Paige dress, here and here | Dior sandals | YSL bag | Burberry scarf | Sunglasses | Necklaces here, here and here
Designer ‘it’ pieces … and their less spendy sisters 😉
Ok, here’s the deal: you can wear a simple outfit like a white tee, jeans and a jacket. But, if you add just one designer piece like a great handbag or a glamorous pair of sunglasses, you instantly bring your look up a notch or two! Next thing you know, your outfit is more stylish and polished — it’s elevated. This is the art of high/low dressing, and many of the fashion girls who catch your eye on Instagram or Pinterest have this mastered!
Today’s post is all about beautiful designer “it” pieces AND their less spendy sisters. These more affordable counterparts are no less stylish or high quality than the designer ones; in fact, there are many great options in all price ranges, which makes getting the look attainable for most everyone. After spending many years in the designer departments at Nordstrom, I learned that mixing it up with your wardrobe is the key to finding your own style. Incorporating both high and low pieces is something I do myself almost every day, and I highly recommend it to all of you. Keep reading to see all the hottest items right now — I know you’ll find something you love!
P.S. If you’re new around here and want to stay up to date on all things stylish and the bound-to-sell-out items we ALL need, then subscribe here and never miss a post! You can check out my Instagram Reels videos here.
Street style inspo:
Images via Pinterest
Bottega Veneta Pouch bag
Image via Pinterest
Left: Bottega Veneta pouch bag | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Bottega took the world by storm a few years ago (read this post), and every fashion girl was wearing a Bottega shoe or handbag. This pouch was on my radar for years … I almost went for it, until I saw the Mansur Gavriel version for a third of the price! It’s still one of my favorite bags to date.
Balmain blazer
Image via Pinterest
Left: Balmain blazer | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
A Balmain blazer is the ultimate luxury piece to own — so stylish and cool, but so spendy! I’d love to own one someday, but it’s a little out of my price range. So, on a recent trip to LA, I spotted this Balmain-inspired one and knew it had to come home with me! The hidden zipper and all the dickey options have me giddy with excitement as I look forward to wearing it in the fall!
Bottega Veneta sandals
Image via Pinterest
Left: Bottega Veneta sandal | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Bottega has pretty much inspired every shoe in the past few seasons. Look for square-toed sandals in all heel heights — flat, mid-heel or high. So chic, and a key style to own for every outfit!
Loren Stewart Pearl earrings
Image via Pinterest
Left: Pearl hoop earrings | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Pearl jewelry is everywhere recently, but not the grandmother pearl styles we usually think of — think pearls done in a more modern way. I love Poppy Finch, and one of my all-time favorite necklaces is by this brand. You might recognize it because I wear it every day! But when I tried these J.Crew hoops, even I was surprised at how much I love them (usually I wear smaller earrings). Try them — they’re classic AND fun!
Amida Muaddi Slingback Pump
Image via Pinterest
Left: Amina Muaddi Slingback Pump | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Paris-based designer Amina Muaddi launched her first collection during the early days of lockdown, and they immediately sold out, even though no one was going anywhere! These pretty party shoes with a cult following are the “it” shoes right now.
Gucci camera bag
Image via Pinterest
Left: Gucci camera bag | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
The Gucci camera bag is an all-time favorite, and you’d be surprised how much fits into to this smaller crossbody bag. There’s a great selection here, and I’m eyeing this brand new green style as well. All of these more affordable camera bags are so cute and will complete any outfit! If you haven’t bought one yet, grab one now. You’ll wear it every day!
Hermés Oran sandals
Image via Pinterest
Left: Hermés sandal | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
These have been the “it” sandals for a while now, and I can see why. Talk about the perfect sandal that literally goes with everything! You can see a great selection here. I’ve never been able to spring for a pair, so I’ve been wearing these by Sam Edelman for the last few years, and absolutely love them 🙂
Celine sunglasses
Image via Pinterest
Left: Celine sunglasses | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
Celine sunglasses are favorites, and if you have a small face like me, the 54″ ones fit really nicely. These Le Specs are celeb favorites, and are a fraction of the price. Sunglasses are the ultimate glam accessory, and you don’t have to buy an expensive pair to look cool 😉
Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Handbag
Image via Pinterest
Left: Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Handbag | Right: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Another Bottega Veneta cult favorite bag seen on all the stylish fashion girls. Luckily, if you don’t want to pay the price, there are many versions that look similar — most people probably wouldn’t know the difference!
Gucci Rubber Sandals
Image via Pinterest
Left: Gucci Rubber Sandal | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
I splurged on these Gucci slides early in the season, and I’m really glad I did. I’ve worn them with so many different outfits, and they’re surprisingly comfortable. These Jeffrey Campbell ones are really good versions and I have several friends who own these and love them!
Jodie Silk Slipdress
Image via Pinterest
Left: Jodie Silk Slipdress | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
Slipdresses are really versatile, and luckily there are many different styles at all price levels. I love this Vince one, and it’s the one I most highly recommend. Wear alone in the summer, and throw on a blazer for an effortlessly chic look in the fall!
Initial Medallion Necklace
Image via Pinterest
Left: Initial Medallion Necklace | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
Initial necklaces are the perfect additions to your jewelry collections. They’re easy to layer, or they work alone. My daughter Em and I have this inexpensive one, and we get compliments all the time!
Golden Goose Sneaker
Left: Golden Goose Sneaker | Right: 1 | 2 | 3
Golden Goose sneakers are another “it” shoe, and they can be hard to get since they sell out almost immediately. These days, there are lots of other good versions, including the brand P448, as well as this style by Sam Edelman. Comfy, go-with-everything, stylish. Who could ask for more?
Thank you for reading! xx
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the links, we may make a commission.