Splurge or Save- Grey Leopard Print Outfit
Happy Friday, ladies. I’ve had several emails requesting certain looks for these splurge vs save posts. Today’s is from a lady who loves animal print but doesn’t wear warm colors. She’s still working on her three style words and wanted to see what urban, polished, and contemporary might look like. Here is my splurge or save interpretation of a grey leopard print outfit
There are some interesting dupes in both outfits. I swapped several items in the collages as I found items at better price points. Many pieces are from discount merchants, and a few are from a budget-conscious store. There are also several investment pieces mixed in.
These posts aim to give you some ideas for outfits you can either duplicate by shopping in your closet or purchase at varying price points because great style can be had everywhere. Can you tell just by looking at these which outfit is the splurge or the save?
Most leopard prints have orange in their pattern, so I’m always happy to find ones that don’t. These longer cardigans can act as lightweight coats in the fall. Bootcut jeans are on trend, and both of these have a smaller bootcut so you can ease into the look comfortably. The deep wash is more elevated than lighter washes. I added a crisp white button-down because she likes to look polished.
The two-toned cable link bracelet is a modern classic. Both pairs of shoes have a soft sheen, and their pointed toes give a more polished vibe…sorry for the pun. Crossbody bags are current and very convenient.
The splurge outfit comes in at $2,530.00. The save outfit comes in at $316.29.
I would splurge on a few items here and not on others. There’s nothing trendy here, but I always try to spend less on pieces that won’t stand the test of time in my wardrobe. My husband spotted the save outfit instantly. Can you tell what gave it away?
Do you have a style you’d like me to recreate in a splurge or save post?
Thanks for reading, ladies, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Love the Splurge/Save posts! These are so much fun! Please keep them in your rotation of topics. I’m learning so much and increasing in confidence to dress well while on a budget.
Awesome. I’m glad you’re liking them.
I love your Splurge/Save posts! And I am trying my 3 letter style description. Perhaps – sporty, classic, comfortable. I worked in the corporate world for years and wore mostly grey, navy blue and black suits. I still love a suit! But my retired lifestyle is very, very casual now. Walk, golf, bike, etc. Would love to see warm colors for fall on a 5’5”, medium rectangular build. Style away for my core pieces!
The style of the shoes as well as what appears to be a structured leather handbag (with assumingly a leather tag attached) spoke a possible ‘splurge grouping’ to me. Loving this new addition to your blog. -Brenda-
Footnote: Don’t know if you are aware Jennifer, but years ago the Interior Decor ‘Style At Home’ (Canada) Magazine had a High or Low feature as well. If I recall correctly, it consisted of two spaces decorated with similar items (with a side-by-side double page layout for comparison) and was definitely my favourite column back then.
I can usually spot the affordable vs splurge items but some here had be stumped.
I know David Yurman logos so I wasn’t thrown but your choice is excellent for an affordable option as I cannot see overpaying for just a logo and the DY name.
I surely thought the Kohls Grey Leopard cardigan was more expensive than the Nordstrom rack’s but I preferred the Rack’s cut and color pattern.
Jeans are not my thing unless they are a special cut so cannot opine.
The handbag I actually preferred the Kohls style but not sure of the quality. Not fond of Coach as their more affordable items always seem to have a logo displayed or embossed which I cannot fathom wearing due to free advertising and how these logos seem to scream “I am proud I have more money than you”. Sour taste. I do have Coach handbags without a logo but they are out of an affordable category but high quality and with timeless styles. I do not fault those if a displayed logo is their “thing.”
I would not wear either of the shoes but if I had to chose, I select Clarks for their comfort and shoebed padding.
I knew the RayBans were the splurge and I have them in my bag now with the prescription gradient lenses. I see wearing them with many of my outfits as I’m a blue color preference individual.
Great post Jennifer. Am looking forward to your next post in Splurge or Save.
Oh, how I wish I had at least $5K more in monthly income as I would purchase so many more of the items you post here on your blog. Sigh, I’m retired though and have no desire to return to working again to produce additional income. Such is life!
Shoes did it immediately for me!
I’m not a lower price point shopper coming from a family that taught “better to have fewer but quality” but I’d never pay over 2k for the higher end outfit.
I do enjoy these posts, btw Jennifer. I bet it takes a bit of time to put it together!!
These are fun posts
My mother also said to buy quality over quantity and save for the better items but look for sales. Classic investment pieces are always a good bet. I have some clothing pieces that I still wear and are holding up well after 20 years. Some items are right on point now. Will always purchase quality but look for more affordable or vintage items to add and don’t think twice about donating when I’m tired of them.
I think some high end items are not worth the price. But I do go by feel and fit. If it’s a trendy thing there’s no point in spending a small fortune.
As much as I dislike animal prints, this cardigan does appeal to me as it is not all over the item.
But I can’t tell which is the save.
Shoes are often a big giveaway.
Jean fit also is a giveaway. And cheap jeans tend to lose shape easily.
This is a nice outfit, either way.
The sweater was what clued me in to the splurge vs. save outfit. Everything else, I would need to see in person to know for sure. I have cool coloring, so this was a helpful post. I love the splurge sweater, but I am not that fond of animal print. Still, it was nice to see it in the gray tones. I love your blog, Jennifer!
Thank you Ruth
What fun!! The accessories and shoes gave it away for me, but the Save option no slouch!
The Ray Ban glasses and shoes were my first clue to the Spurge.
Alone with the others I enjoy these post.
Great post! A previous commenter said that she doesn’t look good in white but she has “cool” coloring. White is one of my best colors to wear and I think I’m a “winter.” This whole color/season theory of dressing has me so confused!
Another issue for me is that I’m petite (5’3″). Many clothes overwhelm me. I would like to hear your take on petite vs. regular sizing. That is also confusing to me. Love your blog!
Cool skin tones vary from very cool to slightly warm, so our whites will differ. I am very cool, so any warmth in white makes me look sallow. If you are a “winter”, you are likely better off with a white that has no warmth.I wear petite and regular garments depending on the fit of each piece. I am short but I have long arms so petite sleeves are often too short. At 5’3″ you probably do better in petite clothes.
I noticed the shoes with the brown heels and the purse with the red stitching quickly. They don’t look as expensive as the other shoes and purse. I didn’t notice the banding on the sweater until I read other replies, but it does say cheaper, too, but I would still wear that outfit, because I don’t think anyone I would see would really notice it.
I find I will spend more money on basics, shoes, etc., but trendy or fads I pay a lot less. Some of these styles just don’t last, or my interest in them is not there for very long.
A very important point about our interest in an item!
Congratulations. You do a GREAT job with this feature, Jennifer. Please continue.
Jennifer, I love the splurge and save post.
It is kind of cool to be able to look at a expensive outfit and reconstruct for a reasonable price.
That is how I justify getting 2 or more outfits for the price of one. Love to shop, so this is a wonderful challenge for me.
This is a great post! Thank you. I have a request — white does not look good on me at all. I sometimes wear it when I don’t know what else to wear, but it would be so very helpful if you could do some outfits that have alternatives to a white button down — maybe even posts that have a white button down along with an alternative. A grayed beige/ecru looks so much better than white on me but doesn’t always look right with the ensemble. My coloring is cool. Thanks!
I’ll see what I can find for you, Elle
The shoes gave it away for me—(hope I’m correct) I haven’t read the other responses. The shies with tan heel don’t look quite as good. The sweater too.
I mean shoes not shies.
The shoes are what my husband noticed too.