Pieces that trick people into thinking you're rich

[PaintingOwls]

Sorry about the wanky title, I don't quite know how to put this!

I have a friend who always looks very expensive and put together but whenever I ask where her clothes are from she will say Zara, Primark, etc. She says she gives off the vibe that her clothes are expensive because she has a few statement pieces that set the tone, so Ted Baker coat, Longchamp bag, Kate Spade purse. People see those and assume everything else is of the same caliber.

The only expensive thing I own is a Hobbs trench coat which I only bought because it was the perfect shade of beige. I have a black Harrods bag that I bought on sale to have a smart interview bag. I've been trying to use it more but it is a bit incongruous with the rest of what I wear.

I have noticed that when I wear the Hobbs coat people are more polite towards me, hold doors open, smile, move out of the way for me, men help me with luggage on trains... When I wear my denim or leather Primark jacket I get ignored and people barge past me.

Has anyone noticed anything similar?

I realize this isn't an exact science but if I was to buy a thing or two to help set the tone, as my friend says, what would that be?

[Isthebigwomanhere]

I always look a mess but DH says for men , people only notice does,wallet and watch

[fancynancyclancy]

I think good quality shoes.

Having said that someone people have the ability to make a £10 dress look £1000 & the reverse is also true.

[fancynancyclancy]

some not someone

[MoltonSilver]

Grooming and posture are the key.

[magpie24]

I think grooming is the key too. Well-cut hair, neat and tidy nails and simple but well-done make-up. A nice watch, decent leather shoes and a smart bag also help.

[VanillaCoconutDove]

Yes, it’s more about how a person carries themself. Natural, good quality fabrics help. Being groomed (or deliberately ungroomed if you’d better fit the country Lord/Lady of the manor style) posture and walking as if you own the room.

[Bluntness100]

I don't think it's about the clothes. It's the way you carry yourself, your grooming, your general confidence and demeanour.

I think we have all met women from wealthy backgrounds who may be wearing a primark coat or unidentifiable jeans, but still they look like they come from money. Because of the way they carry themselves, their grooming, the whole thing.

I'm sorry I don't think a handbag or a pair of shoes is what it's about. It's more than that.

[RuffleCrow]

My diamond tiara

[troppibambini]

For my birthday or Christmas I ask for one thing or money to put towards one beautiful thing.

I'm also fortunate that I used to work as personal shopper in a very high end independent shop (similar stock to Harvey nicks and Selfridges) so I used to get a certain amount of free designer clothes and also a decent staff discount. I bought classic and still have a lot of them.

I have a nice watch (Cartier) and some nice jewellery which people always notice when I wear it.

My thing is shoes so I spend a lot on them but only if I will get my wear out of them. I'm a sahm so I wear flats and trainers a lot so I buy nice ones. I maybe wearing an outfit from h and m but with a nice pair of shoes it brings the outfit up.

[PaintingOwls]

troppibambini

I don't suppose you could still get that staff discount?

[fancynancyclancy]

Thinking about it more, for me it’s a certain kind of elegance.
Plenty of well groomed wealthy women who look rich but not necessarily nice imo, real housewives anyone?

[HundredMilesAnHour]

Ted Baker coat, Longchamp bag, Kate Spade purse

I'm sorry OP but none of these scream rich or aspirational to me. These are "the statement pieces"? Not much of a statement I'm afraid. Sorry if that sounds bitchy but I can't think of a nicer way to write it!

As others have already said, a lot is down to confidence and posture. Confidence and posture trump expensive accessories/clothes although these can make something of a difference to those who are relatively easily impressed. If you think you need the help to boost your confidence, look at good quality shoes and bags, and choose clothes that actually fit you (and/or have them tailored to fit) in good quality fabrics.

[managedmis]

There was a great thread about this a while ago, let me see if I can find it

[managedmis]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2537782-How-to-look-expensive

[GeorgeTheBleeder]

Hmm ... I care a ridiculous amount about what I wear (and love extravagance in cut and fabric,) but your asking that question has made me realise I’m not at all interested in looking rich.

I want people to recognise my inestimable brilliance - and probably hope that can be conveyed partly through how I dress, but mostly through what I say and what I actually do. Certainly the people I most want to interact with care far more about what’s in my head than what’s in my bank account ...

[Nousernameforme]

We needs lists and directions here people what shoes? What exactly is well groomed?

