Is there any better feeling than acquiring something new that looks and feels more expensive than it is? These days, that feeling is harder and harder to come by. So when it does manifest, it makes a buy that much better. Zara always delivers on special-looking pieces with ordinary price tags. This season, they’re doing overtime on slouchy suit pants, easy knitwear, and lacy slip dresses you can wear to that upcoming holiday party and beyond.
Nordstrom is my sleeper hit when it comes to finding something that looks expensive but tastes like a bargain. When you know where to look, you can almost always find gold. Sure they have all the heavy-hitting designers (complete with designer price tags), but did you know that they also carry Mango, COS, and & Other Stories? Not to mention Madewell, the queen of quality clothing at an affordable cost, in my opinion.
If you’ve made it this far, please keep scrolling to shop all of my expensive-looking Nordstrom and Zara picks below.
Shop My Zara and Nordstrom Finds
A good jacket should take you places and this one is taking me straight to my shopping cart's checkout.
If you consider the cost per wear of this top, it's basically free.
I'd buy this jacket and then style it exactly like this.
A knee-high boot that looks like this on sale for under $150?! A steal in my book.
I love the stripe detail here.
I'd pair this with pin-striped gray suit pants and little glasses.
The navy-and-red version of these are already sold out. Get 'em while they're hot!
For when I'm cosplaying as a wealthy Upper East Side equestrian.
I would wear the s*** out of this sweater.
It's giving Dôen but for a quarter of the price.
Laid-back, easy, cozy—this knit encapsulates all of my favorite words in the English dictionary.
Dark brown is my new favorite neutral.
Tony Bianco makes some of the best affordable footwear out there.
This with a suede fringed jacket… my God!
This also comes with a shoulder strap.
This looks so much more expensive than its price tag.
A cashmere cardigan under $200? Yes, please!
The shade of blue, the cut, the fit—I love absolutely everything happening here.
I've been wanting a pair of pearl drop earrings and am loving the price of these.
I can think of so many ways I would wear this.
All of my favorite looks right now include a lace slip peeking out.
This would make such a great gift for the holidays.
Nordstrom's in-house brands really know how to make a bang without the buck.
Dark denim always looks more expensive.
A very good Le Monde Béryl dupe.