The Budget Fashionista

White dresses are popping up all over, and eyelet seems to be a favorite way to add a little texture to the snowy hue as we look ahead to spring. Can you get the look for less? Of course. Here, we’ve picked a high-end designer frock that’s priced to shock, and a budget option that’s just as sweet to look at, but with a price that goes down ever so much easier. So which is which?

The dress on the left is by Akris, priced for pre-orders at $3,500 at Saks. On the right, a flattering wrap version at LaRedoute, for just $49.99.

There’s almost nothing as versatile in the summer as a black tank top—it goes with jeans, shorts, skirts, flip flops, flats, heels, and can be accessorized in so many ways that it almost boggles our budget fashion sensibilities. But as useful as it is, is the black tank worth sinking a bunch of cash into? Nuh uh, because you can get a decent one for less. Here, we’ve found two—one is budget enough to allow us to pick up a …

On the right, our budget version from Old Navy, on sale for just $10; on the left, a L’Wren Scott tank from Net-a-Porter, $250.

MAC eyeshadow has long been a staple of makeup artists, celebs, and real women alike, beloved for its heavily-pigmented formula – which ensures that what you see in the pot is what you get on your lids upon application. A trip to the MAC cosmetics counter brings us back to those kid-in-a-candy-store days: the array of colors, from vibrant jewel tones to shimmery nudes and bronzes, makes it nearly impossible to pick just one. Our one caveat? That $14 price …

Ombre patent handbags are going to be hot for fall—and while we’re kind of coveting the look we’re also trying to show some self-restraint, reminding ourselves that ombre will be soooo dated before you can say “fancy French word for dip-dyed.” Still, it’s actually pretty easy to indulge in this particular short-term trend on a budget without having the piece look cheap. Testing that theory, we’re pitting a high-priced bag against an affordable version, for your consideration. So which is …

On the left, the high-priced piece, an Elliot Lucca Portia Pocket Shopper, $398, at Hobby Fob; on the right, the budget version, a Worthington Patent Dome Satchel, $29.99 on sale at JCPenney

It seems the gray t-shirt dress is the latest mid-summer trend amongst the Hollywood set, and we can’t really argue with it’s comfort or ease. We can, however, argue against paying too much for one. Clearly, you don’t have to, and here’s proof: We’ve picked two t-shirt dresses—one carries a pricetag far too hefty for a slip of cotton, while the other just slightly easier on our bottom line. So which is which?

On the left, the high version, a Splendid Heather Gray Shirt Dress, $138, Fashion Chateau. On the right, a more budget-friendly option, a Lux His for Her Dress, $38, Urban Outfitters

Hats can add a little oomph to the most basic of outfits—and we love ‘em because, like belts, you can get some that look trendy and terrific without parting with a whole lotta dough. You could pay more for a stylish hat, but we’re here to prove it’s not necessary, with this floppy hat high vs. low. One of the hats pictured is more than we like to spend on a whole outfit, while the other is at the perfect …

On the left, the high, Penelope by Eugenia, $145; on the right, a budget pick, the Grandpa Fedora at Urban Outfitters, on sale $14.99.

The T-strap peep-toe prompts us to ask the question: How many trends can one shoe hold? The T-strap, the peep-toe, the retro vibe—is it all too much? Can our feet handle it? Uh, in a word—yes. They’re the perfect transition shoe into fall fashion, and the particular T-strap peep-toes we chose are brown and white with cute perforated holes on the edges. They’re playful, but still completely businesslike and appropriate for the office. And they work now because they have for …

On the left: Merona Elaina T-strap pumps, via Target. $24.99.

On the right: Franco Sarto Ability pumps, Zappos.com, $93.00.

Images: target.com and zappos.com

We’re suggesting the cropped jacket as another transition piece when the weather is cooling down. It won’t be summer anymore, and yet the autumn leaves haven’t yet coated the ground, so an easy option is to just throw on a cropped jacket when you need that extra layer of clothing. We’ve seen versions with one button or three, with short and long sleeves, but we’ve settled on these two as our favorites. But since we don’t wish to break the bank …

On the left: A.B.S. white colorblocked cotton swing jacket, Bluefly.com, $144.99 (but regular retail $285!).

On the right: City Style Ballet Neck Jacket, NY and Company, currently $17.98.

Images: Bluefly.com and nyandcompany.com