Looking good doesn’t mean spending a lot – and thank God it doesn’t. With a few tips and tricks, we can make our outfits look a lot more expensive than they actually are, and in turn save some money!
You don’t need to have an expensive-looking outfit to dress well by any means, it’s completely down to your personal style and aesthetic – this list is just for those who want to get those old money vibes without the old money… money.
Alright, let’s dive on in.
1. Prioritise fit over price
An inexpensive garment that fits properly will almost always look better than an expensive one that doesn’t. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, or even have a sewing machine, you can quite easily adjust your clothes yourself to tailor them perfectly to your form!
Getting trousers hemmed so they’re the perfect length, adjusting waistbands, and choosing the right silhouette for you can seriously boost how expensive an outfit looks, even if the individual items are affordable.
2. Keep your clothes looking pristine
This is probably one of the biggest ones! Remove bobbles, loose threads and deodorant marks, steam/iron things, polish shoes and repair little damages. Clothes looking cared-for instantly makes an outfit feel more luxurious.
Also, make sure you’re storing your clothes the right way according to their material and weight.
Hang up:
- Flowy and delicate fabrics (silk, satin, linen, chiffon, etc.)
- Formal wear and dresses (gowns, skirts, non-knit dresses)
- Structured pieces (blazers, suit jackets, coats)
- Buttoned shirts (dress shirts and blouses)
- Trousers (dress pants and slacks, hung by the waist or crease)
Fold:
- Knitwear and Jumpers
- Activewear (leggings, gym clothes)
- Denim
- Anything that is super heavy and may tear or stretch under it’s own weight
Things like t-shirts and sweaters can be folded or hung, it doesn’t make much difference, but hanging them can help to avoid creasing if the material is thin!
3. Pay attention to fabric
Certain textures naturally read as more elevated: wool, cashmere, silk, linen, cotton poplin, suede and structured fabrics. You don’t need the real thing though! The main goal is avoiding fabrics that look excessively thin, shiny or flimsy.
A LOT of super cheap clothing at the moment has that mesh-like fabric on it, which does tend to read quite cheap, but if you like it then who cares! Just avoid it if your goal is to have an expensive looking outfit.
4. Build an intentional colour palette
Outfits can look expensive when the colours feel deliberate. Tonal dressing, neutrals with one accent colour, or colours that sit close together tend to look particularly polished.
This is one that I almost always disobey though, because I just love colour! Plus, when you look at designers like Betsey Johnson and Moschino, bright colours are featured heavily, so don’t let this stop you expressing your style <3
5. Add structure
A blazer, structured handbag, tailored trousers, a good coat or a defined waist can make a relatively simple outfit feel much more considered. I particularly like a blazer, but I always go for oversized so I can roll up the sleeves – yes, that means it’s not fitted, but it’s intentional. That’s the main goal!
6. Choose your accessories carefully
Unfortunately, less tends to be more when trying to go for this look… and I almost NEVER listen to this step >:) I’m sorry! I love jewellery and big earrings! Sue me!
But, if you’re stronger than I am, yes, fewer accessories does often make an outfit look more ‘posh’, if you will. Harrumph…
7. Match your metals
This isn’t a hard rule, but deliberately choosing gold, silver or mixed metals rather than accidentally combining lots of different finishes can make jewellery look more cohesive.
This is one I always stick with, as I’m a gold girly through and through – silver washes me out and makes me look like a Victorian child.
8. Take care with shoes and bags
These are often the first things people notice! Keeping shoes clean, replacing worn-out heels and choosing a bag with some structure can make a surprisingly big difference. Plus, they’ll last longer, and it’s always good practice to keep good care of your belongings 🙂
9. Avoid overloading the outfit
This one is particularly relevant to your aesthetic! Looking expensive doesn’t have to mean looking minimalist. You can absolutely be maximalist – just give the outfit a sense of hierarchy. If you’ve got a dramatic skirt, perhaps keep the jewellery simpler; if the accessories are the statement, let the clothes support them.
But, again, if you wanna go crazy, go crazy!
10. Create a deliberate silhouette
Think about the overall shape: fitted + voluminous, cropped + high-waisted, oversized + slim, etc. An outfit looks more sophisticated when the proportions appear intentional.
I like to follow this rule generally when styling anyways – I’m a big fan of the ‘fitted dress + chunky boots’ combo, or when I’m dressing it down, ‘baggy bottoms + fitted top’.
11. Have one “hero” piece
Instead of every element competing for attention, choose one thing that makes the outfit memorable — a beautiful coat, statement necklace, fabulous shoes, unusual bag, etc.
I think this is important, even when dressing maximalist! If everything is loud, you won’t hear any of ‘em!
12. Tuck, roll and adjust!
A French tuck, rolled sleeves, a belt, pushed-up blazer sleeves or slightly adjusting a neckline can turn ‘I put these clothes on’ into ‘I styled an outfit.’
13. Keep your underwear invisible
Visible bra straps, obvious underwear lines and poorly positioned shapewear can undermine an otherwise polished outfit. Seamless underwear and properly fitted bras are boring but effective!
15. Confidence and grooming are part of the outfit
Hair, nails, makeup and even things like lint-free clothing contribute to the overall impression. You don’t need to be perfectly polished – just intentional!
In Conclusion
Dressing expensively doesn’t mean dressing like the ultra-rich (ew). The most important part is that your looks are intentional, polished, and you! Make sure your shoes aren’t scuffed, and iron out those creases. Consider having a few tailored items in your wardrobe, or even give tailoring them yourself a go! It’s a great skill to have and very cheap to start with just a needle and a thread!