My first job straight out of college was working as a fashion assistant in New York. Dealing with student loans,

the sky-high rents of one of the most populated cities in the world, and just trying to find my footing in a new sophisticated world, I had to be very careful about how I spent my money. The goal was to look expensive without actually going broke, and for that H&M came in clutch. 

Since then, even years later, H&M has been a staple brand in my closet. It's my go-to destination for outfits that look like money, but costs considerably less than you'd expect. Another point I can't overlook as a fashion editor: you'll find a lot of both emerging and dominant trends at H&M before they hit mainstream and trickle to other stores. Recently I noticed their new arrivals are particularly amazing, so I thought I'd assemble a few cute (and affordable) outfits that come just right in time for all those outdoor picnics and summery dinner dates. Ahead, read on to check them all out and to get your next week's worth of looks in order.