Believe me, if I had endless money at my fingertips I’d treat myself to quite a few shopping days! But as the saying goes, “money doesn’t grow on trees” which means I (like many of you) live my life on a budget.
Now just because my go-to stores include TJ Maxx, Target and Marshalls, doesn’t mean I avoid fancier retailers. But more often than not, I’m the first one sifting through the sale section for a good deal.
Related: My Favorite Denim Finds
What if I told you that you could some of those higher-end products for a whole lot less. Sounds nice, right?
Well, it’s the truth!
There are a bunch of items online that look similar to their more expensive counterparts, so much so, that you might not even notice the difference!
Related: Spring Style Staples to Add to Your Closet
Since we’re coming up on a new season, I’m on the hunt for some new summer upgrades. And if you’re looking to do the same, you’ll love what I put together!
Below, you can find some budget-friendly swaps for your favorite style, home, kitchen and beauty items. Just click on the blue underlined text to discover how you can get the “look for less!”
*post includes affiliate links
Look-for-Less Style Essentials
I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of a few new clothing items for the new season. Okay… clothing AND a couple of shoes and accessories.
One of my favorite pairs of shoes in my closet is my Birkenstock sandals. They truly last a lifetime and I reach for them constantly during the warmer months.
The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Slide Sandal is the brand’s classic style and I see why.
They’re versatile, comfortable and pretty easy to find in stores. But Birkenstocks can be a bit pricy, so I understand they’re not for everyone.
Luckily, I found this look-for-less find at Target.
Tell me that these Mad Love Keava Footbed Sandals don’t look like the classic Birkenstocks. The similarity is amazing!
They have a super comfortable EVA sole and a double strap just like the sandals I have at home.
Plus, they’re only $23 which is a fraction of the Birkenstock Arizona option.
While casual sandals are great for everyday wear, I’m also in need of some professional shoes for events and meetings… because after all, the workload doesn’t stop during summer!
I’ve had my eye on these Gucci Brixton Loafers for a while.
I love the classic look and they can go with everything from maxi skirts to slacks. But at over $900, I can only wear them in my dreams for now.
But my style dreams don’t have to completely come to a halt.
That’s because I discovered these Addie Bit Loafers at Nordstrom Rack!
The style is a bit different than the Gucci loafers, but if you ask me, they are pretty similar. They also come out to under $80… sounds like a good deal to me!
Moving on from shoes, I also have my sights set on some new jewelry. I’m all about the paperclip trend right now—trust me, this jewelry is everywhere.
So when I was browsing the web and I saw this Roberto Coin Paper Clip Chain Necklace, I clicked almost immediately.
I quickly clicked out as well… at $1900 a necklace, it isn’t in my budget!
Don’t get me wrong, the piece is gorgeous. It’s also made with beautiful 18-karat gold. But I also have a similar style sitting in the Just Jill Shop.
You’ve probably seen me wear the silver version a couple of times, but this Italian Sterling Silver Paperclip Necklace is bound to be your go-to summer accessory.
Unlike the Roberto Coin one above, it’s made with sterling silver and plated in gold. But you can get mine for just $90!
The other accessory I have my eye on is a new bag. I have a few that I’ve been using for years, but a girl can never have too many purses!
How beautiful is this Givenchy Antigona Satchel?
The clean-cut angles paired with the soft leather truly make it a gorgeous bag. Unfortunately, it’s a little out of my price range at this time.
With that said, I found an option that perfectly fits my look for less style, and I discovered it on the Kate Spade website.
The Kate Spake Colorblock Satchel is one of those bags I can see myself using every season of the year. Similar to the Givenchy satchel, it has some neat angles and an extraordinarily clean look.
I also love that it’s a fraction of the price.
Okay, onto clothing! I have a few dresses and skirts on hand, but I’ve always been a pants gal. Even during the warmer months, I enjoy wearing pants with a lightweight and airy top.
These AG High Waist Straight Jeans have a classic fit and they can be worn with booties, sneakers and sandals.
If you’re down to make the investment, I’m sure they will be a great choice!
But if you’re trying to keep your budget in check, I recommend looking at my favorite denim brand—NYDJ jeans.
These are called the NYDJ Slim Bootcut Jeans and if you ask me, they’re flattering on everyone.
They aren’t inexpensive, but the little investment is worth it in my mind because they’ll last you for years.
But if you’re looking for a pair that’s even more budget-friendly, Target makes these affordable Levi’s Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans.
They look like a fantastic, affordable option for summer!
