Splurge Versus Save: 7 Designer Buys I Want and the Cheaper Alts That Are Just as Good

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 401(k). 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 The Row, Miu Miu, and Jacquemus.

For spring, there are several 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 seven fashion investments I'm emotionally invested in, along with several more budget-friendly options that won't leave as large of a dent on my wallet.

The Splurge: Jacquemus Le Turismo Bag

A Jacquemus accessory becoming a cult-loved sensation? Tell me something I don't already know. In this case, it's the Le Turismo Bag, a roomy bowler bag with a long enough top handle that fits over the shoulder and is finished with a knotted detail. It's quickly become the talk of the town and has risen to the very top of my handbag wishlist, bumping off even my most coveted ones. With retro bowler bags and large satchels taking center stage, the Le Turismo hits the sweet spot of trendy and timeless, and at a price point that's still luxury but still more accessible than viral hits like The Row Margaux.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Miu Miu Nylon Windbreaker

Ever since the spring/summmer 2025 runways presented a number of technical rain jackets and anoraks, I've been after one myself and, of course, now that Hailey Bieber has been seen wearing Miu Miu's zip-front version, I can't seem to get her exact one—or any style, really—off my mind.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Toteme Kitten-Heel Flip-Flop Sandals

I make a similar splurge-level wish list each season, and every time I do, something from Toteme always lands on it. This spring, that's the kitten-heeled flip-flops, the sandals I'm lusting after the most right now. With their suede finish and low, walkable heel height, I know they'll be my most-worn shoe from now until September. In any case, I'm already eyeing a few similar thong sandals that achieve the same silhouette, too.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: The Row Gala Pants

There's a singular item that the closets of the most stylish women, including Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, have in common right now, and it's the Gala Pants from The Row. With an endless array of black trousers on the market, what makes these special, according to those who own a pair, is their low-rise but relaxed fit that appears tailored but feels comfortable enough to lounge and travel in, thanks to their discreet elastic waistband and thin crepe fabric. But their $1090 price tag is a tough pill to swallow, which is why I've been on the hunt for trousers with a similar low-slung vibe.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Miu Miu Regard Sunglasses

Oval frames are set to be the It sunglasses of the year if Miu Miu has anything to say about it. Its tinted-lens pair in classic tortoiseshell is a nod to vintage styles from the '90s and has fueled my shopping research to uncover others that are similar.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: Dries Van Noten Suede Sneakers

Everyone and their mother is after a pair of slim sneakers right now, and I'm one of them. I mean, just think about how beautiful they'll look with jeans and shorts for spring and summer. The viral pair from Dries Van Noten 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 alternatives.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives

The Splurge: The Row Irene Lace-Trimmed Skirt

Lace-trimmed skirts are the talk of the town right now, and chief among them is The Row's Irene Skirt, unquestionably one of the hottest buys of spring 2025. It's all in the styling: In the look book, the model wore it peeking out from underneath long, fluid layers, and in one look even layered over jeans. It's an idea I'm already jumping at the chance to re-create.

The Less-Expensive Alternatives