How to look 'expensive'

[INeedSomeHelp]

I'm not sure if that's the right word but I was in Sainsbury's today and the woman in the queue in front of me just looked 'expensive'.
She wasn't wearing anything remarkable - a leather jacket with a fur collar, skinny jeans and brown knee length boots but somehow she looked 'done' whereas I looked like a sack of spuds.
How to achieve that expensive look without the budget?

I am going to give up in a minute I am
Making such a hash of the links!

Here's Posh looking horrible again.

Amal Clooney is (and was way before she met George clooney) a successful and highly qualified barrister and human rights activist, not an entertainer. Obviously there is paparazzi interest in her, but "looking good at airports" is not part of her job.

I agree Process, she does not look particularly "expensive" in the sense that MNers mean it but why should she.

I feel a little mean now

This is he link to question how Victoria manages to pull off the style icon thing. this outfit is clearly expensive in the sense that it cost a lot but looks horrid.

I do actually agree with the comment upthread about everthing co-ordinating in the sense that the whole outfit must create a certain 'look'. I have a friend (thin but not tall, if that's of interest!!) who always looks beautifully put together - and expensive. She has nice jewellery and always has her hair and makeup done, but a lot of her clothes are cheap (H&M, supermarket stuff, Zara) - the thing is she looks 'right' because if she's wearing jeans and a blazer (her 'staple' look is skinny jeans, ballet pumps, plain jersey top, either scarf or necklace and sunglasses) everything is working towards that look. She also looks stylish and expensive in gym gear, because she'll wear gym pants, a gym jacket, sports type bag etc - unlike me, who puts on a gym outfit then a big puffa coat over the top because I haven't got a naice gym jacket . For evening, she will have a suitable coat/jacket and clutch bag - she won't wear a dress then put her warm work coat over the top like I would.
I don't look expensive. Or stylish. I think being tubby does make it harder because it's harder to get clothes that fit well when you're bigger and the need for clothes to be cut well and fit right is greater when your body isn't perfect. It also limits your choices of styles - I would love to wear skinny jeans and flats with a 3/4 sleeve sweater, but I know I look big dressed like that so it's not really an option. My fashion look of choice would be preppy, but I'm too big to really work that style.

I like Amal, think she always looks good and as said above, looking good is not her day job like Olvia Palermo.

I've kept quiet about this whole being slim to look expensive thing up until now (primarily because I forgot which email address I'd registered with so couldn't log in) but it's getting on my nerves so much I've reregistered to comment!

You do not have to be pencil slim to look expensive. I've always been told that I look expensive right from being about 17 or 18 and still am pretty regularly now at 43. During that time I've been everything from a size 10 to a 20 so not always slim, but what I do have is an eye for expensive looking clothes (even if they're not,) height and a bone structure that is huge but statuesque so no matter what my size things hang well. I'm also blessed with norks that never venture above a c cup which help immeasurably in the larger phases!

I admit it does help, but being slim is not essential to looking well turned out.

Do people really say 'you look expensive' it's something I have never considered saying to anyone!

I'm slimmish but not slender (quite "solid" hourglass and short legs). Same with features, I don't really have the whole blonde thing going on.

I actually HATED dressing as a young woman, as the whole "youthful boho mismatched everything from Topshop thrown together style made me look really weird and classic styles really do suit me better.

I go for the Diana Quick look (pretty much similar colouring/build) and I love it.

ready I completely agree with you about heel height. I don't think towering heels look comfy and anything that looks uncomfortable doesn't look expensive - so tottering heels showing sore looking feet, summer shoes in winter and skimpy clothes when it's cold.
There does seem to be a lack of heels around which aren't 4 inches tall which still look nice and non frumpy, they're getting harder to find - 4 inches is getting to be the standard now.
And flats often look so much better, I much prefer flats or boots with jeans and trousers to heels, they do seem to make the wearer look like they've got more confidence

Jackie O, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn.
All had that special something that made them look effortlessly stylish and 'expensive'.
Wonder what it was about them?

Higge - It's normally along the lines of 'That's a nice xxxxx, is it one of your designers again?' then when I reply 'No, I found it in Sainsbury's/Joules/other High St. emporium' then the response is usually 'Gosh, but you look really expensive'.

