Looking private jet, flying economy

T, The New York Times Style Magazine, incites a bizarre, unslakable lust for an unknown stratosphere of luxury, at least for a couple of minutes. I try to use the content as inspiration rather than being only frustrated with the crazy prices. Sometimes I even succeed.

Aboard the Gulfstream

The "Time Traveler's Wardrobe" features the essentials in a jet-setter's weekend carry-on, but even my 1%er girlfriend Iris would think hard before dropping $23,000 on a Paul Morelli diamondback bracelet, stunning though it is.

The striped tee by Marimekko, $95: not as dizzingly pricey, but is the revered Finnish brand the only option for an ubiquitous style?

That top is worn with legging ankle jeans, price $168. The woman is not spending her dividends on meals, that's for sure.

Rebecca Minkoff enamel earrings are my taste, crisp and versatile–and at $46 feel practically given away.

Tod's are indeed luscious shoes; the tasseled coral flat exemplifies their offhandedly ritzy vibe. Price, $445.

The bag is Michael Kor's serene Miranda tote; price, $1,195.

Back on earth

While washing my windows, jets roaring overhead every few minutes, I thought about how I'd afford-ify this look to ride a city bus, and pondered, Are there some things you just can't find in a less costly version?

1. A striped tee from your favourite department store. This one is BCBG, on sale for $45 and I've seen decent ones for much less.

2. White jeans: You know where to get them; on sale by the end of the month; a mid-range pair might be $50-$60. Why pay $168 to squash the inevitable blob of blueberry on them?

3. The shoe: tart pomegranate ballet flats $145 at J. Crew. You can find cheap ballet flats but, if you love your feet, you're looking for a better-made model.

4. Now the hard part, that bracelet. The Morelli piece is just not knocked off successfully, so let's rock the resin. Alex Bittar's Durban Gunmetal Salamander bracelet has charisma too; there's something about salamanders and summer. But you could enjoy it in deep winter also, which means the price, $225, is less of a bite.

 
Still too steep? Some of you are fearless with the costume, and you I'm sending to the online trove Bauble Bar, where $30 gets you a hematite Zigzag Bangle.

5. The earrings: I'd buy the Minkoffs or these mini-pavé cone studs ($24, at BaubleBar.)

6. The bag: another tricky item to substitute. Like a broken heart, a subpar bag seems to follow you around way longer than you ever wanted.

I wouldn't expect to find the Miranda's fine Vachetta leather in a low-cost bag; I'd scout for another pale, summery material, raffia or straw with rich leather trim, like this vintage woven leather market tote, on Etsy for about $45 from GirlLeastLikely (last time I looked).

If you prefer leather, the Italian leather tote from Etsy seller farragobags2 is handmade from supple vegetable-tanned caramel leather (and available in other colours) for an eighth of the Miranda's tag, $150.

That particular T feature appealed to me more than their spreads of ballgowns or outré outfits; it's a look I relate to (minus the toothpick jeans)... but not at that price. 

Iris can buy those high-end items and still donate generously to causes, but most women are in my shoes, with saving and giving top of the list, and very few jet-set purchases in the equation.

There are even lower-cost strategies: consignment or thrifts, borrowing or fractional ownership. (Ellen shares a statement necklace bought with two sisters, four months each per year. She says it's a great solution.)



Do you adapt luxe looks to your budget? How do you do it?