Affordable hits
When you want to shop without breaking the bank.
Last week, we took a family trip to Orlando, so we could do Universal Studios with the kids since they’re currently obsessed with Harry Potter. After a vacation, I’m usually in a less spendy mood—it’s not that I have no desire to shop, it’s more that I don’t want to splurge on anything right now. In these instances, I look to budget-friendly pieces to satisfy my shopping cravings.
Over the years, I’ve made an effort to decrease my purchases from what’s considered fast fashion brands (Zara, H&M, etc.)
I’m a lot more selective of what I add to my wardrobe and take the same approach as I would an investment piece, considering the longevity and how many wears I’ll get out of something.
The last thing I ever want is to encourage shopping for pieces that only last a season. I usually aim to feature a mix of high and low in my newsletters because it’s true to how I shop. And as much as possible, I try to share the low-cost options that I think have longer potential.
The thing is, a lot of times, my “fast fashion” purchases aren’t all that fast. The Zara oversized blazer I’ve had for 3 years. The Aritzia trousers that have been a staple in my closet for more than 4 years. The OAK + FORT tote that’s held up as my everyday, toss-everything-in-it bag for countless seasons.
My reality is that no one I know in real life, including me, can afford to shop exclusively designer and higher-end brands. But we all want to look good and feel good, and sometimes, that means digging to find the affordable gems that can help fill the gaps in our closets, hopefully for several seasons.
Here are the pieces catching my eye right now that I think have the potential to go the distance. Remember to take inventory of what you already have in your closet and only consider buying something you actually need/will get a lot of wear out of. I know that goes without saying, but when price points are lower, it’s extra tempting and easy to justify our purchases, which can lead to overconsumption (and regret).
Been obsessed with this look ever since I saw it. What I love about these pieces is that they could each be worn repeatedly in different ways.
Another easy-breezy option for nights out in the spring and summer: a satin slip dress.
Or this soft yellow halter dress - minimal and classic. I don’t shop too much special occasion wear anymore and mostly rely on simple dresses/skirts I can re-wear (I’ve re-worn the same cream one-shoulder, cut-out Zara dress for the last 3 anniversary dinners with my husband.)
A strappy animal print sandal that would look chic with a dress or pair of loose-fit jeans and a white tee. I saw these sandals in one of
’s Tuesday Ten round-ups (a must-read for more affordable finds!) and haven’t gotten over them.
I haven’t caught the jelly flats fever yet but am very into suede sandals at the moment. Could they be the sandals of the summer and beyond? I have a feeling yes.
I’ve had the A.Emery Kinto sandals on my wish list since last summer but have been hesitant to pull the trigger because of the high costs of shipping and duties. These 100% leather flip flops look like they could be a good alternative.
I live in linen pants during the summer. I currently have two pairs, and when I need to replace one of them, I’ll probably go for this.
This red polo zip sweater stopped me in my tracks (scroll). Another Kendall Jenner-inspired reference.
Also been looking for a striped polo, just like this.
Slowly growing my collection of button-ups and a navy one is next on my list.
An alternative to linen pants for the summer is a lightweight cotton poplin pair. These are from Banana Republic.
Just like butter yellow, I’ve been seeing halter tops everywhere. This combines both.
This list may feel a bit random but this is everything in my shopping brain right now. Thanks for indulging me. Would love to hear if there’s anything you have your sights set on for the spring and summer?
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support the work that goes into these newsletters, and I carefully select recommendations based on what I love and would wear, regardless of a commission.
Love this and I also have this same philosophy! I think any brand regardless of price point are going to have a range of quality based on design and production factors (hello, The Row jelly shoes).
I’ve known ppl who have treated their designer clothes poorly and need to replace them a few years later whereas some of the longest running pieces in my closet are from Zara (blazers and jeans I’ve had for 8-10 years).
To your point, I think a key difference is shopping to consume vs shopping w the goal of longevity in your wardrobe based on your budget and preferences of where you want to invest vs save!
Lately I’ve been feeling like maybe we have to stop hating so much on “fast fashion”. I agree it’s not great to shop there all the time but they certainly serve a purpose. I’ve recently bought a few items from Zara and I’ve been SHOCKED with how good the quality is. Not everything is 💯 but these brands exist for a reason. Everyone deserves to dabble!