While a new season brings an influx of fresh trends I can’t wait to try, I don’t think it’s entirely necessary to overspend in this category in order to look great. I know it can be hard to resist every trend you catch on Instagram or the runways, but the best outfits are those that consist of timeless and trendy pieces. You’ll often catch me adding only one or two trends in my daily look, and this usually does the trick when I want to look both polished and stylish at the same time. I always look to my favorite fast fashion brands for the best trend-right pieces in order to stay within budget – and to get the most mileage out of my wardrobe. Luckily, many of my favorite trends come in affordable styles. Here are a few tips on how you can wear fall trends on a budget.

Animal Print

I’m much more inclined to wear neutral tones, but I have been eyeing the animal print trend, especially leopard and python. Both prints are rather bold, so I like to incorporate them into my everyday outfits through accessories. Pieces like scarves, shoes, or handbags allow the animal print to serve as a subtle accent rather than a hero piece. There are so many great places to score budget-friendly animal printed items like Nordstrom. With brands like Sam Edelman and Steve Madden, you’ll find plenty of great shoe options without putting a dent in your wallet.

Western

The western trend can be a tricky one to pull off, but I find that western-inspired ankle boots, belts, and ruffle trim tops can be styled flawlessly with a classic wardrobe. A stacked bootie with western detailing looks great with skinny jeans and chunky knits for a weekend or vacation wear. Many of my favorite cowboy-inspired pieces are available under the $150 price range at Nordstrom.

Plaid

Plaid is always in for fall, but brands are presenting it to us in fresh ways this year. One of my favorite plaid pieces is the poncho (or cape), which has finally made a comeback. It’s such a classy and preppy piece that you can take from day to night. For a more classic way of rocking this trend, throw a plaid coat in a menswear silhouette over any of your outfits. And if you’re up for a challenge, mix different colored plaid pieces together. I recommend browsing the fall collections at H&M, Mango, Revolve, and Nordstrom for affordable, trendy plaid pieces from coats to shirt dresses.

Sequin

The beauty of sequin is that it elevates any outfit you wear. It’s definitely a trend I reserve for date nights or cocktail parties, so I don’t recommend splurging here. I love pairing sequin dresses and skirts with stronger fabrics like leather or denim because it helps to tone down the disco effect. And when picking out a sequin look, keep in mind that a higher neckline or longer sleeves keep a sparkly, short dress on the sophisticated side. I spotted several cute pieces at H&M and Asos recently.

Suiting

Blazers will always be a must-have in my wardrobe, so I’m excited to see how relevant they are this season considering I have a collection of them. What makes this season’s suiting trend so special are a few updates, like strong shoulders, boxy cuts and novel textures like corduroy. Several of my favorite brands like Topshop, H&M, and Mango offer these newer renditions at budget-friendly prices.

Jewel Tones

I’m usually spotted wearing darker colors like black, gray, and brown around this time of the year, so I’m looking forward to jewel tones to serve as a pop of color in my wardrobe. With the holidays around the corner, I’m on the lookout for bold colored dresses as they’re so fun and festive for formal affairs. I’m obsessed with luxe textures like velvet and satin, which are available and affordable at my favorite online shops like Revolve and Asos. You can also never go wrong with a bold chunky knit for a more casual way of wearing color.

xo, Maria

Outfit Details

Revolve Plaid Coat (wearing an XXS – runs large)
Revolve Lace Slip Dress (wearing an XXS – runs large)
Gucci Belt (also here, read my Gucci Belt Sizing Guide HERE)
Gucci Marmont Velvet Bag
Alexandre Birman Heels
Saint Laurent Sunglasses (better for budget here)

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