How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

Hermes belt too bling??

Sorry, but it is a classic item, that wont date, no bling involved and looks ultra stylish with the right things, see Cookiedoughs pictures. The hermes belt here is not in your face.

If you can afford one then they are a great accessory, and being double sided and interchangable are two belts in one if you manage to get one in your size with two good colours.

I've seen the picture. It's all subjective of course but I personally think an Hermes belt is too bling. Maybe 'obvious' is a better word than 'bling'.

A quick Google and the first Hermes belt I came across was £610! I think the aim was how to look groomed, put together and polished and the all encompassing word the op chose was 'expensive'. During the first thread I think it was decided that throwing money at it doesn't necessarily achieve the look we're aiming for. Being expensive doesn't equal looking expensive overall.
Which is good because the average person won't have £400-600 to spend on a belt. I don't anyway.

I've completely lost my point.

Find I've been 'watching' more since this thread started
Looked round choir-about 100 women, aged early thirties to eighties- the other night and have decided 'good' hair is an absolute essential.
Followed by skin, nails etc as already mentioned. The % of expensive looking people was disappointingly low (and this quite a well-off area, so it isnt money or lack of . Nor time-most peoples children aren't very young).
The two most expensive looking (which I equate with elegant) women there were sisters, fiftyish . Tall ,slim one blond streaks (but subtle) one blonde curls . Both casually dressed in combination of black/cream/ caramel -but very differently.

I look awful in black...it washes me out . I try and stick to strong but not garish colours.And when I have lost 7lbs I will again we investing in some expensive, well fitting jeans I have the well fitting bras, no VPL knickers and good boots,sandals, shoes . Generally own (only)one decent handbag which I use daily til it shows signs of wear.
You'd think I could get it right by my advanced) age...

Yes - that's the blogger extrapetite.com as mentioned before (good looking husband helps with the expensive look LOL but optional). I should have put in the link earlier but didn't get round to it
- here you go:

Also, IMO - being trim helps (I don't mean slim). I've a friend who's a size 14 but she works out, has really good arms and athletic legs. Her body doesn't really ''bulge'' so clothes sit well on her.

Here's a nice one:

And the ensemble:

H&M blouse (!!),
J.Crew blazer,
BAUBLEBAR NECKLACE
RAG & BONE JEANS
HALOGEN HEELS,
Michael Kors SUTTON BAG

The point is that you can find all of this or its equivalent on the highstreet. It's how you put it together and effort to put a little makeup on your face and style your hair.

I love this blogger :)

I tried on a grey blouse exactly that shape in new look today!. Looked rubbish on me though as I am v norky. Think key to looking groomed is also dressing right for body type! Doesn't matter how thin I am I will have a large chest always and that top will turn me from hourglass to apple.

Fedup83
Follow up on first thread.... what mascara is it ?
You said you'd have to kill before you told.
Why?

Have any of you got any tips for looking chic/"put together" in serious winter weather? Some of the basics like nails I suppose don't really change but nine winters in and I've yet to master the art of gracefully wearing a down jacket...

I like that outfit CookieDough, But the baby blue bag is a bit of a bum note, doesn't really chime with the rest of the look.

Mumminton, Robell and Jonny Q are good for jeans. Always too long on me!

I'm surprised how many people advise black.

I got my colors done and style advice from a stylist in Paris (where I live). She said that generally people look a lot better using other neutral colors as bases like navy, grey, brown, cream, khaki...depending on your coloring.

It turns out that black really drains me (summer coloring) and I've spent the past year culling my wardrobe and replacing it with better colors and styles.

I'm still looking for the perfect handbag and I think I need to start wearing makeup which I hate.

How do you choose lipstick color for example? (Novice )

I agree Squoosh. That bag is hideous.

I was just going to post about the baby blue bag

I don't think a down jacket can ever look seriously chic. I've got one that is gorgeous and hangs beautifully without looking like a duvet hence it looks better than 95% of black down jackets. It hangs well and looks good in Sainsbury's, the car, on very cold days and I feel comfortable in it. It will never ever be Bond Street chic because down jackets aren't.

In perspective, in 2002 (when dd started reception) I bought a black shearling gilet and wore it and wore it and wore I until bits of the skin looked a bit shiny and bits of the fur looked a bit tired. It was gorgeously glam for its first nine years. Now I wear it in the garden and if still looks expensive in a good but different way.

Thanks cresset off to look..

Why can't you wear designer sunglasses due to needing a prescription? I do. You do need to find a pair that suits your lens though. I'm a -7.5 in one eye so struggle occasionally. The bigger the frame (like those bug eye ones) won't work as they wont support my lens but there are many other types.

Sorry Merde, mistaken post name...start wit h Jonny Q. Their legs are long.

I have designer prescription sunnies, too.

My mum always said, put the money and the effort into your hair and your shoes and it'll carry whatever's in the middle. You can have the nicest outfit but if your hair and shoes look shit (that's not quite how she put it) it doesn't matter how good the outfit is.
I think she had a good point.

"Why can't you wear designer sunglasses due to needing a prescription?"

I have a small head and therefore have a very limited choice due to the fact that very few glasses frames fit me. I often end up getting glasses designed for teenagers.

My current glasses have a metal frame and have magnetic clip on sunglasses. They look a bit like this. I know they aren't very stylish, but I also have very photosensitive eyes, and constantly changing my glasses when I am sightseeing or exploring and going in and out of the sun is really irritating, hence the magnetic frames.

Women judging other women is such a shame.
I like clothes. I like to think about what I'm wearing. I like to feel nice.
I'm also well qualified. Have a career. Read. Travel and play sports. It's a shame I feel the need to point that out, to somehow justify my interest in fashion.
Today I'm wearing black leather Chelsea boots, blue slim leg jeans, black polo neck, silver bee necklace and light grey wool coat when out. I'm a highlighted blonde and, for me, I think I do look more groomed when wearing these simple neutrals. I also find these simple outfits easier to put together.

Great hair is vital, as someone up thread mentioned
I would invest in a great handbag and shoes
Wear colours that suit you
Dress to fit your body shape
Splash of nice perfume
Don't go barefaced- I don't care how great your skin is .

I find it interesting that many replies on here talk about handbags. I honestly don't notice things like handbags or watches. I am comletely brand unaware when it comes to accessories, yet I will notice if someone is nicely dressed or elegant. I tend to notice the whole person rather than their accessories.

The things that would stand out for me would be great hair, ironed clothes that suit body shape and in colours that suit the wearer. I'm afraid I do notice when women wear the wrong bra as nothing looks right over an ill fitting bra.

Love these threads!

I think if time's a problem you have too much stuff. The first pictures don't look rich to me- it looks like she owns and spends a lot of money on clothes which I think is different (realise she is probably given them to advertise but..)

Put your favourite outfit together, see what's missing, what would make the outfit great. Think ahead about where you would wear it so there's no trying on heaps of outfits.

Then wear it - lots of people seem to save items!!