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?

Can you tell by my one handed typos that I'm back on mat leave again...hence reading this thread.

Have just put all my measurements into a website which tells you your size in various shops. I've gone up two sizes in some of them!
No wonder I'm forever fiddling with my clothes, need to go shopping now

Thanks for all the tips

sizes.darkgreener.com/

Link to the site I used.

Intrusive that's a brilliant site! Thank you. Except it's told me I'm a bigger size than I'd like to think in some shops

I've been trying to eradicate all the black skirts and trousers from my wardrobe and although it's taken me a couple of years I'm almost there. navy is the way to go! I've also tried to stick to a palate of aubergine/pink/grey for tops. Still buying dresses in any colour I want but sticking to a strict colour scheme for separates has meant that everything goes with everything iyswim.

Interesting site. It shows me as at least a size bigger than I actually appear to be in reality. Amusingly has me at an 18 in Gap whereas I bought size 12 trousers which are a bit loose last week.

Am watching the rest of the thread with interest....

I love these threads!

As other posters have said, it's a combination of things including but not limited to:

• good posture
• slimness
• grooming
• plain, well-fitting clothes
• wearing styles/colours that suit you

Ive now erradicated black & white & dull/faded items from my wardrobe and replaced them with light & dark grey. I cant tell you the amount of compliments I get especially when i wear light grey. Incredible. I think if you're light skinned, light haired and light eyed, black is very harsh.

As I said, it has added two sizes for me in some shops. I know this can't be right, I'm just too lazy to check all the different size guides

Wearing jackets instead of cardigans seems to make a difference for me. People will comment on how smart I look, and the only difference in my outfit will be that I have worn a jacket instead.

I struggle with shoes, as I have ridiculously narrow and shallow feet.

Watching with interest. I look best in black/navy/charcoal with strong colours - orange, cerise, scarlet. I do find it quite difficult to maintain those colours and look groomed as softer, more neutral colours tend to wear better.

So, hair is groomed (normally). Nails are always short. Shoes are always leather or suede. The big one for me is weight but I'm taking steps to address that.

I desperately want to be groomed. I am in awe of people who achieve it.

Placemarking! Loved the last thread.

I've come to the conclusion that the best place to start is hair and skin, since you wear those every day. You can't look expensive with grey skin and a shit dye job. Sadly for me.

Hair is my major problem. It always looks frizzy and dull. I need to sort this first.

Totally agree re hair. It constantly lets me down. I yearn for shiny manageable locks instead of fine, kinky badly coloured yuk.

I'm not sure of the solution. I can't afford the regular colour and cut with someone really decent I suspect it needs. Try as I might I've never been able to manage styling it either, even with the fool proof tools people recommend (I have a drawer of ghds, babylis big hairs etc). I am banned from buying any more products too.

Things are so bad that dh blow dries it for me on special occasions as he's so much better than me. He is also in sole charge of dds lovely blonde flowy tresses and I am banned from going within 50 ft of the hair box where all the brushes, bobbles and ties are kept.

If anyone does have a solution I'd be thrilled to hear it.

The solution for me was to leave it alone, if you don't use heat all the time you don't need to cut it like at all, colour is a different matter .... But I've started living it to bits, loads of deep conditioner, leave to dry naturally, I do use products but it's made the world of difference to condition, thickness etc

Hair is my problem as well. It takes hours to dry naturally (so not practical to do so) and then just looks really unkempt.

My takes 4 hours to dry, I just let it clip it up if I'm at work with those plastic hand looking grips and try not to wash it for as long as possible, even going to the gym I just rinse the sweat off and all the baby hairs around my face have started growing back too, I'm sure it's down to not blow drying ... Which I couldn't do effectively either

I would look the very definition of ungroomed if I did my commute with wet/drying hair.

I'd look like a bedraggled Victorian street urchin if I left my hair to dry naturally.

This is the thing though, you go through the pain barrier and then it gets better. I was a non believer too but it works honest, then you're left with glossy hair that you flick and it falls into place, no fizz and it takes 2 mins in the morning to spray a bit of water on to refresh it. Leaving more time to sort out my mug which is decidedly high maintaince

Just tried that body measurements site, and it has also put me at two sizes bigger than I actually am - relieved to read it not the only one!

No my flat would be all limp and sad looking. It needs a blast of hot air to bring it to life.

Place marking.

I have found this site for body proportion calculations. I haven't done it yet though as I don't have a tape measure (just moved country!)

Anyone tried one of those babyliss heated brushes? I dry and then straighten mine but that leaves it flat very quickly. I wondered if that might have a bit more body in it.

I have the Babylisd brush. It creates volume and makes my hair bouncy. But it pulls out my hair and the sides of my hair got quite thin looking. I stopped using it unless going out but wouldn't use it everyday.