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?

I just saw this article on Alessandra Steinherr who I mentioned I think looks good earlier on and if you skip past the bits about the products she uses she talks about her style, a lot of what is mentioned on this thread really, muted colours, blazers, nothing that will go out of fashion, expensive handbag (actually most of her stuff was expensive!)

I just dress minimalistic and wear a Birkins, does that count?

Beaufort I've read it in bits over a couple of days so I may have just lost the jist. It's definitely something I aspire to and I'd like a second thread once it hits 1000 too. Maybe I should start taking notes.

I've been described as 'polished' but I don't think I have the put together outfits locked down yet. I had a Big wardrobe clear out last year and whilst it felt very good, it's a bit sparse now.

For me polished is having clean shiny hair, preferably swishy, even toned looked after skin and groomed nails. I like to keep mine on the shorter side and either wear clear polish or very dark red (Chanel noir or nails inc Victoria). I like silver jewellerey rather than gold. (maybe diamond studs but my ears seem to have started reacting to the white gold lately)

What does everyone think about accessories? Is less is more the key? Can a cheaper outfit look more together with more expensive accessories?

*jewellery

Has Kirsten Stewart been reading this thread? Expensive plus runners

hollieberrie
I don't know what they are called, but you can get them in h&m, muji etc.
They are usually a fine knit stretchy cotton sock that covers just the foot. Not the bridge, ankle or up towards the shin.

Like a pop sock fabric. When u put them on they trace the line where your toes start and then round towards your ankle. I bet M&S and even sainsburys would have them.

That will keep your feet warmer, not show out of the top of the shoe, and stop your feet rubbing.

hTH.

I think unfortunately being lean is a key trait. Being good looking helps a lot too :)

While I agree that certain colours are classic e.g. navy, white, camel etc, they can also look like a bit of a uniform unless some style/personality is injected via the clothes. I don't mean quirky (which incidentally I like on other people though have never managed to pull that look off myself). Anybody can wear a pair of trousers, a blazer and a freshly ironed shirt. Anybody can add a little pair of earrings, a bracelet and polish their shoes. But not everybody in that uniform will look great or even good.

So it is more than wearing certain clothes. As this thread continues, I'm starting to wonder if clothes are key at all. I believe its all in the grooming, particularly the subtle grooming.

Anyway just my tuppence worth. As an aside what shoes (walking other than from car to door) shoes look stylish with a dress/skirt in Spring when its too warm for boots and too cool for sandals?

I'm starting to wonder if clothes are key at all. I believe its all in the grooming

Couldn't agree more - within certain limits, which are way further out than a navy blazer.

But I don't think this thread wants to talk about looking "expensive" so much as mainstream tasteful In which case: Camel coat, preferably alpaca; black trousers that fit you properly; plain shirt, better loose than tight; not too much heel; leather bag with minimal decorations and dents; scarf; gold watch; non-dangly earrings; non-orange makeup; non-fake nails; absolutely no synthetics. That'll be £50, thank you, it's truly a pleasure working with you

Oops - and swishy hair, but you knew that!

See....I don't think Kristen Stewart looks good in that photo. I stand by my trainers and skirt comment...I think she looks a mess (as per usual).

I get that trainers are better for people with back/foot/whatever issues....but that doesn't mean they don't look awful (IMO)

So basically the gist is, someone needs to bring out a comfortable flat shoe, that's appropriate to wear to work, on school run etc.

Why is it so hard to produce comfortable, attractive, appropriates shoes?!

I agree re Kristen Stewart (she's who I was referring to in my earlier comment after watching Still Alice, and the difference between the two sisters). She is stunning, but man she knows how to down play it!!

Expensive is much more than clothes. I've been people watching go round here. It's monied here so it's been interesting to see what's going on. I don't have much money though so buying a £90 sweater in the sales is not going to happen. Full price Gap trousers are too expensive for me so I am going to have to be clever.

Those who looked expensive were not always dressed in a chic, understated way. Many were in practical, outdoor gear.
It was about confidence( that probably comes with money)

I am guessing that if you wear expensive clothes that you FEEL great therefore you walk in a confident manner.

Sure these expensive clothes may well hang well etc etc but it is about the person wearing them. A really confident person to could make any old crap look good.
I've seen it happen. But I am still aspiring to look more swish thanks to this thread!

bigbuttons I think some of the things often referred to as "expensive" make a person look cheap. Such as the wrong jewellery, expensive nails, blingy bag. Sometimes an expensive outfit can be made to look cheap. Sometimes a cheap outfit can be made to look expensive.

I'm wondering what is expensive to different people. Expensive meaning to achieve a chic look. I think for that you probably need the equivalent of a simple wool coat that hangs well and with few details, good wool mix trousers that fit perfectly, good shoes and bag, etc, along with good hair, teeth, etc. If you know innately what represents quality you can get that sort of fit, quality and swishy hang relatively cheaply.

