Can we start an updated 2016 "How to look expensive thread"?

[WhatInTheWorld76]

I appreciate that many of the previous thread title's advice remains valid, but can we have a shiny new 2016 version?

[squoosh]

I'd be very surprised if anyone has ever mistaken me for an Italian!

[WeSailTonightForSingapore]

chin something like that but a bit more minimalist Scandinavian I think.

I will post some pics soon, just in the playground now (looking very casual, and definitely not stylish).

[squoosh]

Mind you, the sunglasses in that photo are a bit 2013 aren't they?

[elQuintoConyo]

Some of these styles seem so dull and uniformy ChinUp whilst those women look glam and well-put-together, they lack quirk and originality. That's what I'd like to avoid.

I think posture, clothes that fit, simple nails, well-cut hair in a style that suits your face are all important factors.

I'd sooner have gel nails and slug eyebrows than buy a camel coat! (I have neithervthe nails nor the brows, btw).

[Cellardoor23]

I agree about the camel coat. They look ridiculous on me. Plus they're not exactly designed for Scottish weather! Probably a good waterproof jacket with a fleece lining would be more suitable up here.

I suppose you have to look into what suits your life style plus the practicality of the item or it will look a bit silly no matter how much you paid for it.

[ChinUpChestOut]

elQuintoConyo I think you're saying you want quirk and originality?

I think Scandi style is pretty good, but it's very monochromatic and there's not much glam. That's sort of me, but I think I'd like a bit of quirk in there too. Without looking like a Boden advert.

[squoosh]

I think 'expensive' can cover lots of different looks.

Olivia Palermo, Sofia Coppola and Carolina Herrera all look 'expensive' but all have a different style of dressing.

[Cellardoor23]

Apologies. I thought someone posted about a camel coat. But you get the general gist.

[DelicatePreciousThing1]

@WeSailTonightForSingapore
I love that look, too! Converse are pretty cool.

[absolutelynotfabulous]

Can brogues look expensive? I've got a brogue "thing" atm. Apart from trainers, I don't wear shoes as such apart from brogues.

I wear the with skinnies. No visible socks.

[FreyaFriday]

I saw a lady the other day who looked really expensive and well groomed and immediately thought of the thread from earlier this year!

She was, I'd say, in her mid-late fifties with blonde hair in a mid length bob. Her hair looked a really great blonde, like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy had.

She had white slim leg jeans on, a plain sleeveless top in a neutral shade, and flat shoes. She wasn't particularly tall, maybe 5ft 4ish, and was a slim but not skinny build.

I thought that she looked really well put together, elegant and expensive!

[squoosh]

Can brogues look expensive?

Yes. It's a bit Tilda Swinton.

[absolutelynotfabulous]

Thanks sqoosh. I'm never sure if it looks granny chic, or (on me) granny. And not in a good way.

Tilda Swinton? Liking that better.

[perpetuallybewildered]

I used to be a size 12 (5'8") and yes that's not slim

And I'm a 12, too. So not slim but trying very, very, hard.

I'm aghast at this. Since when was a size 12 'not slim'? Unless of course both posters are very short of stature

[Pisssssedofff]

I'm 5'9" and s size 12 and saw photos of myself over the summer, I am fat. The flattery sizes these days are very misleading I think

[BallerinaBecky]

I'm a size 12 too and definitely fat.

[midnightmoomoo]

Sizing today is definitely 'odd'. At my thinnest (student days, a long time ago...,) I weighed nine stone (I'm 5,7) and was a size 10 but being long in the body and having broad shoulders snd long arms meant I usually wore a 12. I didn't know anybody who was an 8, and I don't think a 6 existed! A 10 was 'thin'. So to think that 12 is now 'fat' is a bit worrying really.

[WeSailTonightForSingapore]

So, this is the kind of Scandinavian casual-stylish I like. Yes, chin, it's as you say, monochrome and not too glam, but I have always been a minimalist at heart!

But the thing is, although my own clothes look a lot like this (and are actually great quality) I just look like I haven't bothered- as opposed to looking effortlessly stylish!

PP mentioned shoes. The thing is, I, like many people I assume, really struggle with shoes because of various foot problems. I haven't been able to wear flats for about six years (never mind heels).

I manage trainers, sandals or flat boots, but find shoes excruciating, and I walk to work 30 mins each way (with toddler and pram in tow)

So, I would love to find a way of looking more put together within the limitations that I have (and I assume, many other people do too).

[WeSailTonightForSingapore]

I envy people who can wear brogues and Chelsea boots. I have big and wide feet, and when I wear brogues I just look like I borrowed my husband's shoes.

[WhatInTheWorld76]

I think the whole Scandi look is underpinned by perfect nails and ever-so-natural hair. It's only achievable if you are well-groomed and are purposefully casual iyswim

[Thegiantofillinois]

I'm 5'9 and 12. Hour glass with little waist. I do moan a bit about bit of flabby mum tum, but would seriously piss people off if I called myself fat.

Having said that, the topshop jeans I've worn for 20 years are a size 14. As is the New Look skirt from 16 years ago, so i do suspect 12 is actually 14.

[absolutelynotfabulous]

wesail it took me years to get myself into brogues. I thought I was too dumpy for them, and struggled on with heels, unable to walk properly. Heels make my feet look like pig's trotters because I take a 3/4.

I'm finding brogues strangely liberating!

Maybe your feet look bigger because brogues are kinda mannish?

[cressetmama]

Vanity sizing is a big issue. I have some vintage evening dresses from the 1950s and the size 16 is the equivalent to a current 10/12, which is what I buy these days. I am 60 (gulps), 5'5" and not fat, although chunkier than I would like.

I do think clothes need to fit perfectly to qualify as elegant, and good hair, nails, skin, clean shoes, and proper deportment/posture must be taken as non-negotiable.

[cressetmama]

Elegant/expensive; there's also expensive and tacky, which is obvious from 100 yards.

[Tanaqui]

Agree sizes are insane these days- I wear a 10-12 and at 5'4 and 10 stone I may not be technically fat but I am definitely very solid or chunky! however, I do suspect I might be a 14 still in younger brands- as I am in all my older clothes.