How to always look expensive, without spending much

Since I moved to Paris, I have seen that Parisian women always look very put together and elegant and they give away the sense that their looks are very expensive. From paying attention to how Parisian women dress on the streets, I have discovered that their looks are often not that pricey. They achieve, however their famous effortless French elegance by following some simple rules.

In order to look elegant and “expensive”, you do not have to break the bank. You can create elegant looks that look luxurious by making smart choices and following a few tips that will instantly make your look more elevated and more elegant.

Before I begin, though, I would like to stress, that I strongly believe that our goal should not be to pretend to be something we are not. I am convinced that if we are confident about who we are, this will come out to other people and we will shine through our personality. That being said, it is always nice trying new things and working towards evolving our appearance. The purpose of this blog post is to share with you some tips that will help your outfits appear more expensive, since I strongly believe that you need not spend much to achieve an elegant and luxurious looking appearance. You should just make smart choices.

1. Importance of the materials

The first tip that you should pay attention to, when aiming for a more expensive look, is the quality of the materials of the garments you are choosing. There are some materials, that pop out and elevate your look.

To give some examples, when it comes to knits, natural fabrics always look more expensive. Cashmere, for instance, is a very high quality material, that looks and feels expensive. It is very soft and at the same time very warm. About cashmere, though, one could argue that it does not only look expensive, but it actually is expensive. However, this is not the case. Of course there are some brands that produce expensive cashmere products, that cost a lot, but I have also discovered some more economical brands, that produce affordable cashmere garments.

Wool is another very good choice for knitted garments, that looks very luxurious and is also high quality.

Another high quality material is silk. It is a material that flows nicely and looks very luxurious. A silk scarf, shirt, or dress is always a very elegant choice.

Velvet is another material that looks rich and gives out a sense of luxury. Especially during winter, there are a lot of ways that you can incorporate velvet in your wardrobe. From blazers to dresses and tops, velvet is always a nice material to try.

2. Make smart shopping choices

If your goal is to create a more expensive looking wardrobe in the long run, you should make smart shopping choices, and be mindful on how you spend your money. In that sense, it would be wiser to avoid buying into trends, since they come and go quickly, and you will end up having spent money on something that will only last for a season or two. My advice would be to invest in classic, staple pieces that are high quality and are versatile, given that they can be combined with many outfits and have the potential to stay in your wardrobe for many years. In other words, you should splurge in those pieces and spend less money on trends.

Buy affordable trendy garments and splurge on classic pieces

However, I am not saying that you should not follow trends, at all. On the contrary, if you find that a particular trend inspires you and resonates with your personal style, by all means follow it. If you really want to incorporate a particular trend in your wardrobe, ask yourself weather it is worth spending your money on and set a budget. If you think that you will not enjoy it in the long run, try to find more affordable pieces to incorporate this trend in your style, by searching on high street brands. My advice would be to buy less expensive trend garments and splurge more on classic pieces.

My final advice about shopping, however, would be, to channel my inner Kon Mari, to buy and wear items that spark joy to you and that you feel more comfortable in. It is when you are the most confident that you look better, so really, think what you like and makes you happy.

3. Create a capsule wardrobe

In the spirit of creating a more expensive looking wardrobe in the long run and making smart shopping choices, a good tactic would be to work towards creating a capsule wardrobe. It is not necessary to have a walk-in closet full of clothes in order to be elegant and look expensive. It is not about quantity, but about quality. In other words, you should aim to invest in high quality, staple pieces that will be in your wardrobe for years and that can be combined with many outfits.

Below I list some items that are considered to be more expensive looking and are classic must-have pieces making every wardrobe look more elegant and sophisticated:

A coat:

I personally think that a key element that makes your outfit look more expensive is a good quality, fitted coat. It is the first thing that people see on you, and sometimes it doesn’t matter what you are wearing inside, since beautiful coat can elevate your entire outfit. This is why I believe that if you were to splurge on something, a nice coat would be the best choice. You can choose between strict lines, or wrap coat with belt that compliments your figure.

