How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

I am a mum to an older child, tbh I may have said what the fb mums are saying 12 years ago when he was little and I was tired, poor and stressed. Now my DS is older and obviously I am older, I want to and can afford to take more care of my appearance.

Looking stylish, chic, expensive or whatever term we use is a mixture of factors for the individual. Yes it is about looking polished, good hair, good nails, good skin, but it is combining what suits you personally with the options/budget that you have.

Doing the best you can with what you have and what suits you.

Fedup83
What mascara do you use?

Id just happy if I got of the house without food or poo stains on my jeans!

is one of the comments on Facebook. Sorry, but even when I had a newborn or when caring for my severely disabled son (who was a smearer) I never set the bar that low. I was/am obviously a shit and shallow parent.

Ikea Goddess I so get what you mean about neutrals aimed at white people..I'm mixed race and can do camel / navy/blackbut white looks ridiculous on me. Red is a great colour for me ! The Mink and blush tones also work well with black instead of white. I like to wear nice quality clothes. I'm not sure my aim is to look 'expensive' as in I have lots of money look at me! Think that was covered under other thread though! For me a nice bag does it in a colour that matches your main wardrobe with appropriate trim. I have a red leather longchamp that I love purely because it has silver trim. I am not averse to buying bags off ebay. Designer outlets are great too ..I live near a great one..as is Tkmaxx (search for cashmere, merino, silk etc). I think well coloured hair ( highlights etc) helps. Currently not always as well turned out as I like to be but I am addressing that (mainly due to.weight so much more choice when you are a normal size) .

Here are a few things that help me look 'expensive' (on a shoestring)..

1. Good shoes/ bag
2. Hair blow dried, shiny as poss (oils or serum before blowdry)
3. Silver chain or earrings/ good watch
4. Keep white tops pristine (soak in vanish if need be)
5. always wear makeup
6. Buy cheap vests/basic tops/tshirts that can be replaced regularly.
7. Finish with the best perfume you can afford

Unfortunately, I think you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort to look the best you can. It's hard work!

I think classic patterns and prints are usually safest if you're going to wear them, they're tried and tested and stand the test of time much better than newer ones

From looking at people out and about, camel/tan coats appear to be in... But they can look really bad and samey.

I agree actually with another poster or on that link who said natural fibres where possible. Black does look expensive too.

I don't do it, but matching bag to shoes/boots - eg tan I think this can look expensive and you can get away with cheaper brands (not too cheap).

My top tip actually from where I used to work (Wimbledon) is to look at people there (one expensive client wore a fedora which made her look expensive) but also scour the shops. Elys their main dept store has nice shoes/boots etc... Sort of low scale designer too. But they have excellent sales! Stuff like fenn Wright Manson, Hobbs, etc is discounted in sales there.

I think camel look really good on blondes with warm complexion.

Hi all. Am shamelessy place marking on the new thread. Have started again my diet, in the hope of looking better!

mummington you're right re makeup.

I to to find that simple pearl or diamond studs look expensive too - but for everyday I like to wear others too, simplicity is the key there too.

I knew someone I worked with (but hated her) who looked expensive - she always wore shirts but nice classic ones (think pale stripes, white) with matching wool/cashmere jumpers/cardigans and well fitting trousers etc, she was also slim and tall though. She could also get away with a nice leather bag in navy, no special brand (I think she told me one was from Italy).

Compare her to her colleague who was shorter but slim who wore leggings under dresses, strapless maxi dresses with no bras (and huge boobs!) and i know which woman looked classier. Sadly the latter woman thought that if you added a Mulberry bag or other designer bag this would equal money. She also dyed her hair bright blonde which sadly didn't suit her (looked ok but a bit ageing).

fried camel can look good on blondes with a warm complexion but if it's cut really badly... Looks bad quality material then you're better off in my opinion paying more for a better cut or better material.

I agree that you have to put in the time and effort. Like most things, really.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but I always associate "expensive" with "elegant". That's not saying that you have to BE expensive to look elegant, just that the more pulled-together you are, the more "elegant" you look. And hence "expensive". Spending money doesn't equate to expensive (or perhaps "classy") necessarily.

Looks I don't think are classy, elegant or expensive include:

bits of feet on show.
massive stilettos making the wearer totter.
flabby bits of body on show or visible under clothes.
bright nail varnish on long nails.
bits of strap/vpl/muffin top visible.
hair in a messy, scraped back bun.
no makeup.

Well my tips are:

• designer bag (nothing too flash, so mulberry/smythsons etc)
• decent stud diamond/pearl earrings (one pair)
• decent heeled leather boots
• decent shoes in general
• wrap capes/cardigans
• well fitting jeans/bra
• designer sunglasses
• decent watch
• minimal jewellery e.g. Understated necklace and small tennis bracelet
• glossy hair
• groomed eyebrows
• tan
• well kept nails

- well dressed husband and children

I think as long as you aren't wearing something outrageous if you do the above you'll manage to pull off "expensive". I like to think I manage it

I'm going to join you, because I've sort of got lost a bit. While DD was little, i was a Boden mum, it suited me. Then got bored with it and moved onto black and navy dresses. Which are fine, look classic and smart, but that's ALL I wear.
Going to stick around for inspiration :)

The Facebook comments are just ridiculous.

