April Goodard

As the summer winds down, we start to look ahead to the season before us, and with that start to look towards seasonal changes that we will be making for ourselves within our lives. Fall is just around the corner, and with that comes an endless amount of fairs, back to school shopping, pumpkin spiced lattes (did I mention that this was one of my favorite parts?) and of course, wardrobe change.

Now, I know one of the phenomenons over the past few years with the exponential growth of the ‘gram is seeing people sporting picture-esque outfits that correlate with just about any season, accessorized perfectly with designer goods (belts, shoes, hats, t-shirts, etc.). But who has the funds to be decked out in head-to-toe designer 24/7? In this article, we are going to discover the method of splurge vs save, and what items are really worth spending the extra buck on so that you have the best outfits for the season without breaking the bank.

Splurge On: The Perfect Handbag
Here’s the thing: this could go one of two ways. Either you could splurge on a very trendy, very easily outdated handbag that you will get sick of in a matter of two weeks (Has anyone seen those woven basket handbags? Save your money people), or you could spend on a classic handbag that is timeless in nature, looks good with anything, and is useable on an almost daily basis. I strongly suggest going with the latter. It’s okay to splurge every once and a while, because the truth is a nice bag can really dress up your look while being able to get use out of it every day. But, if it is something that will be hard to pair with most of what is already in your closet? My suggestion would be to leave it on the retail shelf, it won’t be worth the splurge long-term. Instead, go for a roomy crossbody bag or a practical tote that you can use for work as well as play.

Save On: The Designer Belt
It’s not that they don’t look really cool with certain outfits. But, designer belts are something that I can guarantee that you will not get as much use out of as you think. Here’s the first thing: belts should always match the leather on your shoes/handbag or at least be in the same color family, and if you are someone who likes to rotate your handbags and shoes frequently, this will be something that is hard to pull off. Secondly, designer belts have a more casual feel to them, so that do not necessarily constitute as office attire. When you are spending the extra money on an accessory, you want to be sure that you will be able to get as much use out of it as possible. If you can’t visualize yourself wearing the accessory often, it is likely not a good purchase.

Splurge On: The Designer Shoes
Now hear me out: not all of your shoes need to be designer. In fact, the only designer shoes that I recommend getting are those that you use for nights out or special occasions. A nice pair of heels or a pretty pair of flats will go a long way in dressing up your overall look. It adds a little something special, and buying occasion shoes will save you from everyday wear and tear if the shoes are more expensive.