A blazer

A tailored blazer is another staple piece that makes every woman look more sophisticated and elegant. There are plenty of choices of classic blazers out there, in all price ranges, from fitted versions to more airy designs. It is really up to you to decide on the particular style that matches your style.

The silk top

A silk top is a very luxurious looking garment and a staple piece in every wardrobe. A white silk shirt can elevate a casual outfit, whereas a silk camisole can make you look fabulous in a night out, combined with a great blazer.

The tailored pants

A pair of tailored pants in classic colors, such as black, blue and beige, is another classic piece that you should incorporate in your wardrobe. In the search of the best pair of pants you should take into consideration what style best compliments your silhouette and resonates more with your personal style. Here are some choices that I personally think are very versatile and fit many body types.

4. Accessorize

Accessories are key, in every outfit, since they are the details that can instantly elevate it and make it pop out. Accessories are also a discreet way to add a branded logo on your outfit, without screaming it, since wearing logos all over may be pricey, but it is not considered to be elegant and “expensive” looking. What is more, accessories are a much more affordable and smarter way to buy into a designer brand, without spending too much.

Wear a belt

A belt is an accessory that not only adds shape and a flattering fit to your silhouette, but also elevates your outfit,/makes your outfit more elevated. What is more, a designer belt, is a good way to buy into a designer brand and make your outfit look more elegant and expensive, by discreetly adding a logo to your outfit. Furthermore, adding a designer belt to a blazer or a coat, could give the impression that your entire outfit is from this brand. However, I cannot stress enough that you should always be confident with what you have and who you are, and not try to give wrong impressions.

I personally love designer belts and a pro tip that I could give you, would be to invest in double sided belts. Some designers brands, like Fendi and Valentino, have come up with double sided belts, that are classic and can be combined with a multitude of outfits. If you have plans of buying a designer belt, I would advise you consider investing in a double sided designer belt. That way, with one expense you have two belts to alternate with our outfits and make the most out of your investment.

Add a scarf

A scarf would also be a much affordable way to add a luxury brand name on your outfit. It is a smart investment, since it can be very versatile. You can wear it on your neck, but also incorporate it in your outfit in smarter ways. For instance, you can wear them on your hair, wear them as a belt, wrap them around the top handle of your bag, or even find inventive ways to wear them as tops, as it has been trending recently.

Add touch of gold

Gold color is closely linked with opulence, therefore, a touch of gold, will instantly make your outfit look more expensive. There are endless options on adding gold from jewelry, to watches and hair accessories.

If you want to buy jewelry, I could not recommend enough Aurate New York, which is an ethical brand that produces sustainable jewelry in very affordable prices, offering real gold as well as more affordable alternatives.

A nice watch, always makes you look more sophisticated. You can go gold all the way, however, a personal favorite are leather band watches with small golden elements.

Sunglasses:

Finally, another element that is often overlooked, but makes a huge difference in your outfit are sunglasses. A good pair of sunglasses makes you look put together and more expensive. About glasses, you should do your research and find a pair that compliments your physical characteristics, and this will make a huge difference in your everyday outfits.

What is more, since, by doctors’ orders, in order to be safe, we usually spend a lot on our glasses, a smart choice would be, if your budget allows, to consider buying into a designer brand, since glasses tend to belong on the less pricey end of designer products. Some brands have classic designs that have the potential to stay with you for years.

Pointy shoes:

Another element that is often overlooked is shoes. You should always take good care of your shoes, since clean shoes and well - kept shoes make us look more presentable. Shoes can completely change the outfit and its character. A tip that I have learned, is that pointy shoes always look more expensive.

high end shoes:

more affordable shoes

The bag:

In the spirit of making smart shopping choices, I think that if there was one think that you should consider investing in, when aiming for a more expensive looking outfit is a bag. A good quality bag is the key element in every look. Designer bags are a commodity that never loses its value and there are some bags that even gain more value when sold second hand. So, to some people luxurious designer bags are always a good investment. In my personal opinion, when someone is considering an investment when it comes to fashion, a designer bag would be the best choice. There are some classics out there, with which you can never go wrong, such as a Louis Vuitton … or a

However, not everyone can, and not everyone should, if this doesn’t fit their personal style and lifestyle aim towards such expensive choices. There are some other high end brands that produce great quality pieces like ….

