9 Spring Splurges I Want to Make and the More Affordable Alts I May Buy Instead

There are a million things I could—err, should—be spending my money on right now. Things like, oh, I don't know, finalizing my taxes, paying off my credit card, and contributing to my 401K. I may not be able to say that I'm an expert on when to spend money, but in my seven years as a fashion editor, I can wholeheartedly claim to be an expert on how to spend when it comes time. So sorry to my dad, who constantly lectures me on setting up an investment portfolio, but if it were up to me, I'd be diverting assets to investments far chicer than the Dow Jones—the ones I have in mind come from Bottega Veneta, Prada, and Alaïa.

For spring, there are a number of designer buys I'm itching to splurge on, and if I had it my way, they'd each be en route to me as we speak. But the reality is that my wallet and my taste are two different sizes, so to fill the void in my heart for each of them, I've made it my duty to source the less expensive alts that capture the same energy. Whether you're shopping on a budget like I am or just curious which items are making my splurge list, continue for the nine fashion investments I'm emotionally invested in along with several more budget-friendly options that won't leave as large of a dent my wallet.

The Splurge: Alaïa Le Teckel Bag

East-west bags are the talk of the town right now, and chief among them is Alaïa's Le Teckel Bag, unquestionably the hottest buy of spring 2024. With its unique oblong shape and elegant overtones, it's not hard to see why fashion insiders (and I) are gravitating toward it.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: High Sport Kick Cropped Flared Pants

There's a singular item that's serving as the subject of every fashion Substack, Slack message, and personal recommendation in media right now, and it's the kick-flare trousers from High Sport. With an endless array of black trousers on the market, what makes these special, according to those who own a pair, is their sculpting fit that appears tailored but feels as comfortable as leggings. But their $860 price tag is a tough pill to swallow, which is why I've been on the hunt for trousers with a similar sculpt-knit fabric.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Bottega Veneta Acetate Aviator Sunglasses

Acetate aviators are set to the be the It sunglasses of the year if Bottega Veneta has anything to say about it. Its curved-frame pair in classic tortoiseshell is a nod to vintage styles from the '70s and has fueled my shopping research to uncover other aviators like it.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Attersee Longline Vest

Here's an item that's lingered toward the top of my wish list for well over a year now: Attersee's Sculpted Vest top. The longline shape feels especially fresh and forward despite the many waistcoat styles on the market today, and every person I've seen wearing it IRL looks even better than the last, which tells me that the fit is universally good. In any case, it sits at more of a luxury price point, which is why I've sourced several styles that strike the same silhouette.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Dear Frances Balla Mesh Flats

Everyone and their mother is after a pair of mesh ballet flats right now, and I'm one of them. I mean, just think about how beautiful they'll look with airy dresses and shorts for spring and summer. The viral pair from Dear Frances continually sells out in all colors and iterations, so even though my budget is the real reason I haven't bought them yet, I'm telling myself it's because of their limited availability. Luckily, the internet is rife with alternates.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: The Row Eglitta Corduroy Pants

The Row's Eglitta jeans were already an insider favorite, so when they were released in a nutty-brown corduroy iteration, they quickly became the talk of the town. Corduroy pants haven't exactly felt fresh in a while, but the relaxed, wide-leg shape here makes them feel very of-the-moment. Seeing The Row pair pop up in my social media feed made me realize just how much my own closet would benefit from a similar style. They're a sell-out item, so my advice is to snap up the Eglitta in any iteration you can find, or simply lean into one of these other corduroy styles.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Tiffany Co. x Elsa Peretti Bean Necklace

There's nothing quite like the Tiffany Co. x Elsa Peretti Bean necklace. It taps into a nostalgic feeling, but the sculptural metal pendant feels much more grown-up and elevated than the corded necklaces I knew and loved from the '90s.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Saint Laurent Frame Bag

The Alaïa isn't the only handbag I'm eyeing right now. I've also been swooning hard over the Saint Laurent frame bags that come in both square and east-west shapes. I've always had a soft spot for the metal closure and slim-profile shape of a frame bag, and naturally, Saint Laurent's versions are ultra polished and sleek.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Loro Piana Rebecca Flats

As you're about to find out, many of the items I'd shell out a pretty penny for fall into the long-term investment category, meaning that they're pieces with especially timeless qualities. The Loro Piana Rebecca Ballerinas are the epitome of this longevity mindset. Featuring a glove-like shape and barely there block heel, I couldn't imagine a more wearable pair of shoes to invest in for spring and wear for years to come.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.