Looks for Less: 6 Fall Splurge-or-Save Picks
You guys keep telling me how much you love these Looks for Less posts, so I am back with a fall edition!! And I have to say, this batch has a few of the closest matches I have ever found.
A quick reminder of how I think about this. A healthy, balanced wardrobe has room for both. Some pieces are worth the splurge because you will wear them for years. Others do the exact same job at a friendlier price, and nobody needs to know which is which. My job is to help you tell the difference. So here are six pairings, the splurge right next to the save, with my honest take on each one.
The Going-Out Mockneck Top: TWP vs. Aritzia
SPLURGE | Shop the look →
SAVE | Shop the look →
In all my years of doing this, I am not sure I have found a closer clothing match than this one.
Finding a going-out top that feels age-appropriate, actually sexy, and flattering all at once can feel impossible. (Trust me, I have been in a lot of fitting rooms.) This mockneck silhouette does all three. The twist detail at the side gives it enough interest without trying too hard, and the cap sleeve hits in a way that works on real arms.
Hallie's verdict: One is a splurge. One is a save. Both are amazeballs.
The Pleated Tan Trouser: Rachel Comey vs. Madewell
SPLURGE | Shop the look →
SAVE | Shop the look →
The Rachel Comey Coxsone Pant has been on my radar forever. Pleated front, wide leg, and that crisp organic cotton that holds its shape all day.
Here's the move: the Madewell version. Lightweight cotton poplin, pleated front, a relaxed fit, and actual pockets. You get the same polished trouser look at a significantly friendlier number.
The one real difference worth noting is the rise. The Rachel Comey sits higher at the waist, and the Madewell is intentionally slung a little lower for a more relaxed look. Depending on your body and how you like your trousers to fit, that might make the Madewell the pair you reach for more. If you have been eyeing the Rachel Comey, the classic color is running low, but the other colorways are still fully stocked. And you guys, it comes in a denim version too!
Hallie's verdict: Let the rise decide. High waist lovers, go Rachel Comey. If you like a lower, easier fit, the Madewell may be your winner at any price.
The Navy Cardigan: Frank & Eileen vs. Quince
SPLURGE | Shop the look →
SAVE | Shop the look →
I have owned the Frank & Eileen Montecito Cardigan in navy for years and I wear it constantly. The fabric is incredibly soft, the fit is relaxed without being sloppy, and those buttons make it look like it costs exactly what it costs. It is the kind of cardigan that makes everything underneath it look more pulled together.
I also own the Quince version in ivory and wear it just as much. That one is 100% organic cotton, boxy and cropped, with the same slouchy chic feel. The proportions are different (it sits shorter, so it is great with high-waist jeans), but you get the same "I just threw this on" effect that makes a cardigan a closet workhorse.
I am not going to tell you the Quince is the same as the Frank & Eileen, because it isn't. But it is excellent for the price, and if you want to test drive the style before committing to the splurge, it is a great place to start.
Hallie's verdict: I own both and wear both. Start with the Quince, and upgrade if it becomes your everyday layer.
The Statement Pendant Necklace: Éliou vs. BaubleBar
SAVE | Shop the look →
I bought the Éliou necklace for a client a couple of years ago, and I am not exaggerating when I say we have built 20+ outfits around it. It is that piece. The one that makes you look like you tried when you really grabbed a necklace and walked out the door.
So when I spotted the BaubleBar version at a much friendlier price point, I had to share it. Same statement, same versatility, a fraction of the cost. (That is the BaubleBar on me in the photo.)
Hallie's verdict: My rule: a great necklace doesn't have to be expensive. It has to work. And this one works.
The Nautical Cardigan: THE GREAT vs. Anthropologie
SPLURGE | Shop the look →
SAVE | Shop the look →
THE GREAT cardigan has been on my radar and I am fully here for it. Heavyweight knit, nautical print, shawl collar. It is that relaxed, effortlessly cool Americana look that feels so good for fall.
The Anthropologie version caught my eye for obvious reasons. Red, white, and blue print, collared neckline, button front, patch pockets. It has all the cozy printed cardigan charm at a friendlier price. It is running low on stock, so I found another really similar option and linked that for you too.
Here's the thing: a printed cardigan is one of those pieces that does all the work for you. Add jeans and a white tee underneath and you are done. That is the whole outfit. Easy peasy.
Hallie's verdict: Both deliver the look. One costs significantly less.
The Puffy Heart Necklace: Roxanne Assoulin vs. BaubleBar
Roxanne Assoulin makes two sizes of the Puffy Heart. The mini is for when you want the heart moment without it feeling overwhelming. This look for less is for the mini, and honestly, of the mockneck top is my closest clothing match, this is the jewelry winner. It might be the nearest to identical we have ever come.
Same heart shape, same vibe, same "I put on a necklace and my whole outfit came together" effect. The BaubleBar sits on an oversized link chain with a 3" extender, so you can adjust the length and layer it if you want, which is a really nice bonus at this price point.
Hallie's verdict: I will be honest with you. If you are not deeply attached to owning the Roxanne Assoulin, the BaubleBar is the move.
The Bottom Line
Looks for less doesn't mean settling. Sometimes the splurge earns its spot in your closet, and sometimes the save is the one you would buy again. A balanced wardrobe has both, and the goal is always the same: you feel great in your clothes.
Want more? Catch up on my June Looks for Less picks and the original tried-and-tested edition.
Now I want to hear from you! Have you tried any of these? Which pairing are you adding to your cart? Tell me in the comments below.
xo, Hallie