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)

I defo look better with a hint of colour,,not orange, but not lily white.

If you don't fake tan, what do you do when baring your legs? Mine are so white they're luminous but feel like a touch of colour makes veins less obvious.

Also thank you for t-shirt feedback. I was unsure as never wear slogan things (though have 1 plain Levis t-shirt which I love) as I think they look a bit naff. Will keep looking! I'd love a high quality raglan top in a lovely cotton.

I just get my very white pins out and tell myself I'm channelling Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain. A bit of pearlescent lotion for some shimmer is as far as I go. I think fake tan can work for mid toned people but it never looks very convincing on the very pale.

@Methenyouplus4 I absolutely love &otherstories t-shirts, but I agree about the writing detailing. They have some beautiful plain t-shirts, really nice and soft fabric

I already have some plain t-shirts that I love (actually from Boden, 100% linen but lovely -bought in 4 colours as loved them so much)! Only issue is that they have a V neck at front and back and have horrendous acne on my back at the moment so can't wear them. Really annoying.

GetAHaircut how much do gels damage the nail underneath? I used to get acrylics put on in my youth and my nails took months to recover. I'd love to just have nice, smart nails, and I'm coming to realise I may never stop biting my nails for more than a few days, so going false is increasingly attractive.

On fake tan - I am very pale (blue in the cold) so love having a bit of colour, and feel slimmer tanned, but it also doesn't look like 'me'. Are there really no good, really subtle fake tans to just take the edge of the icey look?

Another pale one here. I don't have the type of skin that should be tanned.

During my wardrobe cull today, I got rid of 4 large print floral tops. I am getting rid of them because they just don't suit my shape
I just don't know why it's taken me so long to realise this. They are seriously unflattering.

paper I've been getting gel nails since 2004 and my nails underneath are fine .

Marking my place after a depressing couple of days looking for a top to wear to go out this weekend. Hate the peek a boo shoulder things that are everywhere.

I need lower cut tops-scoop or V neck & gap & h&m are generally my only hit & miss options.

Anyone got any sunglasses recommendations? I've bought a few pairs of designer ones from eBay & think they are nicer to look through. Tk maxx sometimes have good buys but I like to have a few pairs on the go in case of loss or breakage.

Oh Methenyou, you have just encouraged me to look at the Boden website and buy a few things (Henrietta off shoulder dress and the Ravello blouse) - some lovely stuff on there, never bought from Boden before.

And h&m is great for linen type t shirts-theres more instore than online

http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0356178009.html#White

@GloriaGilbert ooh I so want a good pair of leather leggings. I've got some faux leather ones that are pretty cheap and nasty but got them as a test run to see if I'd actually be brave enough to wear them before splurging on a pair of the real things

Take it you'd recommend J Crew?

Yep. They are pricey (£500) but incredibly comfortable and flattering.

My sister reports that her friends in the US are big fans of the Spanx faux leather leggings.

Baukjen leather leggings also excellent quality.

Does anyone have recommendations for a natural nail oil that will help keep my nails in nicer condition? And what's the Sally Hansen polish that has been mentioned?

Thanks @TheGrumpySquirrel for mentioning the Lancel bags. I love stuff like that. I would love similar recommendations for brands I might not have heard of otherwise!

Great thread.

Does anyone else feel like they still haven't found their style. I see other women who look really 'together' and I think, I want to dress more like that, but I can't find pieces like that.

I spend a small fortune on clothes most months and I never seem to have anything I like.

I feel like doing a huge clear out, chucking it all away and starting from scratch and buying jeans that flatter me in 5 different colours and the same with jumpers.

I've kinda done that, I bought 4 flattering jumpers and one jumper twice, 3 pairs of jeans, a pair of boots, cost more than the mortgage but that's it. Nothing for 6 months now, I'm done.

Glossolalia - I agree, the most important thing is to find your own style and colours . It completely frees you up to only buy things that are right for you.

It took me a long time to work this out. Now I can look at look / item and say " that's lovely, but that red is too warm for me / the fabric is too natural / the style is too gamine " .

As well as knowing what suits our body shape and lifestyle of course .

So many things to consider, no wonder most of us make so many mistakes.

How do you find your colours?

I've just bought these from Kurt Geiger. They were £££ but I love them and will wear them loads and they look smarter than normal trainers:

www.kurtgeiger.com/women/shoes/trainers/slip-ons/little-navy-suede-kg-kurt-geiger

I have some almost identical to those, bought from R and B last year. Have just got them out again for spring. Very comfortable and have worn well.

penguin The Sally Hansen polish is from the colour therapy range in rose quartz. Just stick a layer on every couple of days to keep them looking nice and healthy then start again when you get a gap at the bottom.

I use the Sally Hansen nail oil too and find it really good, but you could probably just buy sweet almond oil from the chemist much cheaper, although the little brush you get with the nail oil makes it quick to use. I can't find mine at the moment (damn toddler ransacking the place) so have been using calendular oil that I have for the baby!

dancergirl I am loving those trainers from KG, am tempted to get them in taupe!

Love the trainers in pale blue. Not the dark with the white sole.

Get them chloe Apparently they are a best seller so may sell out soon. I liked all 3 colours but went for the navy.

Ooohh I'm going to try the Sally Hansen polish and perhaps the nail oil too. I would also recommend Leighton Denny nail/cuticle oil, I love it.

Could someone possibly link to the Sally Hansen nail polish? I've googled and only lip stick is coming up