Finally, while expensive designer bags, always elevate a high street outfit and instantly make it look more expensive, that doesn’t mean that you cannot achieve the same result with a high street choice. When choosing a bag from high street brands, you should pay attention to the materials and the details. When it comes to vegan materials, vegan suede, always looks more expensive than vegan leather. Also, when it comes to the quality, make sure that if there are any visible seams they should be straight and meticulous. Finally, bags with chain straps are always more expensive looking than bags with leather straps. Here are a few discoveries I have made recently.

When it comes to the style of the bag, more structured bags are better for day looks and workwear. When it comes to night looks and casual wear, I would recommend crossbody bags with gold chains.

4. Take good care of your clothes

Another important factor is taking care of your clothes. If you do not pay attention to the care of your clothes, they might end up being damaged. Discolorations, creases and slight tears, give away the sense that the outfit is cheaper, even if your garments are expensive. It is important, therefore, to always check the tabs on the clothes and follow the instructions indicated there, in order to keep your garments longer in your wardrobe and enjoy them more.

Especially cashmere and wool need special treatment. There are specialized products to take care of your knit garments, such as those listed below. A hack that I discovered recently, when I was out of the special products, is that you can wash cashmere and wool garments with hair shampoo, since it is actually hair!

5. Ironing is key

People often overlook the importance of ironing or steaming clothes, but it is actually a key factor in elevating your outfit and making you look more presentable and sophisticated. It is the details that make you stand out and look meticulous, and a well ironed or steamed garment always looks better fitting and more expensive.

6. Fitting is key

If you want to look more put together you should always make sure that the garments you buy are well fitted. My advice would be to find a local tailor around your neighborhood, that you trust, and take there all the garments that need tailoring, in order to adjust them to your silhouette. It makes a huge difference to wear garments that are well fitted. If the garments you wear are ill fitting, it automatically gives a bad impression. On the other hand, if the clothes fit your silhouette your outfit looks tailor – made, and looks more elegant and expensive.

7. Beauty

Last but not least, to achieve an expensive look, we must not neglect the beauty aspect. It is very important that we look put together. Your nails should always be taken care of, and you should also pay attention to your makeup. In order to look more expensive, less is more, so I would advise you to go for natural look, accentuating your natural beauty. As for the hair, choose a haircut that compliments your characteristics and gives you confidence.

Perfume

The final touch that makes a lot of difference is the scent. Wearing your favorite perfume is a little touch, that will give you confidence. If you smell nice, you feel nice. Try to find your signature scent, a scent that you enjoy and makes you happy, and it will definitely boost your confidence and add to your outfit.

Things to avoid

Having pointed some things that you should do, in order to look more expensive, here are some things that you should avoid:

- ripped garments.

Although ripped jeans are a trend, if you want to present a more expensive impression you should avoid this type of pants, since they give out a more laid back feeling.

- ill-fitting garments.

- avoid synthetic materials, since they look cheaper

- avoid wearing logos all over, because a screaming designer outfit may be pricey, but it doesn’t look elegant and luxurious.

Last but not least, you should always be confident, this is the key ingredient in presenting yourself as more powerful. Finally, my advice and the point of this article would be that our aim should be to be confident in our own skin. It is not the clothes that make you shine, but your personality. Clothing might give the first impression, but it is actually through our personality that we will stand out. So a rich personality, and a cultivated character are always more valuable than any outfit!

I wish you the best.

Do you have any tips for elegant clothing? I would be happy do discuss it with you. You can contact me here or find me on Instagram for more tips.

CHERRY BLOSSOM IN PARIS

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