Is there any better feeling than acquiring something new that looks and feels more expensive than it is? These days, that feeling is harder and harder to come by. So when it does manifest, it makes a buy that much better. Zara always delivers on special-looking pieces with ordinary price tags. This season, they’re doing overtime on slouchy suit pants, easy knitwear, and lacy slip dresses you can wear to that upcoming holiday party and beyond.
Nordstrom is my sleeper hit when it comes to finding something that looks expensive but tastes like a bargain. When you know where to look, you can almost always find gold. Sure they have all the heavy-hitting designers (complete with designer price tags), but did you know that they also carry Mango, COS, and
Other Stories? Not to mention Madewell, the queen of quality clothing at an affordable cost, in my opinion.
If you’ve made it this far, please keep scrolling to shop all of my expensive-looking Nordstrom and Zara picks below.
Shop My Zara andReplica Store Finds
ZARA
Faux Leather Jacket
A good jacket should take you places and this one is taking me straight to my shopping cart's checkout.
MANGO
Asymmetric Drape Crop Top
If you consider the cost per wear of this top, it's basically free.
ZARA
Soft Oversized Coat
I'd buy this jacket and then style it exactly like this.
Trotters
Alexis Cap Toe Knee High Boot
A knee-high boot that looks like this on sale for under $150?! A steal in my book.
ZARA
Side Stripe Pants
I love the stripe detail here.
ZARA
V-Neck T-Shirt
I'd pair this with pin-striped gray suit pants and little glasses.
ZARA
Plaid Wool Blend Wide Leg Pants ZW Collection
The navy-and-red version of these are already sold out. Get 'em while they're hot!
ZARA
Pants With a High Waist
For when I'm cosplaying as a wealthy Upper East Side equestrian.
ZARA
Soft Knit V-Neck Sweater
I would wear the s*** out of this sweater.
ZARA
Short Sleeve Jacquard Knit Sweater
It's giving Dôen but for a quarter of the price.
ZARA
Button Knit Sweater
Laid-back, easy, cozy—this knit encapsulates all of my favorite words in the English dictionary.
ZARA
Satin Midi Skirt
Dark brown is my new favorite neutral.
Tony Bianco
Christine Slingback Sandal
Tony Bianco makes some of the best affordable footwear out there.
ZARA
Zw Collection Lace Strap Dress
This with a suede fringed jacket… my God!
COS
Small Croc Embossed Leather Crossbody Bag
This also comes with a shoulder strap.
ZARA
Asymmetric Satin Lace Dress ZW Collection
This looks so much more expensive than its price tag.
Reformation
Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan
A cashmere cardigan under $200? Yes, please!
COS
Corduroy Pants
The shade of blue, the cut, the fit—I love absolutely everything happening here.
JENNY BIRD
Nova Huggie Hoop Earrings
I've been wanting a pair of pearl drop earrings and am loving the price of these.
COS
Wool Polo Sweater
I can think of so many ways I would wear this.
ZARA
Combination Knit Dress
All of my favorite looks right now include a lace slip peeking out.
LOULOU DE SAISON
Flyn Cashmere Beanie
This would make such a great gift for the holidays.
Open Edit
The Icon Hourglass Blazer
Nordstrom's in-house brands really know how to make a bang without the buck.