what makes you look expensive or well put together ?

[thriftychic]

in the spring and summer ?

i seem to look ok ( well i hope ) in autumn and winter since i started buying less and better quality. i now have a couple of cashmere jumpers and good boots from john lewis which is an improvement ! and a nice coat.

i am struggling for spring and summer , i think because i need lighter colours which im not over keen on and because we wear less (sometimes !) so my layering and colour coordinating go out the window !

what should i look for and buy to seem well put together in a casualish sort of way ?

what do you think makes people look expensive and well...just great really ?

[freddiemisagreatshag]

No idea but marking place.

Although I think I'm the opposite - I do floaty dresses with nice sandals and cardi's in the summer and think I look better than when I'm in my not very well fitting jeans and horrible big fleeces in the winter

[novelsituation]

Natural fibres
Pedicured feet in stylish sandals
Well-cut jacket and trousers
Print dresses

[polyhymnia]

I think whether print dresses look expensive/classy depends very much on the print. Some prints - such as those seen in most Per Una stuff and some, though not all, Boden - look so garish they could have come from a market stall.

[thriftychic]

novel , sounds like a plan but do you have any idea where i might find this kind of thing ?

[ujjayi]

Skin in tip-top condition and perfectly maintained pedicure.

Yy to natural fibres.

[thriftychic]

my feet are my worst feature , not sure if theres any hope there !

[MarshaBrady]

Clothes that fit.

Natural fibre too.

[foxysocks]

well fitting clothes that are , not too tight, made of natural fibres

also key is comfortable but nice footwear. for some it's birkenstocks, others havianas, other canvas pumps like converse or superga, some are fine in heels. find out what fits you well and what you can walk in easily. hot or uncomfortable feet ruin how you feel, your posture and how you walk

[Viviennemary]

I'm looking with interest too. It's just so hit and miss. I've bought a couple of things lately from M & S but I haven't worn them and don't like them much really. It just seems to be luck when I've got something that really suits me and looks good on. In the dim and distant past I've had a few things from Laura Ashley that have looked good but I haven't bought any clothes from there for donkeys years.

[novelsituation]

Natural fibres are increasingly hard to find on the high street without a hunt. Hobbs, Whistles, Jigsaw are good bets, but even here you need to check the labels. I love the cut of Whistles trousers and jackets and Jigsaw jackets.

Yy obviously you need to be careful with your print. Wouldn't go for Boden, Per Una , White Stuff. Would run a mile from any print that looks like it could appear on clothing for ten year olds. I like a lot of the prints in Whistles and some in Jigsaw and Mint Velvet. Mid-range independent boutiques can throw up wardrobe gems - stockists of Avoca Anthology, Fever, Inwear etc. The clothes cost approximately the same or cheaper as high end High Street. I've had some brilliant prints from Anthropologie.

Like you op I buy less, but better quality.

I buy a great leather bag every three years or so. Bought an ink Alexa three years ago which I have worn to death (works out very low cost-per-wear). I'm on the look-out for a new bag this year.

[faustina]

well put together in a casualish way for Spring Summer? i would say good shoes/sandals, good bag, and a good soft tailoring jacket - Whistles did one last summer (called Lena I think) in several different colours. i think they're doing it again this year. Oh and a good belt!

[crazycrush]

IMO not to forget the glossy hair

[pixi2]

My Muubaa leather jacket.

[crazycrush]

I think it isn't necessary to wear lighter colours in summer? Black all the way if you like it.

[StephaniePowers]

Good tights, no bare legs with fake tan.

Good cotton or linen swathey scarf, not viscose or polyester.

[PretzelTime]

What sort of tights do you wear in summer? If it's a reasonably warm day, I generally find them too sweaty.

[coraltoes]

Nice jackets, good bag, great sunglasses.

What shoes are you wearing? Bloch do great peeptoe flats, get your toes done too.

Trousers, i go for cotton, J crew do great short trousers, kooples too...oh and theory. Look great with a vest top, or a three quarter length sleeved jumper (cotton).

Layer vest tops from Hush, wear with some great jeans and flat sandals ancient Greek had amazing ones last year.

For work i wear well fitted shift dresses, bright heels (or nude), avoid shapeless cardigans. Zara have amazing jackets all the time to add some warmth seeing as summer is rarely hot here!

[coraltoes]

Agree fine to wear dark colours too. Can go lighter with your bag/scarf/jacket/shoes if that makes you happier.

[Hopefully]

Not too much linen! It looks crumpled and scruffy so quickly. Works well in mixes with other fabrics.

Don't feel you have to go all wafty and floaty if it doesn't suit you. I stick to nautical but tailored looks, and slim fitting maxi dresses.

Scarves (cashmere/silk mix, linen or other natural fibres) always lift an outfit. In fact, accessories generally, since you can't rely on layers to add interest.

Pedicure. Even if you have ugly feet, the chances are they'll be on display at some point during the summer.

[thriftychic]

thanks for all the advice , there looks to be some nice things in whistles , im bearing it all in mind for a more stylish new me !

[prettyanddainty]

stephaniepowers what tights do you wear in the summer?

[scottishmummy]

Good bag,accessories,decent hair cut and colour
nice sandals (when weather better)
Wide leg linen trousers

[StephaniePowers]

In spring - in summer I don't!
I hate that chicken-skin-in-Ruskoline look on bare legs on a cold spring day

[MrsDoomsPatterson]

A good cut (& colour if it suits to have one)
good sunglasses
a good bag
nice simple jewellery
mani/pedi or buffed nails
great skin

[practicality]

Long black/navy maxi dress. Jersey one with a good weight and no poofage under the bust. Cropped cashmere Cardigan in neutral tones for chillier days or a tie front Cardigan that is cropped. Tan leather/suede bag and sandals. Silver/bronze sandals and matching bangles.
Red lipstick and good sunglasses.

Breton and wide leg trousers worn with wedges or plimsolls.