How to Mix High and Low: A Buying Guide to Blending Affordable Pieces with Luxury Style

From Zara to Chanel, find out how to balance splurge and save in your closet. A chic buying guide to blending affordable finds with timeless luxury.

Some of the best-dressed people I’ve met aren’t the ones dressed in head-to-toe designer pieces. They’re the ones who confidently carry a Saint Laurent bag and style it with a Zara blazer. That balance between high and low is the true art of modern luxury.

Today’s style icons have mastered this art: Meghan Markle pairs J Crew sweaters with Cartier jewelry, while Kate Middleton is famously known for recycling her Zara blazers along with custom Alexander McQueen pieces. Kendall Jenner may pair an affordable t-shirt with a pair of Row sandals, and often, Katie Holmes dresses in a high-low style by wearing a Burberry trench with a Hush varsity sweater and Hush joggers.

This buying guide is your roadmap to seamlessly blending affordable finds into your luxury wardrobe, a shopping strategy that works whether you’re creating your closet or refining it. We’ll examine where to invest, where to experiment, and how to style so the end result is a polished, chic, and unique version of you.

Why High-Low Style is So Chic

There’s a reason why fashion editors, stylists, and fashion insiders rely on the high-low formula. Luxury elevates an outfit by adding a sense of quality, craftsmanship, and timelessness, while also communicating status, confidence, and refinement.

Affordable adds freshness. Fast fashion and high-street pieces allow you to dip into seasonal trends without feeling guilty of spending a large amount on a piece that will be out of style by next season.

Together, Luxury and affordability create a style harmony. A little high with a little low gives you a palette for creating outfits that are chic, standout, and help build your own sense of personal style.

It’s not about fooling anyone that your affordable piece is a dupe for luxury. The concept is to demonstrate that you understand fashion well enough to mix with intention.

Where to Splurge: The High Pieces That Anchor Your Wardrobe

If you want your affordable pieces to look elevated, you need the right anchors. These are the investment buys that form the foundation of a high-low wardrobe, making affordable pieces stand out.

1. Handbags & Shoes

Handbags and shoes are the first pieces that indicate quality. Styling a Chanel flap bag, a Bottega pouch, or a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels will instantly give value to a dress from Zara.

2. Outerwear

Think of coats and jackets as a frame around your outfit. A Burberry trench, a Max Mara camel coat, or a Saint Laurent leather jacket can polish anything you wear. Everything from thrifted Levi’s, a pair of H&M boots, to a Uniqlo tee.

3. Tailored Blazers & Suits

Sharp tailoring is timeless, and luxury designers do it exquisitely. A Balmain blazer or a Tom Ford suit will transform anything it’s layered over, making even a $20 camisole look intentional.

4. Fine Jewelry & Watches

Jewelry is a quiet luxury piece at its finest. A Cartier tank watch, Van Cleef & Arpels pendant, or a pair of classic diamond studs don’t just accessorize; they anchor. They play well with affordable pieces and bridge the gap so your outfit feels cohesive.

Where to Save and Experiment: Affordable Pieces That Refresh Your Look

Once you’ve invested in your high-end wardrobe anchors, you can create looks with affordable finds. The key is being selective: choosing pieces that can hold their own beside luxury.

1. Trend Pieces

Trendy pieces are fashion items that are highly popular for a specific season or two, often influenced by runway shows, celebrity style, and social media. They are separate from the timeless and classic pieces that are the foundation of a high-end wardrobe.

2. Everyday Basics

Not everything in your wardrobe needs a designer label on it. Yes, quality is essential; however, there are affordable options from lower-priced stores that have great basics. Crisp cotton shirts from J.Crew, Zara’s ribbed tanks, layering tees from Target, and basic black trousers from COS can look just as sharp as those from luxury retailers.

3. Seasonal Colors & Prints

Not sure about butter yellow or bold florals? Start small. Before you dive into the latest color trend or the Pantone Color of the Year, it’s key to look for an affordable piece that embodies the “it” color before committing to a designer version.

4. Playful Accessories

Affordable sunglasses, chunky earrings, or woven totes let you experiment with what suits your personality without overpowering your luxury staples. Playful accessories are an easy way to interweave a sense of fun into your wardrobe without a major investment.

Examples of Styling High & Low Pieces to Create an Outfit

Styling Secrets: How to Blend High and Low Seamlessly

Blending high and low fashion is a fundamental skill for creating a stylish and modern wardrobe. The secret lies in creating a cohesive, intentional look, not randomly throwing pieces together. Here are some key styling secrets to mastering this art:

Let the “High” Piece Be the Star

The best high-low looks are styled around standout luxury items. For example, an outfit featuring a quiet luxury PRADA leather pencil skirt and a pair of Valentino boots can be paired with an Old Navy V-neck to create a chic, high-end look.

