Small Budget, Expensive Taste: 36 Items I'd Buy to Look On-Trend This Season

When it comes to fashion, I'll admit that my preferences don't quite reflect my available bank balance. I always seem to be drawn to those low-key luxurious designer pieces—sumptuous fabrics, sophisticated silhouettes, elevated styles—that tend to carry a hefty price tag. In other words, I have "expensive taste, small budget" syndrome, and I know I'm probably not alone.
Fortunately, as WWW's associate shopping director, it's my job to test and see every new-season trend and product as soon as it hits the market. You'd be right in thinking I have a running list of trend-forward items on my computer that not only look luxurious but also carry favorable price tags. Today, I want to share some of these trending spring and summer pieces that undoubtedly look expensive and, more importantly, don't cost a fortune.
This butter-yellow Combination Halter Dress will have you looking altogether on-trend this warm-weather season.
Sandals with metal hardware will be huge this summer.
Wear this with its matching jeans for a trend-forward denim-on-denim look.
Powder pink is another huge color trend this season, and this Zara look is the perfect way to tap into the trend.
Every chic fashion person I know is wearing white sheer lace skirts right now.

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She 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.
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