Where I Save vs. Where I Splurge on Fashion
You don't have to spend a fortune to look expensive. You just have to know where your money is actually worth spending. One of the biggest misconceptions about building a stylish wardrobe is that you need to buy expensive everything. You don't. In fact, some of my favorite wardrobe pieces are affordable finds. I love finding a great belt, fun accessory, basic tee or pair of shoes at a lower price point.
But there are also certain pieces where I think spending a little more can make a noticeable difference — especially when it comes to fit, fabric, construction and how often you'll actually wear the piece.
My approach is simple: Save where you can. Spend where it matters.
Here are the fashion categories where I personally like to save and where I think it's worth investing.
Where I Save
Belts
Belts are one of my favorite places to save. A belt can completely change an outfit, but I don't necessarily need it to be made from the most luxurious leather or come from a designer brand. Especially when you're shopping for trendier styles — animal print, woven belts, Western-inspired buckles, colorful leather or statement hardware — I actually prefer to experiment at a lower price point. Why? Because accessories are one of the easiest places to have fun with trends without making a huge investment. Save on the trend. Spend on the styling.
Basic T-Shirts & Tanks
White tees, black tanks, layering tops and simple long-sleeve shirts are wardrobe essentials, but they don't always need to cost $100.
There are plenty of affordable basics that can work beautifully underneath jackets, sweaters, blazers and dresses. The exception?
If you notice that a certain basic is something you wear constantly and you're frustrated with the fit, fabric or longevity, that's when I think it can make sense to upgrade. But you don't need an expensive version of every basic in your closet.
Trendy Accessories
This is one of my favorite places to have fun. Statement earrings. Colorful bags. Hair accessories. Fun scarves. Brooches. Seasonal jewelry. If something is very trend-driven, I'm usually more comfortable spending less. You can enjoy the trend without feeling like you've made a huge investment in something you may not love next year. And honestly, sometimes the most interesting accessories are the affordable ones.
Trendy Shoes
This one might surprise you because I do think good shoes are important. But I don't think every shoe needs to be expensive.
If you're buying a trendy ballet flat, colorful heel, fun loafer or statement shoe that you're experimenting with, I am completely comfortable saving. The key is being realistic about how often you'll wear them. If you're going to wear the shoes constantly, that's a different conversation.
Seasonal Pieces
Think Halloween sweaters, holiday tops, novelty pieces or a very specific fall trend. These are the pieces I don't necessarily want to spend a lot on. They're fun. They're seasonal. And they're not necessarily going to be the hardest-working items in your wardrobe. Have fun with them — just don't let them take up your entire shopping budget.
Where I Spend
A Great Pair of Denim
If there's one category where I believe spending more can be worth it, it's denim. Not because expensive jeans are automatically better — they aren't. But because the right pair of jeans can completely change how your clothes fit and how confident you feel in them. A great pair of jeans should:
Fit comfortably
Hold their shape
Work with your proportions
Be made from a fabric you actually enjoy wearing
Work with multiple shoes
Work with multiple tops
Get better with repeated wear
Instead of owning ten pairs you don't love, I'd rather have a few pairs that you reach for constantly. Fit matters more than the label.
A Good Jacket
A great jacket is one of the hardest-working pieces in your closet. A suede jacket, leather jacket, wool coat, trench, blazer or beautiful everyday jacket can completely transform an outfit. And because jackets are often worn over everything else, you notice their quality. A great jacket can make a simple outfit of jeans and a T-shirt look intentional. It can also work across multiple seasons. This is where I would rather spend on one jacket I absolutely love than buy five cheaper jackets that I rarely reach for.
A Good Handbag
You don't need a closet full of designer bags. But I do think there is something to be said for having at least one really good everyday bag. Look for:
A shape you love
A color that works with your wardrobe
Quality construction
Hardware that feels substantial
Comfortable straps
Enough room for what you actually carry
Your everyday bag is going to get a lot of use. That's why this is one category where spending more can make sense. And remember: “investment” doesn't automatically mean designer. A well-made mid-range bag can be a fantastic investment.
A Great Event Dress
This is another place where I don't mind spending more — if I know I'll actually wear it. A great wedding guest dress, cocktail dress or special-event dress can become a wardrobe staple for years. Instead of buying a different inexpensive dress for every wedding, party or event, consider investing in one beautiful dress that makes you feel amazing. Choose something that isn't overly tied to one particular trend. Think about:
The silhouette
Fabric
Color
Fit
How you feel wearing it
Whether you can style it differently
The goal is to be able to pull it out of your closet years later and still think: “I love this.”
A Coat You'll Wear Constantly
If you live somewhere with real fall and winter weather, a good coat is absolutely worth considering an investment piece. A well-made wool coat, trench or everyday winter coat can be worn constantly for months. And because your coat is often the first thing people see, it can have a huge impact on your overall outfit. A beautiful coat can make even your simplest outfit feel polished.
Quality Knits
I'm also willing to spend more on sweaters that I know I'll wear repeatedly. This is especially true for pieces made from better-quality natural or natural-blend fibers that feel good against the skin and hold their shape. You don't need every sweater to be expensive.
But if you find yourself wearing the same sweater constantly, it may be worth upgrading to a better-quality version. Buy fewer. Wear them more.
My Simple Save vs. Spend Rule
When I'm deciding whether something is worth spending more on, I ask myself three questions:
1. How often will I wear it?
If the answer is once or twice a year, save. If the answer is weekly, spending more may make sense.
2. Does quality actually matter here?
Will a better fabric, construction or fit make a noticeable difference? If yes, consider investing.
3. Does it work with the rest of my wardrobe?
This is probably the most important question. A $300 jacket that works with 20 outfits may be a better purchase than a $50 piece that only works with one.
The Cost-Per-Wear Test
Here's another way I like to think about fashion spending. A $300 jacket worn 50 times costs about $6 per wear. A $50 trendy top worn twice costs $25 per wear. The more you wear something, the more valuable that purchase can become. This is why I don't automatically consider something “expensive” just because the price tag is higher. Sometimes the expensive piece is actually the more intentional purchase.
The Sweet Caroline Approach
My philosophy with fashion has never been “buy the most expensive thing.” It's: Buy what is worth it.
Save on the pieces that are fun, trendy and easy to replace. Spend on the pieces that you wear constantly and rely on to make the rest of your wardrobe work. And most importantly, don't confuse price with personal style. A $30 belt can make a $300 outfit. A $50 sweater can look incredible with the right styling. A designer bag doesn't automatically make an outfit stylish. And an affordable find can sometimes become the piece you wear the most. The best wardrobe isn't the one with the biggest price tag. It's the one where every purchase has a purpose.
So before your next shopping trip, don't just ask: “Can I afford this?”
Ask: “Is this worth spending on?”
That little shift can completely change the way you shop — and the way you build your wardrobe.
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