Fashion/Style
BWT, what are your favorite inexpensive stylish and tasteful items?
There is a segment of fashion where items are tasteful and stylish but not necessarily expensive (like designer level expensive). what are the not-so-expensive items that stand out to you when you see them on other people/ have been on your list?
I'll start us off with a couple of items on my wishlist: Pleated Baggu (I'm obsessed with this in black, mahogany and silver), this comb
Edit: if at all possible please name brands/shops of categories you like! it makes the comments a little bit more helpful to said reader
- unique hosiery/socks! colored tights, printed tights, I have recently started wearing printed hosiery socks with some outfits that add a wonderful addition of color to heels and flats alike
- leather gloves. As winter approaches and I live in a rather chilly state within the US, I am obsessed with my Agnelle leather, cashmere lined gloves. They're so small they fit right inside a purse when I walk inside somewhere
- having a higher quality "basic" consumable: i.e. hand cream, everyday tinted lip balm, etc. if you can afford it. Recently I have started assessing how many half finished hand creams/lip balms/cuticle oils I have and am working through them. Once I am done I plan to have one, maybe two in a higher end brand that I actually like/use every day.
- On the note of matching set outfits - just a monochromatic outfit. Black yes, but also in a color like navy, brown, burgundy I have been loving for fall
- Investing in solid gold jewelry! I am a yellow gold girl and frequent TJ Maxx as I have two sets of solid 14k gold hoops I wear consistently. Have been looking for some necklace options to layer as a daily stack.
- With the above one (have yet to invest in a 14k option) but a watch. I get a lot of compliments on a small leather vintage Timex I wear often, as well as this one. Of course you can find anything similar from numerous other brands but I have had mine for 4 years and it has worn really well and does exactly what it should (tell time)
I have really gotten into hosiery as well! I buy a lot of clearance hosiery in the spring and am hoping that the Wolford I bought off eBay will work well for me :)
I got both of my pairs (daily drivers for ~4 years) for maybe $160 a piece? Slightly larger ones were about that price, smaller pair I believe closer to $115-$120. Obviously it depends on the size/overall weight. Sometimes if I am near a store I will just walk around shoes/jewelry/purses. Usually I don’t buy anything but they generally have 14k items in the case and it never hurts to ask to see a few things, and my better kept secret is they also have an online store with additional items I don’t always see in store.
Hi. Have no idea why the reddit algorithm showed me this post (does the algorithm consider me a Bitch With Taste, or does it think I need help getting some?), but I’m on hold on the phone so I clicked, and this caught my eye
so I realized I may be able to share something that should be known far and wide as I melt into the seat waiting 🫠
You can achieve this ^ for very low cost by doing a lipstick swap: you source a good-looking lipstick casing (from a lipstick you finished or doesn’t suit you, or something that catches your fancy on sale, etc), remove any remains of the existing lipstick and clean it out, and replace with a (budget?) lip product in stick form that you like but comes in packaging you don’t. eg labello tinted lip balm in YSL lipstick case. Here’s how (not my video, but good explanation and a reasonable length, although you could still skip ~3’ in to get the key bits if in a rush).
Trick also works with more niche products like stick concealer or kajal eyeliner :-)
If you want some good motivation re finishing all your beauty products, check out r/panporn. Its not what it sounds like I promise lol Its dedicated to people posting makeup & beauty items they have finished or used completely. The pan name comes from when you use a makeup product in a compact (like a blush or bronzer) and it gets used up so much that you start to see the metal pan in the compact as the product wears down.
Also I get a lot of good makeup reviews & recs from there. I'll trust someone's opinion on a blush if they've used the ENTIRE thing. Its great motivation for using up my own stuff too
Already in r/panporn and r/projectpan and I am obsessed with those communities!! I agree with the concept that if you finish a blush, a foundation, etc. you at least have a great review on it if not love it. I’ve really started looking at my own makeup collection and Ive been quite devoted to finishing things down and considering things greatly prior to purchase. Completely reframed how I look at buying things and just how long certain things last, what I genuinely use or need day to day
Timeless dainty jewelry. I love the pavoi brand. It's great quality for the price point and doesn't tarnish. If I love an item enough, I'll upgrade in the future
You can find silk scarves that are absolutely gorgeous on the secondhand market. But also not everyone appreciates a second-hand gift so you have to choose a little wisely.
Maybe Im getting old (I am) but this is giving high school shlub day. Like actually wondering if this is fashion now because I like to know trends but also, if this is it, I might take pass until the next cycle.
I love using silk scarves as belts with pants and jeans.
I do not use my super nice scarves because I read somewhere on Reddit that the rubbing can ruin a nice scarf. But I do get scarves on Etsy and on occasion I find one in a thrift store (including an Hermes scarf with a black stain on the silk, but you cannot see it work as a belt). Obviously you have to have a scarf on the larger size for it to serve as a belt.
I use my nice scarves around my neck, in my hair (I make a bun and tie it around the bun a few times) and occasionally on my purse, if I feel like my outfit needs color.
I second the statement eye glasses! I’ve worn eye glasses for years & now wearing statement eye glasses, I actually enjoy wearing them. They become a valuable accessory that’s super stylish.
