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?

I'm 5'4, size 14, two stone overweight

And now depressed as I can, and will, never look as good as you! You're just so put together.

Dressed up I still look like a fat 1950's hooker. Should probably ditch the leopard print.

Love the skirt Frank!

What's the material like? Is it an overlay that gives the impression of the dimpley texture?

Agree, for the past couple of days I've been thinking much more about selecting clothes from the same colour pallette- it's much harder than I thought!

It's really helped me evaluate what I wear though and where the gaps are in my wardrobe (for example I wear hold jewellery, have mainly tan leather handbags and belts but no tan shoes/boots). I often just put on items I like individually but don't think about the overall look (such as a slouchy tan leather bag with structured work wear).

Can't remember posters name but the last lady to post photos- you look wonderful (better than most of celeb photos posted). You look chic yet each outfit is still individual through the necklace/ skirt. Just shows how you can be chic but to be stylish it is sometimes worth breaking the rules (I. E. subtle jewellery / no prints).

Frank you look amazing! Are you the most stylish person at your work place or does everyone manage to dress so well?

I've recently started a new job. Today we had a training session. I was transfixed by this one woman who looked so amazing but i couldnt quite put my finger on why. She is slim and pretty (helps) but she was just wearing black skinnies, converse (no socks! even in this cold!) and a bright cable knit jumper. Her hair and make up looked classy and natural - am learning that this is key. And i guess all her clothes looked expensive & on trend even though she was dressed very casually. She was honestly amazing. I couldnt decide if i wanted to be her or if I almost fancied her!

Elegance. Now there's a thought. I don't think the Queen or the QM are/were particularly elegant but they do/did look expensive. Princess Margaret and,Diana had elegance of style but perhaps not so much of spirit.

It's complicated isn't it.

My grandma who wasn't a disimilar size and build to the QM and would be 104 if she were alive wasn't particularly elegant but she had a couple of favourite dress shops. One in London and one outside. Both used to ring her if new stuff came in they thought she'd like (and it was reliable stuff rather than salesy (am talking 60s). Both shops also had a lady that did alterations and I remember sitting as a little girl whole the alteration lady pinned a dress that started as a sack of spuds and turned it into something fabulous. Always dresses because she was 4'11-3/4" and didn't wear skirts or trousers except jidhpurs. I imagine the pricing wasn't far off £150 fir a frock nowadays. The fit was important and so was the fabric.

She wasn't a slim woman and had a huge bosom but all her life she wore a long line bra and corset - even on a horse !

Saw a girl in town today who looked expensive and stared at her so much she noticed blush she was tall, slim with blonde-brown shoulder length very silky hair, neutral make-up, wearing black skinny jeans, black tee, grey chunky but flat cardigan and a very expensive looking leather jacket, grey suede boots and a nice bag. So simple.

Peonies, you must have seen the same girl as I saw today - she was also tall, slim with long blonde 'brond' hair and was wearing a lot of black, with maybe a few grey bits. I did a double -take and looked back, as she was a perfect example of what we have been talking about.

I wonder if it's possible to get this same look if you don't have long, swishy hair?

Aye, yes, the White French connection skirt was an cut out fabric.

Quite risqué, but the underskirt was a decent enough thickness, to cover my modesty. And I wore my disgusting M&S nude pants which my DH hates.

The brilliant thing about the skirt is it looks good worn causally with a white t-shirt and my trusted converse.

FrankUnderwoodsWife I also like your house.

Frank those are two fabulous outfits. You look great. Particularly love the second because I don't experiment with prints very often. Also love you disproving the assumption that has been made repeatedly that you have to be "tall and slim" to achieve the "expensive" look. Can I ask about the Rockstuds? Are they comfortable? (Was going to get some for spring).

Also I completely agree that if you do the basics - hair, neat nails, make up and spend the money on accessories then you don't need to overkill it on the clothes.