[Whoopstheregomyinsides]

I think that was a bit rude about the OP’s examples. I get what she’s driving at. Almost what’s worth spending on
I look cheap always but “feel” better when I wear my nicer things. But I never know which things should be the nicer ones! Shoes I think are one but then struggle to find comfy ones ! Maybe comfy shoes is why I look shit!

[troppibambini]

Paintingowls I wish
I used to have a pretty glam life!! Event organising was also part of my job which was so much fun.Four kids later and a sahm now so Sainsburys is about as glamorous as I get!!

[OrdinarySnowflake]

I agree those are probably not "statement" pieces as such, but probably look better quality (if not instantly identifiable) than the cheaper end of high street, particularly after a few uses. This is something I have noticed, the posher stuff continues to look good after a lot of use, whereas cheap stuff can start off looking pretty comparable, but quickly looks bad. If you are buying the cheaper end of the high street, and want to look fancier, you'll need to replace regularly.

Posture does do a lot of good. Looking groomed without slipping into towie territory does a lot as well. Plus confidence. Confidence does make such a difference!

[PaintingOwls]

HundredMilesAnHour

Ted Baker coat, Longchamp bag, Kate Spade purse

I'm sorry OP but none of these scream rich or aspirational to me. These are "the statement pieces"? Not much of a statement I'm afraid. Sorry if that sounds bitchy but I can't think of a nicer way to write it!

Look, they're expensive to me to a few hundred quid a pop. I don't know anyone who owns Chanel or whatever, people who can afford proper high-end stuff wouldn't hang out with riff-raff like me.

managedmis

Thanks, I shall make a tea and have a read, it looks fairly long...

GeorgeTheBleeder

I don't know how to say what I was trying to say and rich seemed like a convenient, albeit awkward, shortcut. I'm not interested in expressing my personality through my clothes so much these days, I went through a heavy phrase in college/uni where every piece of clothing was MY PERSONALITY. These days I want to look nice and be treated well.

Nousernameforme

We needs lists and directions here people what shoes? What exactly is well groomed?

Haha I agree, I need direction!

Well-groomed I presume is hair, skin and nails. Although I have curly, frizzy, unruly hair which makes this step tricky for me.

[pinkcardi]

Personally I think:

• natural fabrics at all times, never ever polyester. I think suede is an easy way to look expensive
• generally well groomed
• clothes ironed and well kept
• stick to a similar pallet of neutrals and accentuate with brighter colours when required
• sale shopping in expensive shops for bargain classics that you will wear again and again.
• try to plan your outfit the night before. I have limited time in the morning so I check the weather the night before and roughly decide on what I will wear. Rushed mornings usually end with bad clothes decisions
• one or two items of interesting yet not garish jewellery can lift a boring item into interesting.

My most commented on pieces/looks are often high end bargains.

[PaintingOwls]

OrdinarySnowflake

This is something I have noticed, the posher stuff continues to look good after a lot of use, whereas cheap stuff can start off looking pretty comparable, but quickly looks bad.

Absolutely - my Primark t-shirts bobble horribly after a couple of washes and look hideous, even if they did start off life looking quite nice with a pair of jeans and brogues.

My Hobbs coat is a couple years old now but still looks crisp and lovely and I still get compliments for it.

[pinkcardi]

Well groomed:

• hair clean and tidy, conditioned and some sort of style. Frizzy is fine/unavoidable. Hair oil is fantastic
• nails clean and tidy
• shoes tidy and in some way coordinated with outfit
• ironed. I iron jumpers. Creases look messy
• if you're going to wear a jersey dress wear a slip underneath to smooth out any lumps/bumps. Generally never underestimate the power of a slip and well fitted underwear.
• on this theme: no bra bulge, VPL, visible bra straps

[Ellapaella]

A lot of 'high end' brands these days seem to use the same cheap fabrics as high end stores so I don't agree that expensive =quality. To get excellent clothes these days that use top quality fabric which are well cut I expect you'd have to spend serious money. I would never be able to afford really expensive designer clothes.
Where I live lots of people use clothing alterations shops to get things adjusted for the perfect fit. I've started doing that more and more which definitely helps.
Totally agree with those who mention posture and confidence. Also subtle details such as nice jewellery, decent shoes, nice hair - all the attention to small detail make such a difference.

[Handsoffmysweets]

It’s all to do with cut, confidence, posture and being well groomed imo. Some of the tackiest people I know own £1k + handbags. A certain footballers wife also springs to mind. She can wear a £10k outfit and make it look like it came off a market stall.