Since both high-end pieces are in the form of quiet luxury, adding an Old Navy V-neck basic helps create a contrast, timeless look.

Coordinating High – Low Fabrics

The key is to pair fabrics that both contrast and complement each other. A classic combination pairs a high-quality, structured fabric, such as cashmere, silk, or tweed, with an affordable, casual fabric, like denim or cotton. For example, a crisp, well-fitting pair of jeans on the low end, paired with a high-end, soft cashmere sweater, is an iconic look. The smooth, refined texture of the cashmere elevates the casual, rugged feel of denim.

However, don’t over-contrast fabrics. Avoid pairing too many fabrics and textures in a single outfit; you could end up with a messy and chaotic-looking outfit.

Keep your Color Palette Clean

Keeping your color palette clean is one of the most effective strategies for making high-low outfits look cohesive and expensive. A well-curated color scheme minimizes visual clutter, allowing the quality and fabrics to take center stage.

This approach creates a sense of intentionality and sophistication; it doesn’t matter how much the price tags say. A black Zara dress paired with black Saint Laurent heels creates a seamless outfit.

Let Accessories Do the Elevating

Don’t underestimate the power of accessories. The key is choosing accessories that are high-quality and timeless. A single luxury handbag can make a pair of Gap jeans, a Zara t-shirt, and a pair of Target loafers look refined. A high-quality, lower-end handbag that is a classic-looking piece can complement a head-to-toe designer look.

Accessories that are both high and low can help you create a versatile and stylish wardrobe. Implementing this strategy allows you to invest in a few high-quality, long-lasting items that you can mix and match with more affordable, trendy pieces, maximizing your style without overspending.

Tailor your Affordable Finds

Tailoring affordable finds is arguably the most impactful secret to making your high-low outfits look more expensive and polished. When a lower-end garment “fits ok”, or there are fitting issues, you want to make every effort for it to “fit perfectly”. A perfect fit is true luxury, regardless of the amount spent on the piece.

The investment in tailoring turns your affordable finds into wardrobe workhorses, proving that true style isn’t about the label, but about how a garment fits you.

Shop High and Low Like an Editor

Shopping high and low, like a fashion editor, is a strategic and purposeful process, not a random mix of expensive and inexpensive items. Editors have trained eyes for quality, fit, and design. The method editors use to build a wardrobe that has that coveted effortless chic look and is refined is a systematic approach. Here’s how they do it:

Create a splurge list: This list includes classic items that can be worn for years and remain timeless, unaffected by trends. Think of a well-made coat, a classic blazer, a structured leather bag, and a high-quality pair of shoes.
The Save List: Editors recognize that a basic white t-shirt, a simple tank top, or a pair of classic-cut jeans can be found at an affordable price without abandoning quality. These are the versatile workhorses of a wardrobe that doesn’t need to be completely designer-based.
Custom Fit: They buy affordable pieces with the intention of having them altered. A hem on a pair of pants or a slight adjustment to the waist of a dress can make a world of difference, giving it a custom-made fit that looks expensive.
Mix of High – Low Proportions: An editor may pair an oversized, high-end blazer with a form-fitting dress. Or, they’ll wear a sleek, tailored pair of high-end trousers with a slouchy, casual top from an affordable store. This mix of structure and relaxed silhouettes creates a dynamic and modern look.
Shop with purpose and intention: Editors don’t buy random pieces; instead, they curate pieces that work together. Shopping with intention and having a purpose behind every piece selected is a philosophy that allows fashion editors to build a wardrobe that is stylish and sustainable. This method avoids the pitfalls of overconsumption of unworn clothes and impulse buying.
Quality Over Quantity: They inspect the fabric and stitching of every item, regardless of its price point. An editor will look for natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool that breathe well, drape nicely, and are durable. Additionally, they scrutinize the details of each piece, including solid hardware, well-finished seams, and superior lining.

By adopting this mindful and intentional approach, you can build a wardrobe that not only looks amazing but also feels right. It’s a shift from consuming trends to creating a personal style that will serve you for years to come.

Final Thoughts: Luxury is in the Mix

Modern luxury isn’t about dressing head to toe in designer. It’s about curating a wardrobe where investment pieces complement playful, affordable pieces. You’re presence speaks louder than price tags.

When you master the art of mixing high and low, you’ll never feel like you’re compromising anything. You will feel like you’re curating, that, more than anything, is the essence of luxury.

How do you decide where to splurge and save? Also, what are your favorite affordable stores you love mixing in with your luxury pieces? Let me know in the comments. Happy Shopping!