Elegant Is the Word—35 Impossibly Chic Finds That Are Somehow Under $150
As I've settled into 2024, I've realized that my style has notably pivoted over the past year toward a more elegant and classic look. I'm increasingly gravitating toward streamlined tailoring, polished handbags, and sophisticated flats over anything too trendy, and I know I'm not the only one who's doing so. The spring/summer 2024 runways overwhelmingly showcased a refined and grown-up mood, whether it was the satin evening coats at Altuzarra or the beautiful draping and A-line skirts at Brandon Maxwell. Now that those spring collections have hit the market, it should come as no surprise to see that the affordable shopping space is mirroring this overall style mood in its offering.
Plenty of the ideas put forth by the runways are now making their way onto the racks at outposts like Mango, COS, and Zara, so if you're also entering your elegant era, it's never been easier on your wallet to get the look. To save you some time, I did the legwork and pulled together 35 utterly sophisticated finds, including draped dresses, pointed-toe flats, frame bags, and cigarette trousers. Ahead, shop my favorite affordable finds that look chic but don't top $150.
I've always had a soft spot for the metal closure and slim-profile shape of a frame bag.
If your outfits need anything this season, it's unquestionably a pair of bold earrings.
Swingy A-line coats are on my radar after binge-watching FX's Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.
There will always be something retro coded about a sweater tee to me.
All this beautiful construction for $150? It almost seems too good to be true.
Cool gray tones are everywhere I look right now, and they're done best on tailored pieces.
I know baggy pants are trending, but suddenly, the sleek silhouette of cigarette pants is what I'm craving.
The pretty wear-with-everything shoes your spring wardrobe was craving.
Details like the bell sleeves make this simple cardigan a standout.
I'd rarely call a pair of shorts elegant, but I think the term applies here.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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