I spent $42.13 on six random Amazon fashion accessories that all cost under $8. Wore and used everything for three weeks. Here’s what’s actually worth buying and what belongs in the trash.

Spoiler: 4 out of 6 are legit good. The other two? Well, you get what you pay for.

Testing period: 21 days each, daily use. My criteria: Does it look cheap? Does it break? Would I buy it again? Let’s dive in.

PGXT Women’s Slim Leather Card Holder

Minimalist wallet for cards & cash

★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Actually holds up. Fits in your pocket. Doesn’t look like a $7 wallet.

The Real Deal

I was skeptical. A $6.79 leather wallet? Has to be garbage, right? Wrong. This thing has been in my jeans pocket every single day for three weeks and it still looks fine.

Holds 6-8 cards comfortably (I tested with 7 credit cards, 1 ID). Cash fits if you fold it once. The “leather” is obviously fake, but it’s soft fake leather, not that plasticky stuff that cracks after two days. Stitching is solid—no loose threads yet.

Best part? It’s genuinely slim. Fits in front or back pocket without that weird bulge. My old $30 Fossil wallet was thicker than this.

What Works

  • Actually stays slim with cards inside
  • Stitching held up to daily pocket abuse
  • Cards slide in and out smoothly
  • Looks way more expensive than $6.79
  • Comes in 8 colors (I got navy)

What Doesn’t

  • Obviously not real leather (duh)
  • No RFID blocking (if you care about that)
  • Cash section is tight—bills get wrinkled
  • Might not last a full year of heavy use

Bottom Line

For $6.79, this is a steal. Perfect if you’re trying to carry less stuff or just want a backup wallet. I’d buy it again. Probably won’t last forever, but at this price, who cares?

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Walifrey High-Waisted Leggings with Pockets

Workout leggings with side pockets

★★★★★ 5/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Best $8 I’ve spent on workout clothes. Period.

I’m Genuinely Shocked

These leggings have no business being this good for $7.99. I’ve worn them to the gym 12 times, on grocery runs, and once to a casual brunch (paired with an oversized sweater). Still in perfect condition.

The fabric is thick enough that you can’t see through them when you squat. Trust me, I tested this extensively because that’s the #1 legging failure point. The high waist actually stays up during workouts—no constant pulling them up mid-run.

Pockets are deep enough for my iPhone 13 Pro without it bouncing around. I did a 3-mile run with my phone in the pocket and it stayed put. No seams digging in weird places. No camel toe situation (if you know, you know).

What Works

  • Actually squat-proof (tested with white walls behind me)
  • Pockets hold phone securely during cardio
  • Waistband doesn’t roll down
  • Fabric is soft but not flimsy
  • Survived 12 gym sessions + washing machine
  • True to size (I got Medium, wear size 6)

What Doesn’t

  • Seams aren’t flatlock (might irritate on long runs)
  • No reflective details for night running
  • Pilling started after 8 washes (minor)

Bottom Line

Buy these. Seriously. I own Lululemon Aligns ($98) and these are obviously not the same quality, but they’re 92% as good for 8% of the price. If you’re on a budget or just want backup gym leggings, this is the move. Already ordered two more pairs.

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ELFISH Aluminum Business Card Wallet

Metal card case holder

★★☆☆☆ 2/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Looks cool. Doesn’t work well. Skip it.

Style Over Function (And Not In A Good Way)

Okay, this one’s a dud. It’s $4.40 so I wasn’t expecting miracles, but come on. The concept is cool—sleek aluminum case that supposedly protects your cards and looks professional. Reality? It’s a pain to use.

Cards get stuck inside. You have to push them out from the bottom (there’s a little slide mechanism) but it’s finnicky and half the time your cards just… don’t slide out easily. Dropped it once and the latch that keeps it closed got bent. Now it doesn’t snap shut properly.

Also, it’s marketed as an “RFID blocking wallet” but there’s literally no material that would block RFID. It’s just thin aluminum. That’s not how RFID protection works.

What Works

  • Looks sleek and modern (at first glance)
  • Lightweight
  • Holds standard business cards

What Doesn’t

  • Card ejection mechanism is unreliable
  • Latch bends easily, won’t stay closed
  • False RFID blocking claims
  • Feels cheap despite being metal
  • Scratches show immediately
  • Can’t fit thick cards (like some gift cards)

Bottom Line

Save your $4.40 for literally anything else. It looks neat on a desk but it’s awful for daily use. The first card holder in this review (#1) is $2 more and 10x better. This is a classic case of “you get what you pay for.”

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Cubic Zirconia Paperclip Chain Bracelet

Layering bracelet with adjustable clasp

★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Looks way more expensive than it is. No green wrist. Winner.

My Daily Go-To Bracelet Now

I’ve worn this bracelet every single day for three weeks, including in the shower twice (forgot to take it off). No tarnishing. No green wrist. No broken clasp. For $6.77, I’m genuinely impressed.