I went upstairs at 11pm last night and threw out a bin bag full of clothes based on these threads. Stuff that had been hanging around 'just in case'.

I then ordered £200 of sale stuff from Hush - mostly long-sleeved ts to wear under all the nice merino jumpers that I buy and can't wear because they are itchy ... They seem ok in the shop but whatever they use to stop the itch must wash off because after one was they are unwearable.

I agree with all your points Boo but can you look expensive without a welldressed husband?! What if your'e not married? ha ha

Thank you IkeaGoddess for starting a new thread.

Here is a link to the old one for those who might want to look. Ikea it might be a good idea to ask Mnet to amend your opening post with a link to the old thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2537782-How-to-look-expensive

I agree this is a lovely thread and don't understand why anyone shouldn't want to make themselves look their best. That doesn't mean being dressed up but it does mean wearing things that suit the person, that are clean and well cared for. It goes without saying that the person beneath should be clean and well cared for for starters and I can't understand why any right minded person would not want to care well for themselves. Obviously not to the detriment of the needs of others but it's all part of the overall life package I think.

All pizza you are so right, it's about taking pride in yourself. The are only a few occasions where Poo/food stains are acceptable and that would be an emergency!

Well my tips are:

• designer bag (nothing too flash, so mulberry/smythsons etc) - Can't afford one, so I buy a good quality leather one. Although I must admit that bags aren't my "thing"
• decent stud diamond/pearl earrings (one pair) - I think understated is good, but doesn't necessarily need to be real diamonds or pearls
• decent heeled leather boots - I can't walk in heels
• decent shoes in general - yes
• wrap capes/cardigans - yes
• well fitting jeans/bra - Most definitely yes
• designer sunglasses - I don't agree. I can't wear them anyway as I need prescription ones
• decent watch - I never notice watches
• minimal jewellery e.g. Understated necklace and small tennis bracelet - yes
• glossy hair - yes
• groomed eyebrows - yes
• tan - no
• well kept nails - yes
• well dressed husband and children grin - yer wot!

Perhaps we could suggest people in the public who we think are well dressed. I always think that Connie in Casualty always looks elegant.

I love this thread and am in the process of completely revamping my wardrobe with all the advice and tips.
However, am not sure what to do when i have dressed nicely to go shopping then come home to cook dinner, wash up etc do I get changed out of my cashmere etc into "round the house clothes" only to have to change back if i go out to, say, visit my family later?
What do other well dressed people do when transitioning from outside to home?

Why wouldn't you want to look the best you possibly can?
Surely it's a point of personal pride?

I don't know what the Facebook page that's been mentioned is, but I hate it when women, who care about their appearance, are put down by those who don't.

For gods sake, there's enough body/looks shaming from men, without women doing it to each other!

So let's just be kind, to ourselves, and fellow women. We've earned the right, and deserve to be treated with the respect we're due.

If you aren't interested in style or have nothing positive to say, please don't post on this thread.

Move along and find a thread which does interest you.

Rant over and breathe......

lacey I wear an apron to cook, but other than that I just wear my clothes. If cashmere gets dirty, it can be hand washed. The only time I would change during the day is for sport or an evening do.

Ok - I do the school run everyday and the mums who look expensive - do it really well:

-FIRST OFF:

• SMILE, acknowledge people, say hello. The rich mums are not harassed and not tired looking.
• Good even skin (or really - excellent foundation). No eyebags, no sallowness. A quick bit of blusher. Trimmed brows, nude lips. Mascara (yes).

-They have very good glossy haircuts. None of that frazzled look. Neat bob, shiny and no roots showing.

• Jeans are properly fitted - no sagging on the bottom or any fraying. Example: Dark denim with a tan belt works well.
• Leather Handbag that is looks new or well looked after. No fraying, no fading.
• Boots with a short heal but again, polished and clean.
• Iron white shirt or blouse. Again, no bright prints required.
• Usually a short dark fitted jacket and a silk scarf/ fitted mac/ jumper.

Invest in a decent handbag, shoes and jacket. Hermes scarf will set you apart.

Final tips
I can't emphasise the point that your clothes must fit well and put some gloss on. I put on clear lipgloss for school run and a few drops of argan oil in my hair for school run.

Oh - and hand cream- just a few minutes out of your day.

REALLY makes a difference!!

I went shopping yesterday and tried a few things on I liked. In my head the whole time was "hmm, that doesn't look expensive". So i bought one thing only that is classic and looks awesome. Long sleeve black blouse.

I love colour and pattern and look shit in camel (and am white) so I've a way to go, but we will get there.

Some examples: