Save or Splurge- One Great Look At Two Price Points
Price is no guarantee of great style, it can be had on any budget. Some quality and subtle details may differ, but I find it’s easy to duplicate expensive outfits for less money. Today, I’m sharing two looks. One is budget-conscious, and the other is full of investment pieces. Here’s how to save or splurge: one look at two price points.
This look features subtle, neutral tones and a lug sole loafer, which is still a big trend this fall. Lug sole loafers are a comfy, modern option for many casual outfits. Paperclip chain necklaces also continue to be popular, as are straight jeans, making today’s outfits current and wearable for any budget.
In this splurge outfit, each piece could be considered an “investment” piece and added to affordable clothes to level up the outfit. Here, I have paired a nude-colored lug loafer with straight jeans, a cropped cardigan, gold jewelry, and a quilted crossbody bag. Cropped cardigans are a great option with high-waisted pants and even look nice over a longer tank.
I like the classy, modern look of this outfit with updated accessories. For me, it’s a great everyday outfit or for a casual Friday night dinner out.
I love that straight-leg jeans are back in style and so readily available because they’re flattering on almost everyone. I’m a fan of subtle neutrals because each piece can seamlessly move from outfit to outfit – worn repeatedly without being remembered. And I need to get one of these paperclip necklaces! I like that they give a delicate look without being dainty.
This week’s splurge outfit would set you back $3,806.00, while the save outfit totals $370.00.
Which do you prefer and why?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Lately when I see an outfit I like, or even certain pieces and how they are put together, I go look in my closet and recreate it. I have many nice cardigans (cotton, cashmere, wool) matching tanks, jeans from Levi, NYDJ and yes – Old Navy which are stylish, fit well and wear even better. (I actually do things in my jeans and they get dirty.) Crossbody handbags and loafers I already have plenty, I only wear silver jewelry and have lots of nice options. I guess I’ve always worn cardigans jeans, loafers and crossbody bags, nothing special to spend hundreds or more on.
I’ve always been curious, if the superior quality of a designer handbag over another brand is supposed to be so clearly evident to the world, why do designers so often need to display their logo so prominently?
Loved this post! Please do this again.
I would buy the splurge sweater, a “v neck” is flattering to my face shape. The Burberry bag does have a value on the secondary market, if you were to get tired of it. (I resell a lot)
The jewelry, I would buy the save version, since it is trendy.
The loafers would be another place to save. I did see a few other options when I went to the “save” site. Not with the tassel though.
The jeans I like the look of the splurge, better than the save, but not sure I would spend that much. However, if the straight leg look stays as “strong” as the skinny leg did, they would be worth the investment. (as long as I do not gain or lose a lot of weight HA!!)
I know good jeans often do reflect the reason why the price is higher (do not bag, sag, or shrink)
I had purchased a pair of lug sole loafers last season, wore them twice. Not sure they are “me”, but had compliments from others. The appears to be one everyone is starting to take note of.
should say the *style* is one everyone
Jennifer, love this post! But the YSL handbag really skewed the comparison.
You’ve recently done several blogs on jeans. But I just don’t understand the price on ‘designer’ brands like Mother or Paige. The Talbots and J Jill quality seem top notch to me in fabric and fit. Would you explain the value of the splurge? I just don’t get it.
The value of the splurge is entirety in the eye of the shopper. Some women have a budget to afford more expensive garments and prefer them.
Some of the price on premium denim comes from where they are made…for example all of the premium jeans that I own are made in the US or Italy, vs all of my Gap jeans are made in Bangladesh, Vietnam or China. So part of what you are paying from is higher wages. It’s a personal choice
Excellent point, Karen
Save….. honestly, I can’t appreciate that much, and certainly not $ 3,000 worth, of difference between the 2 looks. If I snagged the sweater or spilled something on one of the splurge garments I would be sick !!
If I spent that much on an outfit , I’d feel like I’d have to be buried in them and wear them for all of eternity. Ha
Add my voice to “I love this post!” I do think that, except for the jeans, the Splurge outfit looks more elegant overall than the Save outfit. However, I could not justify purchasing the handbag, nor the jeans. I adore the Splurge cardigan, and am sorely tempted. I’d also go for the more expensive shoe, simply because my bunion and my arthritic ankles are happier in better-made shoes. You’ve put together a really lovely outfit, Jennifer. Thank you.
My feet really won’t tolerate uncomfortable shoes either
Such an interesting post and comments. If I think back over my entire life, the items I would splurge on were coats, boots, purses, sunglasses and some jewelry and scarves. That served me well and I still have coats from 20 years ago that are in great shape – some are classic others are unique pieces.
At this point in my life, spurges are few and far between. Although I did buy a new perfume the other day – Lily by Dolce & Gabana – small spurges to treat myself.
I love the Save and Splurge – it stimulates the mind. Thanks!
I would not pay $360 for jeans & now that I’m retired no more $2000 handbags! The rest of the clothing is in price points that I would purchase regularly. Just one statement on pricey bags/clothes, I’m retired now and look back at some of what I paid for clothes in my wardrobe for the “corporate” career I totally enjoyed and think wow why did I do it! Many have so little & I could have added much more to my charitable donations if I hadn’t bout in to designer labels etc. Think that’s what the thinking is today & I say, so right!
What a fun post. I would splurge on the sweater. It is 2.5 ” longer than the SAVE sweater, though not as trendy it would make a more natural transition from top to bottom for me. The SPLURGE sweater can go more places and would hopefully outlast the SAVE sweater.
I expect it would outlast the save sweater by quite a long time.
I’m fortunate to have a comfortable budget but could never be comfortable with the pricier outfit and I don’t care for logos so the bag would be out at any price. My choice would be to swap out the sweaters. You’d get a lot of “bang” for the cashmere without a big difference in the more reasonable total price.
I really like the save. I really don’t like to spend too much on casual clothes because I don’t want to keep them forever. I also like the clip necklace.