The Best Under-$200 Spring Trends, According to a Celebrity Stylist

In fashion, 2019 was the year of Katie Holmes, and 2020 is proving to be exactly the same. With a number of viral fashion moments under her belt, there's no doubt that everyone in the industry has been obsessing over her style. So who is behind Katie Holmes' most talked-about looks? Meet Allison Bornstein, a stylist with a knack for crafting outfits that are equal parts sexy and understated, elevated and attainable.

Yes, she'll dress Holmes in a timeless satin dress, but she'll also add in pair of knee-high pony-hair zebra boots from Khaite to make it feel modern and cool. But the looks are also approachable. She wears jeans on repeat and often chooses affordable pieces, like the $78 T-shirt she wore with head-to-toe Chanel. This is the magic of the looks Bornstein styles for Holmes.

A quick visit to Bornstein's Instagram—@allisonbornstein6—and it's clear that she believes in making fashion accessible and has a sensibility for high-low dressing. There, she has a series where she breaks down wardrobe staples and current trends with her recommendations for how to style them and shop them at any price point.

Addicted to the series myself, I asked Bornstein to share her affordable shopping picks to tap into the coolest spring 2020 trends. Here are the best spring trends for under $200—all handpicked by Allison Bornstein.

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(Image credit: Sandra Sember; Getty Images; @rosiehw)

"The chain necklace is an easy way to add a little glamour to a casual look (think a white tee or tank). It is a little '80s and a little tacky, but when paired with something really understated and chic, it really adds texture to a look."

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(Image credit: Backgrid; Khaite; @camillecharriere)

"Ripped jeans are perfect for the spring, and I’m not talking distressed—I mean big '90s rips. They add a little casual and unexpected edge to a look and have an inherent sexiness to them. I think the key here is pairing them with a more sophisticated and elegant top or a ladylike kitten heel. It is all about balance! Warning: Get ready for people to ask, 'Did you pay extra for the holes?'"

Shop Allison's picks:

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(Image credit: Khaite; Getty Images; @bettinalooney)

"I love a dramatic sleeve. Although it is all about the drama and excess, it can be styled to look so chic and toned down. I like to balance a puff-sleeved blouse with denim to add a more casual element."

Shop Allison's picks:

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(Image credit: Splash News; Getty Images; Backgrid)

"I love the idea of corsets under boxy blazers with jeans for spring. The sexiness and vintage vibe of the corset adds something special to a basic look. If you are ever nervous to wear a trend, try to pair it with something super basic that you wear all the time. I find that if you have one piece that you are really comfortable in, it is easier to mix in something new while still looking like you and maintaining your personal style."

Shop Allison's picks:

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(Image credit: Backgrid; Getty Images; Saint Laurent)

"The cardigan is a classic and versatile staple that's magic is really in the styling. Button it all the way up and tuck it into high-waisted jeans for a preppy look, throw it over a white T-shirt and leather pants, or wear nothing underneath for a sexier vibe. It is also perfect for transitional weather. You can pair it with a pretty spring dress and wear it as a jacket as it starts to get warmer. There are so many possibilities here!"

Shop Allison's picks:

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(Image credit: Splash News; Celine; Getty Images)

"While flared jeans have always been around, I think they are going to have a major moment this spring. I love a slight flare with a tennis shoe and a tucked-in tee for a super-'70s look. I also think we will be seeing longer silhouettes with denim, which I think is actually a lot more flattering than the cropped styles that we have been seeing for the past few years."

Shop Allison's picks:

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(Image credit: Nili Lotan; Getty Images; Getty Images)

"The addition of a waistcoat adds a little bit of texture to a look. It can be worn with a tee or silk blouse or layered under a blazer. Note: The waistcoat does not have to match the blazer. For example, a checked waistcoat would look so chic under a tan or brown blazer. It is both bourgeois and rock 'n' roll (depending on how you style it)."

Shop Allison's picks:

Next, shop my edit of the best spring trends to buy now from Net-a-Porter.

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.