Hollie I get fan girl crushes like that

I'm shamelessly lurking here, and learning so much! I thought that at 62 it was a bit late for me but am determined to smarten up! My last job meant power dressing and I struggle with 'smart casual', my slobbing around clothes being jeans, fleeces and seriously they need consigning to the bin

I'm size 14, 5'6" and seriously need taking in hand and sorting out; I am guilty of 'keeping clothes for best' which effectively means they rarely get worn and it feels awkward dressing up when I'm just staying at home.
Definitely confused.....

It's my hair that lets me down. I don't want to wash it daily (expensive redhead) but on the no-wash days, post yoga, I look like something the cat dragged in.

For work I go with simple good quality dresses (eg The Fold), black ballerinas or pumps and small stud earrings. Not sure I look expensive but I hope at least more or less put together.

Except for the hair.

Blingly, I love the rockstuds. They are ridiculously comfortable for being 4inches high. Cannot recommend them highly enough. And as a cost per wear item they're doing pretty well.

Shoes are my downfall. My feet never change size!

The flat rockstuds are also quite nice!

Rockstuds are fantastic and dress up anything. Instant glamour.

I've enjoyed reading this thread enormously.
Since losing a couple of stone and having to refresh my wardrobe I've aimed for a 'pared down chic' style.
Essentially navy,black,cream,white and grey.
I buy mainly from mid to upper high street ranges,so Mint Velvet,white company, jigsaw,reiss, whistles,Boden, Hush.
I like the simplicity and price point of Uniqlo,have found some gems in H and M and Marks
I was ditched my brassy highlights on favour of my 'natural' brunette (achieved with different shades so not flat brown)and I wear more expensive make up,Chanel foundation,mascara and lipsticks

My personal dislikes are ripped jeans,false nails with nail art, beetle brows etc

Fantastic thread - and fascinating to hear everyone's take on fashion and grooming.

Moomin and Frank you both look fabulous, thanks for posting your pics.

As I've got older, I've come to appreciate the 'less is more' style of fashion - for me anyway and totally agree that being well groomed helps with the overall stylish look. completely ignores own grey roots - roll on next Monday

I think some women can just about wear anything and still look great. I have a statuesque size 18 friend who looks amazing all the time (yes, even in work out clothes) and all her clothes are from Primark/matalan/supermarket. She dyes her own hair but does splurge on an excellent cut.

My grandmother was born in 1909 and also had a great eye for clothes despite a pudgy figure. I think a lot of the problem is that people today buy clothes in high street stores that are designed to have hanger appeal but fit no normal woman, and they never get them altered to fit.

If you choose clothes made from good quality fabrics and then get a dart put in here and the waistband tweaked there, it makes a tremendous difference. This is how the Duchess of Cambridge does it, if you look carefully (plus going to the hairdressers about five times as often as the most enthusiastic MNetter is bound to help, as is not being overweight).

Oh fantastic Frank, thank you! I dithered last year but definitely want them this year. Totally agree with BoboChic that they add instant glamour to anything. I have also dithered over the Lovelatch but think they could very easily send an outfit in the wrong direction so I have resisted.

Georgina I am glad to see I am not the only one who dared mentioned M&S

Frank, I meant to say, I always stare longingly at the J Crew jewelry but a combination of having a small frame, short waisted and an E cup mean they are a total no no for me. Doesn't stop me lusting! You wear yours well.

I also think watching Ines de la Fressange videos on YouTube discussing Uniqlo outfits and styling is very instructive (if you speak French!), and there is a great blog called MaiTai that talks about Hermes scarves and shows useful outfits that are very 'together'. Another great blog I found is called something like PuttingMeTogether and that shows good combinations and accessories.

Mai Tai - Tres chic, tres ville!

Thinking about it, I did a post called [https://austerityhousekeeping.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=61&action=edit Clothes Shopping Masterclass]] a while back that might be a useful shopping list for people if they are having a wardrobe revamp. No Hermes scarves on that, though!

The Lovelatch are great for the office, Blingy. My Paris lawyer/banker friends all wear them.

Can't type

Clothes Shopping Masterclass

But Boffin - of course shopping for clothes is a leisure activity! Creative and self-indulgent and ruinous to boot

Am liking Emilia Fox's outfits in Silent Witness on BBC 1 at moment!
Her hair too.