10-05-2025
35 Budget-Friendly Swaps For Luxury Brands
A pair of knee-high boots that'll have people ooh-ing and ahh-ing, thinking you spent hundreds of dollars on the Staud Wally ones. But, no — you were smart and snagged an almost identical version for well under $100.
A faux-pearl choker if you've ever drooled over the Vivienne Westwood one, but couldn't quite justify the $$$ price tag. This costs about the same as a trip to Starbucks, and reviewers say it looks just like the OG necklace!
A dimmable gold LED light for a more elegant lighting option for your bathroom or vanity. The RH version is over $1,000 (!!) but thankfully, this *much* more wallet-friendly version exists.
A saddle shoulder bag because this is not the time to be going into debt over the $4,500 Dior one. This has the same signature curved silhouette and a longer strap so you can wear it as a crossbody too!
And on the topic of Dior: Nyx's Fat Oil Lip Drip, which is comparable to Dior's lip oil but UNDER $10, so everyone say "thank you" to Nyx. It's infused with vegan squalane, raspberry, and cloudberry oils to hydrate your lips while providing some serious shimmer.
A set of two mid-century dining chairs because you deserve to sit somewhere cute and comfortable when you eat without paying the designer price! Luckily, this more affordable set is floating around, and it's aesthetically versatile enough to match a variety of kitchen vibes.
Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume if you're in love with YSL's Black Opium but not so into the $100 price tag. The scent lasts, the bottle's cute, and honestly? No one will know it's not designer unless you tell them (and even then, they might not believe you).
An essential oil diffuser to create a tranquil atmosphere that's instantly relaxing, complete with seven colorful lighting options so you can can customize your ambiance — just like the Young Living's Aria diffuser, but without their very unrelaxed price.
A pair of retro-style oval sunglasses that'll save you from dropping $400+ on a pair of Miu Miu shades. These have a chic oval frame that looks good on just about anyone *and* UV 400 protection, so your eyes will stay safe along with your bank account.
A dainty gold-plated station necklace so you aren't spending literal thousands ($3,290 to be exact 😬) on the one from Dorsey. It's a timeless, layer-able piece that you won't ever want to take off.
An action camera if you've been dreaming of documenting your adventures (especially the underwater ones) but aren't ready to splurge on a GoPro. It shoots clear 4K video, takes high-res photos, and has built-in stabilization so your footage doesn't look like a shaky mess while you're biking, hiking, or wiping out in the ocean.
A gorgeous long-sleeved sequin dress that gives off major 16Arlington vibes (you know, the $765 version Hailey Bieber has worn). Yeah, it's that level of bougie. But here's the best part — this one's under $100. 😉
A velvet V-neck maxi dress perfect for any occasion where you want to feel like a million bucks without spending it (or even dropping hundreds on a Jenny Yoo dress). The rich velvet texture and classic design will make it a permanent addition to your wardrobe — all for under $100.
A pair of teardrop earrings you can wear with any 'fit for any occasion — not many accessories can look as equally amazing with slacks and a top as they do with a floor-length gown, but these pull it off! They might look like the Bottega Veneta ones, but thankfully, they're *much* cheaper.
And some Bottega-esque oversize square sunnies for when you don't have the extra cash to spend on a *real* designer pair. These have polarized lenses and UV protection — so they do more than just make you look chic and stylish.
A fillable glass table lamp whose Ralph Lauren counterpart is over $1,300 — yikes. 😬 You can put whatever you want (faux flowers, shells, sand, marbles, coins, etc.) in the clear base to create a unique piece of functional decor!
A lightweight Sol de Janeiro hair and body fragrance mist in scent Cheirosa '68 — infused with a lovely blend of hibiscus, jasmine, and sun musk, it's reminiscent of the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540 (but won't leave your wallet crying).
And a moisturizing body wash giving similar vibes, because you deserve to smell ~luxurious~. This white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber–infused formula will get you pretty close to the OG without spending an arm and a leg.
