50 Elegant Fall Finds From J.Crew, Nordstrom, H&M, and More (All Under $250)

Since I was young, my favorite hobby has been finding the best affordable clothing. Family members can recall a time when I'd force them to take me to thrift stores and teen stores like Limited Too (oh, memories) after school to scour the racks for the perfect deal. In my mind, nothing compares to the thrill of unearthing a discounted designer bag, scooping up a special piece at a sample sale, or finding an affordable fall fashion item.
Of course, shopping takes patience, something not everyone has. It takes a lot of energy to hunt for expensive-looking pieces, time to curate a wardrobe, and effort to keep up with trends. On top of that, shopping for a new season can be overwhelming, especially when rolling heat waves make the mere idea of fall seem far off. All this is to say I understand why shopping might not be everyone's cup of tea.
Luckily for the anti-shoppers, fashion editors (like me) live to share their recommendations. In the vein of making the transition into fall less stressful, I've scoured the new-arrival sections of J.Crew, Nordstrom, H&M, Ssense, Reformation, Mango, Shopbop, Aritzia, and more. Ahead, you'll find 50 affordable fall fashion finds, all under under $250.
Fair warning: These elegant items may cause a lack of sleep and overwhelming feelings because they're so good. Proceed with caution.
You'd never guess this crescent-shaped vegan-leather bag isn't designer.
J.Crew's knits are not only super soft, but this one also comes in eight other colorways.
Oh, you fancy, huh? Well, you will be once you add these loafers to your closet.
The built-in scarf on this knitted tank makes it look way more expensive than its price tag.
The best thing about leather dresses? No matter where you bought it from, it always looks luxurious.
Tailored blazers can be pricier, but this one is proving that precedent wrong.
Everything about this shoulder bag is perfect for fall—from the suede material to the retro silhouette.
Transition these denim shorts into the fall by styling them with a light cardigan.
It's never too early to invest in a pair of knee-high boots.
The easiest way to embody "rich auntie" while walking your purse puppy is by slipping into a cashmere knit.
Pony or no pony, these riding boots deserve a place in your wardrobe.
I've been obsessed with pencil skirts, so this affordable version is at the top of my wish list.
These are the type of earrings you'd want to put on just to go to the bodega.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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