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25 Ways to Transform Your Style Under $25

You don't have to spend big to get a major style upgrade this year.

socks with smiling faces on them
Etsy

If you’ve spent the past five months wearing your pajamas or sweats every day, you’re not alone. However, if you’re starting to get tired of looking like every day is laundry day, it might be time to upgrade your look. And you don’t have to dip into your savings or blow your budget to hit the refresh button on your style in a major way. We’ve rounded up 25 amazing style upgrades under $25 that’ll have you looking like a million bucks. And for more wardrobe staples for less, check out these 20 Essentials from J. Crew’s Summer Sale.


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1 | Try a sleek sheath dress.

young black woman in black sheath dressTarget

Want to maintain sweat suit levels of comfiness while looking more polished? Then look no further than this sleek cotton sheath dress, which looks just as great with a pair of heels as it does with low-top sneakers.

Target
$20

2 | Go playful with your sock choices.

socks with smiling faces on themEtsy

Sure, it may be a small accent, but knowing you’ve got a pair of these happy socks under your otherwise buttoned-up look is sure to make you smile.

Etsy 
$15

3 | Give your outfit a pop of color with enamel hoops.

purple enamel hoopsban.do

If you love hoops, but aren’t big on oversized pieces, this pair is just perfect. Petite, but with a pop of color, they’re sure to liven up any look in an instant. And for more gorgeous accessories that won’t break the bank, check out these 20 Etsy Jewelry Items That Will Become Instant Heirlooms.

ban.do
$9  

4 | Incorporate some subtle patterns into your look.

black button down shirt with white flower patternAmazon

Basic striped button-downs are snooze city. This year, jazz up your look with a shirt in a subtle pattern like this flower one, which is totally work-appropriate, but more than a little fun.

Amazon
$17 

5 | Upgrade your flip-flops.

black strappy sandalsZappos

Those nasty flip-flops you’ve had since college aren’t doing your look any favors. Instead, upgrade to this stylish pair of sandals, which provide flip-flop-like comfort with a whole lot more polish.

Zappos
$20

6 | Invest in some joggers.

man in black jogging pantsAmazon

Sure, sweats are comfy, but they aren’t exactly the most chic attire. If you want to maintain that same level of coziness, invest in a pair of black joggers instead. They still feel like lounge pants, but don’t scream, “I haven’t changed out of these in days.” And if you’re out of office for the foreseeable future, check out these 19 Work From Home Outfits That Will Make You Look So Put Together.

Amazon 
$20 $19

7 | Add a colorful scarf to your outfit.

orange and white silk scarfTarget

Is your wardrobe a sea of black? Brighten things up with a pop of color by incorporating a citrusy scarf into your look. Whether you wear it in your hair, on your neck, or tie it around the straps of your bag, it’ll add some much-needed vibrancy to any ensemble.

Target
$15

8 | Invest in a set of monogrammed cufflinks.

black monogrammed cufflinksEtsy

You don’t have to spend big to get big style. Case in point: These monogrammed cufflinks look like heirloom pieces, but they’ll set you back just $14.

Etsy 
$14

9 | Try on some playful stripes.

woman in blue and white striped shirtOld Navy

Who says horizontal stripes can’t be flattering? With a slightly oversized fit and a playful front pocket, this shirt is equal parts comfortable and chic.

Old Navy
$17 $14

10 | Incorporate your pet into your wardrobe.

blue tie with gray catsAmazon

Your pet has probably become an even bigger part of your life while working at home, so you may be sad about leaving them behind when you return to work. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be with you in spirit—or, better yet, on your tie! And for more great buys, check out these 40 Best Men's Style Brands for Those Over 40.

Amazon
$25

11 | Add an embellished headband to your look.

three pearl embellished headbandsEtsy

Bad hair days simply don’t stand a chance against this stylish headband. Whether you’re wearing it with jeans and a t-shirt or your favorite LBD, it adds some serious style to any look.

Etsy
$7 and up

12 | Test out some preppy slides.

black slides with sailboat on themAmazon

Looking for something more stylish than sneakers to pair with your favorite shorts? These slides are comfortable, stylish, and, best of all, budget-friendly.

Amazon 
$15 and up 

13 | Try on a bold lip.

the balm red lipstickAmazon

Clothing isn’t the only way to completely change your look. Adding a bold lip to your makeup routine can make you stand out on those Zoom calls, even if you’re still in your PJ pants and slippers below the desk.

Amazon
$17

14 | Upgrade to a sporty Apple Watch band.

two apple watches with colorful woven bandsEtsy

Want to give your Apple Watch a makeover without blowing your budget? This sporty band will add some color to your look for just $7.

Etsy

15 | Throw on an oversized cardigan.

white woman in green cardigan with pearl embellished sleevesAmazon

It’ll be fall soon enough, meaning sweater weather’s just around the corner. Instead of tossing on a big sweatshirt and calling it a day, stay warm this autumn with this elegant faux-pearl-embellished cardigan.

Amazon
$16 and up

16 | Cover up a bad hair day with a stylish beanie.

green beanieAmazon

If your hair simply won’t play nice, don’t break out the clippers—just slip on this stylish olive beanie instead.

Amazon
$15 $14

17 | Try out some minimalist jewelry.

gold, silver, and copper disc necklacesEtsy

Less is sometimes more when it comes to jewelry. With this subtle disc necklace, you can add a bit of glamour to any outfit without overpowering your look.

Etsy
$22 and up

18 | Go academic with your look.

gray cable knit cardiganAmazon

Sure, you may not technically work as a college professor, but you can certainly look the part with this chunky cardigan. Now, where is that lecture hall?

Amazon
$20

19 | Upgrade your basic black tank.

white woman in black ruffle tank topban.do

Black tanks are a loungewear necessity, but that doesn’t mean they’re all created equal. With this ruffled top, your wardrobe staple will be anything but basic.

ban.do
$24 $16

20 | Try a snapback on for size.

black snapback hatAmazon

You don’t have to be a sports fan to try out the snapback craze. This all-black hat has the style you want, but won’t spark any conversations about batting averages and team trades.

Amazon
$12

21 | Put on some playful prints.

leopard print leggingsOld Navy

Black leggings are great, but they’re not exactly daring. If you want to take your look up a notch this fall, try a pair of leopard print leggings on for size instead—they’ll add a bit of visual intrigue to any look.

Old Navy
$17 $12

22 | Add some Western style with a chambray shirt.

blue chambray shirtAmazon

If you want a subtle nod to the Western wear trend, a chambray shirt is the perfect fit.

Amazon

23 | Incorporate metallic accents.

silver slide sandalsZappos

Love metallics, but not big on jewelry? Then invest in a set of these metallic sandals, which are sure to give even the most basic of outfits some serious pop.

Zappos
$22

24 | Top off your look with a personalized scarf.

monogrammed gray scarfEtsy

It may be warm out now, but it’ll be scarf weather again before you know it. If you want to add a layer of luxe to your look, invest in a customized scarf, like this stylish number.

Etsy
$23

25 | Add some oversized earrings to your outfit.

yellow seed bead earringsTarget

Sometimes, you just want your style to scream “look at me!” And that’s just what you’ll get from these oversized earrings—at a wallet-friendly price, to boot.

Target
$10