Faking it... in a good way

Retail is a funny business.  After years of studying it and working to execute the plans, it's really interesting to watch people fall head over heels for a genius marketing strategy like Hermes (ahem, $1125 wool blanket with an H on it) and see other brands fall on their face and end up in discount stores (remember when you wanted LA Gear?) 

As brands expand and offer things like costume jewelry and sunglasses made of acrylic, people happily pay $300 for a bracelet that may as well have been $29.99 at Macy's if not for the name etched inside or on a little metal tag.  However, that is actually my favorite thing about styling outfits - if you choose wisely people will never know what you paid!  Yesterday's Michael Kors lookalike wedges got me thinking about all the great finds in stores that look more expensive than they are. 

Here are some pieces that, when mixed with the right outfit, will finish off a look for under $50 each:

  All jewelry by Towne and Reese via Queen Street

P.S. I came across this brand of jewelry via Feather Factor , and it reminded me very much of the Grayce by Molly Sims and Kevia lines.  I love how the designs are fun but unassuming, and could blend with a high end outfit.