Shop the Latest Under-$300 Fashion Finds With Vogue’s Shopping Writer, Laura Jackson
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Welcome to Fashion Finds! A monthly column where Vogue editors and contributors share their favorite under-$300 buys, from tried-and-true wardrobe essentials to the trending now. While high fashion is the name of the game here at Vogue HQ, we love what feels like a steal as much as we do what’s fresh off the runway. The beauty of personal style is found in the mix, and luxury can be found across price points. So the next time someone on the stops you to ask about where your handbag or coat comes from, you can say, “No, it’s not [insert luxury label], it’s actually [insert under-$300 brand]!”
Shopping Writer, Laura Jackson, here! You may have seen my byline across Vogue Shopping’s seasonal trend reports, weekly outfit formula stories (like how to incorporate suede in your wardrobe or chic ways to style out fall-in-the-city), our many fabulous footwear breakouts, or even the street style recaps post fashion week. But what you may not know is that I’m the fashion detective behind our beloved Under-$300 edit. Each week, I spend hours scouring the internet and our favorite fashion retailers to dig up the best affordable pieces that look as good as their price point. This month, though, twelve of those It items deserve more than just their usual callout.
In my very own shopping cart (and now closet), there’s Mango’s leopard-print coat, which I’ve been wearing with everything from miniskirts to blue jeans, Gap’s festive Fair Isle sweater that is perfectly autumnal, and a fresh flannel shirt from Zara’s that’s a total twist on the classics, but in the best way possible. Like most, I’m particularly obsessing over suede, from sumptuous midiskirts to polished penny loafers, and have included standout styles from Source Unknown and G.H. Bass, below.
You might be asking yourself “what makes a great under-$300 find?” or even questioning its quality. As an avid shopper both personally and professionally, my advice is to find your go-to retailer, one whose pieces you’ve tried, tested, and ultimately loved. I, myself, am a Mango girl, known to sport everything from their trendy coats to their chic cardigans. Each month, you’ll meet new editors and contributors whose style might align more with closely with Cos or Zara, or even contemporary labels, like Aligne and Pixie Market. Personal style—and the way and the where people shop—is a great way to get to know someone, and yourself, too.
Below, my ultimate under-$300 fashion edit for fall—pieces that can be worn together for a seriously chic look, but also shine on their own just the same. They even hold up next to your most luxurious items!
Mango Leopard-Print CoatFall’s leopard-print mania is hard to ignore. The feline print has made its mark on everything from footwear to slinky slip skirts–the latter feeling especially nostalgic. While my personal style tends to lean more minimal, I’m no stranger to adding in a playful print or two. So naturally, when I scrolled past this Mango printed coat, it was an instant add to cart. I’ve styled it for dressier, more evening occasions with a black miniskirt and pair of kitten heels to casual weekend-wear with just a plain white tee and blue jean.
Pixie Market Oversized Bomber JacketAn edgy leather jacket is a style no-brainer in any cold-weather capsule wardrobe. And while there’s nothing wrong with a heavy-metal, moto jacket, slouchier styles are reigning supreme for fall. They first debuted on the runways–as most It items do–at Chloé, Saint Laurent, and Khaite, followed by a total street style domination, spotted on nearly everyone from models off-duty to Vogue editors alike. At just under-$300, Pixie Market’s leather bomber is the one to cop. With a relaxed fit and chic olive green fur-collar, it adds an inherent coolness to any outfit in mind. I love how it looks styled atop a simple grey hoodie–very Miu Miu FW23 coded–or a sultry, lace-trimmed slip skirt à la Chloé.
Pixie Market
fur-collar leather bomber jacket
Gap Fair Isle Cropped CardiganFestive Fair Isle sweaters go beyond the wooden frame of snowy ski chalets to feel right at home in any wardrobe, thanks to designers like Khaite, Loewe, Gucci, and even Gap who incorporate the pattern into their core winter collections and show us how it can be worn well before (and after) the holiday season. Invoking a sense of nostalgia, Gap’s cropped cardigan is a heavy hitter in any fall wardrobe rotation, pairing well with everything from corduroy pants and velvet trousers to shin-grazing leather skirts. Not to mention that it’s just chunky enough, laying comfortably underneath any outwear option at hand. Its contrasting chocolate brown shades make it the new neutral I never knew I needed. Styling-wise, I’ll be wearing mine to-and-from the office with a tailored trouser and roomy trench coat to nights out with a little black miniskirt, slouchy leather jacket, and strappy heeled sandal. You can never be too cozy, after all.
Gap
brushed Fair Isle cropped cardigan
Black Suede Studio Logan Leather MulesLooking for a fabulous footwear find under-$300? Black Suede Studio is Vogue’s go-to. With an array of sleek styles that include polished penny loafers and pointed-toe ankle boots, their perfectly polished kitten heels are the undeniable standout. Take the below pair, for example. With the same wearability as my trusty LBD, I’m eyeing these to wear with everything and everywhere this fall, from my nine-to-five (or let’s be honest, nine-to-nine) to elegant evenings out.
