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 think all of the outfits look very cheap and not expensive.

How about this look:
thecurvyfashionista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/alison03.jpg

I sort of agree about maxi dresses, but I just think there are ways to look expensive and stylish that don't mean being thin and wearing neutral colours!

I don't think anyone can look expensive at 5 stone overweight though. I definitely don't at 3

None of those look expensive.

People have mentioned Kate Middeleton's style a few times.

She tends to dress a bit safe, but to me she always looks stylish and classy (liz hurley has that same effortless look)
and yet princess eugenie and beatrice -similar backgrounds, similar money at their disposal, always seem to end up looking like sacks of potatoes, no matter how hard they try.
Maybe style and taste is something you're either born with.
Or not.

There are sometimes exceptions, but on the whole, being slim makes it easier to look good in clothes,

ready i think you need to give up on the maxi dress. None of them look expensive. Unless it is black and on the red carpet.

Yeah, i agree none of those i linked do actually look expensive. They were just the closest i could find on that blog that was anywhere near the right direction. Moreso than the maxi dress anyway.

I see women in Waitrose in the morning in their work out gear and they look expensive, they may be covered in mud from their bootcamp class but it matters not they still look like money. Other old ladies wearing too much make up and over done hair look expensive - is it an attitude, a stride...the way you hold yourself....I don't know but it can't be reduced to grooming and being mud free.

I just added a photo of princess beatrice to my Pinterest board and she certainly didnt look spud like in it. Will go and find it.

I don't think either of those fashion blogs show women looking expensive. Or individual. Or particularly well 'put together'. I think they look tacky and chain store.

Rude I've seen photos of Princess Beatrice looking lovely too. At least she looks like she enjoys fashion and putting together an outfit, which I really don't think Kate Middleton does, hence looking so safe all the time.

Ready, the lady in the picture is very attractive and looks lovely i her maxi dress,

But to me looking good and stylish/expensive/classy is not just about what you are 'wearing'
it's also to do with posture and how you look when you start to move/walk around.

You can look like a million dollars, but the look will be spoilt if, when you move, you are lumbering/waddling, due to being very overweight - instead of moving lightly on your feet.

The above is not meant to be unkind.
It's just that slimmer people do seem to walk differenntly than people who are extremely overweight -
which adds to the overall 'put together' look.

This is the photo. I only added it for the skirt, i dont think the whole outfit is great on her but definitely dont think she looks awful.

Loving this thread. Im very new to MN and this is right up my street

I think Beatrice doesn't look expensive in the same way that Fergie doesn't. Just something about their faces that doesn't give off the expensive vibe.

Yes Princess B looks lovely in that outfit.

Looks like she's finally getting it together.
She wears the clothes now - not the other way around.

I don't think looking 'expensive' or 'classy' has anything to do with how much money you spent on your clothes, where or how you were raised or how you dress. I think it is all down to your weight/height ratio and how beautiful your face and hair looks. If you have a fab figure, gorgeous bone structure and a nice face any clothes will look good - you will make the clothes look good. Just one of those unfair things!

I definitely agree that it's easier if you are slim. I just don't think that "expensive" should be equated with being thin. I think there are women out there who look lovely and confident without being a size 8. I think that the attitude people talk about comes from looking groomed, being happy in what you are wearing and - yes - posture and movement. Personally I would much rather tick those boxes than look like an identikit Sloane who wears the same things as her friends because it's the accepted "uniform".

Maybe I just slightly disagree with the premise of some of the posts. I went to school with lots of girls who all wore the same, expensive clothes but looked (and often were) very bland. I think that taking joy in clothes is much better than aiming for a look that makes other people think you have money.

I should however caveat this by saying that I am not "plus size" and perhaps I have just not found the best examples of people looking good at a larger dress size. I admit defeat on maxi dresses 😉

I'm so starting a diet tomorrow

after I've finished scoffing the last of the mincepies and finishing the rest of the chocolate Baileys

Beatrice looks gorgeous and expensive in that pic.

The blogger linked to looks well groomed and pretty but I would not say expensive.

I think it is all down to your weight/height ratio and how beautiful your face and hair looks. If you have a fab figure, gorgeous bone structure and a nice face any clothes will look good

I agree that natural good looks make a massive difference but i disagree that they make any clothes look good. There are loads of clothes that look cheap no matter who theyre on.

Yes, Ready.
You are right, a of it is also to do with confidence and attitude.

a lot of it

Being slim is essential to looking expensive - the stats even support this - the wealthier you are the thinner you are more likely to be.

I always say it on these threads......Massimo Dutti. Lots of silk, cotton and cashmere, little pattern and a limited colour palette.