I'm a Former Nordstrom Buyer—7 Affordable Items I Wear That Look Expensive

As a former Nordstrom buyer, stylist, and the mastermind behind So Susie, Susie Wright is well-versed in all things style and shopping. While she wears a range of items, she often gravitates toward more affordable pieces to complete some of her favorite looks. Specifically, she reaches for under-$150 picks that have a forward, modern design and appear highly expensive.
Below, you'll find more information on the pieces that Wright wears to achieve a high-end look along with visual inspiration for how to style them. These pieces have become true staples in her wardrobe because of their chic and versatile nature, and they are also priced to be accessible to all. If you're looking to add items that look expensive without a hefty price tag, you'll find plenty of inspired shopping picks below that represent each of Wright's must-haves.
Easy Dresses
"This stylish Steve Madden dress is only $89, but it looks like a more expensive version. And stripes are always in style. This type of dress is perfect as we head into warmer weather." — Wright
J.Crew Jewelry
"Right now, the jewelry at J.Crew is on point—and it looks way more expensive than it actually is. I especially love their bracelets, like the silver statement cuff and the tennis bracelet, as well as the starfish cuff." — Wright
Camel... Anything
"The color camel always makes your outfit look more expensive, and you can find a camel-colored piece any time of year. I love this color when paired with white, écru, or gray denim. Classic!" — Wright
Blazers
"At only $75, this is an amazing value for a cool, oversized blazer that's both versatile and perfect for this time of year." — Wright
Neutral Accessories and Shoes
"Great neutral accessories, like shoes and handbags, help elevate your outfits. You might be surprised that the bag and shoes I'm wearing in the photo above are both $45! They look expensive, but they're actually quite affordable." — Wright
Levi's Denim
"We all love a good pair of classic Levi's! They're so chic and reasonably priced and make many stylish spring and summer outfits. You'll wear them for years to come since they never go out of style." — Wright
Denim Jackets
"This Levi's denim jacket for $98 is so good! I love the wash on this one, and it's perfectly oversized too. Trust me. You'll wear it with everything this spring! I grab mine multiple times a week." — Wright
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
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