Black Suede Studio
Logan 50mm box leather mules
Zara Checkered Ruched BlouseI’ve never been a particular fan of the oversized flannel shirt—you know, the ones pictured at pumpkin patches and apple orchards, layered over plain white tees and blue jeans. This fall, though, consider my fashion tune changed! I can thank the street style scene, in part, for showing me chic, unexpected ways to style the staple, as well as brands like The Row, Róhe, and Toteme, whose flannels feature new-and-improved silhouettes, which offer up a more flattering, cinched-waist fit. It led me to finding Zara’s red-and-black checkered blouse, a fresh take on the look which, with its asymmetric hemline and draped side-detailing, is also one of the many iterations of the artful top we at Vogue–myself included–are loving for fall.
Zara
checkered ruched blouse
Source Unknown Lidiane Suede MidiskirtTexture thrives during the fall months, but none are as sumptuous—and easy to style—as suede. While suede jackets took over our shopping carts earlier this season, suede skirts are now dominating the scene. When looking for under-$300 fashion finds that deliver both in price point and quality, Source Unknown has the Vogue editor seal of approval. Its seamed, suede midiskirt is the perfect example. This fall, I’ll be elevating the essential by styling it with a matching suede boot, lightweight cardigan, and oversized outerwear option. Not to mention that is also transcends seasons—the ultimate 365 staple.
Source Unknown
Lidiane suede midiskirt
Aligne Satin Long WaistcoatUK-based brand Aligne is the contemporary label on everyone’s–and we mean everyone’s–lips this fall. Need more proof? Fashion’s favorite It girl, Katie Holmes, is a particular fan of the need-to-know brand, sporting several of their key styles, from outstanding (and affordable!) outerwear options to their viral drawstring jeans. I, on the other hand, am drawn to their sleek tailoring takes, which includes buttoned-up waistcoats to collarless blazers. In an elegant satin, I plan on making the below style the centerpiece of my holiday wardrobe. I imagine it will add a chic touch to festive sequin skirts, pair of luxe velvet pants, or even a matching satin miniskirt. Fall and winter temperatures don’t exactly scream “sleeveless”, so I’ll be layering in a cropped faux fur jacket or tailored wool overcoat for some much-needed added coverage.
Aligne
Leo satin long waistcoat
Banana Republic Vida Slouchy Suede BagIf there is an item that I get stopped about the most or receive the most compliments about, it’s this slouchy suede shoulder bag from Banana Republic. It looks as luxurious as it feels and is roomy enough to fit all of my necessary purse essentials. I could wax poetic about its star status in my cold-weather wardrobe for hours, but I’ll save you the sappiness. My final word of advice? Shop it now, while you still can!
Banana Republic
Vida slouchy suede bag
Aligne Marcus Corduroy Horseshoe TrousersA cool pair of chocolate brown corduroys are a fall wardrobe mainstay for a reason, but this fall, Aligne’s cherry red cords are the color pop I’ve been searching for. With an oversized horseshoe shape, they’re casual by design, making them the ultimate off-duty staple. And if you ask any of my Vogue co-workers, they’ll tell you that I’m not necessarily a pants person, but with these, I’d have to beg to differ. I added them to my everyday lineup earlier this season and never looked back.
Aligne
Marcus corduroy Horseshoe trousers
Rails Cherry Lace-Trim Satin Slip SkirtI love an unexpected closet combination and this FW24 season, I felt inspired when seeing how labels like Chloé, Saint Laurent, and Khaite styled their edgy leather jackets with romantic, lace-trimmed slip skirts and dresses. Needless to say, the juxtaposition of the two fashion moods had me hooked—and more importantly, racing to my already overflowing shopping cart. I was drawn to Rails’s lingerie-inspired skirt almost immediately and have visions of styling it à la the runways with a leather bomber jacket, as well as with a chunky knit sweater, a styling duo particularly loved at Vogue HQ.
Rails
lace trim slip skirt
G.H. Bass Layla Weejuns LoafersI know, I know, I don’t need another penny loafer, but this tassel-adorned, suede style from G.H. Bass might just be my It buy of the season. Pairing well with almost all items, from worn-in Levi 501s to modern workwear, they embody that trend-to-wardrobe-essential pipeline we all strive for when making a purchase. Adding these to your cart? Trust me, you won’t regret it.
G.H. Bass
Layla Weejuns loafers
The Frankie Shop Kate Vegan Leather ShortsBack to that “I’m not necessarily a pants-person” proclamation. If I had to choose between a perfectly tailored trouser or an ultra-miniskirt or short, I’m picking the latter over and over again. And more specifically, these vegan leather short-shorts from The Frankie Shop. During the fall and winter months, you can find me sporting the below with chunky sweaters and oversized jackets to sheer black tights and loafers. It’s my unofficial-official uniform and I’m sticking to it!
The Frankie Shop
Kate vegan leather shorts