything that lives behind the paywall will be especially curated. Think more shopping and styling, guides and resources, deeper thoughts and musings, etc. Please leave a comment what you want to shop/see more of/chat about!
K, LET’S SHOP:
If there’s one thing I can convince you to buy on this list, let it be Old Navy’s
