#ootd: How to Shop Smart For Low-End Fashion

Wouldn't it be just fabulous to be one of those few people that has top to bottom high end designer items in their closet?

For us living in the real world with regular jobs, that just really isn't a possibility. For trend items or everyday staples that we wear through, sometimes it is just not possible to drop serious $$ to fill up our closets. 

When shopping lower end stores (i.e. H&M, Forever 21, Target, etc.) you have to make smart shopping choices, even when prices are low. Yeah this spandex/rayon/polyester blend tee is cute, but when it pills after 1 wash and you have to buy another, the cheap item is now costing you more money. Keep scrolling to see how I mix low-high end items and what to look for when shopping to make sure you won't end up paying more in the long run.

H&M Striped Dress [new, $18], Banana Republic Suede Booties [new, $25]. Louis Vuitton Crossbody [secondhand, $100], Burberry Cat Eye Sunglasses [secondhand, $40]

When I’m incorporating a low end item like this dress, I like to spice up the outfit with more classic, high end accessory items. I feel as if it makes the dress look more expensive, adding more quality to your ensemble. Had this bag been a faux leather, plastic strap bag, I think the outcome would have been a lot different. Overall, I think you get more bang for your buck even for a $17 dress like this!

I bought this dress from H&M, which is a place I really have a love/hate relationship with. It’s a fun place to explore because they have so many pieces, especially knock off high fashion fads, but when it comes to quality it’s really a hit or miss.

I'm always on the hunt for a classic, everyday dress and during one of my recent H&M visits I came across this fun stripe-y little piece. Before I let myself fall too in love, I first checked the inside info tag for material. I’m always looking for a majority of natural materials, and if it’s a complicated concoction of man-made nonsense I immediately put it back. This dress was 100% cotton, yay!

Next I always look over for any stitching mistakes or pre-existing malfunctions, like a hole or pull of material. These items don’t go through a nearly in depth inspection (if any) like other higher brands, so it’s important to make sure the item is in good shape.

I know it’s daunting and exhausting, but I really do recommend trying on clothes before you buy them. Items at stores like H&M are made across many different countries and factories with differing dimensions, even for the exact same product! A small in one dress will fit differently than a small in another style. Yeah you can always return it if it doesn’t fit, but we all know you are going to put it somewhere in your closet and there is no way it will ever see the inside of that store again, so save yourself the money and stress and make sure it fits before you buy.

Thanks so much reading!

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