How 12 Stylish Women Would Spend $50

Halie LeSavage

November 15, 2018 at 9:00 AM

“A turtleneck so cheap and nice, you can buy it twice? Take my money, J.Crew.”
—Ana Colón, digital fashion editor at Glamour

“Stretch $50 on cool accessories to add edge to any look. A Loéil Fifi silver earring worn solo will dress up a T-shirt, turtleneck, or dress. Wear it with a pair of black leather fingerless motorcycle gloves and you will be the coolest girl in the room.”
—Christina Pacelli, stylist

“I'm seven months pregnant, and my fall wardrobe, predictably, has whittled itself down to pieces that are unrestrictive. With $50 in my pocket, I'm buying this velvet mini slip dress from Target—it's not maternity, but I sized up and it's perfect with a turtleneck or long-sleeve shirt underneath. And of course, the price is right at $20. With my leftover $30, I'll hit Etsy for vintage ruffled prairie/western tops, a years-long addiction that can always be sated for under $50. Right now I'm eyeing this one, which will look cute tucked into high-waist jeans once I'm comfortable wearing mine again.”
—Perrie Samotin, digital deputy editor at Glamour

“Because you can’t really get one great quality piece of anything for $50, I’m opting for multiple outfit-enhancing pieces: metallic socks, cat-eye sunglasses, a fanny pack, business card holders, and a travel candle. I own all of those myself and keep rebuying them because I go through them fast. I own gray, black, orange, green, and blue metallic socks—I love them with men’s shoes, sneakers, even ballet flats and low boots! Cat-eye sunglasses are my travel sunnies; I shove them in my purse and be gone—I call that ‘Clem proof,’ as I’m so clumsy! I started a collection of cool, quirky fanny packs—I love being hands-free while walking. I have three different business card holders for my three businesses; depending on my meeting, I pull one or the other. They’re color coded so I know, and super small so they fit in the fanny pack! , I love to take a candle with me on my travel—don’t forget matches—to feel a bit like home everywhere I go.”
—Clementine Desseaux, model and blogger

"I'm a pragmatist when it comes to winter shopping. I love jeans and a sweater, or a sweater layered over a dress and tights, which means I need a rotation of heavy hitters that'll hold up but not leave me broke. For tights, my criteria is strict: They can't bag, slide down, look too sheer, or require a performance worthy of Cirque du Soleil to squeeze them on—and they must be lined with fleece or I'll freeze on my 15-minute walk to the subway. These Vero Monte ones check all the boxes and don't fall apart after three washes. As for sweaters? Honest to God, I love H&M's. They surprisingly keep their shape and rarely pill, and most of them are machine washable, so they're easy to take care of. I have a huge collection that lasts me season to season, and even if one ends up getting stained or too worn down, no bother—for less than $50, I feel no shame in replacing them. This year I'm all about this red one and its slouchy (but not sloppy) cut, which I
will be pairing with a striped turtleneck and my favorite cropped flares."
—Lindsay Schallon, senior beauty editor at Glamour

“If I had $50 to spend, I would hit BaubleBar and pick up a pair of dramatic statement earring like these—they're $38 but pack such a punch. I find that great jewelry is the perfect way to update your wardrobe for the holiday season. You could literally wear jeans and a tee with these earrings and still be party ready! With the remaining $12, I would go to the drugstore and pick up a dramatic red lipstick. (Colour Riche is a favorite!) With a great pair of earrings and a bold red lip, you can take on the world.”
—Grace Atwood, blogger and host of the podcast Bad on Paper

“My shopping secret is that when I want something expensive, I'll try to find it on Etsy before splurging. The truth is, almost all fashion is designed from vintage inspiration, and there’s so much great vintage on Etsy. I'm really into the prairie dress trend and I definitely need a couple Gunne Sax blouses, which are basically just like prairie dresses but you can wear them with denim and skirts. Most brands are selling them for hundreds of dollars, whereas you can find an authentic one on Etsy for under $50 easily. This one is so dreamy and only $45 dollars, so yes, l’ll be buying it after I get my next paycheck.”
—Tara Gonzalez, associate commerce editor at Glamour

“I've always been a huge advocate for earrings. Why, you ask? Super-easy way to spruce up your outfit effortlessly. Accessories are underrated tools to really elevate your style. Whether you're wearing low-key jeans and a T-shirt or a chic dress, both of these earrings work without breaking your bank!”
—Irene Hwang, associate accessories editor at Glamour

“Since I'm a model and blogger who attends events and meetings often, a blazer dress is a staple in my closet. When worn alone with statement heels, it can be the sexiest, most simplistic look. Even closing the blazer dress with skinny pants and platform sneaks gives you that cool, chic vibe. It’s that vital and versatile piece that can go from a meeting to a night out. My last $5 would totally be spent on a venti frappe from Starbucks because, let’s face it—this is New York and I’ll need all the energy hustling from meeting to castings to events in my blazer dress.”
—Alexis Henry, model and blogger

"I don't shop very often, but when I do, I like to make my money stretch and I like to support female- or minority-led businesses. Earrings are my go-to accessories to invest in, quickly update my look, or just make me feel a little jolt of excitement, right by my smiling face. SVNR sells mix-and-match objects-turned-earrings that are little works of art. I like that just one droplet is enough to transport me to a far-away place. And then I'll sweep up my 'fro with what I call my 'triple XL elastics' so my earrings are the center of attention. (I normally purchase these from my local drugstore.)"
—Solange Franklin, stylist

“I care a lot about my outfits, but admittedly not as much about what's worn underneath them. It's time to face that I'm due for an underwear overhaul, so I'm re-upping on the cutest, most comfortable organic cotton pair I own from Entireworld. They're only $15 to $18 per pair, so I can stock up on a few fresh colors, and then what's under my clothes is finally as cute as what's on top.”
—Alyssa Coscarelli, freelance fashion editor

“Uniqlo HeatTech—more of it, in all forms. I can't live without it in the New York winters. Especially as a fashion editor who loves clothes, I don't always think of practicality first…. Sometimes I want to wear my new favorite skirt in a blizzard and so I do. But I wouldn't be able to without all my HeatTech. There are so many versions of it: tops, tights, leggings, socks, and accessories. It really does make a difference in keeping you warm in the cold weather, and it's enabled me to keep wearing the clothes I love through the dead of winter. It's my not-so-secret secret.”
—Amy Hou, fashion market editor at Glamour

Fashion editors, stylists, and models share their go-to pieces that are $50 or less. See and shop their budget-friendly picks right here.

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How 12 Stylish Women Would Spend $50

“A turtleneck so cheap and nice, you can buy it twice? Take my money, J.Crew.” —Ana Colón, digital fashion editor at Glamour

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