How To Make Any Outfit Look Expensive

There are many ways to make your outfits look expensive, regardless of your budget. I put together some tips that I, as a Stylist, have learned and apply to my personal style and creative styling work.

Invest In Good Quality Basics and Classics

It’s important to start with the foundation of your outfits. I recommend investing in: good fitting underwear and bras (including seamless), a slip for underneath dresses, a classic little black dress, white shirt, blazer (will make a casual outfit look more expensive), tailored pants, coat, jeans (without holes), knitwear (so it can stand many washes), leather pants, leather jacket or other styles that you know you wear often and are versatile. These are items you can create many outfits with and will never go out of fashion, therefore you can wear them for years.

The Fit

The best way to make your clothing look more expensive is to ensure the items fit you well. If you need to, get your clothing tailored. For example a suit, jacket, blazer, pants or dress are great items to get tailored. Fitted clothing doesn’t mean it has to be tight. You can still wear oversized clothing, just make sure your outfit is balanced. If you wear looser pants, pair them with a more fitted top and vice versa. If both pieces are oversized, like a knit and skirt, cinch them in at the waist so you retain shape.

One Focal Point

Pick one focal point for your outfit, for example a handbag or dress and style the rest of your outfit to compliment it rather than compete with it. Having one focal point ensures that your outfit isn’t too busy and ensures that you look put together and classy.

Pinterest Boards

I recommend looking at Pinterest for inspiration, pin your favourite looks to a board for reference. You can search your favourite luxury brands and use the images as inspiration. I wrote a blog post on how I use Pinterest to style looks and create my wardrobe, I’ve linked it here.

Confidence

Always wear outfits that make you feel confident, don’t let the clothes wear you. The best way to feel more confident in a look that’s new for you is to wear it around the house and take photos in it to determine the best way to style the outfit so it’s ready to go when you want to wear it out. Also, learn to choose clothing that looks expensive, even if it isn’t. For example, neutral tones and classic shapes will always look expensive. Also clothing that is easy to look after/maintain is a great idea so you don’t always have to dry clean and ensures that you get the wear out of the pieces.

Colours & Shapes

Find the colours that suit you and your skin tone. Personally as I’m fair I predominantly wear white, off-white, black, grey and blue. The best way to figure out what suits you is to put colours against your skin tone, if it washes you out, it probably isn’t right. In saying this, don’t be afraid to wear colours in accessories if you don’t think a whole piece of clothing would suit you. Monotonal looks are always classic! Stick to neutrals or pastel colours, I would recommend staying away from bright colours if you want to look expensive. Colours like white, black, brown, beige, khaki, white, off-white, grey are best.

Find the shapes that suit your body and make you feel comfortable. For example, if you would like to highlight your legs, you can wear something shorter or tighter but balance this out with a looser fitting top or something more covered. You can show some skin but I always like to do this strategically to keep it classy. Body parts that I personally like to highlight include legs, shoulders and back, these are still considered sexy but are classy in my opinion.

Accessories & Shoes

Personally I like to invest in luxury and high-end accessories like belts, handbags, jewellery and shoes as they can be paired with many outfits without seeming repetitive. They also won’t wear as quickly as long as you look after them.

For jewellery, dainty jewellery that you can layer or one statement piece will look expensive. Belts are great to create shape and give you a waist, it’s also a great avenue into luxury brands. If you can’t invest in luxury, an affordable structured bag is a great option, I would recommend one that isn’t too trendy so that it will last through seasons and years.

Vintage accessories are great if you don’t have the budget for new, especially after the recent price increases for handbags, but make sure they’re in good condition. With your clothing, you can always change the buttons on your cardigans or blazers to make it look more high-end. Feel free to get creative.

Matching

Matching the colour of your accessories or hardware will make your outfit look expensive and put together. Similarly with your shoes, handbag or sunglasses, it will tie in your look.

Important Note

I want to mention, please make sure that you don’t go into debt buying luxury or high-end items, it’s not worth it. Look for cheaper alternatives that have elements that look expensive. This is where your Pinterest boards come in handy!

Grooming

Always make sure you’re well groomed – personally I enjoy doing my hair and makeup but make sure you’re presentable, invest an extra few minutes into your beauty routine. Your outfit can look immaculate but if you look scruffy you won’t look expensive.

Ironing/Steaming

Make sure your clothing is always ironed or steamed, this way your outfit will have maximum impact. Also, get rid of the lint from your clothes to keep them looking fresh and new.

I hope these tips were helpful! Let me know if you have any others xx