These photos are circa 2015 and I'm recirculating them here because right now I'm tickled with the idea that this outfit that I wore last year is somehow super on trend right now. I was paging through Net-a-Porter's the Edit and they had about 2-3 spreads on this mysterious combination of bomber jacket and a skirt. Wow. Epic. Thanks shopping site for the validation.
Not really, though; I really don't need anyone to tell me that I'm on trend, because I honestly don't care, I'm more laughing at the fact that magazines and sites are trying to sell the look for thousands and thousands of dollars. 

Let me save you some effort here and say: don't do that.

The quilted nylon bomber jacket I'm wearing above was from the deeply-discounted sale section at Madewell from 2014 — for $30. That skirt? This is another early 20014 purchase from Barneys' last call super-sale. The designer is Yang Li whom I deeply love but am unwilling to purchase at full price because R U 4 Fucking Real with the prices? I got mine from a not-so-bargain price of $395, which is pretty good considering the original tagged price is around $1900. Finally, the shrug around my shoulders is faux fur from Zara 2012, back when I didn't care where my clothes came from and shopped with my credit card in hand with impunity, and my shoes? Well those were a super discounted find from this post's original source of pseudo-validation, Net-a-Porter. They're Junya Watanabe, another designer I'm a freak for but unwilling to pay for full price, so I got these on sale for 80% price, around $290 from $1000.

I'm not trying to brag about my sale shopping skills, although in the outfit above they are pretty impressive, but I'm more trying to say that you're fully capable of putting together an on-trend outfit for less money than the average American's mortgage payment. Don't be tempted to whip out that credit card to look stylish, just do you. Bomber jackets, especially nylon ones aren't terribly expensive to begin with, so just keep an eye out for fit (preferably a little boxy and voluminous), materials (quality stitching outside with natural cotton lining inside unless you like to sweat constantly), and if at all possible from somewhere that pays their employees a fair living wage.

That last one is tough, admittedly. So I guess what I'm saying is avoid the H&Ms and Zaras of the world, and maybe try shopping consignment or second-hand. Like me! Honestly, that's where you'll find big designer deals and even have a high chance of selling them back yourself!