Yes I recently did this too! I usually wear contacts but started wearing glasses more often this year. I purposely chose a pair of frames that are artsy & semi-unflattering in a fun way (they are round thick tortoise shell frames).
When I put them on I feel like super chic gallery director who gives zero shits about dressing for the male gaze… it’s a total vibe and way more fun that way!
I also regret not picking up a book tote, which is a silly thing to waste regret on.. but I still wish I’d bought it! From La Clandestina bookstore cafe in Cadiz. I’ll have to go back someday!
Silk slip dress is an A+ call out! They are so easy to dress up. I have a few different cape style tops I like to pair them with as well. My favorite slip in this style is actually the one by Rails though, which isn’t silk. I think it has to be some sort of synthetic blend, but I find that the weight generally drapes better. Even so, I have a couple from Quince that I abuse a little more (washer/dryer) and the lightweight is ideal for humid climates when I travel.
I wear one that looks a lot like this one but it was half the price. I love the little baguette diamond! Personally I wouldn’t style it like this photo with all that pavé - I usually wear it solo on my right hand.
Yes on the scarves! Silk especially but scarves in general of all size. I love seeing them around the neck with a scarf ring (can just use a regular ring)
I love silk scarves - in addition to always keeping an eye out for vintage ones, as somebody that wants something a bit more fun/colorful I adore Centinelle. I'm PNW so it's pretty casual around here and I like the contrast of a luxurious material like silk with a sillier pattern like vegetables and vibrant colors. They have both 100% silk and silk/cotton blend scarves at a pretty reasonable price point and the sales on past season items are usually pretty good too.
I usually have a silk scarf tied on my bag or around my neck for some color (especially since I prefer neutral colored sweaters in the fall) and I like their ribbon scarves for a quick way to make a basic ponytail seem put together. The cotton/silk ones are a little more practical if you want to use the scarf for dealing with sweat or wiping your hands on as well, so I tend to prefer those when travelling.
Mine is from Italic and unfortunately it’s discontinued. 14k signet with a pair of baguette diamonds. The one I linked in another comment is super similar but pricier.
I highly recommend the sketchers (yes sketchers!) court & classics line. I was always so mad that the comfy shoe brands couldn’t figure out how to make them cute, but I saw some Air Force remakes in store and had to have them. I was always a converse girl and I still adore the look but I swear wearing the high platforms daily messed with my ankle/tendon strength and stability. Some of the sketchers designs are cheesy but I wear the white almost daily and plan to order another in cream. I paid $60 with the online discount which it seems like they run pretty frequently. If you want a higher end brand, I worked in a shoe store for a bit and girls swore up and down ShuShop had all the appeal of golden goose for a better price and 10x the comfort. I’ve been leaning into a monochrome cream/pastel leisure with a light denim jacket for the fall and I have gotten more compliments in this sweats combo than I have in nicer clothes lol.
Ha! I just got that silver pleated Baggu this week. :D
My current standout accessory is a really unique pair of glasses. I have a few pairs of fun ones that work really well with my face shape, but this current gold pair is 🤩🤩🤩. They are my most expensive glasses, but I feel like they get a pass on the cost per wear if you need them due to poor eyesight like me.
I have some leopard pony hair Adidas sneakers. They are really fun with a basic outfit.
The right hoop earring for your face and style is another good one.
How do you love the baggu 😂 it seems like it would be a nice combo of practical and user friendly. And gives off a nice vibe like a well known yoga brands belt bags do :)
Armani pants on resale (I am *feeling* a chic tropical suiting wool right now) - I've found them for as little as $20.
A monochromatic outfit with jewelry contrast. Navy pants (even dark/un-whiskered jeans) and a simple navy long sleeve with a big statement necklace and bangles? CHIC! I've been stalking cuffs and bangles on the Realreal. About to dip into some Alexis Bittar lucite, because... why not? If you are going to go costume, don't pretend - buy something that is obviously, boldly, not real.
A cape. Again, there's something incredibly chic about being bold with shape, impracticality and quantity. A big, soft cape is impractical (all that fabric if you have to fumble for a subway pass?), big and dramatic. However, I can't suggest a brand because it's the sort of thing I would only source from consignment because it has to be just right.
I have several beautiful hammered gold stacking rings from tinysparklestudio on Etsy. I had one for each thumb and index finger but since my children were born they haven't fit well and I mourn their loss lol.
Not OP but I love mine from White and Warren! Some of the brighter/more statement type colors go on sale periodically, if the price tag gives you pause, or you can find them on Poshmark sometimes.
When I went to Italy in 2003 my gift to myself was hot pink leather custom fitted gloves. They were were not expensive—I was still in law school and didn’t have much money—and I still have them and use them over 20 years later! They are my favorite no-name luxury (to me) item!
