How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

Sorry about the Daily Fail link but although I like the blue coat outfit a lot, and the white coat, (but not the whole look that day), and she has some nice handbags, not all the outfits on this lady look that good, (IMHO):

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3412087/Is-glamorous-divorcee-Christina-Estrada-turns-courtroom-catwalk-fights-Saudi-billionaire-ex-Chanel-Louis-Vuitton-designer-outfits-worth-thousands.html

Rabbit, I wish you hadn't mentioned a Whistles bag! After about an hour examining their bags online, I'm now suffering a dreadful attack of longing!! Don't need, definitely can't afford, but want so badly! I hate you

Ms Estrada looks lovely :) I can't stand those LV logo bags, but that's just because there's something very wrong about paying a few thousand to carry advertising - it should be the other way round!

South, they may say that but under the Distance Selling Regulations they are legally obliged to accept returns within (I think) 7 days for no reason, and if you return the whole order they are obliged to refund postage as well. I sent back the second bag I ordered as it looked nothing like the picture.

Thanks boffinmum thought there was something about distance selling and returns.

Was just checking out a Whistles bag I fancy today. One of the things I liked about it was that there was no name on it at all. ( and don't think they have had name on for last season or two). I have a loathing of any bag with flash obvious metalware at all.

I agree with you about the muted colours, AyeAmorok.

Children can still choose what they wear daily from their drawers full of non-garish looking clothing. 'Muted' doesn't rule out pink either. I have two redhead DDs and chose their pink clothing carefully. I never bought them anything red or orange.

SeaRabbit I always bought my DCs the most neon bright swimsuits I could find as we spent a lot of time at the public pool in the summer, packed in like sardines and all the small children looked the same with their hair wet.

I must admit, when I see a hi-vis label or logo incorporated into the leather ('leather') or very flashy metal bits, I always assume it's a fake. I think all such bags and luggage, etc. look cheap. YYY to advertising, GarlickBake.

Kondo'ing stuff at the moment so clothes are included.

Three Ikea blue bags full to go in the hallway! (just lucky I'm feeling flush at the moment )

Kondo says that often we think about relegating clothing we don't quite like to "casual" when the majority of our time in casual stuff?

(but I don't just want to look "nice" for nights out)

So I have spent £17 (each) on two casual tops (boatneck, plum coloured, 100% cotton) when normally I'd just go for cheap and cheerful and they feel fantastic. Planning to wear them with black jeans (I'm asian with black hair so black jeans have a rather smart effect on me) and maybe a big silver ring.

I hope they last for a long, long, time.

This bag talk has motivated me!

I know I like (and use) a complement of

one tan/neutral brown

one black

a couple of bright big ones - free ones from half-marathons etc - for work.

one big canvas one for summer

one white and black bag which is like photo (but with no label as it was a £5 charity shop purchase so probably not Armani! I actually have gone off visible labels, although I recognise this is a personal preference)

But they are all in fairly cheap materials, so maybe I'd think about upgrading to leather at some point.

Damn you all. I de-regged after Jeffreygate as unfortunately the security breach also compromised my personal email - cue many hours of frantic password changing... MNHQ very kindly wiped my entire MN history (since 2010 )

But I have been suckered back in by this thread - which I have been following right from the beginning. And do you know what finally tipped me back into signing up again? Mint Velvet and a graphic print top - very nice design but £99 for 100% polyester!

This - which is a nice shape although I was looking at it as a top over some cigarette pants as it's a bit short for my taste. Looked at the label and my ghast was flabbered. I really don't expect polyester for 100% - not when across the way (House of Fraser) I was also looking at a rather nice Phase Eight top which is silk...

I've often wondered why polyester is used so much when some shops are capable of selling similar garments made of silk for the same price. I have bought a couple of poly things and found they looked good for a short while then suddenly turned into dishrags. They weren't mega- pricey but not cheap either.

Has anyone bought from Uterque? Lisa Armstrong mentioned the company and the clothes look interesting and expensive though the prices aren't that bad.

YY Sea. Was quite annoyed when I read the label on it - when I could go across the street to New Look and pick up a very similar garment composed of the same material and pay a fifth of the price. I always used to quite like browsing in Mint Velvet but there has been a marked downturn in the quality and fabric. It's a pisstake to carry on charging advertising it as 'luxury' clothing when they are only trading on their name rather than the quality of what they are selling.