Today I'm going to wear white stuff leggings, an M&S tunic, black leather knee boots, Farhi coat, cashmere scarf. I reckon that lot cost about £400 - some from sales. It's smart casual because that suits my workplace and I want to fit in, it's generally scruffy. But I don't buy very often and key pieces like coats and boots are expected to ladt for years.

My looks is (I'm fairly sure) not 'expensive', but I aim for stylish (and sometimes get there, I think). As previous posters have said, it's about working with what you have, not sticking to hard and fast general rules (beyond clean hair/decent make up etc as discussed). A crisp white shirt, a pair of tailored trousers and high heels looks frumpy as hell on me, but a cream coloured oversized shirt with dark real leather leggings and point toe patent heels or ankle boots is one of my very favourite looks.

Interestingly, when I do personal style consultations (I'm a personal stylist), we do a section on 'how you want to be perceived' and you'd be surprised how rarely 'expensive' comes up (although I have just asked a friend who works in London and she comes across it a lot more). Chic, polished, effortless, casual-but-flawless are words I hear a lot more.

That was meant to be TEAL leather leggings. Although they are also real .

As part of my New Year's Resolution not to "try too hard" I've bought a pair of knee boots that are low-heeled. Apart from being much more comfortable than my heeled ones, they also look far more "elegant". I'm going to put them with an oversized jumper and leggings (with a layering vest). And that's me done!

I love tall boots but find heeled ones look tacky. Don't know why, though.

I find our weather tricky to dress "expensively" for.

When I think of expensive looks around here it's old ladies in quilted jackets, camel and navy colours, with maybe a splash of red. Body size does not seem to affect this. Make up present but not necessarily applied properly, hair set at the hairdressers etc.

I think chic is a better word for someone stylish. I don't think someone who looks expensive always looks chic.

While focusing more what people were wearing yesterday, I noticed for most people a black puffa coat has become a uniform for young and old. I was reflecting on how difficult it is to be stylish in a grey, wet climate. Battling with wet pavements ruining your leather shoes, rain making your wool coat stink and wrinkle badly, hair frizzes due to high humidity and you are bloody lucky if this isn't you, skin looks grey - those with warm colouring have a distinct advantage, colours look garish in a grey landscape ..etc.
It's no coincidence that the sun shines in the pics below....everything and everyone looks better in the sunshine.

Stumblymonkey I agree with you re Kristen Stewart- I don't think her look is expensive in that picture. The shoes are wrong with that outfit.

I've been reading the thread with interest - I would like to know how to look more well put together. I think what the OP was asking was how to look 'tastefully wealthy'. Plenty of students are fashionable or stylish but are clearly not rich.

I have lots of great quality items in my wardrobe and good outerwear etc but I still get followed by security guards in some shops because I can be quite scruffy despite the clothes not being especially cheap (hate to iron anything, cba to get rid of bobbles on my jumpers, and my hair gets greasy quickly), so I agree it can be about grooming as much as the clothes.

Having said that I once saw a woman looking like she could be scruffy (oversize wool coat and jumper, jogging bottoms and canvas trainers) in Bicester but she was wandering around the shops with a confident air which made her look more expensive (not chic or polished) in a casual way.

In short I would put it as confidence>grooming>clothes.

Whoops sorry for humongous post!

I think you're probably right, mowglik, and others who have said it. Grooming is just as important as the clothes themselves, if not more so, and I think all of that adds to the confidence. If you step out 'in style' but look like you're worried about it, and are tugging at your clothes or shying away, you're never going to look chic. All of the people we've used as examples have that certain je ne sais quoi about them, that just says 'I know I look good'.

HOWEVER, considering clothes are still an important factor in this, I'm thinking ahead to next season. What does one do about a light spring coat? A trench? Sometimes I wonder if they can look quite scruffy. What colour? Point me in the right direction!

I think this thread has moved from on from looking expensive to actually being expensive. Anyone can get the look by throwing money at it. What's more interesting is how some people have the look even when they're not spending the money.

Frank - Re: attractive, comfortable shoes - Have you looked at Hush Puppies, Clarks, Robin Elt? There are also some Scandinavian & German companies that, like Robin Elt, make interesting footwear in very supple leather with ergonomic soles but I've forgotten the names (can't afford 'em so haven't remembered 'em )

burnished that's the thing though I don't think you can just throw money at it - plenty of people will wear expensive designer gear but look badly put together or even trashy.

You prob don't need to spend thousands to get the look, I would say quality is more important than how much the clothes cost and that's harder to find.

I've paid a lot (say >£150) for a jumper before and it looks old and scruffy within a few wears. I would like to know where to buy quality clothes/basics without the designer tag