How to Look Expensive on a Budget
When people think of ways of looking expensive, the first thing that comes to mind is that paying a hefty price or buying high-end designer clothing is absolutely necessary. However, this is just not true. Looking expensive on a budget can certainly be accomplished if you know just what works in terms of proper styling. These tips below can help you look your best, without the heft price tag!
Below are 5 tips that will have you looking your best without spending a lot of money.
1. Wear well-fitting clothing.
The way that clothing fits your body can 100% make or break a look. Let’s take a second to think about some of the many style trends of today’s clothing that include clothing pieces that are made to be not the best fitting. Clothing trends of today, such as paper bag pants, overly flowy tops, and oversized sweaters, tend to not accentuate a person’s body type, but instead can give off a frumpy, unpolished look. These clothing style trends aren’t the best choices if you’re wanting to look expensive and more put together. Instead, opt for clothing that fits your body type and fits you as close to perfect as possible. Loose fitting and extremely tight fitting clothing should always be left back on the clothing racks. If you do find a piece that you adore, but your size is sold out or the piece does not fit as fitted as you’d hope it would, consider having the garment tailored to fit your body, that is, if the garment and tailoring both will still be in your budget, of course!
2. Look for quality material.
Clothing quality is essential when it comes to looking your best. While most fast-fashion brands such as Zara have a variety of eye-catching clothing styles the quality of their clothing is sometimes not the greatest. Buying clothing made with quality material will not only make your outfit look more expensive but your clothing piece will last longer. While quality material can be more on the pricey side, look for quality material pieces that are discounted or on clearance. Some fabrics to look for are : silk, cashmere, linen, 100% cotton, tweed, wool, and some blends. Other fabrics to steer clear of buying are: rayon, polyester, viscose, and most other synthetic fabrics. When looking for quality material, definitely opt for more natural fibers, rather than synthetic ones.
3. Choose dress pants over jeans.
Jeans, where do we begin? They have been around since 1873 and have been a staple in many closets across the world, including mine! However, for me, wearing jeans is something I choose to no longer do. Jeans tend to be more fast-fashion, which in turn is known for being inexpensive. I also find it hard to elevate an outfit with jeans, as jeans rather give an outfit a more casual and laid back feel. Although, I do believe jeans can definitely be dressed up and made to look more elegant, dress pants do so as well and with little to less effort. Dress pants also look more pricey, and with the right choice in colors (neutrals are best!) can be very versatile!
4. Wear a brooch.
Wearing a brooch may seem pretty old-styled, but this simple accessory can really uplift an outfit. Wearing a high-end brooch such as Chanel, can make any outfit look like a million dollars. Investing in a high-end brooch is a great way to take your wardrobe up a notch. If you’re on a budget, I would recommend looking for Chanel brooches (or any other high-end designer brooches) on websites such as TheRealReal or Tradesy. These websites usually have their items go through an authentication process before listing an item for sale. Another option could also be finding a brooch that is not high-end but made of good quality and is reasonably priced like the one listed below.
5. Add a silk scarf.
French women have always been regarded as the best dressed women and there is a reason for that, the Parisian style is very elegant and timeless. An accessory usually seen in this style of dress is silk scarves! Owning a silk scarf is a great investment for your wardrobe, as it can be used in a multitude of ways depending on your mood. For instance a silk scarf can work as a purse accessory, hair accessory and can even be worn on your neck and wrist to add another extra elegant flair to your outfit.