Every Low-Budget, High-Taste Outfit Formula Fashion People Will Be Wearing Straight Into 2026

Let me guess: Winter is on your mind right now along with all the stylish outfits you plan to wear from December through February. If, like me, you spent more money than you planned to during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you're probably on a strict budget for the rest of the year. The good news is that looking "rich" doesn't mean you have to blow through your next paycheck. Instead, you can follow the lead of fashion people, who are using the high-low dressing technique to create expensive-looking outfits. In fact, they're using it more than you think to make it seem like they only shop at The Row, Khaite, Toteme, and Saint Laurent.

A high-low dressing formula is for fashion people who have good taste but want to be smart about what and how they spend. It involves pairing investment pieces with affordable items to craft a balanced, chic look. For example, a complete Zara outfit might be elevated with a Bottega Veneta bag, or a Nour Hammour coat could be layered over Levi's jeans and an H&M sweater to add a designer touch. To show you more specifically how women are mixing high and low pieces, I carefully scrolled through Instagram and gathered sophisticated, anti-trend winter outfit ideas from some of the chicest fashion people I follow. Keep scrolling to discover what everyone will be wearing from now to 2026 to look elegant on a budget, from wool coats, denim, and loafers to leather pencil skirts paired with sweaters.

Styling notes: I stand by the idea that a designer bag, especially an oversize one, can make an outfit look expensive. Here, Norwegian fashion influencer Annabel shows this with her black leather bowler bag paired with a brown wool coat, brown jeans, textured loafers, and a classic gray sweater.

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Styling notes: If you're unsure what to wear for an upcoming holiday event, re-create this outfit. Pick a high-quality leather jacket—bonus points if it's a blazer that features a row of interesting buttons down the front. Then layer it over a black turtleneck paired with a velvet pencil skirt, sheer black tights, and patent-leather pumps. The key is that the elegant leather jacket will make the outfit look expensive, even if each piece is under $100.

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Styling notes: I love all-black outfits in the winter, but nothing looks as luxurious as white-and-tan ensembles. The light, neutral shades feel sharp and fresh against the bare trees and snow-covered streets. When the outfit consists of mixed materials such as wool, leather, and suede for outerwear, shoes, and a handbag, it really can't get any better.

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Styling notes: There's no denying the elegance of a leather pencil skirt. Especially when it's made of genuine leather, it not only improves with wear but also exudes richness regardless of how you style it. While it can look chic paired with a fitted blazer or a funnel-neck jacket, combining the classic silhouette with layered cashmere sweaters strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and modernity.

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Styling notes: Buying a faux-fur coat over $500 may seem costly, but if you wear it at least four times a month during the winter—which you probably will—it ends up costing less than $45 per wear, according to our girl math calculations. The best part is that the coat is the outfit itself, so whether you style it with a tee and gray sweatpants or baggy jeans, you'll always look tasteful and polished.

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Styling notes: Every year around February 1, fashion people get tired of wearing jeans or trousers day after day. To change things up while still staying warm, they turn to wool skirts and sheer tights, as Parisian-based influencer Sylvie shows here. This outfit formula can look dated if styled incorrectly, so take notes from her. Pair a skirt and tights with a nice button-down shirt, pointed-toe slingbacks, and a faux-fur scarf for a layer of texture, interest, and modernity.

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