It’s delicate enough to layer with other bracelets or wear alone. The paperclip chain style is trendy right now and this looks identical to a $40 version I saw at a boutique. The cubic zirconia stones haven’t fallen out yet, which was my main concern.

Clasp is adjustable, so it fits wrists from about 6.5 to 8 inches. I have a 7-inch wrist and wear it on the middle setting. Easy to put on by yourself (rare for bracelets at this price point—usually the clasps are terrible).

What Works

  • Zero tarnishing after 3 weeks + shower exposure
  • Clasp is surprisingly sturdy
  • Adjustable length fits most wrists
  • Looks expensive (got compliments at work)
  • Can layer with other bracelets easily
  • All CZ stones still intact

What Doesn’t

  • Chain is thin—might not last years
  • Not a great gift (packaging is basic)
  • Takes practice to fasten by yourself

Bottom Line

If you want a simple, pretty bracelet that won’t turn your wrist green or fall apart in a week, buy this. It’s perfect for everyday wear. I might buy another one in a different color just to have options. Great value at $6.77.

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AUTOMET Women’s Crewneck T-Shirt

Basic fashion tee for everyday wear

★★★☆☆ 3/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Fine for lounging. Not leaving the house in this.

Meh. It’s A T-Shirt.

This is aggressively mediocre. For $7.64, I wasn’t expecting Everlane quality, but this feels like the t-shirts they give away at corporate events. You know the ones.

The fabric is thin. Not see-through thin, but definitely wear-a-good-bra thin. After three washes (cold water, hang dry), it started pilling under the arms. The neckline stretched out a bit too—it’s slightly wider now than when I first got it.

It’s comfortable for lounging around the house. I’ve worn it to bed, worn it while working from home. But would I wear this out? Probably not. It just looks… cheap. The fit is boxy and unflattering (I got a Medium, normally wear size 6).

What Works

  • Soft fabric (initially)
  • Good for pajamas or loungewear
  • Didn’t shrink in the wash
  • Comes in lots of colors

What Doesn’t

  • Starts pilling after a few washes
  • Neckline stretches out
  • Boxy, unflattering fit
  • Fabric is too thin for public wear (imo)
  • Looks cheap in person

Bottom Line

If you need a cheap shirt for sleeping or hanging around the house, sure. But don’t expect this to become your favorite tee. For just a few dollars more, you can get way better quality basics from Target or Old Navy. This is a “you get what you pay for” situation.

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2-Pack Portable Squeeze-Top Eyeglasses Case

Soft sunglasses case with squeeze opening

★★★★★ 5/5 Stars

Quick Verdict: Two cases for $2.54. They work. Buy them.

Best $2.54 You’ll Spend This Month

You get TWO cases for $2.54. That’s $1.27 per case. And they’re actually good? This is wild.

I keep one in my car for sunglasses and one in my purse for my regular glasses. The squeeze-top mechanism works perfectly—you squeeze the sides and the case pops open. Glasses slide in and out easily. Interior is soft enough that it won’t scratch your lenses.

They’re surprisingly sturdy. I’ve dropped the car one three times (once on concrete) and it still protects my $150 sunglasses just fine. No cracks, no damage. The exterior is some kind of soft-touch plastic that doesn’t feel cheap.

One fits standard glasses, the other is slightly larger for bigger frames. Both work for most sunglasses too.

What Works

  • You get TWO for under $3 (insane value)
  • Squeeze mechanism is smooth and reliable
  • Soft interior protects lenses from scratches
  • Survived multiple drops with no damage
  • Fits easily in purse or car cupholder
  • Lightweight but protective

What Doesn’t

  • Not hard-shell (if you need maximum protection)
  • Colors are basic (black/gray)
  • Won’t fit oversized fashion sunglasses

Bottom Line

Just buy these. Even if you only use one and give the other to a friend, it’s $2.54 well spent. I wish everything on Amazon was this good for the price. Keep one in your car, one in your bag. Your glasses will thank you. Already recommended these to four people.

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Final Thoughts: What’s Worth Your Money?

DEFINITE BUYS: The leggings ($7.99), eyeglass cases ($2.54), and bracelet ($6.77) are all legitimately good purchases. I’d buy each of them again without hesitation.

MAYBE BUY: The card holder ($6.79) is solid if you need a slim wallet and understand it won’t last forever. The t-shirt ($7.64) is fine for loungewear but nothing special.

SKIP IT: The aluminum card case ($4.40) is the only true dud here. Save your money.

Total damage: $42.13 for six items. Four winners, one “meh,” and one miss. That’s a 67% success rate, which honestly beats most of my budget shopping attempts.

The real lesson? At this price point, you’re rolling the dice. But sometimes you hit the jackpot (those leggings!). And when you only spend $8, even the duds don’t hurt that bad.