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?

INeedSomeHelp. I know EXACTLY what you mean! I've never been able to attain that rich look either, except once or twice by accident.

I think it's to do with being slender (spare is the word) and minimal, together with a calm stillness, tidy hair, toned down makeup and expensive looking footwear.

When standing in a queue, the wealthy woman does not turn to talk to another shopper in the queue or casually glance around the supermarket. This conveys that Yes, I am in Sainsbury's but I am just passing through and not a supermarket shopper.

Forget about Khardasian. To look pulled together you need to exude CLASS and WEALTH. I know precisely the type of woman in Sainsburys that the first poster envied.

Firstly, she is not bogged down with errands and food shopping, so she looks relaxed.
Secondly, she was wearing jacket, jeans, top & high boots probably in muted colours, and probably with a whiff of expensive parfum.
Thirdly, I bet she didnt have one hair out of place and her makeup was not melting from exertion.
Lastly, her clothes fit well and follow the line of her figure, giving a slender silhouette.

It's a combination of inner attitude and look.

This thread is addictive! So now I am wondering where you can buy decent trousers? I am slim but have no idea which shops/ brands are good. I picked up a lovely Hobbs cornflower blue trench in a charity shop today, not exactly neutral, but it looks good.

EverybodyHatesATourist. I think what you said is spot on. Wealth gives you quiet confidence enough to drive a 20 yr old car, but also never to brag about the new one.

Not suffering fools gladly, having a presence that conveys she fully expects her request to be fulfilled, personable to shop staff but not trying to be their friend. Afterall it's a business transaction at the till, not a search for a friend.

All of this is correct upbringing borne of not having the burden of household errands and carrying limb-extending shopping bags. It is much easier to appear gracious when one's life is much easier and you don't have to deal with the vagaries of everyday life.

Elle Macpherson always screams wealth even in nowt but a bikini, although with genes like that, looking shite is probably an impossibility.

It's not really in keeping with the gist of the thread, but the one thing I noticed about the rich & powerful was the cleanliness. This was in London - I've no idea whether 'expensive' people get grubby mucking out the horses, but now I live in the country and rarely see anyone with that extraordinary level of cleanliness.

I'm not quite sure how it was achieved. Multiple showers per day, plus saunas and facials would be my guess. And never having to crush into a Tube carriage, cross a busy interchange on foot or rummage anywhere for anything.

This gime-free life would, of course, include having your clothes, hair and shoes sorted out for you. I guess that helps :)

I'm a make-up artist, and have to look good for clients but I'm also on a budget! Clean clothes, a fresh face of make-up, done hair and non-scuffed shoes really makes a big different even without spending money! Good underwear goes a looong way to make you look and feel better in cheaper clothing!

Make-up wise, a light coverage, spot conceal any areas if needed, groomed brows, defined lashes and a nice lip is more than enough to pull you together and make you look done without too much effort!!

Well said rockabella. I agree very much with the clean comment above too but think it's more easily achieved and comes down to the clean, well cut hair, showered, well scented, ironed and generally groomed philosophy.

I actually think it's about your figure. Deportment. I'm relatively well dressed, swishing hair, minimal jewellery but feel frumpy because I'm only 5'3 and a big 14.

I was watching Still Alice last night, and the difference between the two sisters immediately made me think of this thread!

Great thread

I have a couple of question: where's the best place for silk scarves? And how do you wear them? I liked Vana from the Apprentice's scarves, she wore them open.

Cashmere jumpers, where from and best neckline if you're busty, v-neck?

Dancergirl, I would recommend Uniqlo or M&S.

If you're busty definitely a v-neck and preferably with a collared shirt underneath.

I would also suggest that you don't buy the jumper too big, so that it nips in slightly at the waist. That will give you a better shape.

My DSiS has big norks, and she wears massive shapeless jumpers that make her look two sizes bigger than she actually is.

MrsUnderwood, please be a style guru. You look fantastic! It's not appropriate to my life but I think you have it nailed for yours.

Thanks frank, any tips on colours? I have dark hair and eyes and pale skin.

I always feel a bit bulky wearing a shirt and jumper.....

What's woolovers cashmere like?

This thread is fabulous - I am taking notes! Thank you ladies

I agree that looking expensive usually consists of neutrals and excellent grooming

Frankunderwoidswife- how do people know what you look like? Do you have a blog?

She posted a couple of snaps upthread, Meth.

GarlicCake I agree with you that there is an element to this about cleanliness. To me it is more obvious in wealthy men for some reason, take Prince Harry as an example he always looks freshly scrubbed. I think its an overall glow of glossy hair, sparkly eyes, white teeth and just been somewhere sunny.

I like Me&Em layering shirts for wearing under jumpers. The main part is jersey, cuffs, collar and tail are non sketchy cotton. I find them so comfortable.
I like the "expensive" look on others but it's too grown up for me!

cressetmama, you are lovely! I'm not a style guru. I used to work in the City, now I work for an engineering company.

Dancergirl, I love colour - but limited to an item (just like the prints). One of my favourite cashmere jumpers is a Ralph Lauren one bought a Bicester in orange.

Regarding wearing shirts under jumpers, I loved the suggestion above, but what I tend to do is buy a bigger size, then get it tailored.
This means it will fit you in the boob area so no unattractive chest gaping. It also means the shirts tend to be slightly longer so they don't ride up and can be tucked into jeans comfortably etc

I know this thread is about looking expensive, but what I believe the title is referring to, is how to be stylish in any clothes.

One last photo of me (was asking DH's advice - no idea why, must have been feeling v insecure that day).

This is a M&S dress with a CH Carolina Herrera jacket. I spend all my money (in the sales) on decent out wear, shoes and handbags.

As you can also see, as the outfit was so neutral I stuck my skin lift red lipstick on.

higge could you post a link please to the layering shirts?

Dancergirl They have a few others with lace/satin/no buttons. But these are the plain white shirt. I'm fairly busty so I'm not keen on bulk and I wear these under fine knits.

Two lengths

www.meandem.com/the-layering-shirt-optic-white

www.meandem.com/the-long-layering-shirt-optic-white

This is a really interesting and inspiring thread!

When I was 25, I got a job at Conde Nast (the publishing company that owns Vogue, Tatler, World of Interiors, GQ... the posh magazines), which is obviously STUFFED with rich, classy, stylish people.

Everyone who got a job there starkly changed their image within about 4 months. You couldn't help it - surrounded by chic, you just naturally changed your taste. I'm SO GLAD I worked there, as I wouldn't know a thing about clothes otherwise, but the "training" never left.

I'd say looking expensive boils down to:

• Being slim, really helps clothes hang better;

• Know Thy Hemlines. Boot tops shouldn't uncomfortably poke out of the bottom of skirts; coats should ALWAYS be longer than dresses/skirts; ankle boots should be completely hidden, or completely on show, nothing in-between;

• Underwear shouldn't show. I DETEST seeing normal-bra straps underneath a halter neck top, or poking out of a racer back. It's just tacky and wrong.

• Invest your money in things you wear every day (jeans, jerseys, footwear), not the one-off black-tie things. If half your money is hanging up in your wardrobe for 364 days of the year, you'll often look cheap.

Really, the hemline thing is vital. Have a look today - you'll see hemlines clashing everywhere, and it just adds up to someone looking uncomfortable.