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?

Noel that is the funniest thing I've read all day.

Ah thank you Amber

Having shoes maintained when neccessary and clothes beimg spruced up bia a dry clean amd change in buttpns etc

I think this comes down to focussing on style rather than fashion. Dressing tonally or in monochrome works well. The less is more approach. Lack of embellishment and clean cuts. Very little jewellery. The best quality materials in your best cuts. Modesty also -playing up one feature.

I think the following help -
Tan shoes- thong sandals, ballet pumps and small heel- all leather.
Tan leather shopper.
Tan/ black/ chestnut strap plain,discrete watch.
Black/Navy ballet pumps.
Riding style black/ brown boots.
Darkest indigo jeans,skinny,straight and narrow bootcut. Whatever combination works.
Cream/White blouse/shirt with a bit of stretch. One fitted, one slouchier.
Wide leg trousers,navy,black,camel or cream.
Breton.
Small silver/ gold hoops.
Black maxi dress. Column style.
Slouchy jumpers in colours like, navy, black and camel. Cashmere if you can stretch to it.
Fitted v- neck or scoop necks in neutral tones.
Fitted Cardigan in merino in your best neutral.
Maxi skirt, plain jersey.
Boat neck tops in White,black and navy. Long or 3/4 sleeve.
Cami vests for layering in similar tones.

Epic list! But hopefully helpful.
Re nails - subtle polish
Natural hair colour (or closest to it)

Jessepinkman One of the models????? Not a model by any stretch, dear god! I am in a few outfit pics in the 'me' section, but not remotely model-esque!
I'm rather small/short with no discernible norks though, and prefer to cut my head off the pics. :(

Thing is, I'm not a big fan of designer labels, and have struggled to get a decent wardrobe together through trial and error - and most of the errors were via brands like APC, Toast, etc. Money down the effing drain in my opinion. Of course the clothes are good quality, but they don't suit my figure, and it is so easy to get swept up in the maelstrom of marketing. Some of my favourite, best fitting items came from Next, Jaeger, Aubin&Wills, Warehouse, etc. And I think that fit is probably the most important element, really, it's at least up there in the top three (along with fabric quality, cut..). I bought quite a few APC items in 2011 and have since sold all but one. You live and learn.

I own very few things really, but strive to spend more on outerwear, shoes and bags because 'cheap' versions of these particular essentials are still quite expensive and have always let me down. However, I always feel that I make lovely things look crap!

Today I went to the city and visited Selfridges for the first time in 6 months. Was intrigued to check out the Isable Marant collection amongst other labels and came away a bit nonplussed. A sort of 'emperors new clothes' moment going on there. Nothing looked as good as it does online, after meticulous styling at places like NAP, Matches, etc. It all just seemed pretty lifeless and........not worth the insane price tags attached. Was particularly miffed by Acne, which seemed only a step up from Topshop, with sloppy knits and shapeless tees. In the end I bought a bottle of Kiehls fragrance and a broderie dress from GAP. And now I have to get the damn thing tailored to fit my non existent chest. Bah.

Isabel not isable.

santamarianovella Thanks. Do you mean the check patterned dress? I got that via Ebay for £20!! Quite happy with it but had to have it altered to fit right. I find most of their dresses utterly bizarre, fit wise. Since gaining a fair bit of popularity their prices have skyrocketed and I no longer consider them affordable, not even for a once per year splurge.
The only 'designer' items that I have truly loved are my Burberry trench and Mulberry Lily. Nobody needs to spend so much on clothing to look well turned out, but I do treasure them - they were the result of losing out on a holiday that I had been saving up for which never materialized, so I don't regret the expense. But would I do that every year? No bloody way. A warm house is now my luxury!

A lot of those prescribed capsule pieces would look shit on me because I'm short.

It's much harder to look good when you're short imo. YOu can but you have to put a lot more thought and effort in to it. I'm short and I'm poor, so I try not to let my weight creep up. I could just throw in the towel if I put on a few pounds.

eg, Practicality, that list might work for tall women, but a maxi skirt? flat pumps? nothing slouchy, ever. NO to slouchy.

I must do a list for smaller women. Honestly I would look like I'd rolled round in a charity shop if I wore the clothes on your list.

Talking of charity shops though, I do have a vintage burberry mac.

Ironing clothes.... Putting out clothes night before so they are thought out in advance, perfume, good haircut....

Please can someone link me to toasted's blog?

sanctimonious I disagree.

I am 5"3 and size 14. It is about getting your proportions right. I don't think you understand what I mean by slouchy. I am not talking excessively baggy/oversized but a bit loser for when you are wearing tighter things on your bottom half.

Yes shorter women can wear flats,slouchy clothes and maxi skirts/dress. It's how you put it together.

You were a bit rude with the charity shop comment, frankly.
There is nothing wrong with shopping in charity shops and certainly not something you should band around by way of an insult.

cah

I would agree with those who mention grooming, but I would also extend that to taking care of your clothes, and especially shoes. Scuffed shoes look scruffy, no matter how much you paid for them!

