Let me guess: Winter is on your mind right now along with all the stylish outfits you plan to wear from December through February. If, like me, you spent more money than you planned to during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you’re probably on a strict budget for the rest of the year. The good news is that looking “rich” doesn’t mean you have to blow through your next paycheck. Instead, you can follow the lead of fashion people, who are using the high-low dressing technique to create expensive-looking outfits. In fact, they’re using it more than you think to make it seem like they only shop at The Row, Khaite, Toteme, and Saint Laurent.

A high-low dressing formula is for fashion people who have good taste but want to be smart about what and how they spend. It involves pairing investment pieces with affordable items to craft a balanced, chic look. For example, a complete Zara outfit might be elevated with a Bottega Veneta bag, or a Nour Hammour coat could be layered over Levi’s jeans and an H&M sweater to add a designer touch. To show you more specifically how women are mixing high and low pieces, I carefully scrolled through Instagram and gathered sophisticated, anti-trend winter outfit ideas from some of the chicest fashion people I follow. Keep scrolling to discover what everyone will be wearing from now to 2026 to look elegant on a budget, from wool coats, denim, and loafers to leather pencil skirts paired with sweaters.

Styling notes: I stand by the idea that a designer bag, especially an oversize one, can make an outfit look expensive. Here, Norwegian fashion influencer Annabel shows this with her black leather bowler bag paired with a brown wool coat, brown jeans, textured loafers, and a classic gray sweater.