How do some woman manage to look like they're really wealthy?

[Whatisthepointoffriendships]

When they're not? I'm fascinated.

My friend is like it; they don't have much money and she wears very simple outfits and doesn't buy many clothes but she always looks amazing.

Anyone else know anyone like it?

[curlyLJ]

Haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if this has been said already, but I always remember something that a HoC consultant said to me when I had my colours done in the late 90s...

She asked if I had ever wondered why some of the most glamourous models can sometimes look like they are wearing something cheap, when in fact it they are wearing something very expensive. Her reasoning was that the correct colours and in particular your best ones, will look more expensive on you. eg, if you are not a 'winter' then black doesn't necessarily do you any favours, no matter how much you have spent on the outfit.

I always remember her telling me that black is OK for me, but navy and indigo will always look more expensive on - and from past experience and comments i've received, this appears to be true. I guess it is the whole look too though, so the style itself needs to suit you and 'correct' make up and accessories also play a part...

[Beaverfeaver]

Viviennemary -I can't remember the more unusual places, a lot of it is catalogue buys from White Company (really lovely thick grey coat), Celtic & Co for cashmere items,Isabella Oliver for some dresses,Issa dresses, Peruvian connection to name a few examples.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

practicality tan only works if one can wear tan. I can't and neither can other summers.

[ToastedTeacakes]

Yes yes, I think that I am a light summer and I look like a faded cat turd whenever I try to wear tan or beige. Cooler tones are passable, like my tench coat, but that's about it. Lilac suits me best, which is nice....but not incredibly versatile.

[cerealqueen]

I think classics make you look classy, which is different to wealthy, (just look at TOWIE!) a trench, a peacoat, LBD etc. in good colours eg navy, camel.

I also think it is good to know your own style but not slavishly follow fashion.

[practicality]

You can wear a tan bag or shoes no matter what your season is. The other clothes- I suggest finding your neutral. Winters have blacks and navy. Bright springs have black as well s their version of navy. Summers have their navy/taupe too. Autumns can do the camel etc.

[Gingerandhibiscus]

I must check out wendy's look book. is that a blog or a site?

[cleangreens]

I dislike tan intensely not sure why.

Toasted the images on your tumblr/blog are absolutely gorgeous - I could gaze at photos like that all day and just dream of living in that life!

[marriedinwhiteagain]

You can't wear tan whatever colour you are wearing because it quite simply does not "go" with blues, pinks, damsons, teals or the colours that I can wear as a "hotter" summer than toasted. I can get away with black if I wear it with a colour underneath but am better in navy, indigo, etc. I can get away with brown but it has to be a pinky brown and the same for beige too - both have to have a pinkish/coral type scarf or top underneath.

My accessories tend to be black/navy/cream/shades of pink and for shoes pewtery shades if I need something neutral. Heathery shades work for me too and plums/purples so darker versions I imagine than Toasted needs.

Best colours for me are emerald, turquoise, heathers, soft blues and dusty pinks although I can do quite deep pink. Have some fab purple pumps from Gabor which have been a staple all winter.

[Gingerandhibiscus]

I could do a tan bag, but not tan shoes. Problem with tan shoes is that unless you have tan trousers as well, and that might be a little too much tan, then you're missig the opportunity to elongate the leg! so I'd stick to navy trousers and navy shoes, or black trousers and black shoes. I prefer navy to tan or beige or ecru or stone or any of those lifeless colours that look good in a magazine, but not on most women.

[Viviennemary]

Thanks Beaverfeaver. I'll have a look at those.

[libertychick]

For me it seems to come down to hair and sleep. When I am well rested and have done my hair I get loads of compliments. My hair is frizz prone so if it's not 'done' it looks terrible and no matter how well dressed I am the frizz just completely ruins the look.

I agree that good teeth help a lot - not bleached, but clean and straight. I would borrow if necessary to make sure my DD had the treatment needed to have straight teeth.

[AmberNectarine]

I'm a winter, but I carry any colour bag - I've got to draw the line somewhere. Possess no tan bags though, because as a colour I just find it singularly boring, probably why I never look classy ;)

[HappyGirlNow]

I've never had my colours done but I tend to look good in cream and navy - does anyone know what season I am and what other colours I should stick to?

[Fuckitthatlldo]

For me it's about looking understated and crisp. So...

Quality clothes in natural fabrics that fit you well (don't need to necessarily spend a fortune, just shop wisely).

