How to look 'expensive'

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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?

It's more about cut, fabric and fit than where. It also depends on your budget.

Some of you ladies look gorgeous.

I just want to look like Mominatrix! I would say 50 for trousers, 30 to 40 for a shirt and up to 100 for a blazer.

Blazer Whistles.
White shirt Austin Reed.

How do you look like the PP with the blazer and pumps and keep warm?!

I'm just freezing looking at her. Has anyone got any recommendations for decent boots and coat and jumpers? I have a toddler so needs an element of practicality!

if I'm home doing housework or cooking I would tend to wear older clothing in case I ruin them.

I have 'best' clothes.

White shirts - I buy from Thomas Pink. Fantastic quality.

Trousers - this has been my holy grail for years, to find well fitting trousers. I have bought from Theory, Banana Republic (the Martin fit), Gap, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren. All have been good quality but the ones I finally decided were perfect were the Campbell trousers at J crew. The reason for all the searching is that I am hippy compared to my waist and need a pair that are nipped in at the waist but aren't murder to get over the thighs. I always found I was compromising - too big at the waist, fit perfectly on the thighs or perfect on the waist and too loose on the thighs, neither is a good look if you want well fitting clothes.

Blazers - favourites in my wardrobe are from Zara, M&S (yes really!), Moschino and J crew.

Personally I think anything patterned is out if you want to get this look (well my view of it).

I think key elements are a neutral palette that blends together, a capsule of the best you can afford and getting clothes that fit your proportions.

I would say that translates as very little embellishment, leather/suede bags and shoes in neutral tones but not black unless you are wearing black head to toe.

I think the blazer/shirt/heels/skinnies thing is very cliched magazine editor inspired -chic in it's own way but not expensive looking.

I find discreet accessories look more expensive -not those massive blingy watches that have been everywhere for the last five years. A low key tan leather watch without obvious branding is more fitting. Earrings or bracelet.

With respect to bags I think plain leather with a beautiful chestnut patina or tan suede and no obvious label again works better. I think the design should be in the shaping and not embellishment.

To me a polished palette would be based around navy, tan, taupe,cream,chestnut,charcoal, dove grey,white,camel,caramel, black and mink. Nothing garish and everything understated.

Shoes and bags need to be leather or suede and not too high or clunky.

Pinterest minimalist,neutral wardrobes has some great examples.

Blingy and Mom, I am now determined to up my game. I think you're right about not keeping things for "best". I don't go out in the evenings much anyway. I have noticed a stylish friend of mine wears silky tops and beautiful (what I would consider) "going out clothes" in the day. If I'm not seeing anyone at all that day (don't even get out of car on school run), I find it difficult to make a massive effort though. NOt working at the moment, so would probably be a different story if I was.....

Have had a look in my wardrobe:

I have got a Baukjen jersey blazer which I wore to death in the Summer. So maybe another blazer in navy;

2/3 fitted good quality shirts;

Some nice leather knee high boots;*

I need to stock up on soft knitwear and silky t shirts. Have already got a decent watch (Raymond Weil) and always wear discreet jewellery;

Just need to get out of tracking bottoms on a Sunday

• I find it difficult to buy boots-my legs are in proportion but I am petite and usually all the boots I try on are too long for my calf length. Does anyone know where to buy boots that are slightly shorter on the calf?

Too much mascara and eyes that are over-made up take away from the expensive look.

There was a girl on tv yesterday who was really pretty and had that expensive, stylish way of dressing (that's being discussed on here) but the overall look was ruined by the fact she had put too much mascara on, especially on the lower lashes - which made it look as if she had 4 massive spiders crawling down her face.

Why do so many young women think this is a good look?

Thanks v much! I am going to give all those a go! You are right, trousers are holy grail! Am going to try J Crew.

Interesting that not once on this thread has anybody said that buying and wearing designer labels 'for the sake of it' will make you look expensive.

Those wags have been getting it wrong all along

Thanks Aye those fresh young yet sophisticated images were fantastic, I feel so inspired.
I feel a big shop coming up

I have found this thread very interesting. I think I look expensive, I certainly don't feel at all out if place in expensive shops etc yet I spend very little on many of my clothes. However, as a caveat, I'm tall and slim which helps hugely.

