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 don't think the 'buy one size up' works as a hard and fast rule (gaping underarms on a sleeveless top, too baggy waist, a shoulder slipping down, crumpled hem at the bottom of trousers - none of those are a good look). But rather, if the clothes are in any way too tight/uncomfortable looking, then yes, going up from your 'normal' size will automatically make you look a lot better.

Bogey - I think that's where blur creams and primers come into play. You don't necessarily have to spend loads.

I think as far as buying a size up is concerned, I wish women would try on the size they think they are - sit, stretch & bend in it for a bit - & then have a look at their rear view (use phone if no triple mirror set-up available). There's often a muffin-top, 2 or 3 other rolls, & bra indentation

I'm sure, from observation, that far too many women try something on, hold their abdomen in, smooth the top down, look in the mirror face on plus slight sideways movement, & think "yeah, I am a 12!" (or 10 or whatever)

You're not, darling. You're really not. A size bigger would look so much better

NB this mostly applies to knitted, tight-fitting tops. If looser you probably would get away with the smaller size.

Hopefully I think planning outfits, or having clothes that all go together, is really helpful. I am more of a "Oh that'll do" first thing in the morning, rather than putting together the best outfit I can with what I have and what I am doing that day. When I do spend some time on it, I look so different, far more groomed and "together".

I used to buy things I liked but that often only went with one other item in my wardrobe so I had lots of things that wouldnt really go together in a groomed looking way. Now I tend to buy things on a theme, so they all go much better, and I tend to buy black as my base colour with 2 or 3 accent colours that I know suit me.

Dowager (love the name!) Whats blur cream and primer?!....thicko alert!

Re. The camp cashmere, I always look at all the mens sale stock, everywhere for the same reason. Its usually much cheaper, too.
My DP side of the family is posh, whereas my family is working class. My partners gran was titled. She was never flashy, didn't have many clothes, but everything she owned was good quality. Not necessarily a known label though, just well made. I was given some of her things when she died. An embroidered pashmina, silk scarves, manicure set with mother of pearl handles, in a leather case. Soft, delicate, leather gloves. Some jewellery. His family never wear Rolexes or anything as flash as that, they'd consider that extravagant. They all love John Lewis. They're rich partly because they don't piss their money up the wall on being flash. But it's the jewellery thats the dead giveaway, all heirloom stuff going back hundreds of years, that comes with a story attached. A private school accent, my partner has that but I don't! Those are the bits that are hard to fake.

Bogey - I use this (and really love it), and don't really bother with a primer, at least in summer.

Here are some recommend primers, although the smashbox one is thought to pretty much contain the same ingredients as the anti-chafing gel Lanacane (at a fraction of the price!).

So blur cream is basically Airbrushing in a bottle? Can I use it on my thighs too? :o

Wearing the right colours to suit your skin-tone and the best cut of clothes for your shape is all you need to look well turned out/'expensive'. Natural fibres are best too. I am a House of Colour consultant and see it everyday. It works for everyone.

I often prefer what's in the men's department to the women's. The scarves are great and as a fan of man bags I love the bags too

I have never had my colours done (though have a rough idea of what suits me), but I do agree with you, Rkep.

I always thinks it's funny when people say, quite defensively, that they'd hate to be told that they have to wear lilac, or forest green, or yellow, or whichever other colour they'd never normally wear and don't like the sound of. I mean, that's fine, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do, least of all when it comes to clothes.

But if those colours literally transform you, and people start to see an amazing looking you, before the actual colours you're wearing - and if you manage to actually make those colours look good (because they make you look so good) - then why wouldn't you, really?

My aunt had her colours done years ago, and always wears various pinks and purples and a particular shade of mid blue, and she always looks radiant - still now in her mid-70s.

Sminky
I just looked at the web site you mentioned re shoes ... Argh they seem expensive to me , but if there are some brands of shoe that really last I may try to invest ...any recommendations ???? 😄

I agree about men's depts, zebra - but then I am very tall (6') & quite large too (22 top, 18 bottom, 14+ stone) & generally women's stuff doesn't fit me at all

also I don't like fitted tops. so I tend to look like a baggy sack of potatoes. but I'm comfortable

I honestly think that if I tried to dress like a laydee I would look as if I were in drag. so I don't

I'm just above average height but quite softly spoken and girly so going a bit tomboy (hopefully) stops me being too saccharine

"She irons her clothes which does make a huge difference I think even with "non iron" stuff"

I agree, but there are a lot of non ironers on MN who tend to be a little patronising towards those of us who prefer to look a little more well turned out.

I always find the FB comments in such a different vein to actual MN comments.

There was one recently that really annoyed me where a mum was attempting to get out the house somewhere with her toddler and newborn. We all KNOW how hard that it on here. No one has to lie about it and keep up appearances. Yet on the FB comments it was all 'man up and get on with things. I do it with a 5,4,3,2, and 1 year old.'

It just really annoyed me. Separate thread altogether, but still.

Wow, FB MN is a world away isnt it?!

And as for most of us mums couldn't give a rats arse about being 'polished' most of the time, you speak for yourself dear, I personally would rather look my best. Being a scruff does not imply that you are a better mother than the rest of us who actually make (ar attempt to make) an effort!

Nice thread. Think we all just want to look pulled together without spending a fortune,time or energy doing so. So much nicer than one that turns bitchy. Night all

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