Meet the Cheap (But Expensive-Looking) Fall Items Our Editors Are Buying Now
There’s nothing that gets the Who What Wear team more excited than finding a luxuriously chic item at an amazingly affordable price. With a new season just around the corner, these budget-friendly finds are a welcome addition to our wardrobes while we’re adding fall items to our carts. From mock-croc bags to leather separates and silky tie-neck blouses, many of the biggest fall trends are inherently expensive-looking, and luckily for us, there are plenty of cost-effective options to nail the trends. Curious to see what fall items are currently sitting in the carts of my fellow editors, I had them share the affordable but expensive-looking items they’re buying right now for the season ahead. Scroll below for the crème de la crème for under $150.
These chic lace-up boots have major Celine vibes without the designer price tag. I'll be wearing them with everything from jeans to dresses to elevate my fall outfits.
Everything from the mock-croc fabric to the modern, sculptural handle to the sumptuous dark-brown hue makes this bag look way more expensive than its actual price tag. It will add a luxe touch to every outfit.
Tie-neck blouses are a big trend for fall, and I can't wait to wear this silky satin emerald green stunner with my jeans and skirts this fall.
One more pair of boots to add to my closet for autumn! I'm in love with tall knee-high and over-the-knee styles, and this luxurious-looking burgundy pair will look plush paired with my pleated midi skirts.
"I think every woman should have a silky white button-down blouse. That includes me, and I currently don't own one, so I'll be snagging this one for fall. Hot tip: Wear it with a blazer, and pull the collar out on top of the jacket."
"I can vouch that these pants are made of a super-luxe-looking material. They're on the thicker side, almost like denim or canvas, which is smart for white pants because affordable white pants can often be sheer or flimsy-looking. Plus, the paper-bag style adds an extra stylish element."
"It girls everywhere are wearing Simonett, and there's a good reason. The brand is affordable and unique. This textured pink dress almost feels like a vintage find."
"Everything from the color to the buttons makes this affordable cardigan look elevated and far pricier than the $60 price tag. I can see myself wearing it with high-waisted jeans and boots on multiple occasions this fall."
"I think these are going to be the new It Le Specs. (Every season has a pair.) I, for one, would gladly wear them every day."
"Cardigans always have a way of looking more expensive than they are, and this one is no exception.”
"I'm obsessed with this fancy-looking top and could imagine getting so much use out of it."
"There are two main reasons I jumped at the chance to wear this top: The crinkle material looks ultra luxe, and the pistachio color is so on trend for fall, both of which make it look way more expensive than it really is."
"Ankle boots are a notoriously tricky item to shop for since they can come off looking cheap if you're not careful about choosing the right details. This Topshop pair is definitely the exception to that because the heel shape and square toe both look like the kind of considered details you'd find on a designer pair.”
"I have been looking for something cow print for a while now, and these boots from Urban really hit the spot. I am still on the cowboy-boot bandwagon, so I feel like I'll have fun showing these off among all my other fun new fall trends."
"Clearly, I am in the need for some new shoes, and this under-$100 pair is perfect because it looks anything but. Plus, it has a square toe, which is having a major moment right now."
"This dress just dropped on Reformation and is currently sitting in my shopping cart. With its one-shoulder silhouette and cool cutout detail, it feels very on trend and looks much more expensive than its $118 price tag."
"When it comes to jewelry for the season ahead, I'm snapping up chunky styles over everything else, like this necklace from Laura Lombardi. Bonus: It's made from recycled materials, so it's a great sustainable fashion find.”
"I think these sculptural earrings by Loéil look like a million bucks. They're only $48 but make you look like you're a curator for a fancy art gallery."
"This vegan-leather jacket by House of Sunny looks incredibly chic and way more expensive than it really is. Plus, faux leather touches on a major fall trend."
Up next, seven fall handbag trends you can score under $100.
Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.