6 Expensive-Looking Outfits I'm Re-Creating on the Cheap

last updated 27 July 2020

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has big plans in mind for the second this period of quarantine is over, but I might be one of the few who is actually pre-planning outfits to wear once I'm allowed to see my friends again. To find truly fresh outfit ideas, I always sift through my saved photos on Instagram, and while doing so recently, I noticed that a lot of the looks I bookmarked had a particularly expensive-looking vibe about them. It was clearly my goal to re-create each of these looks in some way or another, but this time, I decided to shop out each item with budget-friendly price tags only.

Ahead, enjoy scrolling through six expensive-looking ensembles that can actually be re-created quite affordably, and I have all the shopping to prove it. With items from some of your favorite affordable retailers, this roundup is sure to encourage you to do a little extra digging the next time you want to re-create an outfit you see on Instagram because trust me: Putting in the work is worth it.

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I was looking for a way to liven up a simple white dress, and this look proved that apparently, a gold belt and strappy sandals are all I really need.

Get the look:

H&M

Long-Sleeved Cotton Dress

Zara

Metal Link Belt

Jeffrey Campbell

Aster 2 Sandals

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I wasn't sure that a laid-back yet tailored summer look was possible, but this easy tank and faux-leather shorts look proved me wrong.

Get the look:

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Organic Cotton Tank Top

Tosphop

Camel Leather Culottes

Senso

Petra II Heel in Ebony

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There's nothing I love more than a relaxed, oversize suit, so the second I laid eyes on this one, I knew I had to re-create it. I couldn't find one with this exact dusty hue, but to be honest, I am not hating the bright blue one that I found below.

Get the look:

Mango

Double-Breasted Structured Blazer

Mango

Pleated Suit Pants

Shashi

Dominique Hoop Earrings

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Any dress that exposes a little bit of my back is a winner in my book. Since it's difficult for me to not wear a bra, I was pleased with this similar(ish) Zara dress that I found that dips only a little in the back.

Get the look:

Zara

Voluminous Taffeta Dress

Dr. Martens

Nartilla Sandals

H&M

Sunglasses

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It's unclear when we will all be back in our offices, but the second we are, I plan on experimenting with expensive-looking color palettes like this one. It's tailored, it's exciting, and it can be re-created on a budget.

Get the look:

Urban Renewal

Recycled Overdyed Denim Button-Down Shirt

Pixie Market

Brown Suit Trousers

H&M

Loafers

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This might be an unpopular opinion, but summer leather is a trend that I plan on supporting (hopefully beyond the confines of my own home) next season. This outfit should be able to convince you if you feel differently.

Get the look:

Zara

Faux Leather Cropped Blazer

H&M+

2-Pack Tank Tops

Topshop

Faux Leather Miniskirt

Next up, shop the seven comfortable staples our editors have been wearing on repeat while working from home.

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Outfit Inspiration

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.