These Under-$150 Nordstrom, Zara, and H&M Items Are My Secret to Designer-Looking Outfits
A new year calls for a new budget (at least for me), but that presents a special challenge as a fashion-obsessed city girl with a job in trend forecasting. Not only does my career call for being on top of the latest trends, but it also means spending a good chunk of every day shopping out those of-the-moment pieces.
Suffice it to say, temptations are high, and budgets are low in my world. Because of that, I've become an expert in sourcing expensive-looking items at wallet-friendly prices. They do exist, and the number of options is growing as brands become more savvy.
Luxe knits, premium outerwear, opulent footwear, and quality denim can all be purchased for less than $150 if you know where to look. For your benefit and mine, I scoured H&M, Nordstrom, and Zara for designer-looking pieces with price tags that'll leave you shocked for all the right reasons.
Pairing retro sneakers with luxe staples is the best way to look current and stay comfortable.
Barn coats are having a chic moment, and the price is also a win.
Layering gauzy knits is this fashion editor's trick to looking elegant in the winter.
Something about this cardigan feels opulent, from the double-breasted silhouette to the bouclé fabric.
These mesh slingbacks have an edgy, everyday feel that is hard to replicate.
Copelyn is a freelance fashion and accessory editor who formerly worked for Who What Wear as an associate shopping editor. Before her time at Who What Wear, Copelyn was at Bustle Digital Group, working on the accessory market for cover shoots and fashion features across Nylon, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Romper, and Elite Daily. Copelyn also previously worked at InStyle and Cosmopolitan in the fashion departments. Copelyn has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, she freelances in graphic and web design in the fashion space and loves to upcycle clothing, home décor, and sneakers.
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