How to look expensive in 2017

[brickinitIam]

Inspired by How to look expensive 1 & 2 (loved those threads)

The clothes on sale this year are terrible beyond belief and really poor quality.
What are your tips for not looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards? Especially if you don't have enough money to buy from the more expensive shops?

This year I'm saving any spare money for the hairdresser and possibly shoes.

What makes you look cheap and what makes you look expensive (polished)

?
Anybody?

It would be good if people posted items they have found that are worth it. I just got a good dress from h and m which i will post when i get home. It doesnt look like anything online but is nice on.

Good neutral accessories
Good hair cut every 3 months or so
Regular hair removal and skincare routine
Avoid high fashion trends and garish colours
Avoid the mutton dressed as lamb look

You might find this thread an interesting read

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2898682-To-think-current-fashion-is-f-cking-hideous?msgid=68212742#68212742

I'm interested in seeing that HM dress.
I'll mostly be buying from thrift stores this year I think...

I'm sticking to the basics. Being at my fattest this year doesn't help but since the sun's been out I've been exclusively wearing:
Black maxi dress/ black tshirt midi dress/black top and floaty black skirt
Denim jacket
Light scarf
Sandals

I think this will be my uniform all summer

Also nails done, hair clean (got a lob a month ago so it's looking fresh) and well maintained skin with light makeup

Professional haircut and colouring.
Well-fitted wadrobe staples- blazers, floaty plain shirts, shirt dresses, jeans, vests expensive looking sandals.
Gel polish manicure.
Expensive sunglasses.

I'm mid 30s and no longer "do" high fashion.

I agree a lot of current fashions are just awful - I've yet to see anyone look good in a long sleeved top with holes cut in the shoulders, for e.g. I do keep an eye on trends of course, but I don't follow them like a slave.

So number 1 rule is don't bow to fashion, but focus on wearing what suits YOU. I've come to realise over the years what I actually look best in is t shirt and jeans, so I have built up a wardrobe around this which I can dress up or down.

My second rule is invest in decent coats, boots, shoes, bags. TK Maxx is my friend here.

Rule 3 is buy fewer, higher quality items. Step away from Primark. Again, TK Maxx and EBay are my friends as budget is not unlimited.

Rule 4 is to iron anything that needs ironing, repair anything that needs repair ....and throw away anything beyond repair. If it's not in your wardrobe, you can't be tempted to wear it. So anything torn, bobbled, faded, doesn't fit goes.

Rule 5 is check the weather the night before. Before I started doing this I always ended up dressed wrong and hot and sweaty or freezing cold or caught in the rain without an umbrella. You can't look expensive if you're carrying spare layers, squinting in the sun, bright red as you forgot the sun cream, sweating etc so checking the weather and dressing appropriately really helps me feel classy.

One of my favorite female celebs never polishes her nails. They always just look naturally buffed and pretty. She's into environmental stuff so that might be why she doesn't polish them.. the whole natural thing. I'm taking her example. I see a lot of people suggest gel nails on here to look your best, but I don't think it's really necessary.

i stick to the usual rule of buying only in sales in the expensive shops. i think though that my wardrobe is full of boring navy/ greys/ black colours. id love to make it more brighter though

My favorite "expensive" look is very Jackie O-esque.

Black slightly above knee dress, pearl necklace, black sunglasses, sandals/shoes. Nice handbag in any color you like.

I'm fundamentally lazy so I like to stick to a uniform and don't have to think too much

Agree 100% with everything that @coursesforhorses says

I work in a casual work environment in the creative industries, so I'm not going for smart and sleek, my look is more aiming for relaxed scandi chic

Grooming:
eyebrows threaded (I get them tinted, not HD brows caterpillar stylee, I hasten to add)
good haircut - combo of a good cut and Olaplex means I don't have to straighten mine now, it's a bob that I can just rough dry and I'm good to go
Gel nails - I get Gelish, gives me perfect nails for 3 weeks without worrying about chipping

Clothes:
Half my wardrobe comes from Uniqlo.
Blouses - I have their easy care silk touch blouse in every colour. Doesn't need ironing, washes like a dream. Most days I wear this + skinnies + brogues or stan smith trainers

e.g. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-rayon-long-sleeve-blouse-139193.html

Shirts

Cotton Oxford shirts - these do need ironing to look crisp. My indulgence is getting these washed and pressed at the dry cleaner, several for a fiver, they come out looking pristine. I am however lazy and shit at ironing

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-supima-cotton-stretch-striped-long-sleeve-shirt-192003.html?dwvar_192003_color=COL11&dwvar_192003_size=SMB001&cgid=IDextra-fine-cotton1279

Skinny trousers

e.g. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-stretch-trousers-179087.html

I have their leggings trousers in many many different colours - wear these + an easycare blouse probably 2-3 times a week

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-leggings-trousers-184217.html?dwvar_184217_color=COL08&dwvar_184217_size=SMA002&cgid=

Merino wool sweaters & cardigans
e.g. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-extra-fine-merino-crew-neck-sweater-173605.html?dwvar_173605_size=SMA002&dwvar_173605_color=COL04&cgid=IDpullovers12114

Uniqlo Cashmere is also the best on the high st IMO if you want to spring for something more luxe

All my basic t-shirts and base layers come from Uniqlo (cotton tops & heat tech)

My other go-to store for expensive looking basics is &otherstories

This is spendier than uniqlo but I think the look is classier and the fabrics nicer than dresses that cost the equivalent at the likes of Topshop etc, and not as pricey as Hobbs or Jigsaw

e.g. shirt dresses www.stories.com/gb/Ready-to-wear/Dresses/Pleated_Shirt_Dress/582938-0410119004.2

The only things I invest in are leather goods and a winter coat. A good leather handbag, a good leather jacket, and decent leather boots.

bananafish you sound like a better version of me. I also work in a casual/creative+geeky office and love uniqlo. I've started brain washing people into loving it too .

Definitely have less better clothes/shoes/accessories. Also if they aren't shouty nobody notices that your wearing that top over and over again. Unlike that bright floral skirt which everybody loves but can't be worn all the time without it looking like only I have a few clothes

A big part of my shopping trips is looking over the quality of construction, feeling fabrics & checking the fit. This is on top of does it look nice and go with what I have.

Hair - yes.
Nails - not necessary.
Colours that suit you - I get really tired of being told to wear neutrals.

Spend on good underwear - you can get away with cheaper fabrics.

I DESPERATELY need new underwear. Agree re: shoes, hair, nails & bag - nothing has to be expensive, just looked after. I find Clarins hand lotion & glow primer thing smell really nice and make me feel fancy (I think the phrase I once used was "like I have rich people's skin on my skin").

This is the H and M dress. As I said, it doesn't look much on the webpage but I really like it. It is viscose but I don't mind that.

Good haircut
Eyebrows done
Good make up, less is more
A nice perfume
Clothes that fit
Nails done every 2 weeks
A properly fitted bra.

Like the dress margaritas. I shop a lot at H&M and Whistles (in the sales) and most of the time, people can't tell the difference.

If you like cigarette trousers but can't wear courts, what shoes/boots do you wear for summer with them?

Bugger I'd do brogues or loafers

It a veeery dainty strapped flat sandal in tan/gold

bananafish brilliant links!
I am changing jobs and clearing out my horribly mumsy wardrobe and need simple sleek and not too expensive items .You have made my day.

Hmmm a few have mentioned uniqlo. I've never tried them.

Are their clothes long enough in the body? If yes, you've sold them to me.
I'm fed up with most high street stores having clothes that are too short in the body.

Following for tips - unfortunately, I am not stylish enough to offer any!!