I Went to H&M and Re-Created 5 Spring Runway Looks for Under $200 Each

As market editor, one of my favorite parts of the job is analyzing (in great depths and with much passion) the trends on every season's runways, in turn providing plenty of chic, wearable, and reasonably priced shopping picks for you, our dear readers, based on all these fresh trends. 

The S/S 20 runways were indeed a feast for the eyes, with exciting looks to satisfy every taste—from tailored three-piece suits to billowy tent dresses and (one of my personal favorites) '70s-inspired themes. Eager to update my own winter-to-spring wardrobe, I went to one of my favorite affordable retailers, H&M, to see if I could re-create some cool S/S 20 runway looks without breaking the bank. Luckily, there were plenty of trend-forward pieces to do so with ease. Scroll below as I share some of my favorite spring runway looks for under $200 each.

'70s-Inspired

Unquestionably, one of my favorite S/S 20 shows was Celine, mostly because the collection played into a bourgeois Parisian '70s vibe, which hits my sartorial taste buds just right. Moreover, practically every look was something I could easily see myself wearing on the streets or to work or for a night out. This season, Celine spearheaded the return of flared jeans (hurrah!), and these two looks below prove just how chic they can be. All you need is a great button-down shirt, a narrow belt, and a tailored blazer.

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(Image credit: Celine, Victor Virgile/Getty Images)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

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(Image credit: Celine, Victor Virgile/Getty Images)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

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Three-Piece Suit 

Tailoring had a major moment on the runways with three-piece suits, in particular, reigning supreme. Layering your tailored pieces in a monochromatic palette is key to the look. Think waistcoats, blazers, and overcoats layered over each other to create a polished silhouette that will see you through every meeting and work event this season. For my fellow beige lovers, Burberry's three-piece suit is seriously dreamy. While I couldn't find a waistcoat in-store at H&M, I created the layering effect with a blazer and overcoat instead. (This exact overcoat doesn't seem to be available online yet, so I've added a similar one until it arrives on site.)

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(Image credit: Burberry/Imaxtree)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

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Polka Dots 

I've always had a soft spot for classic polka dots, and lucky for me, they were spotted (literally) everywhere on the S/S 20 runways. From Gucci to Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors, the pretty print was prevalent on dresses in particular. This flowy number from H&M can be worn loose and languid or belted at the waist, as seen at Michael Kors.

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(Image credit: Carolina Herrera, Victor Virgile/Getty Images)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

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Dresses Over Pants 

One of the most refreshing new trends to emerge from the runways was dresses worn over pants, and I'm 100% here for it. From minis to maxis, frocks were layered over jeans, tailored trousers, and wide-leg silhouettes, making us seriously reconsider our layering game. This look from Khaite would be the perfect option for dinner and drinks with friends. Opt for trendy details such as puff sleeves and cool prints.

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(Image credit: Khaite/Getty Images)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

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Long, Loose, & Billowy Dresses 

Long, billowy dresses are casual, comfortable, and a refreshing trend I cannot wait to wear more of once the temps start to rise. They were seen in abundance at Roksanda and Valentino, where frocks hung loosely from collarbone to calf with hemlines dropped, often grazing the floor. Stella McCartney’s version of the trend is romantic, charming, and breezy, and luckily, I found a fairly similar match at H&M.

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(Image credit: Stella McCartney. Dominique Charriau/Getty Images)

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My H&M version:
(Image credit: @joiedejude)

Shop:

Up next, six popular dress trends that will dominate our feeds this spring.

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.