How To Look Expensive
While we all want to dress like a Kardashian, we don’t all have the bank balance. You can channel your inner Kardashian and look expensive on a budget. These ten tips are my secrets to making affordable pieces look high-end. The key to achieving any look is always in the styling. You can take an outfit from Forever 21 and make it look like it’s from a ready-to-wear collection.
How can I look expensive and classy?
Monochrome Outfits
The easiest way to make any outfit look expensive is to keep everything in the same color. Black is the most classic example of this. You’ll see celebrities like the Jenner and Hadid sisters stepping out in all-black on a regular basis. When the colors of your outfit are in the same color tone, it looks like you’ve spent a little extra time putting your look together. Your pieces don’t have to be in the exact same shade but try to keep it within one color family.
When in doubt, wear black.
Know your Color Palette
- What colors make you look expensive?
One of the biggest mistakes that women make is when they don’t understand their color palette. It’s easier than you think to find out. The key is to understand if you have warm or cool undertones. If you have warm undertones to your skin, then you want to focus on shades like greens and magentas. You can add in neutral tones like beige and taupe. Warm-toned ladies want to avoid jewel tones. For cool skin tones, you want to focus on pastels like pink, blue, lavender, and lilac. For neutral tones, you can add in white and navy. Women with cool skin tones want to avoid orange and yellow garments as they can make your skin look paler.
Focus On Accessories
You can make a pair of jogging bottoms look elevated if you know what accessories to add. Dainty jewelry also looks more put together than oversized and statement pieces. Pick up a few gold necklaces that you can layer over a basic t-shirt and choose simple stud earrings. Sometimes, less is more. Adding a leather watch can give a scholarly feel to any outfit.
Make Sure Your Clothes Fit
One struggle we all face is with the standard sizing charts in most fast fashion stores. You’re lucky if you ever find anything that fits you like a glove. The best investment you can make in your wardrobe is to find a local tailoring store that can take in your clothes for you. This is usually fairly inexpensive, especially for minor alterations. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even try taking in your clothes yourself. When your clothes appear tailored, they instantly look more expensive.
Invest In a Handbag or used designer bag
Your handbag is one thing that you carry with you everywhere. If you want to save your pennies and invest in one accessory, then the best choice is a handbag. You don’t need to splash out on a Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Look for a handbag brand that makes understated handbags that you know will fit your lifestyle. There is no point in spending your savings on a mini bag if you need to carry a laptop around with you every day. Some websites sell authentic secondhand bags. Fashion phile and the Real Real are great websites for used designer handbags.
Pointed Toed Shoes
They might not be the most comfortable shoes to wear, but they are the most stylish. By adding a pair of black pointed-toe shoes to your wardrobe, you can make a pair of jeans and a turtleneck look expensive. Try and find a pair in patent leather or with a faux crocodile effect. You can try this style out with different shoe shapes, such as ballet flats and loafers.
Oversized Sunglasses
Is there anything more mysterious than a woman in oversize sunglasses? Is she an undercover reporter? Maybe she’s a supermodel? Choosing sunglasses will depend on the shape of your face. If you have a round face shape, look for rectangular sunglasses like Wayfarers. The rule of thumb for buying sunglasses is to choose a shape that is the opposite of your face shape. You can search for a designer pair on sale at an outlet or pick up a few affordable pairs from Zara or Topshop.
Buy a Steamer
We’ve all been there. We have either overslept or forgot to do the laundry. In a desperate bid to get out the door on time, you put on a crumpled shirt and ran out the door. If this sounds like you, then you need to buy a steamer. They’re small enough to carry with you in your work bag or to leave at the office. If your clothes are crumpled, then that’ll distract from the rest of your styling.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for things like missing buttons and loose threads. Mend any issues as quickly as possible, otherwise, you’ll likely forget about it until someone else points it out.
Consider Renting For Special Occasions
If you have a special event coming up, consider renting an outfit instead of buying something off-the-rack. You would be amazed at the pieces that you can rent, some of which are worth hundreds of dollars. Not only will it save you money, you’ll also get to wear a designer dress. Rent the Runway is a popular choice, and you can rent everything from Proenza Schouler to Reformation dresses.
Think About The Rest of Your Appearance
While the rest of your outfit might look expensive, it’s your hair and makeup that can make or break a look. It’s always best to go for simple trends. Make sure your hair is brushed. If it looks a little greasy, add in a dash of dry shampoo. Avoid lipstick shades that are outside of the pinks, nudes, and reds. If you think you’re having a bad hair day, throw on a headband. You can use the Duchess of Cambridge as your beauty inspiration. Her natural makeup look is easy to recreate with products that you probably already have in your makeup bag. Focus on your skincare and creating a flawless base for the rest of your makeup to sit on top of.