A Renpho percussion massager with five speeds and massage heads for targeting various muscle groups, so you can use it on your back, shoulders, arms, legs, and pretty much anywhere that aches. It delivers a deep massage that can help relieve soreness and stiffness — just like the $150+ TheraGun, but for a fraction of the price.
$20 Old Navy jellies so you can get the look of those $800+ Mara netted flats from The Row — minus the "oops, I just blew my paycheck on one pair of shoes" guilt. These are sooo cute, comfortable, and great for keeping your feet cool as the weather heats up!
A pair of satin block-heeled dress shoes with the same elegant silhouette and pleated bow as those $$$ Loeffler Randall heels you've been eyeing. 👀 Reviewers have worn them to prom, weddings, engagement parties — one said they even wear them to church — so it's safe to say you'll definitely get more than your money's worth out of these.
Some peep-toe mules you can wear literally anywhere and have everyone thinking they're Gucci. They're super versatile and easy to pair with everything from wide-leg trousers to a simple slip dress. We love designer energy without the designer price!
A pair of elegant slingback heels that just might get mistaken as the Chanel version — but don't worry, no one has to know you got them for about as much as you'd spend on Uber Eats. These are perfect for when you have to be in the office during the day, then head straight to a fancy dinner at night.
And keeping the Chanel vibes going: A quilted leather crossbody purse with a chic chain strap — the structured shape gives it that elevated look, while the roomy inside can fit your phone, keys, lip gloss, and whatever else you need to haul around.
A faux-leather bag that'll remind you a little too much of Polène's Cyme bag (you know, the one that'll run you over $500), proving that elegance doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. It has a spacious interior, magnetic top closure, and can be made bigger or smaller using the hidden magnetic buckles — making it the perfect getaway bag.
An 18-karat gold-plated cherry keychain to bring that playful pop of color your bag didn't know it needed. Its glossy red enamel and luxe gold finish makes it looks suspiciously like Coach's $95 version — but this one's under $10. 😉
An affordable outdoor umbrella with fringe detailing to take your patio game to the next level. You could easily convince guests you got this from Frontgate, when in reality, you spent less than 100 bucks on it. Besides providing basic shade, it also offers UPF 50+ level protection against blinding UV rays — proof that chic pieces can still be practical.
A cubic zirconia ring if you're not ready to drop over $1,000 (!!) on the Cartier Love Ring but still want the look. You'll find yourself wearing this with basically all your outfits — it's just that easy to style.
A sparkly tennis bracelet because you actually don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a Swarovski to feel opulent. This one looks just as elegant and timeless and can be worn every day or to special events.
An ornate Baroque mirror exuding the same vibes as the *up to $1,598* (🤯) Anthropologie one. I mean, you see the reviewer pics below — this thing is gorgeous, stunning, amazing — any room would be lucky to have it.
A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones that are giving AirPods Max energy with their sleek look and premium cushion padding — except, of course, getting these won't require you handing over hundreds of dollars. They also feature a built-in mic for calls, 10 hours of battery life, and do a decent job of blocking out noise!
An Overmont cast-iron Dutch oven people compare to budget-busting brands like Le Creuset in both its beauty and delivery of amazing meals. You don't need to sell your soul for high-quality, durable cookware (that also happens to be so pretty, it could double as decor).
Some peel-and-stick palm leaf wallpaper to transform any room into a Pinterest inspo photo. This one is almost indistinguishable from West Elm's tropical wallpaper — except it's ~actually~ within your budget.
A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer letting you easily achieve a salon-level blowout right at home without splurging on the Dyson Airwrap. It works on most hair types and textures and gets your hair camera ready in half the time since it simultaneously dries and styles. The amazing results do not match the minimal effort.
A decorative olive tree so you can add a beautiful pop of greenery to your space without all the added responsibilities of plant care. Think of all the ~other things~ you can buy with the money you save getting this instead of the (much pricier) Pottery Barn or West Elm ones.