Also had that with jewellery loads of times, usually from John Lewis and even River Island once, shoes, including some Chanel alikes from Primark and even perfume when it was Body Shop something or other in my early twenties.

As I've got older it's got easier as I have a reputation for wearing nice things so even if I'm in Florence and Fred it's assumed expensive! Agree totally it's about putting things together well and confidence. I also have good hair, skin, nails and teeth which distract from the excess pounds.

Goes off to locate Slimming World books now as suddenly feels cheap!

ThesnootieFox, don't waste your money on Slimming World. There are better slimming groups out there.

anything that looks uncomfortable doesn't look expensive

True.

true dat.

The heels looks are great IF you can walk elegantly in them and have good transport home, otherwise they just look a bit tacky.

What is 'Sloaney', ie I know what it means but I don't know what they look like and this thread keeps mentioning the word so I have to ask...

I know the thread has moved on, but laurie India Hicks manages to wear maxi dresses and look expensive.

But then, I dread to think how much her dresses cost!

looki google Sloane Ranger (in images)

google Sloane Ranger (in images)

The female members of the Royal family? And other people who look like they belong to the horsey set (fairly ridiculous as they are 'defined' as 'fashionable young people mostly living in London'.

Googling has confused me even further :)

Great thread!

Really enjoyed this thread and agree with most of it that certain things such as an air of confidence / hood hair etc help. Two examples spring to mind.

The first was a woman (and her husband&daughter) in the shops. They clearly spent a lot or money, clothes looked very expensive ), yet it didn't look at all chic (which is what I think we are also referring to on this thread with the likes of Olivia Palmero ). The main issues were that the woman (very tall/slim/groomed) was on really tall heels which gave her a silly totter, she also had clearly had a fair bit of work (despite only being I'd guess in her 30s), huge lips & botox- made her look very cheap. The other thing, is that they were just at the shops- there is an element of trying too hard/ being over dressed that cheapens a look.

In contrast, just before Christmas there was a woman in the theatre who looked amazing and chic/wealthy. I'd say she was early 60s, she was probably size 16/18 but wonderful figure and (because not mega slim) had amazing skin. Her hair was grey and cut just below the ear but looked full, soft and (despite the fact it was blowing a gale outside), not a hair was out of place. Can't remember exact clothes details (which I guess is impression I would want- remember person not the clothes) but she had really tactile sort of clothes, trousers were velour (or something) and blouse was silk patterned- all in gorgeous jewel tones that really complimented her.

Personally, I like a timeless, classic look but rarely wear it myself as I prefer to have something a bit more funky/playful thrown in the mix. Plus with kids on tow, I very rarely exude an air of calm. PLUS I rarely get out minus kids so when I get to local pub etc I'm guilty of over dressing as it's my only chance!

As others have said, those I do know who have ££££, I would never guess by looking at their clothes. I think it is perhaps a lower middle class think to want to look more 'expensive' (I don't mean this in a snotty way, I'm from a very much working class background myself).

PS- have really enjoyed this thread.

I've never even heard of the phrase 'look expensive' let alone heard it being used as a compliment.

No, I would find it very odd if someone said 'you look expensive' - unless I was looking for trade

I wear denim to my dc's parents' evenings - but I think if you generally are pretty groomed etc then jeans can be worn most places. As with most things it is how you wear it.

This thread immediately makes me think of a friend of mine. She's tall, very slim, great bone structure, great hair, eyebrows and nails always done and she wears lots of beautifully cut muted tones. Have never seen her wear anything bright at all. Even when she's out for a run and waves as she passes my house she still manages to look done and expensive. They are totally minted though!

Lol at dressing for school events - I usually wear smartish jeans for a parents evening with something like Converse and a long sleeve t-shirt. I'm nearly always one of the smartest/most dressed up there, tracky bottoms are much more the norm! Guess it depends on the school.

Agree completely about slim = expensive, or at least if someone is larger then good bone structure is the key. I will never look anything but OK even at my slimmest (which is not at the moment :( - another one heading for Slimming World next week) because I have a very soft silhouette with no discernible cheekbones of any kind. To me that translates as looking cute, 'fun' or pleasant at best but sadly never expensive or stylish.

Massimo Dutti clothes look 'expensive'.
The quality isn't long lasting though.
I do love the 'look' but you have to be thin