The Best Under-$250 Fall Staples From Net-a-Porter, Moda, and Nordstrom—Period
When a new season comes along, it's easy to stockpile cheap finds to fill your wardrobe with the latest trends and essentials. After all, rebuilding your wardrobe is a lofty goal, so it's natural to want to spend as little as possible to get the job done. But as a fashion editor who studies the market for a living, I find it imperative to right that misconception once and for all.
Despite what we've been engineered to believe, just because something is high quality doesn't necessarily mean it's exorbitantly expensive, and moreover, plenty of luxury brands also offer pieces, especially basics, at a lower price than their standard ready-to-wear. Sure, you might not get a tank top or T-shirt for under $15 like you could at a fast-fashion brand. But for less than $250, you can absolutely pick up the essentials for a new season—ones that will last for years to come, fit 1000x better, and feel lavish and expensive. Trust me. Spending a little more to build out a lifelong wardrobe will save you in the long run.
For proof, scroll through the 35 fall staples from luxury retailers Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, and Nordstrom below.
Baseball Cap
'90s LBD
Khaki-Colored Trousers
Ugg Platforms
Elsa Hosk and Gigi Hadid can't stop wearing these platform Uggs.
Dark-Wash Jeans
Muscle Tank
Slip Skirt
Simple Chain
Cashmere Gloves
Classic Blazer
Wool Scarf
Leather Pants
Comfy Crew-Neck
Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
Cool Sneakers
Suit Vest
Suit up this fall.
Shop the matching The Favorite Pinstripe Straight-Leg Pants ($230).
Sheer Dress
Tube Top
Black Trousers
Micro Hoops
Denim Shirt
Ballet Flats
Fitted Bodysuit
Black Sunglasses
Slip Dress:
Everyday Tank
Leather Coat
Satin Lounge Pants
Slippers
Beanie
Cashmere Sweater
Boxy Tee
Turtleneck Bodysuit
Denim Midi Skirt
Next up: I Woke Up at 5 A.M. to Shop Net-a-Porter's New Sale—34 Finds You Need to See
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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