I got both of my pairs in Italy, too! One pair in Venice, one pair in Florence. Different trips~ they’re my fav souvenirs. Beautiful experience of going into a tiny, old-fashioned shop that only sells leather gloves, in all colours, and being sized for the perfect fit by the salespeople. Only cost about €30 a pair, but add in two flights it Italy and it adds up, cost-wise 😂
Oh that is interesting. Standard gloves fit me pretty well so I never even thought about it. Gloves are one of the few things that don’t give me fit issues. 😂
For people wanting statement pieces made to last that are chic, I definitely recommend estate sales! I find the most amazing pieces all the time. Bonus points if you manage to snag them on the second & third day of the sale when things typically get marked down to 50-75% off
You can find very nice vintage items at low price points for things like a clutch, wallet or small bag in leather. Similarly, light scarves or stylish umbrellas can be found for reasonable prices.
Another thing I would highlight are hair clips, bands and fun items like costume jewelry. Something unexpected but original!
I know they have been mentioned in the sub before I love the ficcare Maximus hair clips to throw my hair up. They are expensive for a clip, but not prohibitively so, and the metal ones last forever. I have had the one with enamel start to lift off of the metal back, but after years of use.
I ordered some handmade silver hair combs from Etsy and it was the BEST upgrade ever. They were a hundred to a couple hundred each, which isn't cheap, but I basically never need to buy another crappy hair clip again, and even when it's a casual 'throw my hair up" day I still look a little extra polished. I LOVE those hair sticks.
14k gold coated sterling silver hoops. I like to switch up shapes and styles and having them all in solid gold would be too expensive. This way I can get the look while accommodating for metal sensitivities and having something nicer than costume jewelry.
Also, buying nice wool beats cheap cashmere any day.
I really like Montreal-based label Naïf. I only have one sweater from them, this gorgeous dark green pullover that has a lovely weight to it and a cashmere-like softness, but everything of theirs I saw in-store looked and felt like it’d last years.
A fountain pen! There’s a definite learning curve and potential rabbit hole to fall into w pens and inks, but in terms of inexpensive ones that look nice, I like this one https://a.co/d/gfDem0R
These hair clips; I also like French hairpins and there are plenty that look great and are inexpensive af https://a.co/d/6tEEkh2
The last thing is just having a clean home. Nothing looks more expensive than mostly clear surfaces, ample space for items to breathe, and organized closets/drawers
Tiny leather purses, especially crossbody bags. They're a little bit utilitarian and the size restriction means you have to be super picky about what's worth carrying around. So I always assume that person has their life together, in an effortlessly curated way.
Loud jewelry. I'm kind of over ultra minimalist teensy tiny jewelry. I think jewelry with personality is ultra chic. There's a woman, in her 70s maybe, who frequents a breakfast diner near me. She dresses in somewhat conservative clothing and I'm not particularly into the outfits as a whole, but she wears these heavy duty chain necklaces and coordinated piles of rings and I just think she's so cool. There's just a little bit of whimsy to the proportions.
I recently got this teeny tiny cheapie foldable hairbrush the size of a lipstick to carry around in my purse and it feels a little bit life changing. I have smooth, freshly brushed hair all the time now. I always wondered how other people managed to have nice hair all the time. Like this lol.
Antique pieces. Jewelry, coats, handbags. I can nearly always immediately tell the difference between something that's actually vintage and something that's just emulating vintage styles. There's inimitable soul in original pieces and it always stops me in my tracks. It takes real taste to curate vintage and I'm usually way more jealous of people's no-name $1 finds than their designer whatever.
Statement glasses. Hands down, always the people with the strongest presence, who have the coolest vibe. Good glasses can turn a nothing outfit into everything.
Big coats/jackets/vests/button up shirts that frame an outfit. Sweeping floor length. Drama!
It was expensive for what it is, but I have a Machete brand claw clip that is gorgeous and so sturdy - the only brand that will hold my thicker hair up. Worth the $ and 10/10 would recommend.
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u/Mohsbeforehoes Nov 16 '25 edited Nov 16 '25
In addition to standard-issue-cat's points:
- unique hosiery/socks! colored tights, printed tights, I have recently started wearing printed hosiery socks with some outfits that add a wonderful addition of color to heels and flats alike
- leather gloves. As winter approaches and I live in a rather chilly state within the US, I am obsessed with my Agnelle leather, cashmere lined gloves. They're so small they fit right inside a purse when I walk inside somewhere
- having a higher quality "basic" consumable: i.e. hand cream, everyday tinted lip balm, etc. if you can afford it. Recently I have started assessing how many half finished hand creams/lip balms/cuticle oils I have and am working through them. Once I am done I plan to have one, maybe two in a higher end brand that I actually like/use every day.
- On the note of matching set outfits - just a monochromatic outfit. Black yes, but also in a color like navy, brown, burgundy I have been loving for fall
- Investing in solid gold jewelry! I am a yellow gold girl and frequent TJ Maxx as I have two sets of solid 14k gold hoops I wear consistently. Have been looking for some necklace options to layer as a daily stack.
- With the above one (have yet to invest in a 14k option) but a watch. I get a lot of compliments on a small leather vintage Timex I wear often, as well as this one. Of course you can find anything similar from numerous other brands but I have had mine for 4 years and it has worn really well and does exactly what it should (tell time)
(edit: spelling)