Here’s the truth: you don’t have to break the bank to build a quality wardrobe and expensive looking outfits. In fact, all it takes is knowing and applying the basic rules and secrets to creating a stylish and sophisticated appearance. With these tips in mind, you can achieve a high-end aesthetic without spending a fortune. So, here are some key tips to help you master the art of dressing well on a budget:
Pay Attention to Fit
This is probably the most important secret to when it comes to crafting expensive looking outfits. No matter how much you spend on your clothes, ill-fitting garments can ruin your entire look.
While many styles today include baggy and oversized pieces, there’s a fine line in design that can make an outfit look too frumpy and cheap. Clothing can still meet the trends and be baggy or oversized while still maintaining intentional structure and appealing fit. Opt for pieces that flatter and are made for your unique body shape, whether you’re short, tall, pear-shaped, or apple-shaped. You can even have your clothes tailored to your body for a more customized fit.
Pieces that fit you well will create subtle but impactful changes to the appearance of your outfit. A well-fitted outfit can instantly elevate your style and give the impression of a higher price tag!
Check out the significant impact that this subtle alteration makes on the model. The altered pants on the right are tailored to her unique dimensions, giving off a more expensive appearance and flattering her body type.
Expensive Looking Colors
We’ve all heard the saying, “money screams; wealth whispers.” When it comes to expensive looking outfits, one tip to implement for a wealthy appearance is to avoid loud colors and busy patterns. Of course, these are by no means steadfast rules, as personal style is subjective and diverse.
Photo: LightinTheBox
Here’s an example of loud colors paired with distracting prints. Compare this outfit to those below.
However, the concept of embracing subtlety and sophistication often serves as a guiding principle in achieving an expensive and refined look. Opting for timeless, neutral hues and understated patterns can exude an air of timeless elegance. Thus, allowing your outfit to convey a sense of luxury through its sheer understatement.
Neutral colors like black, white, gray, beige, and navy, and browns are the perfect hues for expensive looking outfits. These are the colors we often see in chic and luxury fashion catalogs. Take Ralph Lauren for example, the brand known for their preppy, old-money style.
PHOTO: VOGUE
PHOTO: Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren’s ‘Tabatha’ jersey dress. Notice the flattering fit of the tailored design too!
PHOTO: VOGUE
These sophisticated tones are key to effortlessly chic and elevated looks. They create the versatile staples that can easily be mixed and matched, allowing you to easily create cohesive and polished ensembles. By choosing understated hues, they create a canvas that highlights the impeccable quality of their clothing and the careful attention to detail.
It doesn’t matter how much you spend on your clothes, colors, prints, and the combination of the two, can significantly impact your overall appearance. Prints and bold colors have their place, but the wrong ones often lack the timeless appeal and refined elegance that expensive looking outfits exude.
Take it a step further by going for a monochromatic look. Monochromatic outfits always have a way of standing out as effortlessly chic and luxurious.
PHOTOS: MIRRACH FASHION, Fabiana Cristina, Pinterest
The Best Fabrics for Expensive Looking Outfits
When it comes to creating expensive looking outfits, selecting the right fabric types can be an overlooked but important aspect. The fabric you choose can significantly impact the overall appearance and quality of your outfits. Here are some fabric types known for their luxurious and high-end appeal:
Cashmere
Cashmere is a premium and indulgent fabric known for its exceptional softness and warmth. It is lightweight, yet insulating, making it perfect for sweaters, cardigans, and scarves. Wearing cashmere instantly elevates your style and exudes luxury. Look chic while completely comfortable.
PHOTO: ALLUDE VIA NET-A-PORTER
Linen
While linen is often associated with casual wear, it can also be a great choice for achieving an expensive look. High-quality linen has a refined, textured appearance and offers excellent breathability, making it perfect for tailored shirts, dresses, or trousers.
PHOTO: Posse
Leather
Genuine leather garments exude a sense of luxury and durability. Leather jackets, pants, and accessories like handbags or shoes can instantly elevate your outfit, providing a chic and edgy vibe.
PHOTO: Saint Laurent
Wool
High-quality wool fabrics, such as merino wool or alpaca, can lend a luxurious look and feel to your outfits. Wool has excellent drape, breathability, and insulation properties. Invest in tailored wool suits, coats, and skirts for a timeless and expensive appearance.
PHOTO: Khaite
While clothing pieces of these fabrics can be expensive, you can easily find them on sale in stores or for sale online, as well as in resale shops. Here are a few stunning pieces for expensive looking outfits that are made from these fabrics:
Master The Art of Layering
Layering adds depth and dimension to your outfits. Experiment with different combinations of tops, jackets, cardigans, and scarves to create a sophisticated and multi-dimensional look. Mix textures and patterns while keeping the color palette cohesive.
An easy way to learn how to layer well is to take inspiration from catalogs such as Ralph Lauren and Gucci. These luxury brands are known for their knack for layering. From combining textures to even mixing prints, they showcase the art of layering in a sophisticated and polished manner. By studying their catalogs and paying attention to the styling techniques they employ, you can gain valuable insights and ideas for your own layered outfits!
PHOTO: Pinterest/Unknown
Accessorizing for expensive looking outfits
Accessories have the power to transform an outfit. Invest in a few key accessories like a classic watch, a quality leather belt, and a structured handbag. These timeless pieces can elevate any outfit and make it look more expensive.
When it comes to shoes, try to invest in a versatile pair. I love to study the fashion choices of both the wealthy and the French. Both of these groups are known for their practical, effortlessly chic style.
If you examine their footwear choices, you’ll find that stilettos and other high heels are not a common wardrobe item. Instead, they opt for stylish shoes that are comfortable, practical, and versatile. If and when they wear heels, a short pump is perfect for daily wear, while higher heels are reserved for special occasions.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
I’m definitely one of those girls who would rather save a little cash and buy a cheaper knock-off version of something that I like. But the truth is, it’s better to have a few well-made, durable pieces than a closet filled with cheap clothing. Quality garments not only last longer but also tend to look more polished and expensive.
@teachingmensfashion/youtube
I’ve found that it’s better to invest in a higher-quality piece that I will truly enjoy and wear. When I choose to settle for something similar but cheap, I often regret my decision and end up spending more money than the original would have cost me just trying to find a “cheaper” dupe.
Focus on building a capsule wardrobe of versatile, durable, and quality pieces. A closet like that will always outlast trends and cheap products. One of the best ways to do this on a budget it by looking for sales, second-hand stores, or online platforms where you can find high-quality items at more affordable prices.
Unlock Affordable Elegance/Let your style reflect who you are
Achieving those coveted expensive looking outfits doesn’t have to come at a high cost. By mastering some key fashion principles and making thoughtful choices, you can elevate your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Paying attention to fit, opting for timeless and subtle colors, choosing quality fabrics, and mastering the art of layering are all essential steps on your style journey. And remember–it’s not about the quantity of clothing you own but the quality of each piece.
And of course, in the end, we always want to remind you to be you who are and wear what you want, when you want. Fashion isn’t a one-size fits all approach and it’s not something to be confined to a set or rules.
Your style is a reflection of who you are and who you want to be, no one else. Never feel like you have to change the way you dress or your fashion taste, whether it be to fit in, feel accepted, or be beautiful. You are beautiful, loved, and worthy just the way you are. Your style has–and never will have–anything to do with it. So be who YOU are. Never feel the need to be anything different. <3