Everything clean, ironed, and in a good state of repair.

No obvious and unnatural looking hair dye, make-up, fake tan e.t.c.

Just one or two pieces of good jewellery, as opposed to many pieces of bling or costume.

It's about good taste and good grooming I think. Any woman can stick to the guidelines above and look, not necessarily stinking rich, but chic, smart, and "classy" for want of a better word.

I also think personally that you can get away with things such as having less than perfect teeth if you look like you take decent care of yourself and you dress well.

On the other hand we all know of women who have pots of money and majorly lucked out in the genetic lottery but still manage to look dreadful. I don't mean to sound unsisterly but... Tulisa. Awful. Just awful. I honestly don't know how she does it. She could make vintage Chanel look like Primark seconds. I can hardly bear to look at her at times. And she's gorgeous as well!

[HollaAtMeBaby]

I can do the wealthy look if I want to (little silk top, cashmere sweater/cardigan, nice narrow jeans, ballet pumps, sunglasses perched in swishy hair, expensive bag, fake diamond stud earrings), but I feel so boring dressed that way! Maybe I will do it when I'm older.

Good bags and coats are important and given how much I wear a coat, I decided to fork out for Maxmara. Have worn it at east 5 days a week x 20 weeks of year x 4 years so far, bringing cost per wear down to about £2, and it still looks new! Generally, however, I buy very cheap clothes (H&M/Zara sale rail) as long as the fabric is reasonable quality, and get them tailored to fit me. I have an amazing lady called Tam, based in central London: //www.twinsdrycleaners.co.uk - usually go straight to her from the shop and try everything on with the tags on, she tells me if she can make it work and if not I trot straight back to the shop for a refund!

Has anyone mentioned smoking? It looks really rough/common IMO and giving up will free up funds for wardrobe upgrades

[thriftychic]

toasted i love love love your blog , its everything i adore

[TheYoniOfYawn]

Tailoring sale clothes is a fantastic idea. Roughly how much does it cost?

[HollaAtMeBaby]

Depends how much work is involved but I usually pay £8-12 per item. Sometimes the tailoring costs more than the garment! But it still works out very cheap :)

[Gingerandhibiscus]

holla, amy tailer is very good..

[Gingerandhibiscus]

i meant say AGREE. having a good tailer is great. ive also occasionally spent more on tailering than on clothing. i dont buy that much in charity shops because i cant decide if i want it hecause its good value or if i need it / actually like it.

[SplatPancake]

I think good posture can really enhance the effect of looking wealthy/chic however you want to describe it. Nobody looks good schlumping along, all round shouldered, no matter what they're wearing

[AvrilPoisson]

I agree with tailoring items to fit perfectly (as someone 5'0"!).
I have bought things for peanuts from the clearance in TKMaxx for example, had them tailored for another £12/15, then they look very expensive, but still cost around £20. (e.g. silk Ralph Lauren jacket).

[Curtsey]

Coming late to this.

Some thoughts/musings.

1. Toasted - is all I can say. You are gorgeous, your apartment is gorgeous, and your style is just spot on. Can I please be you?
   

1. I don't think anyone should ever want to look 'wealthy'. I think what we mean when we say 'wealthy' is actually just 'groomed' and 'pulled together'. They're different things. Stylish friends of mine never look wealthy. They just look great, whatever their style is - classic or bohemian or minimalist. They've got all the details right (and they have good skin). They care, and think about it, and devote time to it. They make it look effortless but there's loads going on underneath the surface. And some of them are very wealthy, and some have very little money.
   

1. Another shortie here (about 5'2) with no boobs to speak of. I'm not opposed to buying things from Primark, but I have reached the age and stage (30 next birthday) where I must admit that I look shit in Primark. SHIT. But I don't necessarily look more groomed in expensive brands either. I am very much still working out my style. One thing I have recently realised is that crew necks/boat necks are my friend. The less skin on show at my neckline, the better. I think this is because the more I'm covered up on my top half, the taller and more 'streamlined' I look.
   

1. I've started to carry a hairbrush with me. I have fine flyaway hair and the second I step outside it goes ratty and tangled. If my hair is regularly brushed, I feel less of a mess and it stops me scraping it back into a studenty knot. Obviously, don't brush your hair in public, though - find a loo somewhere or do it in your car :)

[foxysocks]

I cannot imagine wanting or aiming to look wealthy, it has never crossed my mind. i wear what i love and what I think looks good.