7 Clothing Items To Buy This Fall If You Have Expensive Taste, but a Bargain Bin Budget
Written by
Seychelle Thomas
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Refreshing your fall wardrobe can get expensive when you have champagne taste. If you’re working with a beer budget, you may have to compromise on a few of those staple clothing items to stretch your dollars a little further.
To build out your autumn fashion vibe without the guilt of overspending, here are the pieces and brands to keep your eye on if you are looking to save money.
Brown Suede Bags
Suede is a fall staple, and it’s the perfect way to add some cozy texture to your OOTD. But finding a suede purse can cost you a pretty penny. This mocha sueda bag from Demellier costs $565, but at JW PEI, you’ll find a similar brown suede bag for a fraction of the price at $115. That saves you $450 for the rest of your fall wardrobe.
Leather Jackets
If you’re obsessed with studded leather jackets like this one from All Saints, but don’t have $1,175 to spend on fall outwear, fear not. You can still add some edginess to your fit with this alternative from Quince that’s 100% leather for $150 instead. Fall in love with the burgundy colorway that adds some intrigue to this classic piece.
Ballet Flats
It’s no secret that ballet flats are so back. MiuMiu released these satin slingback ballerina flats for $1,450 that could make any autumn fit look elevated.
But if your bank account would immediately hit you with a reality check, go for these Steve Madden Vinnetta Pearl Ivory flats for just under $70 instead.
Denim Dresses
The reign of the denim dress is far from over. It’s a timeless piece that will probably hang out in your clothing rotation for years to come. While Reformation carries some amazing denim silhouettes that elevate your look to the next level, it’s not exactly wallet-friendly.
The Tagliatelle Denim Midi Dress, while gorgeous, is a steep $218. Don’t fret, there’s a more affordable option at Nordstrom for just $79 — and it still has pockets! The reviews for this say it runs small, so you may need to size up. Or you could go for this one from Abercrombie & Fitch that’s currently on sale for $77.
Tweed Vests
Vests made their trendy appearance this summer, but they also make for a versatile layering piece when those chilly fall winds start to blow. Swap your linen vest for tweed to add some visual interest, warmth and a touch of class. This one from Neiman Marcus costs $598 and would make you feel very old money.
But to spare your wallet, choose between this tweed vest from Anthropologie for $78 or another super affordable vest from Target that gives serious “Mad Men” vibes for just $35.99.
Tall Boots
Fall is the perfect time to break out the boots and crunch up fallen leaves. As much as you may yearn for the Givenchy Shark Lock Boots in Crocodile for $2,295, you can easily lower those expectations to a more realistic Target Tambra Fold Over Tall Boots for just $49.99.
Animal Prints
For those who know animal prints are a neutral — this one’s for you. This Felda Dress from Reformation retails for $278. At less than a quarter of that price, Zara has a leopard halter dress at a more affordable $60 alternative.
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