Budget-conscious Home and Kitchen Finds
If you can invest in good furniture, go for it! It will last you a long time and when you buy timeless items, you can use them for years.
Take this Griffin Media Console. It features deep-colored reclaimed wood with an industrial twist.
Plus, it can be used for a television, as an entryway table or as a place to store living room essentials.
Right now, it’s sitting just under $1400.
That’s why I clicked on this Mosley TV Stand I found on Wayfair. It doesn’t match the one about exactly, but it has a similar style to it. I also can’t believe it’s available for only $170!
If you’re currently working from home or you’re trying to upgrade your home office, you’ll adore this chic chair I found. Design tip: emerald green is SO popular right now and publications everywhere are covering the new trend.
So when I saw this chair from CB2, I wanted to take a closer look.
CB2 often has decent prices, but this Channel Green Velvet Office Chair may be on the higher end of the spectrum.
With that said, it’s gorgeous and made with luxurious green velvet. Plus, it’s finished with a bronze base that might even double as decor!
But if the $700 price tag is still a bit much, you can opt for this AllModern Velvet Chair from Wayfair instead.
For $160 I can see myself investing in a couple of these chairs! They’re beautiful and they come in four popular colors — green, blue, gray and pink.
Speaking of beautiful, you have to check out this rug I found at Pottery Barn.
We all know that the Pottery Barn tends to be a bit expensive, but with that comes quality items for every room of the house.
My eyes landed on this Reeva Handwoven Rug which features a beautiful, rustic pattern.
While I’d love to add it to my cart, the 3 by 5 size is still $400, so I’ll save this find for later. In the meantime, I’m taking a closer look at this rug from QVC.
The Reflection 665 Collection Area Rug looks very similar to the Pottery Barn one, but the 4 by 6 size comes in at just $86.
So if you’re looking for a simple decor change, I’m sure this affordable rug will do the trick!
Let’s step into the kitchen for this next look for less find.
I’m sure all my coffee lovers will go crazy for the De’Longhi Espresso Machine.
How can you not love a customized machine with a manual frother, a professional grinder, and features that brew both espresso and coffee?
Believe me, I’d have it in my cart if it weren’t for the price. But if you’re a total coffee fiend, it might be a good investment!
With that said, I think I’ll stick with this budget-friendly option from DeLonghi.
It’s called the Espresso and Cappuccino Machine and it’s designed to make your favorite drinks in minutes!
At a price point under $100, it will probably save you a lot of money in the long run.
Affordable Beauty and Self Care Swaps
Similar to good furniture, I think that investing in good skincare and makeup products is a good idea. Especially if you have sensitive skin!
That’s why this Urban Decay Naked3 Palette should be on your radar. The brand has a variety of eyeshadow palettes and they’re all paraben- and phthalate-free.
But if you take a look around, you’ll see that there are some very similar options for a fraction of the price.
For example, I discovered this L.A. Girl Nudes Eyeshadow Palette at Ulta and it’s only $8!
It has 12 colors in some stunning nude tones and similar to the Urban Decay option, the makeup is cruelty-free.
Crafted by Dyson, the Supersonic Hair Dryer is one of the fastest-drying and most powerful hairdryers on the market.
I love my Dyson vacuum, and I trust that this dryer will have the same durability as other products from the brand!
It seems like a no-brainer option, but I hate to tell you it’s $430… I know, it’s a bit of an investment which is why I wanted to show you this other option that’s sure to help you with all of your hair-drying needs.
This bestselling WAYBO Hair Dryer looks a lot like the Dyson version and it even has a few of the same attachments.
Oh, and did I tell you it’s only around $40? That’s 1/10 of the price of the one above!
Nothing beats a good night’s rest. I feel like it’s the best form of self-care! But if you’re really looking to upgrade your sleep routine, I recommend this pillowcase.
Made with silky smooth fabric, SLIP Pure Silk Pillowcase is designed to fight against wrinkles, creases and bed head when you sleep.
The silk is super smooth and it comes in 12 colors to match the other sheets on your bed!
I’m sure it’s worth the price, but if you’d like to try a look for less version first, look no further than this option from Amazon.
The Ravmix Silk Pillowcase comes in multiple sizes including standard, queen, king, body size and toddler size.
The tight-weave material is sure to give you a comfortable night’s rest and at just $18, you can sleep soundly knowing that it won’t break the bank!
See? There’s no need to sacrifice your high-end preferences if you’re trying to save some money. All it takes is some looking around to find some good look-for-less swaps!
I hope these are helpful heading into the new season. And if you want any other recommendations, please let me know!
From my home to yours,
Jill