I try to buy quality pieces, in natural fabrics, which I then take care of. I'm lucky to have a cheap dry cleaners near me, so I take the more expensive items there fairly regularly. Anything washable gets done at 30° (or by hand) and dried on a hanger (except t-shirts and jeans which go in the drier). I try to iron things asap after washing, before they get too crumpled.

I only buy good quality leather shoes. I generally buy one pair of shoes a year and boots every 2 years. But I spray deodorising spray in them everytime I've worn them, have them rehealed and resoled whenever needed, and polish/clean them (depending on whether leather or suede) as often as needed. I have pairs over 10 years old which still look brand new!

The other thing is I try to wear my better clothes out of the house only. I will usually take off a jacket as soon as I walk through the door and wear a hooded cardigan around the house to protect my top. I also change my shoes and wear slippers whenever I'm at home. Depending on what I'm doing (cooking, cleaning etc) I'll often wear "homewear" and keep my good clothes safely out of the way in the wardrobe

Smart shoes/ boots
Clean ironed clothes
Nothing over fashionable

I never wear totally flat shoes. Not a regular wearer of high heels either though. I am shorter than you at 5'1".

I'm size 10 and if I wear loose clothes I look overweight and shapeless. So, fitted, fitted, fitted all the way for me. Belted coats a must for me.

If you're slim but not actually thin, fitted and belted is more flattering. Just my opinion of course! You know what works for you. Perhaps those extra two inches in height prevent you from looking dumpy.

A maxi skirt is not an obvious piece to put on list of must haves for the short woman!! But I believe you that it works for you.

that you have taken offence - did I not say that I had got a burberry trench coat in a charity shop! I said I would look terrible in the clothes on your list. And I would. So, I suggested that your list is what works for you, and is not a list of rules for short people.

Are you offended by that?!

Alwayscheerful It isn't really a blog as such, just a tumblr with most images reblogged from other people (not many of my own!). I don't want to throw another link out for fear of looking like a self promoting pillock, but you can find it linked to a few pages back where I mention a Citizen wristwatch :)

Also, I agree that the mythological capsule wardrobe (or the French Method, or whatever it's variations are) isn't for everybody. And if it was, we'd all look like clones.
Many of those items do not suit me either, and having a narrow frame/shoulders means that man of the masculine styles really swamp me and make me look ridiculous. I love blogs that discuss these items but know that I can't simply emulate the looks to suit my own bodyshape - flat Repetto's ruin my feet and Isabel Marant-style overcoats make me look like a homeless orphan. Nor do I suit brogues, loafers or cigarette pants. My APC phase taught me quite a lot about restraint, I think! So many of the styles I love are simply not for me.
I do well with trenches, small heels and jeans though, and we can all enjoy a beautiful bag - no matter where it came from!

Sanctimumious Have you looked at petite blogs and pinterests? That could be a great source of inspiration, if you were interested. There are tons out there! (forgive me if you already read them). It is difficult to follow specific lists, and hardly any of us can adapt everything on them to suit our shape.....for instance, I would look ridiculous attempting to dress like Emmanuelle Alt, but I occasionally admire from afar. Still, I sometimes wish she'd shake it up a bit, dig out a skirt or something and freak her followers the hell out!

sanctimonious I never said it was a list for any prescribed height, you were the one who raised the height issue.

My list is just a suggestion from reading I have done and things I have observed in others as well as discovered for myself.

It is just a view. It is a adaptable. Maybe you should stop being so harsh on yourself.

Someone else said it earlier upthread but, back to the original question of how to look wealthy, it's just a certain 'something' some people have. It's the facial structure, the particular type of hair, it's the intangible x factor and no amount of nice shoes, perfume and freshly ironed clothes is ever going to cut the mustard! It's hard to desrcribe but you just know it when you see it!

I agree that dressing well when you're very short IS difficult, however, it's not impossible. I wear many of the things on that list and I think I look fab most days. I'm very very short at exactly five foot so I even find that many petite ranges are still too long in the leg/body. End of the day though, I don't care what any one else thinks of my clothing choices, I dress for me and me alone and I think I have bags of style.

People always comment on my mum looking fabulous and expensive looking.
She is 60, short, and a size 16.
However, she has an amazing beautiful face and hair cut and is always nicely done to leave the house.
She always uses facial oils and good quality natural products.
Her clothes are always dresses. Always body skimming knee length with long sleeves and will always wear a big flowing coat, scarf, nice shoes or boots and always has a wonderful unusual hand bag.

She doesn't buy a lot but when she does she spends £££ to get good stuff that lasts and fits well.

i agree,these capsule items are not for everyone. no matter what height or weight you are, certain items will never suit you .im 5"5 and a size 8 and while everyone my age(late twenties)are doing brogues and nike balance i look like crap in both of them.and those stella mccartney style blazers that have been promoted to a classic staple status? i look so bad in them its actually funny,
toastedyou are right about marant,it looks nice but up close,they are not that special, i find vanessa bruno stuff much nicer and classier in a very modern and understated way.

Your Mum sounds amazing Beaverfeaver. Put her on this thread! Where does she shop mostly.

For any shorter ladies looking for inspiration, I recommend Wendy's lookbook. Now she has definitely got 'it'!