36 Zara, Madewell, and H&M Essentials I'm Buying to Look Expensive This Fall
The leaves are falling, the weather is getting cooler, and outfits are starting to implement some layering. This fall, I’ve made it a point to look as expensive as possible. I want to give opulence. As they say, “Look your best to feel your best.” That’s what I’m aiming for as the summer, sadly, comes to a close.
Don’t worry. I’m not going to splurge on a bunch of clothes just for the season; I’m shopping smart. However, that doesn’t mean the pieces I’m picking will look any less elegant. I’m shopping the trifecta of affordable yet elevated sites: Zara, Madewell, and H&M. These three retailers have a tried-and-true formula for many fashion people who are also frugal shoppers. This season, their new arrivals offer an array of luxe, glamorous, and high-quality fashion items that will elevate every outfit you have in mind for fall. From wide-leg jeans and pants to soft cashmere sweaters, these are the pieces you’ll need to implement into your wardrobe to look upscale this fall for a fraction of the price. Keep scrolling to find the pieces that will have you looking expensive all season long.
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Kerane Marcellus is a New York-based writer. She joined theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team in 2025 after writing for Essence Magazine and freelancing for a number of other arts and culture publications. Fashion is a form of expression that she encourages everyone to take part in. There is no right or wrong in getting dressed! When she's not writing, she's reading in the park or gallery hopping in the city.
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