How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

Lurker de-lurking here! Really useful thread. I never really frequent the Style and Beauty board, as most of it is way beyond my budget or effort levels!
I really like the dark skinnies, white shirt, boots etc look that has featured a lot on these threads. My problems are a figure which doesn't suit shirts, and rubbish hair which I can't really afford to do anything about. It's as fine as babies' hair, a boring mousy colour and I'm currently at the awful stage of growing out a crop! Am considering dyeing it myself but not sure. Highlights would be best but definitely can't afford to keep that up!

Anyway, have re-shaped my eyebrows and am off to have a wardrobe clear-out, so thanks for the inspiration!

Oh come on blingy it's only chat - no-one was being intentionally rude.

jaybee I agree about the cigarette pants. I used to wear them with very silky pop socks. Can't wear them now because I have foot problems and the shoes I need to wear day in day out just don't look great with them.

Am a similar size to you.

What are penny loafers please?

I've googled penny loafers. I didn't realise they were called that.

Thanks for your thoughts on puffa jackets. I wear heels with it anyway as I am short so would look even more dumpy with flats. I think I will have to invest in a nice wool coat and keep the puffa for really cold days.

What do you think of this?

www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-faux-fur-collar-coat/p2065152?colour=Black

I really like it. Looks a classic shape to me and cosy for winter. Bargain too. I'd snap it up quick if I were you.

It's a nice coat. It will depend how it fits and how it makes you feel.

My MIL often tries stuff on and says she can't make up her mind if it's right or not. I think, if you aren't sure, if you don't put it on and don't feel automatically good or great or that it is right for you then it isn't right.

Following this lovely thread with interest .

My tip for looking chic is to show off your flesh OR your figure but not both .

My tip for looking chic is to show off your flesh OR your figure but not both

I think for a lot of people neither would be better,

Merciful - You can do your own highlights with a box dye. Pick a shade just 2 or 3 levels lighter than your 'outside' hair. Natural baby blonde usually works well with English Mouse. Make it up according to the instructions, then apply it using your hands - pinch up a fingerful of hair, cover it in gloop and twist it as you go. Lay it back down gently, then do some more. Check it every five minutes by wiping off a bit of gloop with toilet paper.

Another method requires two dyes, the light one and another the same shade as your 'underneath' hair. Just massage it through your hair, but use the light one for the hair starting from your crown to the front and the darker one for the back.

I've been using both techniques for donkey's years. Hairdressers have always admired my work, so it must be all right :)

Oops: with the two-dye trick, mash them both together at the 'add warm water & massage through the lengths' stage. This rescues any awkward bits!

What sort of dye do you use Garlic?

Whatever's on special offer

I went out last night wearing a plain black belted mid-thigh length puffa with stilettos! I think I looked OK - it was freezing and I was wearing a short dress with bare legs. Hopefully my designer shoes, bag, dress and £££ jewellery meant I looked expensive in spite of this, but to be honest I don't really give a toss - I didn't catch pneumonia.

"When I make more of an effort I tend to feel like I am playing at dressing like a Lady this is esp true with skirts"

Same here.

My problem is that my feet feel the cold a lot and most blogs show women in lovely clothes with high heels, no tights or socks and often with gaps between the ankles and shoes. I can only wear this look in summer in temperatures over 21 degrees.

at pizza .

Bunbaker - I'm not a classic person so too classic clothes make me look and feel frumpy . I can do a touch of classic but it needs a twist .

I have a friend who is gamine and looks ridiculous in classic styles, like a child wearing her mother's dress. Just as you say, playing at being a grown up . Or like she is wearing someone else's clothes .

However she looks great in a denim mini , opaques, flat knee high brown boots and a cute sweater.

Which isn't much use for working in a professional office. She's now worked out that she can't do shift dresses and pearls, so she wears smart cropped trousers , low heels and neat, coloured jackets .

Nicky Hilton in Daily Mail today. Dressed down but looks 'expensive'

Agree classic clothes make me feel frumpy and a bit Tory wife. I always need something to undo it a bit.

Higge

I always like to look slightly "undone" too.

I've always really admired Kate Moss' ability to do just that, really well.

As much as I like Olivia Palermos style, it is too groomed for me.

There's a girl in my class who always looks beautifully turned out, great clothes & hair, perfect makeup etc, super nice & generally very 'together'. Was really surprised the other day when she did a presentation and was visibly very nervous. Weird how clothes have such an effect on how you see a person, because obviously anyone can get a shaky voice etc, but you somehow think someone elegant and 'expensive' looking would be less likely to. Has given me hope for myself (because I am so terrible at public speaking!).

Bare legs Amber you are hardcore

Agree that too many elements of the same look can look a bit OTT and cross the line into "young frump".

Also it feels a bit inauthentic like I'm not really putting anything of myself or my personal tastes in there?

(like sometimes you get young men wearing the "pastel polo shirt with animal logo and/or stripes on it + chinos +pricey watch" look even though it doesn't suit them, because they have gone into a profession or industry which they feel needs a "posh uniform"?

So they just go out and buy some stuff because thats what they think they "ought" to wear, with no nod to their own personality or self.

Very weird, and sad.).

yesterday I got two Ness jumpers from a charity shop (£11 for both) which I'm planning on wearing over a plain white shirt, they have quite a bright colour print.

Trying on today, I definitely will need black skinnies or leggings to balance out the bottom half for a sleek element, otherwise I look a bit staid and matronly.

I'm hourglass - size eight but I need to keep some stuff fitted or I look a lot bigger.

Also (I love love love this) - went to TKMax and got a plain boatneck cotton top in plum colour which is very comfy and looks great on me over jeans and as a lounging around top.

I think that means I can throw out four casual tops I don't "love" now

Originally from Crew clothing, they have some nice other stuff though not the exact one I got (maybe its an autumn line?)

Re: puffers I have one and I remember someone saying the best solution to cold-weather dressing is to have low standards/embrace dressing like a lunatic?

I mean the practical look can be really chic as well. Make sure it's a colour that suits you, stick a fluffy hat on and lace up hiking boots or cute snow boots, put a smile on, and pretend in your head you're on some expensive ski resort.

A puffer will never look sleek and fitted (I've tried the uniqlo thin ones and they are great for spring but not actually as warm as a proper one so not an adequate replacement in my opinion,) so one may as well embrace the pufferness of it.

Everyone else is wearing something similar so trying to stand out by putting on shoes that restrict ones movement is a bit too far IMO.

Couldn't agree with you more, Ikea, about puffa coats - or puffy coats in general

It's a bit like the difference between good manners and affectation, imo. Only I've just discovered I'm too tired to illustrate what I mean!

Interesting about the good manners. It doesn't matter how "expensive" someone looks - if they are rude or ill mannered it makes them look very cheap.