How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

OK .... I know it's January (just) but I was wondering whether anyone would like to point me in the right direction for spring/summer clothes. I find it easier to look more put together in the winter when you can add jumpers, coats, etc but for me "how to look expensive" when the weather is much warmer (particularly in the height of summer) seems to elude me. Who'd like to start???

double it's called stone and it is, literally, stone coloured. Imagine that really dull beige stone you get mixed in with grey stones on mountains. Has absolutely no golden or creamy tones.

opinions please - ponchos

Are they a trend that's reached its peak or could they fall into the "classic" look. Found a very expensive one in grey wool in the sales, so not quite the same as the picture, but same cut/drape. But it's still pricey even with the discount... Mind you, I'll still wear it, I was just curious if strangers will think I'm wearing yesterday's trend or it will look timeless.

I think cut and quality of fabric outweighs 'fashion'. To me, looking polished goes beyond following what's in vogue this month/season.

However specific to ponchos - are you mid-height or taller, with a slim build and (this is important) small norked? The reason I ask is because if you are like me - small, round, massive norks - then it doesn't make any difference how expensive or good quality it looks, because you will look like a small round barrel dressed in an expensive looking poncho!

I like ponchos but alas they are not for me. I look like I am due with quads when I wear one - they hang from the chest so the excess space created because you have large norks, is not very flattering.

OrchardDweller I'm the opposite to you! In winter there are too many things to coordinate and I'm baffled by "ankle-wear" ie knowing which length and width of trousers/jeans with which boots or shoes. And I get bored of my two coats and two pairs of boots that are dull and practical!

What I love about summer dressing esp when it's hot is the simplicity of dress + sandals. I stick to flat sandals (leather, neutral colours), make sure I have nice nail polish, then I have a handful of dresses that I know suit my shape. Add a leather bag and a silver bangle, and go! I stick to mostly navy and white and grey (which suit me) and avoid loud prints most of the time.

I'm probably quite a dull dresser but I aim for elegant not trendy, and I think I look ok most of the time.

It probably helps that I tan, and suit white, and I'm not afraid to wear my white jeans now that my children aren't toddlers!

Unfortunately when it come to elegant summer dressing I think being slim and not prone to sweating is a huge advantage! I can start the day in a nice fitting summer dress, simple leather sandals, fresh blowdry, looking pretty good but by the time I've got the kids to school and finally arrived at work I look a sweaty, crumpled mess.

I think dressing for your figure is really important. I also think your posture and your general air or attitude will go a long way.

I have a relative who is short and on the dumpy side (built like a barrel actually) but she wears tight black garments and leopard skin pattern items and manages to look fantastic, neither cheap nor mutton dressed as lamb even though she is probably a little older than me. In winter she wears ponchos and looks dramatic, not like someone swamped in a blanket. I don't know how she does it -- but I do note that her hair is always well coloured, brown with warm brown highlights, and she takes care about her makeup. Her posture is very good. She just keeps her chin up and strides forward with a resting facial expression that is always pleasant. I have never once seen her looking harried, even when a dog was threatening hers on his walk.

Nick Hippo I struggle with summer. I live in forrin parts where it's hot 9 months of the year. Where do you find nice summer dresses? All the ones I seem to find are flowy which make me look fatter then I am or linen shifts which make feel old and mumsy.

Grin
I think Boden do decent ones .
Also sea salt occasionally too .
I've stArted to make my own simple shifts out of nice fabric as I too dislike a lot of what's on offer . I need to learn to insert sleeves next tho !!!!!

gin what pattern do you use? Also considering the same!

My absolute best summer dresses were from Jaeger boutique before it shut, but Jaeger itself isn't too bad. I also live in a hotter country and struggle for the 6 months of the year I can't wear my indigo-skinnies-and-merino-knit uniform

Grin I'm temporarily living somewhere warmish and the dresses I am finding most practical are my Boden jersey dresses. They are not particularly flowy or voluminous, and come to just above the knee. That said, I am quite slim and my legs and arms are my best features.

My friend has some lovely simple Joules dresses in the same vein.

White Stuff had some nice dresses last summer too. I stay away from the loud prints.

I love linen but get bored of all the ironing :)

How about this? Navy

My nicest summer dresses have been from Monsoon, Joules, White Stuff (their plainer stuff) and TK Maxx (but you have to try on 20 things to get something good). I got a beautiful fitted linen dress by a designer called Lina Tomei in TK Maxx last year. I'm on the look out for more stuff by her.

Hippospot I reckon that dress would be really flattering, even on my fat arms!

Toffeeboffin I found the sizing generous for that dress.

It's nice and cool as doesn't cling :)

Just looked at White Stuff website, esp. dresses - they have some really nice stuff!

Really struggling to find some nice tops.

It's either sleeveless (my upper arms are improving but still not my best feature!), or is boxy and ends right on the waist (not a flattering look for me), or is very loose (fine) but with no darts or tailoring to it (not fine, makes me look even more humungous!).

All this is before I get into looking at fabric - loads of jersey which I am not crazy about for work as it doesn't tend to wear that well. I also find that 9/10 times the fabric is too thin and drapes over every lump and bump in the most unflattering way possible.

Ideally I want 3 or 4 tops in colours that will work for me - grey, navy, cream, teal - with some kind of structure to them, in fabrics which will look good and wear well. I like this - I like the colour, it's long line which works for me, it has darts in the chest so shouldn't billow too much but is loose enough not to cling. It also has the option to unbutton to lower the neckline (really high necklines make me look very matronly!). But it's £85 and I could really really do with not spending quite that much on one single top, especially when it's bloody polyester

Being Slim definitely makes clothes look better on.

Have been watching The Real Marigold Hotel, and amazed at how stylish Jan Leemingalways looks, even when she's wearing really casual clothes.
Two of the other ladies on the programme are huge and no matter what they wear, they don't look as good.
I'm sure it's possible to look good expensive if you're big, but so, so much more difficult.

I will be happy a person if I look like Jan Leeming when I'm 74!

Excuse that I can't remember posters and posting before bed but...

TK MAXX bag- looks nice but think with leather I need to see it to see if it smells wonderful and is buttery soft.

Wide feet- I actually find Monsoon have some nice real leather shoes occasionally and are very generous with width (I normally size up for this reason but don't need to with them).

Jagear stuff- agree with flattery sizing but can't comment on that particular coat. Been very impressed with quality though.

Hollow- I really enjoyed Marigold! Not especially for style but it was fascinating.

Jolse I absolutely love that blouse you linked to! If you happen to find anything thats not as steep please let me know, I've blown my clothing budget for the next three years!

Expensive update FAIL: Made my first couple of purchases in the HUSH sale with the mantra "nothing thats in fashion and nothing that can go out of fashion". Picked up two dresses, I'm a slim size 8 but with norks, can look a bit lollipop but loved them both on (a little big, probably could have gotten away with the 6 tbh but it looked nice).

Paired the Alexa navy dress with thick black tights and Dune heel suede boots. It looked fabulous if I say so myself! Until I got home and realised the thing had fallen apart at the seams at 3 different locations leaving horrible frayed material gaping from the holes. I don't understand it, the dress isn't even tight (and I've squeezed myself into many a cheap pencil dress in my time!) and the holes aren't even where the garment would be stressed (if I was too big for it). Anyway they've said they will take a look at it so I'll need to faff around with sending it back. It was £30 reduced from £60, £60 is a lot more than I'd usually spend on a casual type dress so was at least expecting to to last a wash cycle! Perhaps my expensiveness is doomed to fail, I can't seem to get the basics right such as getting home with all your clothes in one piece

Hamil - sounds like a construction issue rather than something you have done. It could be as straightforward as the wrong type of thread for the fabric, or machine tension set incorrectly when it was stitched. These things can (and do) happen. If you have only worn it once then I would definitely be pursuing it with them. You have the Consumer Rights Act (info here) on your side.

Well I've read both threads from start to finish and its inspired me to focus on me again.

I've had a difficult time in recent years and put on weight. Clothes, for me, have become functional rather than a pleasure.

I've decided the time's come to lose weight and put the focus back on me again.

Thanks to everyone who's posted - these threads have really helped me

Why can't I find any nice tops?

I went shopping and did HoF and Debs plus a few other places. I got one top. Everything is either too short, too casual or really horrid patterns.

Why is it so bloody difficult? I really am losing patience with this. It's so easy to see why loads of people just give up, or don't even bother. I don't like shopping online unless its a designer or clothing item which I know will work for me. I've been burned too many times by bad lighting, poor photography and just not being able to see and feel the fabric up close.

I tried on 10 or so different tops last night, across a range of designers. Most of them looked awful - wrong shape, too short. One looked nice but it was the wrong colour for me. I did consider buying it and dyeing it but I resent paying £50 for a top to then have to faff around with dylon! There's no guarantee that the colour will 'take' properly and last without fading either.

Anyhoo, hope everyone else is having a good week

I agree completely, Jolse, it feels really hopeless sometimes. Learning to sew is on my to do-list. :/

I would never have thought of that BoffinMum, thank you! I'll have a look at those.