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?

Not sure about the Woolovers sizing, 8/10 or 12/14. I hate that, more 10/12 plus unisex styles don't appeal to me.

See, it's all about the tanned olive skin, Mominatrix wouldn't look half as chic with pink, cornbeef legs.

Finetonive, if you're asking me, I personally think a cardigan can look amazing.

I do believe to carry off this look though the cardigan has to be fitted and worn with a pencil skirt. A thin belt and chunky necklace is how I would wear it. And high heels.

Mominatrix, are you a stylist?!

Just really saying "Hello!" - and loving the thread. Am lurking - at 9 months pregnant I can't really " get involved" at present!. Could reminisce about outfits of old that I once managed to wear but am enjoying taking on tips and reading what others do instead!. I have just bought a lovely navy Whistles shirt dress in the Next sale (now Next do a label section I have picked up a couple of gems in their sale)...which I hope to wear at some point in the not too distant future!.

You have all made me hoot with laughter, vow to rid any rubbish clothes and pat myself on the back for at least buying some lovely new boots, a gorgeous orange leather changing bag and good make up recently. SO thank you!. x

Frank, no just a currently non-practicing medic.

I'm going to have a real go at this for a more groomed look. Have a birthday coming up and was thinking of asking dp to get me a item of clothing to start me off. Would a white shirt be a good basic to build on? If so where would you recommend getting one from? I am 42 and have never owned a white shirt

here I think she looks chic.

Holly Willoughby. I think she looks brilliant

I agree, I would love to have her looks.
However, she is missing that expensive element.

I think the hair is too bright and blonde nd the makeup too heavy.
Her features are also slightly bovine (in a pretty way)

now where's my saucer of milk

I don't think Amanda Holden, but I do think Rosamund Pike.

See, it's all about the tanned olive skin, Mominatrix wouldn't look half as chic with pink, cornbeef legs.

Also, the long hair. Long hair helps.
I bet you are young as well, Monimatrix? Being young always helps

Amanda's outfit looks expensive but the red nails, massive watch, shiny lips and big hair do not. (IMO)

fine, although my children really do think that I am only 25, although they have cottoned on to the fact that I have been 25 for as long as they have been asking, I am 44.

The one I don't get that is constantly raved about is the character Clare Underwood. Her hair looks atrocious and her clothes too body con and unflattering on her figure. She needs more make-up too. She just looks rough to my mind.

Ah GarlicCake I didn't realise you mentioned Zara P in an outdoorsy context. You're probably right, her style is at its best when she's dressed for muddy, horsey environments. It all seems to go wrong when she's in a more formal environment.

Agree I hate massive watches too and the nails are horrible. The outfit and the palette she generally works is nice and subtle though as she has matured.

Frankunderwood, isn't that a style that only looks right on shorter women, or can taller women also wear that, or are we doomed to having to wear long cardis?

I'm fed up with wearing long cardigans, but the magazines always seem to advize that short women should wear the little fitted ones and taller women have to wear the long line ones.

Michelle Dockery is good at this understated groomed look. She's uber pale too.

Rosamund Pike = norks out too much to look chic.

Amanda Holden looks like she has money! More than she looks expensive per se.

The blogger Atlantic-Pacific is another good example, I think. She never looks anything less than immaculate, even when wearing casual stuff. Of course, she is young, tall, slim and has long blond hair

I just googled Rosamund Pike and see what you mean about norky. She has a good shorter haircut and make up. So hair not flowy

Will see if I can find a pic

I think Atlantic Pacific can look a tad brassy.

Fine I've never read that about cardigans. I can't really imagine long cardigans ever looking smart because to me, this look is often about fitted clothes (not tight, but flattering the body, as with Mom's flared skirt).

I think it's time to wedge Kristin Scott Thomas in. She's stylish.