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?

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Very simple pieces, limited colour palette, pay more for basics and avoid The White Company like the plague terrible quality which never looks good after two wears

I tried /try for this look on a small budget. I saved money for a house when I was trying to look expensive. Not saying I always got it right, sometimes I looked a mess but it's good to have a goal, a look that you're after, but as somebody up thread says, it really depends on what your own perceptions are, and in my area/country, spending too much doesn't necessarily take you to the look you're after. You need to look like you have money tucked away somewhere. Should you need it! In a bank. Not stitched in to your coat.

I would say don't let your BMI go above 23. When you try something on ask yourself if it flatters you? your figure I mean. I go for fabrics that feel heavy or luxurious. Something that is almost plain but its detail, its twist is lovely. I never bother with nails but they look ok in their natural state. Because I have a dishwasher and I send my laundry out. Ha ha.

• why did I want to look expensive?! that's a whole other thread and it should be on the psychologies board!

ps, and I would say avoid whatever brands are instantly recognisable. Like at the moment, michael kors, their watches, their bags, nice enough and if you gave me one I'd say thank you and I'd use it. But go for something that isn't recognisable. You can keep using it long after Michael Kors is yesterday's news.

Make sure shoes are polished, and in good condition. I see so many people who look smart and put-together...and then their shoes let them down. Takes a few minutes to polish shoes (and replace broken laces etc), and it really makes a difference. Shoes last so much longer too!

michael kors IS yesterdays news

Perfect skin and long, thick, swishy hair. Be young, then dress in a preppy style. Simple as that!

^^ completely agree. In fact it was yesterday's news about 5 years ago. I got one of those gold watches almost 10 years ago.

Whoops I was agreeing re Michael Kors

All of the above plus I decided some time ago to limit wearing jersey tops.

I have tonnes some like everyone else but think cotton/wool/silk tops help lift ordinary jeans to look more $$. And yes to limiting colour palette

U n deux and others
But where oh where do these quality clothes come from ? Help please !!

BrendaAndEddie, that's why I played safe with that example.

The hair has to look natural. No discernible product or anything like clips. No obvious colour in it. No edgy cuts.

Plenty of shops have crisp white shirts, a cadhere pullover or two in the sales and good quality jeans and a top class coat from Jaeger. Work dresses also from Jaeger but always buy classic clothes in the sale. Avoid supermarket clothes and Next, Primark etc. Invest in a couple of great scarves, silk if possible, and try and buy clothes which can be swapped around, eg greys, black, camel, white, with splashes of colour. Choose lovely fabrics and do not wear clothes that are "high" fashion that date.

Talking of preppie, I do look in Tommy Hilfiger when I pass. Do a quick lap, see if anything begs to come home with me. Their clothes can be a bit 'cos' (look drab on hangar, look good on) Saying that, I only have one thing from that shop.

I still look around. Not loyal to anybody really. But there are shops I don't even bother to look in. Where do others shop? with a taste for champagne and ginger beer budget?

Well fitting jeans, cashmere polo in a neutral colour, knee boots or loafers (there's something about a very expensive loafer that reeks money in an understated way)

www.gucci.com/uk/styles/389914A9L001000

Not necessarily as expensive as the above.

stud earrings, nice scarf, good coat or jacket and decent bag.

You can do a similar look for less money and still look "classy".

With it goes well cut hair, good teeth, discrete jewellery, no false nails/gels, simple make-up and being quiet.

I buy from Jigsaw, M&S, Jaeger, Hobbs, Basler, odd bit from Boden, odd bits from White Stuff, Reiss. The trick I think is buying when you see it rather than when you are looking iyswim. I think the best quality and best fitting jeans on offer are Per Una and I've tried on literally everything from £250 designer ones in Harrods to £30 ones in Next - but the Per Una ones happen to fit me perfectly. Straight leg not skinny (too old and generous of curve for skinny jeans).

What some of you think looks expensive sounds like classic Sloane ranger from the 80's to me.

I went into the pure cashmere shop on holiday
I tried a grey v neck with jeans
The lady in the shop said it looked drab on me and put me in a pale green v neck with jeans
I looked more expensive
But a little boring according to my dd who took me to kath kidston to buy a tea dress .all assistants young and classically beautiful with no boobs and the dressess hung on them
I am short and curvey but still looked ok ish
Maybe I find the expensive look hard as im hour glass and short ! ?
I have Brora cardis with 50 s frocks and they look everyday on me not £$££!

I own lots of lovely clothes and accessories but I'm never going to look wealthy as I have too much fat

You can be a bit plump but you can't be actually 3 stone overweight and look wealthy. Dawn French, Judi Dench, Kathy Burke - all look gorgeous, friendly, approachable, nicely groomed. But not 'wealthy' (even though I'm sure they are)

What I gather from this thread is also that it's about choosing well. You can't be overweight, untamed hair plus supermarket clothes - you can do one artfully and carefully but the rest has to be immaculate.

Don't underestimate how expensive that leather jacket might have been - there's an utterly gorgeous one in Celtic Sheepskin in the sale for about £600 - it's exactly as you describe, looks buttery soft and on the model like a second skin.

I tend to think it's genetic - if you're tall and slim with good bone structure, then you've got a huge advantage!

It does seem unfair that if you are short you don't look expensive ! I know that tall people can subconsciously be regarded as superior tho !!!
Bah
At 5ft 2 shall I bother then ! ?!
If so can I do a small woman version ? ! Often jumoers are too long and make then look the wrong fit
I tried a sloppy beautiful cashmere jumper in pure but all tbe propoetions were wrong !
Shall I stick to cropped cashmere cardis and frocks ?

Uniqlo is your friend!
Good value cashmere (and merino if you don't want to stretch to cashmere)
Their coloured jeans (navy, dark green, burgundy) look good, and they have lots of tailored shirts
Agree with others that hair and make up are important

You may be right Mrs Campbell Black, that was my original style .

It's updated though - no more pie crust collars, Alice bands, sleeveless puffas or shoes with bows. I remember wearing my navy puffa over a red jersey (pie crust under) and wearing matching red rights .

Actually, on reflection, no I don't think you're right particularly at all - the Sloanes might have aged but I think their style has moved with the times. It might remain classic, but it isn't class Sloane Ranger.

Some very expensive clothes can look very cheap in my opinion.

I think cropped cashmere cardies and pretty frocks is the best look for petite women

That's the look I favour when thinner - right now I'm wearing longer cardies ( the dreaded waterfall) to cover my ass

I'm also very short and norky