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?

A dear friend of mine splashed out on a little Chanel cross body type affair. To me it's the tackiest most dated looking thing I've seen in a long time but she loves it so that's all that matters.

So yeah, you can spend a ton of money but it's not a guarantee of universal style.

I can't really look expensive, I'm on a student budget and unemployed atm on top. I would love to buy stuff from The Kooples, IKKS and Zadig & Voltaire (quel bobo wannabe!) but the sad truth is that my upper limit is Cos :) (it's not all that sad, I love Cos)
The best I can do is just dress very simply, in black/white/grey with one colour, which is a bit annoying as there's lots of coat/boot/jumper combinations that won't go together, but at least it's neat and a bit carefully put together. I feel confident in the street as I know that things fit & IMO nothing's out of place.
My downfall is bags though. I have a black Herschel bag or a navy Cos gym type bag that I carry in one hand. Or I use plastic bags or just pockets. Cue stained linings from exploding biros.

Also agree it's soo much easier to feel well dressed in winter. I have a light grey wool coat from Zara that I've worn to death this winter and last, and I will feel a bit bereft when I can't wear it anymore...roll on the promised cold snap.

Though this thread did remind me of Comptoir des Cotonniers and I have bought some 50% off black skinnies in the sale, so thanks to whoever mentioned that :) I've been loving this thread full stop. (great distraction from the news!)

I'd rather be a bit bon chic-bon genre than scruffy, but I don't necessarily want to look like I've spent a lot of money, I guess, is my thing. Much of my French family wear clothes really well and some manage it for very little and others do spend a lot. I wish I had the flair to be like the cheap ones!

"velour* my upper limit's the Matalan sale atm.

I found the best plain white t-shirt in Matalan recently. Good plain white t-shirts are surprisingly elusive buggers!

Mitzy, try GAP for white tees. You can normally get money off (they're always doing deals), and they last surprisingly well. I bought one from the White Company as well, which feels lovely, but honestly, the GAP ones look better.

I never want to spend an awful lot on white tops as after a few washes they never look at their best. I think, in an ideal world, you'd want to replace your white t-shirts every season, but I don't think that's possible on most people's budgets! I have invested in some miracle wash stuff which claims to whiten things, so I'll give that a go.

Hopefully or anyone else - where do you buy your leather leggings? The look you describe is great and I could go for that, but I'm terrified of making it look cheap with the wrong type of leather.

Faux leather these days can be great but I think you have to choose carefully. Real leather is probably very pricey? Any recommendations?

I bought a pair of navy faux leather skinnies in Tesco - they look great while I'm standing up but any bending over causes builders and there is no give to bend my knees either - they are so uncomfortable.

Next have a good pair that are quite a matte faux leather thus avoiding the sex worker wipe-clean look.

The back is thick jeggings material and the front black pu. They are comfortable and keep their shape. I sized down to a 12 (l'm a 12-14). They are currently in clearance for £12. They wash well too.

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

I like this. I've been conscious of my posture since reading the thread. I was starting to slouch a bit. Probably from looking down at a computer/tablet too much. Anyway it's a start.

I think I'm thinking of expensive looking as polished with an air of confidence. I want to look well put together, fashionable but understated and classic, assured and generally like I have my shit together. No idea if that's possible but that's the aim.

hollieberrie - Do you guys wear converse with socks, or just endure cold ankles?. Personally, I think wearing footwear that doesn't suit the season doesn't ever look good. So for me, converse are for summer since bare ankles in winter is never a chic look.

looki I think you nail it really. You can wear all the neutral colours, neutral make-up and expensive bags and shoes that you want. If you are overweight or poorly groomed then it's never going to achieve the same look as someone with great grooming and also, a great facial bone structure. Also, dressing for the occasion, for your personal body type and for the seasons all make a big difference. I just re-read the description in the first post about the woman in Sainsbury's and what she was wearing. That outfit would probably have looked very different on a different person.

Such an interesting thread. So many variations one what people consider expensive or classy.

I think they should sell white t shirts in big Kleenex style boxes as they always look rubbish after a while.

Crevice thanks for the tip! I've just checked it out and they don't have my size (I'm also 12-14, and size 12 is oos). Not sure I can risk a size 10 - but for £12 it's not the end of the world.....

they do look quite shiney in the pic though - is this not true to life then?

Hopefully speaks of teal leather jeggings - I wonder whether a coloured pair would be better.... to wear with oversized white shirt as she described. But I fear I'm getting into uncharted territory and would end up looking awful...
what is teal?

I agree with AgathaF and PP's that emphasise good grooming and being slim.This makes all the difference doesn't it.

Thanks sundayrose, I've always meant to try Gap tshirts but have never got around to it for some odd reason. Will rectify that this weekend!

Mine are from Drome. They were heinously expensive, but I wear them regularly for 3 seasons a year (and have done for four years) so I don't resent it. I look terrible in black so I have none in my wardrobe, hence the coloured leggings.

Talking of Matalan, they've got the most gorgeous white button up shirt atm, which, so far, seems to be (reasonably) crease-resistant @£14. Preppie on the cheap.

Hopefully, how the HELL do you afford the cleaning for leather leggings?? Couldn't you have bought yourself a Rolex with the money? Or about 10,000 pairs of cotton/lycra leggings?

I machine wash them, then tumble, they're fine. Dry cleaned a few times before I worked up the nerve!

Blimey! I'm stunned - that definitely makes them worth the outlay :)

They are very stretchy so you could risk it. The picture is not accurate -they are far more matte in reality. Next seem to restock their clearance section early in the morning (6 am ish onwards) so it is worth looking then.

I saw it on Pinterest, I was terrified to try it for ages!

Thanks Crevice I've ordered a pair - black is not ideal but they'll make a pleasant change to jeans.

I tried on some of my Jaegar shop for a second opinion from the hubby. Of one outfit he said "You look like a mum trying to look nice". Hilarious as that's exactly what I am! But I knew what he meant, personally I think i'm happy to be pass a bit of the uber groomed/ polished look in order to look a bit sort of funky/individual (and by that I don't mean fashion slave, I mean more individual ). I think unless you have natural flair with this style, it runs the risk of looking a bit like a clichéd uniform. As others have mentioned, it's hard to pull off casual nonchalant chic which I think is what many of us seem to be describing.

Following with interest...I'm a total scruff. :(

I have enjoyed reading this!

A groomed look to me means nothing too overdone.

Fitted coat/jacket
Appropriate fitting clothes
Flowing sleek hair rather than a severe updo or over dyed blunt cut
Short nails
Simple jewellery - no bling
Subtle make up
No unnatural tan
Smart bags with no labels or tags hanging off
Scuff free shoes - people notice shoes!

I agree that money does not equate a chic look.

I have never spent more than £50 on a bag, £100 on a coat or £100 on a pair of boots. Most of my clothes are from H&M/Zara/New Look. However, I like to take pride in how I look. I think about every single item I am going to wear even when dressing casually. I prepare my outfits from the night before and plan even my underwear and jewellery.

I will not skimp on concealer and foundation so buy from a well known brand which sits on my face like a second skin. It is not overly expensive but I could go cheaper.

Last but least, being slim helps especially when buying "low" end clothes.