When to Splurge and When to Save: My No-BS Style Rule
Let’s just get this out of the way:
You do not need to spend a ton of money to look like you have your life together. You do need to know when to spend smart and when to chill and grab the $22 version from wherever. That’s it.
Here’s the rule I swear by:
Don’t splurge on basics.
Seriously. No one’s out here complimenting your plain black tank and saying, “Wow, is that designer?” It’s a black tank. If it fits well and doesn’t fall apart in the wash, we’re good.
Save your money for the stuff that shows up—the piece that makes the outfit feel like a look, not just a pile of clothes. Basics are like your foundation. They matter, but they don’t need to be fancy.
So When Do You Spend?
When something has ✨ a moment. ✨
If it’s got a cool shape, a better fabric, or that something that makes you feel good the second you put it on? That’s worth considering. It doesn’t need to be expensive—it just needs to feel special.
Splurge when it adds actual value to your wardrobe. Think:
A blazer that fits you like it was made for your shoulders
A killer coat that gets compliments every time you wear it
Trousers that make your legs look a mile long
A dress that you’ll wear to five different things and no one will ever care because it looks that good
That’s where your money goes. Not the fifth white tee that looks exactly like the other four you already have.
Jewelry? Have Fun With It.
Look, I like nice things—but I’m not spending half my rent on earrings I’ll probably leave in a hotel bathroom. I love mixing pieces. Some days it’s $12 hoops, other days I’m layering two necklaces from completely different stores and pretending it was on purpose (it was).
Also? I’m over the “you have to match your metals” rule. Wear gold and silver together. Stack chunky and dainty. Layer your grandmother’s necklace with something from Target. If it feels right, it is right.
Where I Do Spend: Shoes and Bags
Always. Every time. No hesitation.
Why? Because they do the heavy lifting. You could wear the most basic outfit ever—jeans and a white tee—and if your shoes and bag are right, the whole look comes together.
Plus, good ones last. I’ve got sandals I’ve worn for six summers, a bag I carry almost every day, and heels that have somehow survived weddings, cobblestones, and questionable dance floors. Worth it.
Some of My Favorite “Worth It” Buys:
A Missoni dress that’s been in rotation for five years and still slaps
Printed Prada sandals that felt like a splurge but have become my summer ride-or-dies
My The Row bag—yes, I know it was a thing, but I use it constantly, and I still love it
Also, don’t think I’m judging if that kind of spending isn’t in your season right now. Been there. You can still look amazing without blowing your budget. I share high-low finds and affordable swaps for a reason—because looking good shouldn’t feel out of reach.
So Here’s the Breakdown:
Save on: Basics. Layering pieces. Trendy stuff you’ll hate in six months.
Splurge on: The things you’ll wear on repeat. Coats, bags, shoes, and anything that makes you do a little spin in the mirror.
Mix it up: That $25 tee with a killer jacket? Chef’s kiss.
Buy what you love and wear it a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Repeating outfits is not a crime. It’s called good taste.
I pulled together a little collection to get you started—20 pieces that are either worth the splurge or the perfect version to save on. Think of it like a mini cheat sheet for your closet.
