I Have Expensive Taste But a Small Budget: 7 Trends I'm Buying This Fall

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to shopping for clothes, I’ll admit that my sartorial preferences don’t always reflect my available bank balance. I seem to be drawn to luxurious designer pieces, sumptuous fabrics, sophisticated silhouettes, elevated styles—that all tend to carry a hefty price tag. In other words, I have expensive taste but a small budget. Luckily, however, that doesn’t make shopping any less fun. In fact, I love that satisfying (and smug) feeling when I find a chic, new season trend or style that looks pricey but doesn't cost a fortune. So today, I want to share the trends I’m most excited about buying this fall which feed my penchant for luxurious-looking styles but don’t won’t break the bank. Keep scrolling to add these affordable yet elevated fall trends to your wardrobe this season. Best of all, everything is under $150.

Maxi Hemlines

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli)

One of my favorite trends of the fall season has to be the long and luxe maxi hemlines we saw all over the F/W 22 runways. Whether it's a sleek column dress or a minimalist '90s-style skirt the trend feels fresh, chic, and elevated.

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Silky Slip Dresses

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta)

Nothing makes an outfit look expensive quite like a sumptuous silky slip dress. Opt for black, white, and neutral hues in midi and maxi lengths as spotted all over the runways. Just add a sweater, blazer, or bomber jacket once the temps start to cool.

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The "Pretty" Trend

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu)

From sheer sequined styles to delicate embellishments, pastel pinks and charming floral adornments—designers embraced all things feminine, dainty, and pretty on the F/W 22 runways (a stark contrast to the dark gothic styles which were also omnipresent). Opt for a sheer top to pair with your trousers this fall, or go for a delicately embellished dress.

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Relaxed Tailored Trousers

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Beaufille)

Smart and polished, relaxed tailored trousers continue their dominance into fall—and I couldn't be happier. They were ubiquitous on the runways, spotted in a variety of hues and fabrics from classic black and traditional tweed to colorful pink velvet. They make every outfit look more expensive and pair perfectly with everything from cozy knits to tank tops, and every kind of jacket. Style them with pointed toe heels for a sleek look.

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Brushed Knits

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Paco Rabanne)

It's not fall without cozy knitwear, and while we saw a variety of styles on the runways, the fluffy brushed-out knits really stood out to me—spotted in a wide range of hues and styles—from dresses to cardigans. They'll no doubt give your outfit a sumptuous and plush look.

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Elevated Bomber Jackets

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(Image credit: Courtesy of MaxMara)

There are plenty of outerwear trends I'm getting excited about this fall—from plush robe coats to edgy leather biker jackets, but I’m particularly excited about the unabashedly cool bomber jackets that are back on the scene. Whether you opt for an oversize fit like the ones seen at Isabel Marant, a cropped suede style like at Miu Miu, or a shearling bombers spotted at Prada, this season’s styles feel elevated and luxe.

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Ballet Flats

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu)

Ballet flats are back in business this fall and we've already spotted the trend all over Instagram. They're easy to wear with jeans or dresses and if you want to go full on balletcore pair them with scrunched socks as seen at Miu Miu.

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Up next, 5 simple items that will trick people into thinking you spent a lot on your outfit.

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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