My Mom and I joke that we have an amazing ability to walk in to any store and pick out the most expensive thing there to fall in love with. Even when I hit my favorite “discount” shopping places like T.J. Maxx or Loehmann’s, I still manage to pick out a $400 dress or a $300 bag. So, as a result of my affinity for pricey things I have learned to shop around and see if I can find similar items for a lot less mulah. Of course, sometimes the quality or design of my inexpensive picks doesn’t quite live up to their designer look-a-likes, but usually I have success in finding a piece that looks great without costing me an arm and a leg. Check out some of these pieces that I was able to find cheaper versions of and next time you have the urge to splurge, do some research and see if you can find the look for less.
Shoes
I will always be tempted by designer shoes and I wish I could buy them in bulk. However, paying a month’s worth of rent for a pair isn’t in my budget so I always try to shop great sales, discount websites, and of course go on the hunt for less expensive options. Although I love the wider stripes in the first pair, the second pair comes pretty close to its designer match.
Left to right: Giuseppe Zanotti - $750, Sam Edelman - $110
Blouse
The thing I love about this blouse is the color combo. Since I’m not looking for something specifically in the same material or style, I was able to find shirts that had similar colors to get the look I wanted.
Left to right: Equipment – $248, Forever 21 – $22.90, Forever 21 – $15.80
Bags
I also have a weakness for purses and bags but since this bold neon color may not be something I get a ton of use out of, I don’t mind looking for a cheaper option for occasional use rather than spending a lot more for a bag that I just may not use enough to justify the price.
Left to right: Rebecca Minkoff - $195, Old Navy - $17
Dress
For this dress I looked for something that incorporated the same family of colors and the colorblocking trend. Both of the more affordable options may not be as dressy as the first one, but they capture the feel of the dress and serve as good alternatives if you don’t need something specifically for a cocktail occasion.
Left to right: BCBG – $248 , Forever 21 – $19.80, Baby Phat – $69
Love those shoes – wow! Long time fan of “cheap thrills” of any kind – thank you, Janis Joplin!
Terrific post!