Beatrice Mwansa

Looking elegant doesn’t mean everything you’re wearing has to be expensive. One of my favorite ways to put an outfit together is high-low fashion mixing affordable and thrifted pieces with luxury investment pieces

I recently wore an all-black outfit to the Little Black Dress event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it was a perfect example of how I mix high and low fashion.

My fitted black top was a thrift find, my pleated lace mini skirt was an affordable Amazon find, and I paired them with my Dior handbag and Dior heels. I finished the outfit with classic pearls.

Different price points, one elegant look.

What Is High-Low Fashion?

High-low fashion is simply mixing expensive pieces with affordable ones.

You might pair a thrifted blouse with a designer handbag, an affordable skirt with luxury heels, or an inexpensive dress with an investment coat.

The idea is not to hide the fact that something is affordable.

Good style isn’t determined by the price tag.

Know Where to Save

Not every item in your wardrobe needs to be an investment piece.

For this outfit, I saved on the clothing itself. My top was thrifted, and the black pleated mini skirt came from Amazon.

When I’m shopping affordable fashion, I still look for pieces that I genuinely like. Clothing doesn’t suddenly become stylish because it has an expensive label.

Thrifting is especially good for finding interesting pieces without spending a lot of money. Sometimes you can find beautiful fabrics, cuts and details that make an outfit feel completely different.

Know Where to Invest

Then there are pieces where I don’t mind investing more.

For this look, those were my Dior handbag and dior heels.

A good investment piece should be something you can use again and again not something you buy for one outfit and never touch again.

That’s one reason I like investing in accessories. The same designer handbag can work with a thrifted outfit, an Amazon find, a vintage dress or another luxury piece.

You don’t need a new designer outfit every time. You can let the investment pieces you already own elevate many different looks.

Don’t Dress According to the Label

This may be the most important part of high-low fashion.
When I’m putting an outfit together, I’m not asking whether Amazon can go with Dior or whether a thrift find can be worn with designer shoes.

I’m asking, do these pieces look good together?
That’s it.

If the affordable skirt works beautifully with the designer heels, wear them together. If your thrifted top looks good with your luxury handbag, carry the bag.

The labels don’t need to match. The outfit needs to match.

Let Your Personal Style Connect Everything

High-low fashion works best when you’re choosing pieces because they represent your style rather than simply because they’re expensive or inexpensive.

For my Little Black Dress outfit, I wanted something feminine, elegant and classic. The thrifted top gave me the fitted silhouette I wanted. The Amazon lace skirt added the short pleated shape and lace detail.

The Dior accessories brought in the luxury element, and the pearls completed the classic look.

Each piece had a purpose.
That is what made everything work together.

Affordable and Luxury Fashion Can Belong in the Same Closet

You don’t have to choose between loving luxury fashion and loving a good bargain.

I can appreciate a beautiful designer handbag and still get excited about finding the perfect top at a thrift store. I can invest in Dior heels and happily wear them with an Amazon lace skirt.

That’s the freedom of high-low fashion.

Spend more on the pieces that are worth the investment to you. Save where you don’t need to spend as much. Most importantly, choose pieces because you actually love them and know how you want to wear them.

Darling, at the end of the day. Style isn’t about how much something costs. It’s about how you style it. 🖤

Sending love and positive energy darling