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After spending years working in a high-end fashion store, I got very good at spotting which clothes would fly off the racks. The biggest surprise of all? Many of the clothing styles customers couldn’t stop buying looked remarkably similar to the pieces now available at Walmart – at a fraction of the price.
From breezy linen-blend midi dresses to smoky silhouettes and polished cotton styles, Walmart has quietly become one of my favorite places to find boutique-looking clothes that feel expensive without the high markup. Ahead, shop 13 styles that remind me of the best-selling clothes we can’t keep.
13 Boutique-Looking Clothes the Small Way at Walmart
1. What we like: This is exactly the kind of simple cotton midi dress that boutique shoppers gravitate towards every summer. Tailored seams and a flattering fit give it a polished feel that looks more expensive than its sub-$20 price tag.
2. Runner up: If you’ve fallen in love with resort-ready clothing at specialty stores, this style delivers the same high-end look. The linen blend fabric and statement border print feel right out of the holiday collection.
3. Celeb-Inspired: This universally flattering silhouette reminds me of simple dresses worn by celebrities with light sandals and big sunglasses. The fit-and-flare shape creates definition without sacrificing comfort.
4. Appearance of the designer: Smoked dresses rule the boutique floor every spring and summer. This one has a feminine, expensive-looking silhouette that you’d expect to find at three times the price.
5. Daily Essentials: Every shopping center has a ‘throw on and go’ dress that customers buy in many colours. This breezy swing option is comfortable, versatile and easy to style for work, brunch or travel.
6. Vacation is Right: Lightweight fabrics including linen are always quick sellers in boutique settings. This shift silhouette feels simple and sophisticated while keeping you cool in warm weather.
7. What Looks Expensive: The combination of a smoky bodice and flowing skirt gives this dress a refined, boutique-quality look. Pair it with leather sandals and no one will guess it’s from Walmart.
8. Powers of Rich Moms: Puff sleeves and mixed media fabrics are details often found in the collections of contemporary designers. This style has a polished, rich look that is trending right now.
9. Less is Better: This little peasant dress feels like something you’d find in a quaint beach shop. The puff sleeves and relaxed fit strike the perfect balance between romantic and functional.
10. Highly Flexible: Every boutique relies on high-quality basics. This cotton t-shirt dress is one of those wardrobe staples that you’ll wear with sneakers, sandals and denim jackets.
11. Choosing the Best Size: The sweetheart neckline and flutter sleeves create a feminine silhouette that looks incredibly flattering. It’s the type of clothing boutique shoppers often look for for weddings, vacations and summer events.
12. Most Flattering: A cinched waist is one of the easiest ways to create shape and definition. This dress accentuates curves while remaining comfortable enough for all-day wear.
13. Hidden Gem: The twist-front detail gives this dress a fashion-forward look that instantly elevates it. It reminds me of the styles we usually sell for $80 or more at the thrift store (this one is just $20)!
I used to work at a store, and spring to summer was always our sign of what consumers can’t get enough of. The second the weather warms up, everyone skips over anything edgy and goes straight for breezy mids, easy maxis and throwback dresses that look put together (no style pressure needed!). I could easily predict which ones […]