Not heard of Uterque - having had a brief look at the site it looks interesting, although it has fallen foul of one of my pet peeves, which is to style the models in 'fluid' positions. This actually translates to I can't see a blardy thing because the model's twisted herself into a pretzel shape and has her back to the camera. I don't want to have to click on and have to go into every page separately, to look at some sensible unpretzelley pictures of what the dress/trousers/whatever actually looks like. I want nice and neatly organised thumbnails that I can skim down. I am busy and lazy in that order!

God I have missed Mumsnetting...

Does anyone know who sells fab silk shirts ?

Been following but not had chance to post up-date. This thread has clearly had an impact on how I dress as I have twice this week revived the 'Holy Grail' compliment. .."Ohhhh you look French!" (No, I wasn't wearing a string of garlic cloves or Bretton top). Was very chuffed with myself.

TIP- remembered my swishy hair tip- a Mason and Pearson brush. Had mine since I was 12 and still going strong. I can run it through even soaking wet hair and it doesn't snag/split hair at all. Gives a real shine to hair and is worth investing.

Since reading this thread...

1. Pay much more attention to quality of fabric when purchasing.

1. Wardrobe cull- It was interesting that hubby made a jibe the other day about amount of clothes I have and he was really surprised when I showed him my wardrobe and I now have less than him! I think clearing out rubbish and buying a few classic basics has really opened up my options. He's commented nearly every day for past 3 weeks that I look 'nice' but think this has been because i've looked polished, rather than wearing say an obvious print he would notice. Because of this, it's less obvious that I'm wearing same things repeatedly.

1. Colour palette- I've been paying much more attention to tones/colours e.g. not just sticking on black shoes with outfit that would look much better with navy etc.

1. Started paying more attention to skincare as polished looks look better with glowing skin (not my usual spots). Not spent much at all but really noticed results.

1. Finally, have given up on painted fingernails. Instead, focused on nicely shaped, buffed nails with a glossy coat of a Sally Hanson hardener which was only £3.50 ish and has a super subtle hint of pink. Soooo much more chic than having gorgeousnails for 3 days then chipped/poorly topped up nails the rest of the week.

How have you ladies changed things since reading this thread? Any lessons/tips?

Ginor - equipment silk shirts are fab but they are £££. However they often go in the sale so worth keeping an eye out.

Forgot to add that I've been (like others on here) totally oggoling others and thinking about what looks chic. Classic/quality coats/shoes and bags really do seem to be the key.

ginorwine Uniqlo sell lovely silk shirts but not all year around - sign up for their newsletter and they'll let you know when they come in.

Brand Alley has some Joseph silk shirts reduced from £285 to around £89.

How do you actually carry a handbag?

Obviously I know how to wear a cross body bag!

Do you put it on your shoulder or hold it in your hand? Or is it that crook of the arm thing that the celebs do?

Not the crook of the arm thing especially with a drink in hand - too affected.
Carry in hand or on shoulder.

I have a bit of a loathing for the handbag in the crook of the arm, because I think it looks so contrived.

I wear either over shoulder or in crook of arm depending on the bag.

I'm not a fan of cross body.

And when I see school kids in their uniforms carry their plastic handbags with gold hardware in the crook of their arms....it's just hideous - not cool at all, it's time to move on.

Methenyou

I'm going for a similar approach to my overall appearance; glowing skin, shiny hair, short, neat, shiny nails and understated (but unique to me) jewellery.

My wardrobe is very limited at the moment - I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have lost over 2 stone during pregnancy - my maternity clothes are too big and my pre pregnancy clothes...well I've no idea what will still be of any use!

By the look of things I am going to have to start from scratch, and so will buy the best quality I can afford, in shapes which flatter, and use this as an opportunity to re-style myself.

Quite a scary prospect!

Such an interesting thread:)

On the subject of scarves, I went into a little shop that sold only scarves and pashminas, run by an Italian lady. I explained I wanted a wrap or scarf, but didn't want to look as if I was selling pegs, so could she show me how to wear it. it took ages to learn how to drape it correctly but I can do it in seconds now. And it makes a difference.