My clothes are simple and usually plain. I look for cut and stitching and how they hang. I'm vigilant about making sure my underwear can't be seen. I keep to a relatively neutral palate and only bring colour into 1 item. So, for example today I'm wearing mid grey skinny jeans which fit me perfectly (£12 H&M) with a black knitted jumper with a zip at the back (H&M a hundred years ago) but it hangs perfectly. I'm also wearing black suede look cowboy ankle boots (Primark). My hair is perfectly swishy and dried and I've subtle makeup including foundation. When I go out I've a cropped 3/4 length sleeve faux fur (Primark) and a gorgeous grey / beige / burnt orange scarf I will throw on (£7 H&M). I'll take an old stone grey Tods bag with me and I've a very simple vintage mans Rolex I always wear plus diamond studs (0.75 carat each) that I haven't taken off for years. I also wear a load of stacking bracelets, never change them which are a combination of v simple Tiffany, Monica Vinarder and ones I've picked up on my travels. My nails are very short and currently a grey shellac. My roots are done every 4 weeks, hair cut every 8 weeks, shellac every 2 weeks but nails always short and pedicure & eyebrow thread every every 4 weeks all year round.

I don't really like neutrals on me. I am quite fair and look better in some clear colours against my skin so I tend to wear alot of blue, teal, coral pink, turquoise etc. I like a bit of a pattern too. I am a Spring Palette

However, i don't disagree, neutrals probably do look more expensive and sophisticated.

Me too Woodhill, I suppose we have camels and creams in our palette but they aren't as fun :)

Found this link... says a lot of what has been said on here.
www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g5872/how-to-make-your-outfit-look-expensive/

In my late teens I got given a book for my birthday "Vogue: Even More Dash than Cash", I don't think it's available anymore, it was my bible at the time, it wasn't about fashion but about looking good, mainly timeless classics. A lot of was is being mentioned on this thread was talked about in the book, e.g. subtle make up, good jewellery, plain neutral clothing, etc. Unfortunately it didn't survive my Kondo cull, wishing I'd saved it now.

Goodness Blair, if only I could have read that a decade ago I could have avoided the fashion fails on the journey to my current wardrobe! The only difference for me is that my engagement and wedding rings are platinum so I don't tend to wear gold that often.

The other thing I would say is that while I don't do patterns, I do introduce colour either through the clothes (something of colour in the outfit) or accessories. I use colourful bags to make a look more interesting.

On that H&B link - the green dress and cobalt sandles look cheap.
Like "I've got this fitted smart dress, what shoes now" and digging out the summer sandles from under the bed

If I took my dark jeans, black boots, black belt, white (new and pristine white) shirt and put them on with a black jacket or nice cardigan, I'd look like Shirley Carter (I have coppery short hair and I have a Bitchy resting face) .

Not the look I'm aiming for really.

Shirley Carter.

I had the first edition of that Vogue book Kitty (in 1977!) and it was brilliant. There were sections on basics, vintage and classics, as well as make-up but one insight that sticks with me is that if you analyse what a person who looks terrific is wearing, it is usually true that one item will be expensive.

70 what about adding a splash of colour with a scarf or a statement necklace to add some interest?

And a handbag in a bright colour?

Loving this thread!

I think the word expensive is misleading though, seems that what everyone is talking about is looking well put together which means different things in different cultural contexts. Think British style still tends towards individuality than say French/Italian which is more classic and American which can be anything from NY polish (where my lack of regular grooming routine would stand out a mile) to west coast laid back chic (anyone remember pics of VB arriving in LA in pink Roland mouret dress and matching birkin? Expensive but wrong for location).

Kitty shame you threw the book away, I remember Vogue revived that feature during the economic crisis.

Personally I am a classic dresser and invest in bags, shoes, accessories like scarves, have a couple of nice watches but minimal jewellery. Am a huge tkmaxx fan, best ever buy was a Stella McCartney navy blazer. Zara tailoring is good, used to get all my work trouser suits their although quality poor apart from the jackets. I go cheaper on basics like gap white shirts and top shop skinny jeans.

Don't think there are any hard and fast rules like never wear pattern, I love patterned summer dresses in particular but has to be good fabric.

Couple more....