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 wear motorbike boots and the ugliest puffa coat ever #commuterstylefail

One particular thing I noticed was that women rarely wore jersey or t shirt material tops, and that instantly made everyone look more polished

That's interesting frustrated but what do they wear instead? Shirts and blouses are too smart for everyday. I've got way too many stripy Boden tops, maybe that's where I'm going wrong!

Comptoir is actually Japanese - sister company to Uniqlo.

Trainers are brilliant. Just not elegant. Mostly.

Has anyone shopped in Muji? I used to wear their stuff quite a lot. I liked the colours, cuts and fabrics. It also washed well, and most importantly, has no logo on anything.

Colours include navy, light grey, charcoal, black, camel, dark green, aubergine, and camel. They also sell reasonably priced cashmere. Bags and accessories.

Their look is preppy and a bit androgynous. I like it. Their uk website doesn't show many clothes sadly, but you can check the store locator to see if there might be a shop near you. Looked like mainly London, Birmingham etc...

(kids stuff too, I case anyone wants a mini me )

I feel a shopping spree coming on....

I bought some surprisingly good "Pima" cotton long sleeved black tops in H&M recently. Work with a good quality (Karen Millen or Thomas Pink) skirt (both from Ebay) good thick black tights, a simple necklace, pearl earrings, and neat hair, I feel neat and tidy.

Maybe it's a bit plain, but I don't think you can go wrong with black or grey. I tend to think that patterns date quickly, so try to avoid patterns, at least in the workplace.

Oh and I wear patent high heels of a moderate height in the office. Not the trainers i wear in my commute!

I think it's easy enough to find a nice pair of trainers these days since they're so fashionable at the moment.

Whereas even Harrison Ford in his prime can't save this 80's look!

'but black was generally avoided - it can look harsh and cheap.'

Frustrated it took me until the grand old age of 36 to realise that 'black suits everyone' is nonsense. It completely drains me of colour. Navy (and all the blues) is a bazillion times more flattering for me.

Here is someone looking expensive in trainers

The term 'expensive' is awful - let's go for chic, well groomed or stylish. I trust that those who have posted pics are describing themselves as such rather than expensive ;-)

FrankUnderwoodsWife, you are my new style crush! Stunning and so chic.

Waiting they can go a bit small so if you are a small to average 12 I would go with 40 if you want a snug fit and 42 if you want more room

Mominatrix I think you are mistaken. It was founded in France in the mid 90's and retains French management, although it is owned by a multinational who also own uniqlo, Helmut Lang, Princess Tam Tam

what is the consensus on nail polish other than nude?
is dark ok, on short nails?nude isn't flattering to my hands!

Coloured nails can look very groomed as long as the nails are nice and short and there aren't any chips.

Long painted nails are a bit..............Nancy Dell Ollio. And although I'm sure her look is 'expensive' it's also a bit tacky.

merry - that multinational is a Japanese company - that was my point. www.fastretailing.com/eng/about/company/

And Mom my point is that its like saying that Helmut Lang is a Japanese brand - its not, its just owned by a Japanese multinational. When the design team are French, based in France and the company started life as a French brand then surely it is a French brand.

I saw someone looking v expensive in converse, skinny black jeans, oversized jumper and a camel coat today. Am now pondering white converse...

peonies
Yes, converse have a look. You can get them in white leather too, which is a bit smarter than the canvas. However, they are so flat, I find them almost unbearable to wear for any length of time. Even with cushioned insoles and my orthotics.

I am rather partial to Supergas. They come in canvas and leather and are much more comfy and better quality( and chic IMO). says she who has horrible hooves and chipped toenail polish

Peonies I like that type of look too but can't pull it off as I have size 8 feet (I'd look like coco the clown)

Short painted nails always look nice if they're done properly (no bling/etchings/patters).

I don't like unpainted nails as I think they often look grubby.

Would black converse be better? White might be permanently dirty as I live on a muddy road ...

Got a gorgeous oversized orange 100% wool scarf today in Hobbs sale inspired by the all neutrals with one pop of colour idea!

My white converse have actually done quite well, so far as remaining clean ish. Admittedly they were not on muddy roads, but they took a fair hammering on a bike and the school run.

According to our lovely now ex lodger, amoung the young, trendy students/ workers set there's a re sale market for second hand converse. The battered look is IN! Who knew?!

I heard once that the French only ever wear black Converse...no idea if that's actually true.

Congrats on the scarf.

Love my white leather converse and with the right outfit they look very stylish!

Comptoir is incorporated in France.

Comptoir was most definitely sold to its current Japanese shareholders by the founding family.