One of the most requested posts I have been asked to write about to date is how to make your outfits look more expensive & how to look like you’re wearing designer clothes without breaking the bank!
This morning on the Style Edit I thought I’d share some secrets on how to look expensive without breaking the bank. The Style Edit features some of the latest fashion trends that I’m loving each season! Subscribe for more style tips! 🥂✨
The Difference Between Looking Expensive and Being Stylish
There is a difference between looking stylish and looking expensive. Lots of women look stylish. Style is personal and subjective. I say “expensive,” but you could also call it sophisticated, elegant, or designer. It’s a different kind of style that tends to lean more classic than trendy and incorporates luxurious details that are timeless.
It’s easy to look expensive when your clothes are expensive. But since most of us can’t live our lives in Gucci, we need to put in a little more effort and get creative. Here are some ideas you can use to create a capsule wardrobe that will make your outfits look expensive and also turn heads without costing you an arm and a leg.
As always, I love posting fresh inspo on my Pinterest ‘Style’ board, so make sure to follow it to stay up to date with new and noteworthy style trends
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1. Focus on Monochromatic and Textured Pieces
When in doubt, wear all black. Or all nudes. Or all white. Because one surefire way to look cheap is to pile on a ton of different colors and conflicting patterns. Even though I like a splash of color here and there, wearing a monochromatic tone from head to toe just makes you look more put together, plus it’s a lot easier to style.
Neutral colors look best for this trick: White worn with shades of khaki, or dark-wash jeans worn with a lighter chambray top easily trick others into thinking you spent a fortune on pieces that can be found at a huge discount.
2. Pick classics
They’re called classics for a reason. Something like a timeless trench coat will always look more expensive than a trendy bomber jacket. You can mix and match your classics with the latest trends for endless looks.
3. Know Where to Splurge, Spend and Save
It’s good to know how to be financially savvy when it comes to your clothing purchases. For example, a classic white t-shirt can either come from a $15 6-pack from target or it can come from the Alexander Wang showroom at a whopping $175 a shirt. From afar, both look the same and the Hanes t-shirt will probably last a lot longer.
One surefire way to turn heads is to invest in an easily recognizable brand. Sure a nice Louis Vuitton bag will set you back a thousand bucks, but it will last a lifetime and will most likely outlive you. Also, the cost-per-wear on a Louis Vuitton bag is probably lower then a $150 Micheal Kors bag that will only last a year.
Carry an expensive bag – The easiest way to elevate your look is with an expensive designer handbag. You could be wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but the moment you add a Chanel bag, your look is taken to the next level. But let’s face it, a majority of us cannot but Chanel bag on a whim so here are some alternative brands that don’t come with a $5k price tag. Also, I’d like to mention that a designer bag is by no means a requirement for good style, it just adds a little umph to your outfit.
Wear a fancy watch – Call me old-fashioned but it seems like a nice timepiece can still make your outfit look more expensive overall. Plus, the right one can be considered an investment. Here are a couple of brands whose value increases over time.
4. Don’t show too much skin.
As a general rule of thumb, your clothes will look more expensive when you leave a little something up to the imagination. If you’re wearing a mini, wear something more covered up on top, and vice versa. My go-to Bo$$ Babe look is a crop top with a tailored blazer 🙂
5. Pick structured pieces.
Structured pieces are the most flattering and therefore the most expensive looking. You don’t have to wear a stuffy suit to take this tip to heart – consider pairing a structured blazer with jeans. Or a button-down shirt with a flowy skirt. Structured bags tend to make your outfits look expensive, too, which is something to consider even when you’re purchasing inexpensive accessories. For example, an expensive leather belt can do wonders when paired with an H&M dress.
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6. Fit is everything.
Designers have the luxury of fitting clothes on models who are one specific size and shape. The average woman has much more average measurements, and therefore clothes are rarely a perfect fit right off the rack.
Take advantage of tailoring services to have your clothing altered to fit your body. Stores like Nordstorm offer tailoring for cardholders. If you don’t shop at Nordstrom’s, don’t fret – a simple tailoring fix (such as nipping in a waist or letting down a hem) at your local laundromat usually costs between $15 and $20 – but it makes your clothes look like a million bucks.
7. Stop washing your stuff so much & buy a steamer.
Washing clothes wears down the fabrics and fades the colors, making them look old and cheap. If you get a mark on a piece of clothing, spot clean it with a sponge or toothbrush. If something starts to smell, stick it in the freezer for the night.
Wrinkles can make anything look cheap and a good steamer can blast wrinkles out of just about anything in a couple of minutes. If you are between washings, steam the piece the night before and leave it hanging in a room with open windows overnight. The cold night air will help neutralize any lingering odors and by morning the piece should be ready to wear.
Resist the urge to hang your clothes in the bathroom while you take an extra-long shower. The ambient steam in a bathroom is not enough to get out tough wrinkles and it is a huge waste of water.
8. Focus on Healthy Skin and Simplify Your Make-Up
This last tip might actually be the most important! Your complection is a direct reflection of your diet, lifestyle choices, and stress levels. Plus, once you get your skin in great shape, you’ll find that you need less makeup. Cakey face makeup can cheapen your entire look, so be careful when applying foundation
Note: It took YEARS to get my skin to a good place, and it’s always changing.
So there you have it,
Whether your monthly clothing budget is $100, $1,000, or $10,000, the old saying is true: Fashion fades, but style is forever. Don’t let a small clothing budget fool you into thinking you’re not stylish. By paying attention to the quality of even your clearance rack finds, you can make sure that your clothes last, look great, and, most importantly, make you feel like a million bucks when you wear them.
In no way do I claim ownership over any of the photos published in this article. My only intent to use/share images is to educate others and provide information that can be transformative to my readers. If you are the rightful owner of any of the pictures posted here, and you do not want it to be displayed or if you require a suitable credit, then please contact me and I will immediately do whatever is needed either for the image to be removed or provide credit where it is due.
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